EVERYTHING TAKES TIME

Nov. 27, 2024

 

Is that like an obvious statement? Obvious to many of you but my brain just doesn't compute. I work with time all the time. It beats me 95% of the time. Here's what I've learned about me and time:

1. When I plan for how long something is going to take me, I need to multiply it by 2 or 4, usually 4. For instance, if I think it's going to take me only 30 min to accomplish a task, it's going to take me 1 or 2 hours. I do not know why multiplying by 3 doesn't factor in but it's 2 or 4 times more minutes (or hours) than what I plan.
2. Even though I have a lot of easy tasks on my long-as-your-arm list, there will always be at least 3 of the tasks that take days.
3. Even though I tell myself to go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier so I'm less likely to get interrupted on whatever project I'm doing, I cannot get myself to bed early, nor do I get up earlier. Time wins again.

 

But there are numerous times I win, too. Sometimes I get involved in a small, easy task and take an hour longer than I thought I would and I loved it. I got out the leaf blower the other day; it was a nice respite from the usual chores. I win. I got out my acrylic markers several days ago--for just a few minutes, of course--but a couple of hours later, I finally finished 3 pieces and even cleaned up. I win. Last week, I noticed all the games I hadn't played in a while and set one out to play after breakfast, just right quick; it took not much longer than right quick. And I won against time again. Mostly I feel overwhelmed...and then there are those moments I snatch time and CLOBBER IT with something fun.

SUMMER BOOTHS

Oct. 14, 2024

About marketing:

At the beginning of February, I was thinking about which events I was willing to pay for a booth. I wanted to do several in the area to see if there were any that stood out in terms of me making more sales. I sell my physical books and what I call my small art (mini canvas; watercolor bookmarks, ornaments, 3D quilling). FYI: I do not join events that cost $200 or more for a booth.

Best Booths:

• A "Hometown Market in a small community nearby my small-ish community. Seven events spread out from June-Sept. I bought into all seven days. I discovered that going more than once is important--I had someone come up to me and say, "There you are. I'd like to buy..." She bought enough items to almost pay for all my seven days.

• A hometown market in a different small community. NO COST. That was very helpful. It was also low-key--I didn't have to be stuck to a 10x10 area; I didn't have to bring a canopy (lots of shade at the park) which means I also didn't have to bring something to tie it down. I didn't really need a 10x10 because we were allowed to bring tables and set them out. I brought two tables and put them side by side and had a couple of chairs behind the tables. I was able to attend two days in a row and just like the other market, I had a few people come straight over, "Oh, there you are," and buy several items. 

Not Exactly a Booth:

• My husband and I performed for a storytelling fest and I was able to bring my books to be sold by the organization. They tacked on a couple of bucks to my books which I reduced in price since I wasn't having to pay any fees nor run my own booth. GOLDEN! Books at a storytelling fest? Yes! It fits wonderfully and attendees want to buy books.

Other Booths:

• One in a bigger town. I shared the booth with another author. But the cost to be part of it, included a one-time fee to the organizers along with a fee for each time we were there. I thought for sure the bigger town would have the greater exposure and sales. No. 

• Then I had 3 booths in which friends were in charge of the one-day events. Each gave me a booth for free. I thought that with one-day events the guests might feel the need to buy right there and then. Not exactly. One of those events I had a few sales; nothing at the other two.

What else I learned:

• TIRING to be at that many events through the summer. I didn't have time to replish my supply of art work.
• It was the small art that was selling more than my books and of the art it was a toss up between the mini-canvases and the quilling.
• After going through so many booths, I think I can toss a few aside next year and focus on fewer booths but stronger presentation.
• My books are a niche (script books). So they don't drag people to the booth with awe and wonder. I have plans now to get my fantasy book, White Fire, into the physical realm. It won't cost me to do so. Maybe. Depends. It will cost me in time.
• And I think I'll focus on some of my picture books. That will be harder and longer to do but that's ok. I'll get there. 

