tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37540512751017804382024-03-05T00:18:02.489-06:00Linda's Write SpotA place of solitude, seclusion and serenity...the right spot...
to write.Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-77124331509686129172023-09-21T12:04:00.000-05:002023-09-21T12:04:57.193-05:00A tribute to my mother<p> Too Soon You Left Me</p><div style="text-align: left;">Trying to make sense of this whole thing,<br />the more I think, the more I cling,<br />to the thought of you not being near,<br />and how much I miss you, Mother Dear.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I can still see reflections of your face,</div><div style="text-align: left;">I yearn for the warmth of your embrace.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Your caring eyes manifesting light,</div><div style="text-align: left;">reassuring me that everything is alright.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From the cares of the world, you fly free,</div><div style="text-align: left;">a long time here was never to be.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Since you left, I've shed a million tears,</div><div style="text-align: left;">but even the tears can't calm my fears.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sweet memories of you, I hold in my heart,</div><div style="text-align: left;">never to abandon, never to depart.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Your reason and wisdom gone so suddenly,</div><div style="text-align: left;">my heart still bleeds, too soon you left me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Agjc4c1oVMj273akq65ICx2c9RAUAJBNhraXCzP-fFfiPoWjKwtZknxh1wp9YzH6Dsng3Q92FaSiZw9OVqBqCUixKxSH4hM3eqD_AnU51YORBtNxTjtNEz0iwFpHwGKIfY0dnU8szCOMDZHas6GuItUDIXhrIVjLZ4V2QIMBwkrt7z7201Ebd9Rp9xA/s960/mother;s%20obit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Agjc4c1oVMj273akq65ICx2c9RAUAJBNhraXCzP-fFfiPoWjKwtZknxh1wp9YzH6Dsng3Q92FaSiZw9OVqBqCUixKxSH4hM3eqD_AnU51YORBtNxTjtNEz0iwFpHwGKIfY0dnU8szCOMDZHas6GuItUDIXhrIVjLZ4V2QIMBwkrt7z7201Ebd9Rp9xA/w200-h200/mother;s%20obit.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn1mfhmaegjUT64T7vgbmdfX9Y73df83DjRgR74NhiIZshdowC7D1W_drSvDP-_AIav5dcQFFCjupFDcnrZD9UuwQJ8lZPOnjEFevso0ZXO5ssEEgPLdGrKdyMkoTRXiYVmqzQYC-V_EpvVSHIlWGLfrRm1fomfyTqIeO_C6C2BB5J9x_nrQk_KiM9k0/s960/mother%20in%20LA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn1mfhmaegjUT64T7vgbmdfX9Y73df83DjRgR74NhiIZshdowC7D1W_drSvDP-_AIav5dcQFFCjupFDcnrZD9UuwQJ8lZPOnjEFevso0ZXO5ssEEgPLdGrKdyMkoTRXiYVmqzQYC-V_EpvVSHIlWGLfrRm1fomfyTqIeO_C6C2BB5J9x_nrQk_KiM9k0/s320/mother%20in%20LA.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lOhQmoUrqjbBofg0qpFO8XPsisamgVM1YQ5T9WqysPlYVGLoVUW4RONhkVS75S2XuHat-XsMNBK9N5YyEwQWuZbMA4V5QXjGwPJxn6_BSeAbAR5UQmqjwEVv9sTIUJqHW0a3dG7sqkTUoQXpn5fp-fZ8go4W6oecnB4NZew2_ouB29fRWxOUfSq_nB8/s960/mother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lOhQmoUrqjbBofg0qpFO8XPsisamgVM1YQ5T9WqysPlYVGLoVUW4RONhkVS75S2XuHat-XsMNBK9N5YyEwQWuZbMA4V5QXjGwPJxn6_BSeAbAR5UQmqjwEVv9sTIUJqHW0a3dG7sqkTUoQXpn5fp-fZ8go4W6oecnB4NZew2_ouB29fRWxOUfSq_nB8/s320/mother.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-73835213709825322972023-09-21T11:06:00.001-05:002023-09-21T11:06:59.515-05:00It's time to get back to writing<p>I have slacked for a few years, but it's time to get back to something I love. I'm currently pulling out all my poetry, revising them and revamping my blog and website. I have some books that were in the works, so I will be working on getting them polished up and ready to start the publishing process.</p><p>Happy fall y'all!!</p><p><br /></p>Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-89159200200546060462021-01-21T13:42:00.002-06:002021-01-21T13:42:38.981-06:00Pearls For The Girls Inauguration 2021<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxVI9xiS0eW0gRPuczq53z8nCyLyLsOVj7IfDij4e2pMiQ95pBO4atMWa8Oz5UEeKAxIYq2HM-wNmLMtHBhzg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-42637873172943645412020-12-30T11:16:00.001-06:002020-12-30T11:16:04.979-06:00My Advent Candles <p> I couldn't find tapers so I made this one...at least I had them lol</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJ2RxqVNdMcIFBowXPCP2TCQ2Fjcfk9QzJARa7uv5cNyv1UTnYEOWb2_LvvhgwcooRHWQiSx0yQtRvwPN7HRynoaCqbWG5U2XrVyILAhIx8WQ0XU-KyQdOsc00YYG1XQ9iCL1fwNep_Q/s5344/IMG_20201130_092505716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5344" data-original-width="3006" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJ2RxqVNdMcIFBowXPCP2TCQ2Fjcfk9QzJARa7uv5cNyv1UTnYEOWb2_LvvhgwcooRHWQiSx0yQtRvwPN7HRynoaCqbWG5U2XrVyILAhIx8WQ0XU-KyQdOsc00YYG1XQ9iCL1fwNep_Q/w331-h320/IMG_20201130_092505716.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-67882036107184302592020-10-20T10:38:00.003-05:002020-12-30T11:06:35.101-06:00This is so powerful! The Black Prayer<p> </p><div class="qbxu24ho bxzzcbxg lxuwth05 h2mp5456 ue3kfks5 pw54ja7n uo3d90p7 l82x9zwi goun2846 ccm00jje s44p3ltw mk2mc5f4 frvqaej8 ed0hlay0 afxsp9o4 jcgfde61 tvfksri0 ozuftl9m" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: var(--divider); border-left-color: var(--divider); border-radius: 8px; border-right-color: var(--divider); border-style: solid; border-top-color: var(--divider); border-width: 1px; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-left: 12px; margin-right: 12px;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="hqeojc4l" style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: -1px;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc ihqw7lf3 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" color="var(--primary-text)" dir="auto" style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0uHEvOjCAhSDGgtI5gjXmCbECiv4zZRBWaYAGVtAPiuyLjh4hJ8CC9pya4OzSjOypfp2PUelirVNHVs4NRb-4AWwJbehUK_TyBTdYViJSE6x-403pxVFYhsNLisGueuGkzLv_fEvip8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="520" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0uHEvOjCAhSDGgtI5gjXmCbECiv4zZRBWaYAGVtAPiuyLjh4hJ8CC9pya4OzSjOypfp2PUelirVNHVs4NRb-4AWwJbehUK_TyBTdYViJSE6x-403pxVFYhsNLisGueuGkzLv_fEvip8/" width="173" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The Black Prayer</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">This is deep, so take your time.