Would you Like to Write a Book?

November 20, 2018Leave a comment

Do you have a message the world needs? It’s simpler than ever to write a book and share it with the world, but the marketing part of things can be a little overwhelming. And truth be told, most books – even from the Big Five publishers – sell an average of 200 copies. None of us want that after we’ve invested so much in writing a book. And just to be clear, I’m not what I’d call a successful author. I did a lot of things wrong with my first book and there are some mistakes I won’t make again – and maybe I’ll make a whole new set of mistakes with my next book. I’m a work in progress, we all are. I do know some things NOT to do… and believe me – that’s important information!

If you’ve been looking around out there for great resources that will show you what to do and how to do it, all the while hoping that it comes with an affordable price tag… well, that might not exist – but pretty close. Educating yourself is going to cost you something, time… money… you name it. Education is costly. Good news: You’re worth the investment! I spent some time in the Stanford Creative Writing Program ($$$), I hired coaches and took classes ($$$$), I even did an internship. In short, I spent a great deal of time and money! Knowing what I now know… I would do some of that differently. I would invest my resources very differently! Experience is a great teacher!

In short, I’m no book guru. I can’t show you my sales figures with all the commas and zeros, and I won’t point out my extensive list of 6-figure successes! lol! I have learned a few things the hard way, and that’s a great place to begin. I also believe that the best way to learn something and really get it to sink in is to turn around and share what you’re learning.

I’ve created a Patreon Community where you can come behind the scenes with me and explore what it’s like to be an author and owner of a brand. I’m very transparent in this community about What, How, and most importantly… Why? I do what I do. There is a small investment – like anything worth doing – this is an investment in your own dream of becoming a published author. Learn more…

I’ve also created a Facebook group called the Tiny House Authors, and you don’t have to live in a tiny house to be involved! Join now! Let’s explore the business of books together!

Thanks so much for reading, I really appreciate it!

Honor Your Health

November 19, 2018November 19, 2018Leave a comment

I recently met author Karen Creamer, RN. I heard her speak at a Writer’s Conference and I was immediately intrigued by her message.

If you ever wanted an open minded friend to explore some alternative health options and report in on what works and what doesn’t… well… Karen is that friend! Having had a harrowing experience with the medical profession during the birth of her first child, Karen was determined to learn for herself how to help people on the path to wellness with compassion, warmth, and wit. The stories in this book are literal page-turners! I could not put it down. Secondly, Karen goes through a whole list of methods of alternative health and self care that can be very helpful and she shares her experience with each of them and makes recommendations – including helpful resources to explore for more in-depth learning. I found these suggestions very helpful and the stories engaging.

The book is an empowering look at common sense self care in a world where health care is paying more attention to their computer screens than they are to their patients. I was impressed with her encouragement to choose effective holistic health methods and be a advocate for your own health with the medical profession to create a life of clarity, comfort, and connection. I think you’ll find this book an empowering read.

Find Karen Creamer’s book here: Honor Your Health

Check out her website here: KarenCreamer.com

Find her on Facebook here: Karen Creamer Author

Simply,

What Your Clutter is Trying to Tell You!

July 6, 2018Leave a comment

Kerri Richardson

Kerri Richardson may not remember this, but I dropped in on something she was doing. I think it may have been one of her Facebook Live coaching calls. I said “Writing is difficult” and she told me that as long as I told myself that writing was difficult – writing would be difficult for me. Those few simple words struck me like a two-by-four because I knew she was absolutely right! The next morning I sat down to write and had a little talk with myself about what an amazing thing it is to write, and how blessed I am that I get to create great wads of words that people actually read. Then the new words showed up, and I put them on the page. That’s why you’re mentioned in the acknowledgements of Kitchen Simplicity, Kerri. Who knew when I tuned in, that I was in for a real #lifelesson !!

The other day, she did it again. Kerri (with Melissa’s voice in the background chiming in) talked about getting their home ready to sell… and how we could get our homes ready to live in – so that WE get to enjoy our homes at their best…. instead of making the place cute just to get it sold. LOVE that idea! So guess what I’ll be doing around here in the near future! Ya know… when I have time. HAHAHAHAHAHA!

This morning she did it again. A little email wound it’s way into my inbox (I signed up for her email list) and was exactly the reminder I needed. She talked about the “Shoulds” in our lives and her insight that when we tell ourselves that we should do something – it shuts us down. If instead, if we change our shoulds to coulds… then we can relax into our opportunities instead of being overwhelmed by the list of things that SHOULD be done. She’s right – that’s a world of difference.

Her email really hit the mark with me because I have been responsive when someone puts a great big SHOULD on me, but recently I have been learning to say “No” more often, and when I don’t… I really pay the price. I’m learning. My Mister keeps yelling “BOUNDARIES are a THING!” with big Italian gestures and crazy eyes! You’d almost think I hadn’t been listening with the way he’s been going on. lol!

