Muse, grant me patience and wisdom

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Ann Roth

I love this! I happen to be short on patience–except when I work. Writing takes patience, diligence, and discipline–lots of all three.

So how did an impatient person like me choose writing as a profession? Beats me. 🙂

Actually, I think writing chose me. Stories filled my head and I had to put them on paper. Not just for me, but for others to enjoy.

When I write, the story is my entire focus. I forget about the future and the past and live totally in the now of the characters and the world I am creating. It’s magical!

I am passionate about writing and hopelessly addicted to it, and the magic and the joy of putting the story on paper (as well as the sweat and tears that are part of the process) all contribute to that passion.

As for wisdom part of the top image, you know what they say: You finally get wise… and then you die. Nothing we can do about the dying part, but my plan is to keep growing (mentally, but hopefully not physically 🙂 ) and learning.How about you?

Until Monday, and wishing you patience, wisdom and a terrific weekend,

Ann

Visit me at my Facebook Author page https://www.facebook.com/AnnRothAuthorPage
Follow me on Twitter @Ann_Roth
Stop by my website: www.annroth.net

Blog, blog, blog

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Ann Roth

Thought I’d remind you that today and every Thursday, I’ll be blogging at Storybroads. http://storybroads.com/ .

This is a very cool blog, featuring some of your favorite authors.

Come on over and take a peek. You’ll like it, and you might even learn something new! Bonus: if you leave a comment, your name is automatically entered in a drawing to win a Kindle Fire!

Until Friday and wishing you a chance at winning that Kindle Fire,

Ann

Visit me at my Facebook Author page https://www.facebook.com/AnnRothAuthorPage
Follow me on Twitter @Ann_Roth
Stop by my website: www.annroth.net

Books, books everywhere: Mine!!!!!!

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Ann Roth

Look what the UPS man delivered at my door. This is my October, 2014 book. I love the cover and loved writing this book.

To find out more about this book and preorder, visit https://annroth.net/.

Until Friday, and wishing you happy reading,

Ann

Visit me at my Facebook Author page https://www.facebook.com/AnnRothAuthorPage
Follow me on Twitter @Ann_Roth
Stop by my website: www.annroth.net

Negativy, negativity everywhere… Protect yourself!

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Ann Roth

Great quote. And with negativity all around us, so, so necessary. Given internet, newspapers, email, FaceBook, Twitter, and so many other channels spreading news and information (as well as misinformation and what I call “mis-news”) it’s sometimes difficult to maintain a positive outlook.

For this very reason, a friend and I use what we call our invisible shield. I use mine all the time to protect myself from negativity. I close my eyes and mentally place the shield around myself, especially my head. I can hear the negativity (after-all, I like to know everything I can about things) without internalizing it.

Try it! You’ll be glad you did.

Until Wednesday, and wishing you a week filled with positivity,

Ann

Visit me at my Facebook Author page https://www.facebook.com/AnnRothAuthorPage
Follow me on Twitter @Ann_Roth
Stop by my website: www.annroth.net

Barking up the Right Tree

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Ann Roth

Award-winning artist Sam Van Aken has grown a new variety of Award-winning artist Sam Van Aken has grown a new variety of fruit tree that produces 40 different types of stone fruit each year.

Award-winning artist Sam Van Aken has grown a new variety of fruit tree that produces 40 different types of stone fruit each year.

I want one of these! Imagine stepping into your back yard and picking your choice of the 40 kinds of fruit available from this tree. Just look at the colors! With this baby in the yard, spring would become even more gorgeous. Come autumn, I’m sure the leaves are equally vivid. I’d sure like to find out.

The idea for this multi-fruit tree did not come from a botanist or any scientist. An artist conceived of it and set to work, grafting 40 various fruit branches onto one tree. His imagination and creativity boggles my mind. For more information take a listen to the approximately two-minute interview at http://n.pr/1uXqdRM

Creativity-where would we be without it? I don’t know about you, but Sam Van Aken certainly inspires me to think in new ways and paint the world with a brush that moves things out of the realm of what we know. Very cool, and yeah, I think I’ll do that with my writing.

Until Monday, and wishing you a Fantastic Friday and a great weekend,

Ann

Visit me at my Facebook Author page https://www.facebook.com/AnnRothAuthorPage
Follow me on Twitter @Ann_Roth
Stop by my website: www.annroth.net

Blogging, blogging everywhere …

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Ann Roth

This is not my usual Monday-Wednesday-Friday post, but I had to share. Beginning today, I’ll be blogging at Storybroads. http://storybroads.com/ . Every. Thursday.

This is a very cool blog, featuring some of your favorite authors.

Come on over and take a peek. You’ll like it, and you might even learn something new! Bonus: if you leave a comment, your name is automatically entered in a drawing to win a Kindle Fire!

Until Friday and wishing you a chance at winning that Kindle Fire,

Ann

Visit me at my Facebook Author page https://www.facebook.com/AnnRothAuthorPage
Follow me on Twitter @Ann_Roth
Stop by my website: www.annroth.net

Seeing the Glass as… A Glass

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Ann Roth

I don’t know about you, but most of the time I tend to see the glass as half full. I see it as half empty only when circumstances are completely beyond my realm, those instances when I can’t put a positive spin on something or figure out a way to change an outcome. Politics come to mind, but I don’t even want to go there.