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Why Did You Make Me Black Lord</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Lord .. Why did you make me black?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Why did you make someone</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">the world would hold back?...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Black is the color of dirty clothes,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">of grimy hands and feet......</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Black is the color of darkness,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">of tired beaten streets...</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Why did you give me thick lips,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">a broad nose and kinky hair?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Why did you create someone</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">who receives the hated stare?</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Black is the color of the bruised eye</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">when someone gets hurt...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Black is the color of darkness,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">black is the color of dirt.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Why is my bone structure so thick,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">my hips and cheeks so high?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Why are my eyes brown,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">and not the color of the sky?</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Why do people think I'm useless?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">How come I feel so used?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Why do people see my skin</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">and think I should be abused?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Lord, I just don't understand...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">What is it about my skin?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Why is it some people want to hate me</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">and not know the person within?</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Black is what people are "Labeled"</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">when others want to keep them away...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Black is the color of shadows cast...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Black is the end of the day.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Lord you know my own people mistreat me,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">and you know this just ain't right...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">They don't like my hair, they don't like my</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">skin, as they say I'm too dark or too light!</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Lord, don't you think</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">it's time to make a change?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Why don't you redo creation</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">and make everyone the same?</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">God's Reply:</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Why did I make you black? Why did I make you black?</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I made you in the color of coal</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">from which beautiful diamonds are formed...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I made you in the color of oil,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">the black gold which keeps people warm.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Your color is the same as the rich dark soil</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">that grows the food you need...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Your color is the same as the black stallion and</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">panther, Oh what majestic creatures indeed!</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">All colors of the heavenly rainbow</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">can be found throughout every nation...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">When all these colors are blended,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">you become my greatest creation!</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">such a beautiful creature is he...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I am the shepherd who watches them,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I will ALWAYS watch over thee!</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You are the color of the midnight sky,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I put star glitter in your eyes...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">There's a beautiful smile hidden behind your pain...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">That's why your cheeks are so high!</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">You are the color of dark clouds</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">from the hurricanes I create in September...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I made your lips so full and thick,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">so when you kiss...they will remember!</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Your stature is strong,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">your bone structure thick to withstand the</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">burden of time...