I bought a copy of Kerri’s wildly popular new book “What your Clutter is Trying to Tell You” and honestly I have not had time to read it, but I flipped through it. (I will take the time to read this book!) There are little ovals that stand out in the text with special messages she’s highlighting and a few of those really struck me. I haven’t even read the whole book and I know it’s a valuable resource because I know SHE is a valuable resource. If you’re considering the transition to a smaller space, or just want to live more simply in the space you already have – I would very happily point you to her book and her email list, and her Facebook Live events that she does. I can confidently say that her work will help you, because it’s already helped me and I haven’t even read the whole book yet. While you’re at it, consider signing up for her email list. Getting a super-helpful email like this is a real pleasure! And ya know… check her out on Facebook as well and then next time she does one of her Facebook Live events… make a point to be there.

Thanks Kerri!

PS: She’s also a tiny house person – how cool is that?!

Meeting my new Book for the First Time!

March 13, 2018Leave a comment

Xaver joins me in the Tiny House Foodie kitchen as I open the packet and pull out the proof of my new book. This is a pretty exciting moment for me as I’ve been working on this project for quite some time and it’s really fun to see it get to this stage!

My new book helps you navigate the transition to life in a tiny haven-home – especially the kitchen. This is not a cookbook. It is, rather, a philosophy of purposeful simplicity. This is the “FESTIVAL COPY” that will only be available in person at tiny house festivals. (See the EVENTS page so you know where we will be.) In May the book will be available for pre-order on Amazon, and in June the book will be available all over the place. I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of the book in Amazon and Goodread reviews!

Cooking for Ghosts on the RMS Queen Mary

July 12, 2017Leave a comment

Last week we traveled to California for a Foodie Fiction event featuring a recipe I created that is inspired by a book my friend Patricia V. Davis released last October, and she has a new one coming in October this year. This event was a delight and I look forward to many more.

The Queen Mary

July 4, 2017Leave a comment

I’m very excited to be in Long Beach California this week in preparation for a event on the RMS Queen Mary. A recipe I created is being demonstrated by the Chef of the Queen Mary, along with a recipe from her sailing days. This is all part of a book event featuring Cooking For Ghosts, a novel by Patricia V. Davis, and the first in a trilogy. I read the book (I could not put it down!) and was inspired to create the recipe, and here we are. It is lovely to be back in Southern California enjoying the sea air, interesting people, and the yummy food. It is beautiful here! Plus, here is a photo of the passion fruit hanging at the entrance to our AirBNB host’s garden. We will spend a few days on the Queen Mary as well, it’s will be a lovely week of hanging out with friends, eating great food, and maybe even doing a little shopping.

With love from our Californian adventure,

Carmen

Slightly South of Simple

May 12, 2017May 23, 20172 Comments

When I read that the daughters would all be descending on their Mom’s home at the ocean, this was not the story I pictured. It’s so much more. The twists and turns of “Slightly South of Simple” by Kristy Woodsen Harvey are remarkable and thoughtfully written. As a designer myself, I loved the way the author wove the world of Ansley’s design business, then took a half turn and wrote the world of lapping ocean waves and sandy beaches just as beautifully. More than the beach atmosphere of the book is the complexity of the women that come to visit their mum, without asking, and all at once.

I had a pretty good idea of what this book would be, judging from the cover, but it surprised me. I instantly disliked the self absorbed Caroline, but she proves that there is room in her heart for her sisters. I felt nothing at all in common with Sloane whose husband is off at war, but near the end I was drawn into her peculiar heartbreak, and the way the family enfolds her in their arms. Emerson who juices a truck load of kale each day, has a secret, and the reader wonders if the sisters will be able to absorb her truth.

Ansley was my favorite character. Perhaps it’s because I identified with her line of work as an interior designer, or maybe it’s her personal story of infertility that had a few very interesting twists of it’s own, having dealt with infertility myself. Maybe it’s the feud with the neighbor next door. Who hasn’t had that crazy neighbor?! Perhaps it’s the love she didn’t want to acknowledge or explore, though he was right there in her peripheral vision at all times. All of these aspects of Ansley, and the unexpected twists in her story made her my favorite character as I read this book.

Perhaps the best part of this book is the sense that these characters are all still there and we can read more about their lives in another book, and then another, and another (I hope!). I look forward to reading more from Kristy Woodson Harvey.

The Memory of Things

May 12, 2017May 15, 20172 Comments

I wanted to read this book because so many of my friends were talking about it. So I added it to my cart on Amazon when I found out it was finally available. I’d had a long day so I sat down to read and the first chapter of the book reached out and took hold of my heart and didn’t let go until I closed the book later that evening, finished. What a beautiful, delicate, marvel of a book. I loved this one so much that I’ll look up some of Ms. Polisner’s other books and read those also. Count me a fan.

Carmen Shenk

Faith, Art & Tiny Houses

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