Don’t Worry… Be Happy

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Ann Roth

I have a friend who never uses her favorite plates or tableware for fear of who knows what? She’s never said. She only wears her good jewelry and the outfit that makes her feel pretty on special occasions. She covers her favorite sofa with a slip cover to keep it nice, and she usually puts herself last. But hey, life is short! It is often predictable.

My friend deserves to be happy, and so do you. Promise me that you’ll at least think about that…

Until next time,
Ann
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Attitude is Everything!

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Ann Roth

The other day, one of my daughters was about to tackle a difficult task. When I wondered how she planned to make it through, she replied, “I’ll figure it out. Besides, I only have to it once, so it’s no big deal.” Now that’s what I call a good attitude! I like to think she got that positive, can-do outlook from me.

Although I love this photo, I have to say that to me, attitude isn’t so little. It’s HUGE! I am a big believer that one’s attitude can make or break anything and everything in our lives.

So I have to ask: What’s your attitude? If it isn’t the best, what will you do to boost it? Here is a blog by by Paula Lawes with some great ideas on that: http://bit.ly/1DkAZW9 . Check it out!

Until next time,
Ann
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Romance… It Does the Reader Good

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Ann Roth

One reason I write romance is because I believe in love. And after all, love does make the world go round. Also because I enjoy a good story where the hero and heroine suffer and fight to get what they want–often head-to-head against each other. Where the odds are often stacked against them both in life and in love. But after all that suffering and angsting, in the end love triumphs, and the other challenges and hurdles just might get solved, too.

Life is full of bad news and sad endings. Why not indulge in stories that we know will have the payoff we all dream of–an optimistic ending?

Until next time,
Ann

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I Swear, I’m Working

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Ann Roth

There are time when this froggie could be me!

Writing is hard work, even when it looks like loafing. I often sit and gaze into space. Or fiddle with a pen and a pad of paper, making silly doodles or jotting down a word or a phrase. Or open a book or magazine to read, and end up simply staring at the page. Sometimes I even watch the tube or listen to the radio without absorbing a word.

When I do these things, I’m working–I swear! Creativity requires lots of daydreaming and thinking. What-if, could it be done, is it possible, how and where, who and why–these are the stuff of which stories are made.

At the moment, I’m busy editing a book, whipping it into shape for publication. I’m spending countless hours every day making the story as good as I am capable of making it. This process also requires serious thinking and focus, but at this stage, at least for me, most of my thinking happens at the computer.

But soon enough, I’ll be back to looking very much like a goof-off. Now you know the truth–I’ll actually be hard at work.

Until next time,
Ann
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Fear Is Just A Four-Letter Word

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Ann Roth

Or so I tell myself. Because while fear can be a powerful motivator, it can also be the opposite, rendering us virtually paralyzed. That’s why this image is such a great message.

Just how does one go about conquering fear? There are many books and articles about doing just that. Here are some simple steps you can take, courtesy of Tess Marshall, who guest-blogged at Goodlife Zen.

(A quick aside: Don’t confuse simple with easy. These steps are easy to understand, but may take a great deal of work.)

1. Don’t believe your negative thoughts- Train you mind to think positive and learn to expect the best.

2. Let go of the outcome- Remain open to the possibilities.

3. Create a space for gratitude- Remember all your past successes, your strengths and determination.

4. Be comfortable with the uncomfortable- Learn to get through the things you fear.

Tess Marshall actually shares 10 tips in her blog. To get the rest, visit: http://bit.ly/1FIFDKw

Have you ever walked through a fear and come out on the other side? I have and the exhilaration, empowerment and freedom I felt was like nothing else! The next time I set out to face a fear, I remembered what I had done before, and walking through it was easier.

Give it a try. You’ll be glad you did.

Until next time,
Ann

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Time Flies…

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Ann Roth

Where does the time go? I have no answer to that! All I know is that February will soon be behind us. Which got me to thinking about this apt reminder:

I fritter away so much time on social media or plunked in front of the tube, time I will never be able to get back. Sure, after a day spent writing, I am brain dead, but there are better things to do than sit some more. Things such as: take a walk and see what Mother Nature is showing off. Work in the garden. Clean out the closet. Buy a new plant or some seeds and plant them. Volunteer someplace. Cook. Open a book and read. Okay, I already do the last two. But you get the gist, right?

What can you do with your time?

Something to think about…

Until next time,
Ann

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It’s the Small Stuff…

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Ann Roth

I don’t know if Mother Teresa actually said this, but I sure do like it.

May it inspire you as it does me.

Until next time,

Ann
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Ya Gotta… Accent the Positive

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Ann Roth

Interesting fact: I always learn something from the characters in my novels.

A good story is filled with conflict and problems, and I usually throw such terrible obstacles in my characters’ paths. (I love to make them suffer!!) Yet as the true heroes and heroines they are, they always figure out ways to overcome and succeed.

How they do this depends on who they are and the story. I’m never sure how they will triumph, but often, a willingness to learn and a can-do philosophy helps.

It can’t be done? Of course it can, if I just tweak the picture a little…

And so, when I came across this, I thought, Aha… This humorous and positive spin on gray hair is a metaphor for overcoming the trials and challenges of life.

My characters have taught me that no matter how painful or difficult life is, there is always a way to put a glittery spin on life. Finding the glitter may take some digging and hard work to find, but the reward is worth the effort.

Until next time,

It’s My Party…

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Ann Roth

If you constantly compare yourself to others, you’re at the wrong party.

Truth: Your party is strictly about you, and begins and ends with you. I know this, and yet time and again, I catch myself chasing after someone else’s success and happiness, and wishing it was mine.

Yes, I’m multi-published author. I worked hard to attain this dream and I love sharing my stories with others. Readers often email to let me know how much they enjoy my books. As wonderful as I feel when I hear from fans, I still catch myself in the ugly trap of comparing myself to others. I’m not as good as this writer, or as successful as that one.

This is not good for my self-confidence or my happiness, and certainly does nothing to improve my writing.

Which is why I like this sage advice:

This makes perfect sense. Because, let’s face it, the only writing skills and output that I can control is my own, and the only person I can control is myself. The same goes for you.

Of course, I can learn a great deal by reading a particular author and noting how s/he crafted their masterpiece. I can learn new ways of promoting myself from others’ successes. I’d be crazy not to do these things.

But ultimately, my party is inside of me. Just as yours is inside you.

Food for thought…

Until next time,

Finishing Up

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Ann Roth

I am hard at work, finishing edits on a recently completed novel. Wahoo!!!!

Until next time,

Ann

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