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The reflection you see in the mirror,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">that image that looks back, that is MINE!</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">So get off your knees,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">look in the mirror and tell me what you see?</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I didn't make you in the image of darkness...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I made you in the image of ME!</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">this poem was inspired by Genesis1:26-27 </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">and written by RuNett Nia-Ebo</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Genesis 1:26 and 27</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And GOD said, "Let Us make man in Our image, and after Our likeness. So GOD created man in His own image, male and female He created them.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">ART WORK BY <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/www.ruudvanempel.nl/?__cft__[0]=AZVqi0zOl_SWI6ZYwa85tnCaNf2kJlLjhqqjA8HA4ati7iSkQS7XXosk3blpLAhKvfaPW7zRC8OmAvtbdhPZJlcnduGjVt-FXXBQdVoMVLVCnmwh0B5MPA2dgDv2UugXTViDCmtQMN91OX1JfJLDE5-sw76wWlOLh0t15yuC_f0YSZF1Bd2n3XWUHzbljz_H5eOSERu5a4C2QSrZSj608Vhe&__tn__=kK-y-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><div class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Ruud van Empel</div></a></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/Ruud-van-Empel-111239545570247/?__cft__[0]=AZVqi0zOl_SWI6ZYwa85tnCaNf2kJlLjhqqjA8HA4ati7iSkQS7XXosk3blpLAhKvfaPW7zRC8OmAvtbdhPZJlcnduGjVt-FXXBQdVoMVLVCnmwh0B5MPA2dgDv2UugXTViDCmtQMN91OX1JfJLDE5-sw76wWlOLh0t15yuC_f0YSZF1Bd2n3XWUHzbljz_H5eOSERu5a4C2QSrZSj608Vhe&__tn__=kK-y-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><div class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Ruud van Empel</div></a></span></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-40460364222792762462020-09-28T12:35:00.001-05:002020-09-28T12:35:54.730-05:00Voices Episode 7: Austhebear My AUSome grandson AUS the Bear!!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GE-rG9cuOcs" width="480"></iframe>Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-912821711141270502020-09-08T13:16:00.001-05:002020-09-08T13:16:39.217-05:00Austhebear - Nobody Said (Music Video) My grandson, Austin<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tcZDjR785cY" width="480"></iframe>Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-44709429861260401462020-09-06T09:56:00.000-05:002020-09-06T09:56:18.482-05:00VOTE 2020<p> <em style="font-family: AktivGrotesk, sans-serif-light; font-size: 14px;">Hey! We're getting so close to this election. I wanted to make sure you've double checked your voter registration—it'll take 7 minutes tops! <a href="http://url5538.whenweallvote.org/ls/click?upn=6fjAHbAjXJyDFOlmaA-2Bgh4jC93wAj8HDeO1BLcfkMh4m-2BrxvV6Ml8lrDeZmwIR-2Fxydoe6HdsN2sfd3pqf3pR-2BA-3D-3DQ6O-_SdciNMdRf6SGdITGaxnCVI0wdBsm7NC888QyW7F-2FF3PxBXEUtW2qedVLOngA06-2Fm5OreDMmNt9w-2Bt3-2BOJuTKQLKJLxAvYybJrWi-2FqiQLfC-2Blv30UDeJDq1Ti50T6N1Rb3Bcs9kCBIr-2FJeDcR1WYbAEydY6exzKL9u92IBAKCdChaHo8Ya8VAGJqQkpD6zWOHbvl1iEqtkOoynH9FUWtDzTr9X-2BARqBPQCaoKcQi3NDE-3D" rel="nofollow" style="color: #00a8ff; font-family: AktivGrotesk, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://volunteer.whenweallvote.org/page/LindaKBlack</a></em></p>Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-86163668759914693102020-04-09T09:40:00.002-05:002020-04-09T09:58:31.414-05:00Lord we need you now...This is a Move<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-70324842785215763222020-04-09T09:35:00.001-05:002020-04-09T09:35:02.266-05:00Coronavirus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I just left Walmart, and you'd be surprised how many people aren't wearing masks or practicing social distancing. I thought they were only letting 10 people in at a time but that's not true. If you have no regard for your life, at least have some concern for others. </div>
Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-29240033912672899702020-03-28T12:07:00.001-05:002020-03-28T12:07:43.398-05:00Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir - Over In Zion<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YSp7BTzsJ7I" width="459"></iframe>Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-42690020146607436002018-11-18T16:11:00.001-06:002018-11-18T16:25:08.717-06:00Book Cover Win<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-7219970494861632882018-02-27T11:10:00.001-06:002018-02-27T11:10:48.487-06:00William "Youngblood McCrary former Negro Baseball League Player of Kansa...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ui_x_FHlyRo" width="480"></iframe>Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-80119033627389100622018-02-27T10:36:00.000-06:002018-09-03T19:53:04.924-05:00Presentation at UUVC for Black History Month<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I'm so happy it was well received and the attendance was great! I didn't know! Thank you so much <a href="http://www.uuvc.org/">UUVC</a> for having me.<br />
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Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-25712218402364760142017-12-19T08:28:00.001-06:002018-08-27T20:09:00.541-05:00Writer's beware of a handshake deal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AtLastWriterBewareBlogsAcCrispinAndVictoriaStraussRevealAll/~3/IwS1Uu_y0P4/author-agent-handshake-agreements.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email" name="aolmail_1" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">Author-Agent Handshake Agreements: Should You Be Wary?</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">Posted: 14 Dec 2017 10:17 AM PST</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIf_7wfeKX2BjrwuyB9h7-Sz7iH3_GZ6EEI-bG1ATMkQTeHkcNz06N7hNDeVq6UyGqKO2vu4sbSvACMqd7y08g8OTTW0Sd00_NUISCRo5PrSc-WjVJbkiTDilb6N4818hNu1qWeCz8ak/s1600/handshake.