Monthly Archives: May 2005

Headed shrimp and other musings

One thing I love about going to other parts of the country is sampling the local food. At the Coastal Carolina Writers Retreat, we had some delicious meals. The first night there we had a seafood boil, the seafood consisting of these creatures with really long antennaes. Someone told me they were crawfish, then someone else told me they were shrimp. I had to ask one of my table partners how to get the heads off. The shrimp were absolutely delicious–the best I’ve ever head. Being from Pennsylvania, I’ve only ever had headless shrimp.

Some interesting tidbits I learned from the retreat…now that I’ve written and published one book I was asked what I’m working on now. That totally took me by surprised. I didn’t have an answer at the time, but now I do. Stay tuned. I have the topic, I need to fine-tune the angle of it, but I’ll give you a hint—it’s a non-fiction, how to, type book. I’ve done my background research, there’s not much on the market that is written about the topic, but I think there is a demand for it within a niche market and I already have ideas on advertising and promotion. I’ll update you as time goes on.

A thought on networking from the retreat…I’m getting better at it. As Dick Bruso suggested, don’t try to collect as many business cards as possible, rather concentrate on developing relationships with a few key people. I found this so much more effective. Find common points of interest. One thing that made networking easy for me at this event was, since I was a presenter, and had the “star” on my nametag, I could introduce myself to other presenters and we had a common bond right off the bat. This was great because I was able to meet authors, agents, editors, keynote speakers, etc., easily, simply introducing myself, asking what they were presenting about, how their flights were, etc.

A final thought for today. A tidbit I learned from the retreat was that 80% of published books today are non-fiction. 80%. Wow. I guess that makes sense. I know most of the books I buy are purchased because I need to learn or improve a skill. I guess I’m not alone.

I only purchased one book at the retreat (that’s all I had room for in my carryon). It’s called Death on a Cellular Level by Vicky Hunnings. When I told Vicky I was looking for a book to take on the airplane, she asked me if I liked mystery or suspense. I guess I gave her a blank look because she asked if I even knew the difference, that someone had to explain it to her (I think she was just being gracious!). So she told me that with mysteries you are wondering “who done it” and with suspense, you know who did it, and you’re thinking to yourself “don’t open that door!” when the character is about to. Since I prefer suspense (now I know that!) she suggested I purchase Death on a Cellular Level. I’m only on page 21, but so far, so good.

I’m planning to start a book review section on my website, so if you’d like your book reviewed, please send me a copy!

Until next time…

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Back from the Coastal Carolina Writers Retreat

Last night I returned home from the Coastal Carolina Writers Retreat. What a great experience! I did a workshop on internet research tips and had a room of really bright, helpful people. We were all sharing ideas and resources back and forth and I think the participants learned something new.

I met some really great people there. Gerry Murak, who is behind the project Our Fathers Who Art in Heaven gave a great impromptu mini-workshop on blogging. By the way, he has a wonderful book with heartwarming stories of the fathers who have touched our lives. He is planning to do a whole series, so check out his website if you’re interested in submitting a tribute for consideration.

I was lucky enough to share a car ride to the airport with Joel Fotinos from Penguin Putnum and he was very down to earth, honest and personable. He also gave us a very accurate insight into the publishing world during his seminar.

If I comment about everything I learned at this writers retreat this blog post will go on forever, so I’ll write often over the next week or so with different tidbits.

Until next time.

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Women Earning More Than Men

This morning I got to watch The Today Show instead of the normal cartoons, and saw the segment about some women earning more than men. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2003, one quarter of women earned more than their husbands.

That’s not the case in my family, (yet anyway), but I asked my husband how he would feel if I made more money than he did. He said he honestly didn’t know. In some respects, it would be better, we’d be a lot more comfortable financially, but since he is a competitive person, it would probably drive him to find new ways to make money.

At one time, when we were newly married, we both made almost the same salary. Like many new parents, I took some time off to be a full-time mom to my sons, so I have some catching up to do.

If anyone would like to comment on this, please do. How would your husband or signifcant other react if you were making more money? Are you already in this situation? How is it working out?

Until next time…

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What’s in a name

You would think, that I, of all people, would get someone’s name right. I usually remember people’s names, and I know people expect you to spell and pronounce their name right. It only makes sense.

I never had too many problems with the name “Lauren” until I spent 5 years as a community caseworker for the elderly. Apparently, 70 plus years ago, my name wasn’t too common. As a result, any time someone called up asking to speak to Laura, Laurie, Lauren or Laurel, the receptionist would patch the call through to me. I also had a client who insisted on calling me Lorraine, no matter how many times I told her what my name was. I eventually gave up and just answered to Lorraine.

And with a last name of Hidden…common word, but uncommon for a last name. I have some people thinking my last name is “Helper”, which is kind of flattering, because at least they remember my last name is part of my business name.

This brings me to my faux pas. I have a new client. He has a common pronounced name, but an unfamiliar (to me) spelling for it. I’ve misspelled it in two different emails. How embarrassing. He seems to be maintaining good humor about it, but I think I will tape the spelling of his name to my computer screen. I don’t want to do it again.

So learn from my mistakes. Pay attention to an unusual name, or spelling. And do whatever you need to to save yourself from the embarrassment I’m feeling right now!

Until next time….

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The beauty and evil of nature

I love spring. The flowers are in bloom, the grass is green, the sun is bright and the air is warm. Over the weekend we visited Gifford Pinchot State Park and had a picnic at a table right by the lake. It was so peaceful to stare at the moving water. Tonight I grilled chicken barefoot while watching my sons take turns jumping on the trampoline. I love connecting with nature.

I hate spring. My older son has been having serious battles with his allergies/asthma/reactive airway disease, or whatever the pediatrician is calling it this week. Last night he woke up in a coughing fit and saying he couldn’t breathe. We spent our late evening on the phone consulting with the doctor about whether or not he needed to go to the hospital, and since we decided not, what we could do to get him through the night comfortably until I could get him at the doctor’s this morning. That required a midnight run to the all-night drugstore, and a trip back to the doctor’s this morning. Armed with Zyrtec, Pulmicort to add to the Prednisolone and Albuterol, we’re hoping he improves. He told me today he’s tired of being sick. Who can blame him? Every time he exercises or goes outside, or especially both, he goes into awful coughing fits.

So I have a love/hate relationship with spring. Despite everything being coated with a layer of pollen, spring is a time for growth and renewal and I am embracing that. I’m having a lot more fun than I thought putting the final touches on my presentation for The Coastal Carolina Writer’s Retreat. I’m looking forward to a weekend of learning, networking, and relaxation. (Can you really combine these three things??).

I’m also excited to be working with my first “non-U.S.” client. I guess this means I’m going global. What a great job I have!

Until next time…

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