Now I have a month and a half to get ready for two seasonal events at which I'll have booths. I'll have to think about presentation. What to do? What to do?

IN THE UNDERBELLY

Aug 24, 2024

I was in the underbelly of a grand library, thanks to a friend who mentioned she worked there. When I was near the library, I stopped by to say hi and discovered she's in the SPECIAL collections, down in the belly, way down in the depths, inside the center of the earth, practically. It was on the 1st floor, underground; it should be called Level -1. It was so cool. She took me on a mini-tour. The towering bookshelves were on high-strength wheels. The shelves could be moved by one person rotating the cranks that looked like the helm of a pirate ship. The vast room looked to be the length of a football field, but I wasn't going to measure it. Now THAT'S a library. It's not such a special collection that no one dares to go in. If one found a book in the catalogue that happened to be on Floor 1, a librarian would retrieve the book and brave the stairs or the elevator to bring the book to the patron. There were laser-disc movies, movies on vhs & dvd, beautifully illustrated children's pop-up books, even a tiny Hamlet script that fit in the palm of a hand. "Maybe," said my friend, "it was for the actor who hadn't memorized his lines." Probably. As an author and a actor, I just wanted to stay there, live there. Except...it's the kind of setting that would be perfect for a mystery or a horror movie. Loved it!

TORTOISES, DUCKLINGS, CINDERELLAS, NURSERY RHYMES

July 9, 2024

Do you know the story of the Tortoise and The Hare? the Ugly Duckling? Cinderella and it's many versions from other countries? How many nursery rhymes do you remember?

My guess is that if you're reading this, you're a reader. You probably know the stories mentioned above.

I've been in children's theater for decades. I often use simple stories and rhymes for the kids to use in theater activities. Many times they don't know the stories.

Tell them stories.
Albert Einstein said,  "If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales."

SAVE YOURSELF!

Is this an emergency?! Well, no.

But here's the deal: Screens are adicting. You probably know that. And you probably use them on a regular basis anyway. You think to yourself, I have to watch something just to relax. It's been such a chaotic/intense/depressing day. Or maybe you don't; maybe it's just me. But what a relief when I put the screens away and read a physical book or take a walk or work in the garden or something, ANYTHING but screens.

If you're an entrepreneur, you might be marketing via social media or building your own website (yup). If you're a writer, perhaps you type your books and critique other writers' books on your laptop. If you're a crafter or artist, maybe you are getting ready to create vids and maybe you're looking for new techniques that others have recorded.

This week I have taxes to start (I'm proud of you if you're already done) so I'll be spending more time on my laptop. YUCK. 

The other day, I saved myself because my cell phone and tablet were low on battery power. I had to plug them in and then I walked away. Get out and about. Do not use your downtime as screen time. "Downtime" and "Screen time" are opposites. So now and then SAVE YOURSELF. DO something. (This message is for me. You are welcome to learn from it.)

FOUR-LETTER WORDS

I've heard "four-letter words." Eek! Gadzooks! Oh, no!

But here's the deal: I'm trying to train myself to be more positive including using words that are positive. "Aren't there good 4-letter words?" I whined one day. It didn't take but a minute to come up with positive 4-letter words:

• Love
• Hope
• Joie (so this is French for Joy but I wanted Joy to be on my list.)
• Safe
• Save
• Fish (I especially like salmon)
• Free
• Gift
• Avid (I like the term "avid reader" but one can be enthusiatic about all sorts of things such as an "avid skier")

• Cool (I use this a lot, especially when someone tells me of something that I think is "cool.")

 

FYI: After about the third word (oh, there's a 4-letter), I was thinking that it might take me too long to figure out some good 4-letter words so I thought, "why not google it? I wonder..." Sure enough there are some sites for positive 4-letters. One site said it this way: "Positive & Impactful 4-Letter Words." Love it!