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIf_7wfeKX2BjrwuyB9h7-Sz7iH3_GZ6EEI-bG1ATMkQTeHkcNz06N7hNDeVq6UyGqKO2vu4sbSvACMqd7y08g8OTTW0Sd00_NUISCRo5PrSc-WjVJbkiTDilb6N4818hNu1qWeCz8ak/s320/handshake.jpg" style="visibility: visible;" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span> <i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">Posted by <a href="http://www.victoriastrauss.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Victoria Strauss</a> for <a href="http://accrispin.blogspot.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Writer Beware</a></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">I've recently gotten a number of reports about a literary agent with a major agency who is offering representation with a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handshake_deal" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">"handshake" deal</a>: representation based on a verbal commitment, rather than a binding author-agent agreement or contract.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">There are a number of reasons why authors should be wary of such offers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span> <b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">1. A handshake is not today's professional standard.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b>Decades ago, so-called handshake deals were common in the agenting business. You and your agent agreed that the agent would represent your work to publishers; once your work sold, the agent's right to receive commissions and to act on your behalf was formalized in <a href="http://publishlawyer.com/agency-clauses-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">the agency clause of your book contract</a>. Before publisher consolidation created the mega-houses, before the digital revolution and the array of new rights and markets it has spawned, before authors' backlists became valuable, most authors, agents, and publishers deemed this to be enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">But the present-day publishing landscape is far, far more diverse and complicated than it was then. There are more rights, more avenues to sell and re-sell them, and--at least potentially--much more money. In this increasingly complex environment, a simple, informal handshake and an agency clause are no longer regarded as sufficient. While there may still be some long-time agents who work on a handshake basis, author-agent contracts have become the professional norm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span> <b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">2. A handshake doesn't protect you.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b><a href="https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/oral-contracts-do-they-carry-any-weight" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Oral contracts do carry weight--if they can be proven.</a> For authors, though, the concern isn't so much proving the relationship exists as it is setting out the terms of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">As noted above, publishing is far more complicated than it used to be. As a result, so is agenting. Myriad issues need to be addressed when agreeing to representation--from commissions and payments, to expense reimbursement, to termination provisions, to what happens after termination or if the agent goes out of business.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">It is very much in your interest--and also in the agent's--to clearly and precisely lay all of this out at the outset of the relationship. Otherwise, you not only lack a clear understanding of what the agent can and will do for you, you have severely diminished recourse to demand accountability or to take action if the relationship goes bad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b><b>3. A handshake may be a warning sign.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b>And not just of a lack of professional knowledge or practice. Putting it bluntly: a handshake deal makes it easier for an agent to get rid of you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">Maybe the agent doesn't want to bother with clients whose work doesn't sell in the first submission round. Maybe the agent isn't all that enthusiastic about you and is hedging their bets in case there are no offers (and if there are offers, is this really the agent you want representing you?). Maybe the agent has one publisher in mind and is up for a quickie sub but not a longer-term commitment. Maybe the agent only offers contracts after a manuscript finds a home, so they can disavow the authors they aren't able to sell and look like they're batting a thousand. (Be especially concerned if the agent works at an agency where contracts are the norm--as is the case with the agent I mentioned in the first paragraph of this post.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">Over the years, I've gotten complaints from authors who've experienced all these things as part of a handshake deal. As these authors know, it's incredibly hard to walk away from an offer, even if the offer isn't a good one. But if the offer is a handshake deal, you just might want to make that very tough decision.</span></div>
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Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-1226493924385257962017-11-15T18:12:00.001-06:002017-11-15T18:12:52.477-06:00It's here<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span id="goog_1015579818"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1015579819"></span><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sanaa-Golden-Princess-Courage-Survival/dp/1979236097/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"> Sanaa: The Golden Princess</a></div>
Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-84501406568166354062017-09-06T17:57:00.001-05:002017-09-06T17:57:14.693-05:00What Is The Future Of Literature?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Bookmarketingbuzzblog/~3/GkKoZXP7L1A/what-is-future-of-literature.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email" name="aolmail_1" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;" target="_blank">What Is The Future Of Literature?</a></div>