I have found that daily rituals help me to keep my glass on the full side. Some of my daily rituals are: exercising first thing in the morning. Eating a healthy breakfast. Drinking a satisfying cup of strong coffee with a shot of half and half. Reading a motivational or inspiration saying (I especially like the ones that appear my email inbox–here are two: http://www.queenofyourownlife.com, which is weekly, and www.tut.com). And then, sitting down and getting to work–writing.

Writing stories is my livelihood. I am blessed that this work is also my passion. It keeps me grounded, almost like meditation. When I am working, I forget my problems and the dizzying list of busywork that fills my brain. You know what I mean– errands, appointments, phone calls, bills. Stuff that keeps me running here, there, and back again. Blech.

Speaking of work, it’s time to get back to it.

Until Friday, and wishing you nourishing rituals in your own life,

Ann

Visit me at my Facebook Author page https://www.facebook.com/AnnRothAuthorPage
Follow me on Twitter @Ann_Roth
Stop by my website: www.annroth.net

Let’s All Go to the… Story?

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Ann Roth

I happen to enjoy movies, TV shows, plays, musicals–just about anything watchable.

But books….

A book can take me where no visual entertainment can, delving deep into a character’s pysche. Finding out what makes them tick, what they’re afraid of and what they truly desire… That’s what I want.

I have a confession, though. As a writer myself, I can’t help but read with a critical eye to how I’d improve on the story had I written it. That said, a truly good book, one in which I am captivated and engrossed, soon takes me beyond any kind of critiquing. I love that, love when I lose myself in a story. Visualizing the characters, feeling what they feel, and often wishing they knew what I knew so that they’d make more informed choices, finding out what happens next and next and next until the story ends–it doesn’t get better than that.

All this talk about books has revved me up. I think I’ll go outside, find a shady tree, sit down and read.

Until Wednesday, and wishing you a book that carries you away,

Ann

Visit me at my Facebook Author page https://www.facebook.com/AnnRothAuthorPage
Follow me on Twitter @Ann_Roth
Stop by my website: www.annroth.net

I Scream, You Scream: Rocky Road Ice Cream

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Ann Roth

Is there anything better than a bowl or cone of your favorite ice cream on a hot summer night?

For fun, I wanted to make my own, but nothing too challenging. Years ago, I found this yummy concoction in my local newspaper. It’s easy to make–you don’t need an ice cream maker or any fancy gadgets.

Warning: It’s rich as sin. 🙂

Note: This stuff requires an overnight rest in the freezer, so plan to make it a day in advance.

Rocky Road Ice Cream

serves 8-10, depending on the portion served

1 can (14-oz) sweetened, condensed milk
1/2 cup chocolate syrup (I use the good-quality stuff that comes in a jar, but any kind will do)
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup mini-marshmallows
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup salted peanuts

Stir the sweetened, condensed milk and chocolate syrup together until well mixed. Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks. Fold into the chocolate mixture. Add marshmallows, chocolate chips,and peanuts. Store in an airtight container, and freeze overnight.

Will keep up to two weeks–but I’m betting it won’t last that long. 🙂

Happy Ice Creaming, and until Monday,

Ann

Visit me at my Facebook Author page https://www.facebook.com/AnnRothAuthorPage
Follow me on Twitter @Ann_Roth
Stop by my website: www.annroth.net

Find the Genius Within

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Ann Roth

I’m feeling philosophical today…

gen·ius

ˈjēnyəs/

noun

noun: genius; plural noun: geniuses; plural noun: genii

exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability.

synonyms:

brilliance, intelligence, intellect, ability, cleverness, brains, erudition, wisdom, fine mind

artistry, flair

talent, gift, flair, aptitude, facility, knack, bent, ability, expertise, capacity, faculty;

strength, forte, brilliance, skill, artistry

a person who is exceptionally intelligent or creative, either generally or in some particular respect.

synonyms: brilliant person, gifted person, mastermind, Einstein, intellectual, great intellect, brain, mind

prodigy

We’ve all witnessed true enthusiasm in a child. Just watch a young boy or girl encounter any experience anyplace. Kids live in the here and now, where every moment brings wonder, curiosity and joy. And boy, do they show it. They jump. Giggle. Squeal. Touch. Sing. Spin around. Dance.

They don’t care what people think of them, don’t know that it matters.

It’s magic.

They are magic.

As a child, I shared that same enthusiasm. So did you. If we can touch the spark still inside of us and live in the moment, even for a moment… knowing that there is a future ahead and responsibilities now and in that future… if we can do this, then maybe that childlike spirit hiding inside will come out and play. It wants to, has been waiting for such a long time to experience the joy and magic, that bit of genius that is uniquely yours and mine.

Will you join me in letting your child spirit come out and play?

Until Friday, and wishing you a fun playdate with your child spirit,

Ann

Visit me at my Facebook Author page https://www.facebook.com/AnnRothAuthorPage

Follow me on Twitter @Ann_Roth

Stop by my website: www.annroth.net