Charlie Bear here with a Newsletter from Mom Peep especially for Halloween.
TAYLOR’S TIPS for a more productive you…
TRICK or TREAT!
It’s Halloween. Time for pumpkins carved and lit from within standing guard outside of doorways, and gourds on the table in wicker centerpiece baskets ushering in fall colors and cooler weather.
There’s also spidery cotton batting, pulled thin and wispy, stretching over mailboxes and bushes and trees. Rest in Peace signs are stuck into the ground in front of homes. Ghosts and goblins are on many commercials. The holiday is in full swing with Haunted Houses, Fright Nights, and SpookFests.
Aaaahhhh….Halloween. Can I share a secret with you? I don’t like Halloween. Oh, I like the candy distribution part when the little kids come to the door dressed in their favorite costume and they squeal, Happy Halloween to me.
I like watching the moms and dads steer them around the neighborhood, protecting the little ones so they don’t trip over their own feet because the eye-holes on their costume aren’t big enough and they are trying to look into their pumpkin to see what candy they just got. I like watching their orange plastic pumpkin fill up with goodies and how happy they are with their bounty.
What scares me are the big, tall, masked trick or treaters who come to the door. They fill the doorframe, stick out their white cotton pillowcase, and in a deep, baritone voice say, Trick or Treat. Most of the big kids are fine, and I even know some of them (without the masks and ghoulish faces), but they scare me nonetheless.
Why? Because I’m easily scared. I have to cover my eyes, or close them, when a commercial comes on television about an upcoming movie like Edward Scissorhands, or Fright something or other. I don’t know the names of the movies (remember…I don’t watch). Anyway, I’m not a big fan. But if you are, great! I have friends who LOVE Halloween, so I say, “Enjoy the holiday.”
But here’s the thing…just because I don’t like the ghosts and goblins and the stuff that it all represents in the horror movies, doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the soft side of the day (the little kids, the candy, the pretty orange pumpkins).
So what is it about something that scares you that you can turn into something not so frightening? Ever have an attack of the heebee-jeebies about submitting your work? Worried that the novel you want to write won’t ever make it past the dark confines of your home office or if it does, are you afraid it might be….oh, that awful word…rejected…? Stepping out of our comfort zone can be very scary.
Maybe we can work at it together. Let’s try taking baby steps. Let’s submit to a place we’re comfortable with, and then to one other that we’re not so sure about. Let’s write that novel or nonfiction book and pray hard about whether it should be published and when. I’ll peek through the fingers laid across my eyes the next time a commercial is on for a horror movie, at least for a moment or two. And maybe we’ll both realize that it’s not as scary as we thought and that we are tough, and we can handle it, and that we are becoming stronger every time we step out of our comfort zone.
Deal?
Hugs and love, and blessings on your work.
Follow your dreams…
B.J.
What’s Going On:
P MS to a T: the winning formula for writing nonfiction short stories that sell I’m deep into writing the book, pouring all of my heart into putting into print what I have been teaching for years: how to write inspirational, personal experience stories that sell. With 40 stories in the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, many dozens more in Guideposts, Angels on Earth, and numerous other publications, I’m proud to say I’ve helped many a writer become published by using this formula. Some of you already know it!
BETA READERS WANTED:
At the end of November, I will be looking for Beta Readers to read the book before it comes out in print. What’s a beta reader? It’s someone, like you maybe, who likes to read, can take a manuscript and follow the instructions for what to look for, and to be critical without being hateful. You’d receive a Word document from me with the track changes feature turned on and you’d make your comments right into that document. I’m looking for a ten-day turnaround once I get the document to you (so that could possibly mean between Dec. 1st to the 10th. If you think that might work for you, kindly let me know. I’d really like at least a few of you who have NEVER heard of the formula to read the book to be sure it is well written and easily understood. Email me at bj@bjtayloronline.com if you’d like to be considered as a Beta Reader. And thank you!
Northwest Christian Writers Renewal I’m hopeful you are keeping this conference on your radar. I’ll be teaching two classes: Writing for the Guideposts Contest and Making $$$ Selling Inspirational Short Stories. When I have a big dollar goal, I break it down into little dollar goals (like save $25 this month, $25 next month, etc.). I put the money in an envelope marked “Conference” and I don’t touch it until I have to pay the conference fees. Do you want to be there? Start saving now. www.nwchristianwriters.org/renewal May 15-16, 2015 in Redmond Washington (near Seattle).
Orange County Christian Writers Conference Same here. Looking to enhance your writing and your writing career? There will be LOTS to learn. Check it out and start saving now. The 2015 conference will be held on Friday, April 24 (5:30–9:30), and Saturday, April 25 (8:00–5:00). Location: Trinity Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana, California.
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A review of Charlie Bear: What a Headstrong Rescue Dog Taught Me About Life, Love, and Second Chances (Paperback)
5.0 out of 5 stars unwanted animal to find that perfect “forever home” October 8, 2014
By Jeanne Pallos (Laguna Niguel, CA)
B.J. Taylor’s writing touched my heart in the deepest places. Her writing is so descriptive and pulled me right into the story. She is a talented and gifted writer. For anyone who loves animals and longs for every unloved, unwanted animal to find that perfect “forever home,” this book is for you. Bless B.J. and her husband for believing in Charlie Bear and having the patience to help him to overcome his fears and issues to become a wonderful family member.
bj@bjtayloronline.com
www.bjtayloronline.com
www.bjtaylorblog.wordpress.com
Great encouragement, BJ and Charlie Bear. Stepping out of the comfort zone can be tough stuff. But the blessing can be sweet! 🙂 Thank you!
Shawnelle,
I know that is so true. Stepping out of my own furry comfort zone often gets me the greatest rewards, like petting from a new friend, a release from pent up feelings, a treat or two (I like those a lot). Thanks for the comment. YOU are sweet!
Wiggles to you,
Charlie Bear
No, CB, I do not like Halloween either, much rather curl up under a nice warm blanket and read a good book. And what would make it even better would be for it to be one of BJ’s books, now that would be Heaven on Earth, or rather, ‘Heaven in Bed’ – right? Don’t you think? Well take care on Halloween CB and BJ and I won’t leave Roger out (not sure that is his name). Luv You Guys hee hee
Beaugie and Mom Peeps
Well!!! My Bad, did not look far enough; did I? Tell your peep mom if she can would she please transfer the other one over to this space? Thanks..
Wags to all,
Beaugie…
Beaugie,
Mom Peep found your first comment and she put it in for you. No worries. She loves both you guys!
Wiggles to you,
Charlie Bear
Beaugie,
Mom Peep’s bad. She didn’t look at her phone first! There’s the first comment! She’ll try to transfer it here tomorrow.
Woofs to you,
Charlie Bear
You’re absolutely right about fear, Charlie. Stepping out of our comfort zones is very scary! And Clyde says he’s so glad we don’t have trick-or-treaters b/c we live so far back in the woods. P,S. Letting go our of writing projects can be frightening, indeed! I’m so proud of your Mom Peep for getting this book written!!
Julie,
You and me both are proud of Mom Peep. She’s working hard at stepping out of her comfort zone, just like you do. She learns a lot from you. ; o )
Wiggles to you and Clyde,
Charlie Bear