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Posted: 05 Sep 2017 05:58 AM PDT</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I read an excellent book by John Sutherland, <i>A Little History of Literature</i>, which shared a historical perspective on novels that covered an array of topics, from book clubs and best-seller lists to great writers, censorship, books turned into movies, poetry, and mythology. But the most revealing chapter was its last one, about the fate of literature.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The author notes the marketplace is flooded with too many titles, that we suffer from “too-muchness of literature” and it’s expanding all of the time.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">He writes:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“This mind-crushing plentifulness creates whole new sets of problems. There are those still living (and I am one) who were raised in a cultural environment whose central features were scarcity, shortage and inaccessibility. If you wanted a new novel, you had either to save up the money to pay for it, or put your name down on a waiting list at the local public library. It was annoying. But, in a way it made things simpler. You had fewer options. In a single lifetime – mine, for example – shortage has been replaced by an embarrassment of choice. So how is one to navigate the onslaught of books?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">He later notes: “In Shakespeare’s day, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">there were, it has been estimated, some 2,000 books available to a bookish person like him. You could be, as the phrase was, “well read.” That is a description for which no one in the future will qualify.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Today the book industry easily produces more than 2,000 new titles every single day, 365 days a year. How can one keep up with what’s new, let alone visit the millions of volumes stored online and in libraries?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">People read books based on the time available to them. Will they form a literary diet of the classics or of what a review, friend or store recommends? Will they experiment and diversify, or will they read more of what they believe they like to read, sticking narrowly to one’s specific genres?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And how will people consume their literature – with a paper book or a digital scroll on their smart phone?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“The printed book,” writes Southerland,” a physical thing made up of paper, type, ink and board, has been around now for over 500 years. It has served literature wonderfully: packaging in cheap, sometimes beautiful forms that have helped to sustain mass literacy. Few inventions have lasted longer, or done more good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“The book may however, have had its day. The tipping point has come very recently in the second decade of the twenty-first century, when e-books – digital things made up of algorithms and pixels – began to outsell the traditional book on Amazon. An e-book, as it’s currently marketed for handheld tablets, looks eerily like a ‘real’ book just as the early printed books such as Gutenberg’s looked just like manuscripts.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">There’s still evidence that paper is favored over digital. E-book sales have dropped much of the past four years while print has risen. But there’s no doubt the digital world is creeping into every aspect of our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Literature,” concludes Sutherland, “that wonderfully creative product, of the human mind, will, in whatever new forms and adaptations it takes, forever be a part of our lives, enriching our lives.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Amen.</span></div>
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Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-30482125305204008872017-07-23T13:24:00.001-05:002017-07-23T13:24:55.303-05:00Are Best-Selling Books Really Any Good?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Bookmarketingbuzzblog/~3/qs5pdbfMk2M/are-best-selling-books-really-any-good.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email" name="aolmail_1" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;" target="_blank">Are Best-Selling Books Really Any Good?</a></div>
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Posted: 12 Jul 2017 07:28 AM PDT</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Many authors that I speak with, whether self-published or published by a leading publisher, regardless of genre, a writer’s credentials, or the marketing campaign behind their books, will ask about how they can become a best-selling author. It is understandable that they’d want to make a list – they seek fame, fortune, and to be heard in a big way. But do our best-seller lists really represent the best books out there?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Best-seller lists are in today’s world a manipulated reward for those who know how to game the system. Through pre-launch orders arranged by an author’s marketing team, family and friends, one can hit a best-seller list not because of the merits of the book but the proof that expensive and persistent marketing has a pay-off. Nothing wrong there, but one should not be fooled into thinking that a best-seller is necessarily a great book. Heck, it may not even be a good one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Once a book gets on a best-seller list it tends to beget more sales. More people – reviewers, media, consumers – pay attention to these lists and further create a demand for a book they know little about. It’s a process similar to when people choose the brand item vs. the generic or unknown label simply because it seems familiar and recognized in an authoritative way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then again, there’s almost a deliberate opposition to best-sellers by the literary snobbery. Whether it’s jealousy or something else, the elitists may purposely damn a book because it is popular and on a list. Everyone likes to knock a leader off his perch. But that kind of prejudice seems uncalled for. A best-seller can be a very good book. But its selling status is not necessarily an indicator of the content quality, just as a beautiful person may be ugly on the inside. No guarantees there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Best-seller lists used to be influenced by a number of factors, including traditional reviews by a respected handful, huge advertising campaigns, big publicity tours, and positive word-of-mouth. Now a big player is pre-order shenanigans arranged by people who know how to process a certain amount of orders by reaching out to an author’s list of connections, including ones the author will underwrite book purchases for. Further, social media is now dictating popularity and fueling book sales, but again, the buzz is not necessarily based on the book’s purity – just its author’s financial ability to get influencers to post on his behalf.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Best-sellers are created and rarely just materialize organically. It’s a crafted, controlled process that represents not so much the best of books but the best of book marketing. </span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">What will it take to make these lists purified and truly representative of real consumers and their reading judgments? We may never know.</span></div>
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Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-66938435218282618392017-07-05T14:28:00.003-05:002017-07-05T14:28:44.424-05:00Public Speaking Tips For Authors | BookDaily #AuthorTips<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.bookdaily.com/authorresource/blog/post/1973842" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #363632; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; outline-offset: -2px; outline: -webkit-focus-ring-color auto 5px; text-decoration-line: none;">Public Speaking Tips For Authors | BookDaily #AuthorTips</a></h2>
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<span class="post-byline" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #bb4732;">TA Sullivan</span><time class="post-date" datetime="2017-07-05" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: right;">July 5, 2017</time></div>
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<a href="http://bookdaily.com/">BookDaily.com</a></div>
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When preparing for speaking engagements and presentations based on my non-fiction books, I always ensure that I include several anecdotes or observations. While some authors prefer to keep their personal life private, sharing snippets of yourself with your audience usually helps them relate to you and your story.</div>
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The most typical question that I’m asked during the Q&A period of my presentations is how the event affected me or my family. People want to know that not only have you overcome the tragedy or grown as a result of the incident, but they want some examples. Sometimes the examples I include are also in the book, but usually not. And sometimes I include a mix—some anecdotes from the book and some not. Letting attendees know that there is more anecdotal material in the book helps sway them to purchase the book because they know they’re not just getting a rehash of what they already heard during my presentation.</div>
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By sharing these snippets of insight into my life, it helps me and the audience connect, and not just as reader to author, but as caring individuals sharing a similar experience. After all, many people relate best to your story when they understand the person who wrote it. This is especially true of two of my books (Escorting the Dead and On Dreams and Dream Symbols). These two books also generate a great many questions and much discussion between me and my audience. Therefore, once I’ve read them a chapter or two or given my presentation, I regale them with one or two anecdotes. This usually spurs a spate of similar stories from the audience, which soon leads to some very lively discussions. Once people realize that other people have had similar experiences, thoughts, or questions, it’s easy to get them interested in learning more, which leads them to purchasing your books.</div>
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By bringing some of you to the presentation, you show your audience that you and they are not so very different. Perhaps you’re wondering just what to share with your audience. Think back to when you were writing the book:</div>
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• What prompted you to write about it?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />• Why was the moment, incident, or event special or important?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />• What about it did you think others might want or need to know?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />• How did it change you or those you care about?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />• What insights did it bring to your life?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />• How did you grow from the incident or overcome the tragedy?</div>
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The answer to any of those questions should prompt an anecdote or memory that you can work into your presentation. So, select two or three different ones each time you do a presentation; this almost always guarantees you a lively discussion or question and answer session. Using different stories and anecdotes for each presentation also keeps your talks fresh.</div>
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You might even incorporate bits and pieces of your audience discussions as anecdotes (as long as you leave out names and other identifying information). It all helps the audience and potential readers identify with you and your topic. It helps them understand that other people also have similar ideas, thoughts, and questions. And it ultimately leads to book sales.</div>
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Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-82757454019298596332017-06-30T08:30:00.001-05:002018-08-27T20:13:38.902-05:00Do you need a prologue or an epilogue?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a class="font-color-normal" href="https://forums.createspace.com/en/community/community/resources/blog/2017/06/05/do-you-need-a-prologue-or-an-epilogue" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">Do you need a prologue or an epilogue?</span></a></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">Posted by <a class="jiveTT-hover-user jive-username-link" href="https://forums.createspace.com/en/community/people/CreateSpaceBlogger" id="jive-1561523,291,661,062,657,232" style="border: 0px; color: #164879; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">CreateSpaceBlogger</a> on Jun 5, 2017 5:22:26 AM</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Epilogues and prologues are sometimes enigmatic parts of a </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">novel that can even perplex the author of a book. What are </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">they, and are they necessary? The answer to the second </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">uestion is no, you don't need them. The inclusion of an </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">epilogue or prologue or both is purely a matter of style. </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Some authors find them useful, but most authors in today's </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">publishing world don't include them in their books. I have </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">used them, and I do find them useful.</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">They are extra bits of a story. In mystery books, a prologue </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">can be the incident that triggers the mystery. I've used </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">the epilogue to wrap up a subplot that would be the bridge </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">to the next book in a series. In the final chapter of the </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">book, after the conclusion, I simply used the epilogue as </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">a launching point for the next story.</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Some authors, use a different point of view in their epilogues</span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">and prologues. They play with style and voice to give the </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">story a bookend feel to it. A prologue can even be in the </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">author's voice. In this case, it would be used to explain </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">the motivation behind the story, what drove the author to write </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">it and share it with the world?</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Epilogues and prologues aren't for everyone. If you've never</span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">included either in a book, don't worry. They aren't crucial</span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">to the structure of the book. But, you may find, as I have,</span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">that they can be fun to write, and if done right, they can </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">give your story that little extra oomph that you've been </span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">looking for. </span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">-Richard</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://createspacecommunity.s3.amazonaws.com/Resources%20Contributors/RidleyHeadshot_blog.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #164879; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="https://createspacecommunity.s3.amazonaws.com/Resources Contributors/RidleyHeadshot_blog.jpg" height="77" src="https://createspacecommunity.s3.amazonaws.com/Resources%20Contributors/RidleyHeadshot_blog.jpg" style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="88" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">paid CreateSpace contributor.</em></span></td></tr>
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Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-89195407401474924162017-06-15T11:18:00.001-05:002017-06-15T11:18:12.832-05:00Interview with William "Bill" Youngblood" McCrary and Linda Pennington Black<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-21481645610875289422017-06-15T10:35:00.001-05:002017-06-15T10:35:41.378-05:00Authors Don’t Need To Panic When Talking To The Media<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Bookmarketingbuzzblog/~3/_vAfVyD0MgU/authors-dont-need-to-panic-when-talking.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email" name="aolmail_1" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;" target="_blank">Authors Don’t Need To Panic When Talking To The Media</a></div>
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Posted: 14 Jun 2017 12:51 PM PDT</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">As a writer, you must overcome many obstacles. You write a book that’s worth publishing. You find a literary agent, book publisher, or self-publishing platform. You market and promote the book. Then, opportunity knocks, and the news media wants to interview you. Finally, your moment has arrived. But with it also comes pangs of fear, feelings of insecurity and even a touch of panic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Hold on. There’s every reason to feel nervous, that’s natural, and the adrenaline rush can even help you. But there’s no reason to have an allergic reaction to the media. It all comes down to you talking about yourself and your book – two subjects you know better than anyone. You should not fret. Have fun with it.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The reasons people freak out may consist of the following:</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">What if people reject me or my book?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">What if I don’t say the right thing, or worse, say the wrong thing?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I’m insecure about my looks or my voice – can I hide?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">4.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I fear what they’ll ask me or that I’ll be surprised.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">5.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I desperately want to make a great impression but don’t know how.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">6.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I don’t know how to speak in sound bytes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">7.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I’ve never done this before, so I have no clue what to expect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">8.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">What if the media wants to make me look stupid?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">9.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">What exactly should I say that will lure interest in me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">10.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I’m not a big public speaker. I would rather write than talk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">It’s quite normal to think of any and all of these things. But I can assure you these can all be addressed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The first step is to reverse your thinking. Instead of thinking of the negatives, think of the positives. Finally, you get to have your message heard, your views voiced, and your book discovered. Simply choose to see this as a wonderful opportunity with no drawbacks or risks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Second, to alleviate your concerns or fears, go through media training. Have a professional help you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Third, write up 12-15 suggested interview questions and share them with media outlets. They are likely to use it as a script for the interview, which helps you anticipate what will be asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Fourth, start to think of the key points that you want to stress in every interview and offer a call-to-action, such as going to your website. Have something free and interesting available as a download on your site.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Fifth, break the interview down into what it is – a one on-one conversation. Never mind how many people may watch, listen or read your story -- just think of you talking to one person, one question at a time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Sixth, boost your confidence by remembering why you started to write books – to help inspire, entertain or elevate others. Feel good about what you’re doing and believe it will go well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seventh, imagine for the moment that you fall on your ass in the interview. You stutter. You forget an answer. Your makeup runs. Your shirt has a coffee stain. Your voice cracks. So what!? What ends up happening? Nothing. Maybe you didn’t make the best impression or sell a lot of books but you won’t lose friends or go to jail or be fined. A bad interview is nothing and goes into the rear view mirror when you replace it with good interviews. Imagine the worse, realize nothing bad results from it, and move on. Face your fear and walk away unscathed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Some things can be addressed or even avoided. For instance, don’t pursue media that may actually try to turn this into a circus, such as morning zoo radio or late night comedy talk shows. If your topic is controversial – race, religion, politics, sex – ready yourself to hear opposing viewpoints but never lose your cool or treat people disrespectfully. And if you’re worried about your appearance, fix it up (new clothes) or accept yourself for who you are. Don’t keep beating yourself up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Lastly, remember there are endless reels of bloopers of famous, well-trained personalities who messed up royally in their interviews. The bar is quite high to compete with their screw-ups. Believe in yourself and others will too, and if the worst happens, move on to the next interview. </span><br /><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Smile, deep breath…talk.</span></div>
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Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-31886453384172511732017-06-13T11:35:00.001-05:002017-06-13T13:37:23.328-05:00Arkansas Writer's Conference 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-50081600844142709552017-02-12T14:16:00.001-06:002017-02-12T14:16:14.486-06:00Linda's Write Spot: They Stepped Up To the Plate<a href="http://lindawriteright.blogspot.com/2017/02/they-stepped-up-to-plate.html?spref=bl">Linda's Write Spot: They Stepped Up To the Plate</a>: https://www.facebook.com/CityofRochesterNY/photos/a.117376782620.110013.114192652620/10154277231922621/?type=3Linda Write Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913553346778070107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754051275101780438.post-44870494556689073772017-02-12T14:11:00.004-06:002017-02-12T14:11:33.463-06:00They Stepped Up To the Plate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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