Yes, You Can!

Photo by Jörg Angeli on Unsplash

Have you ever tried something and failed?

Did it make you feel bad?

Your brain instantly starts to call yourself a failure, a loser.

Here’s the thing: you tried. That’s more than 98% of the population. (Okay, I made up that number.) Lots of people TALK about doing whatever it is you tried; few actually attempt it and even fewer are successful.

The thing to focus on is that you TRIED.

A coach of mine always said that if you don’t fall sometimes, you aren’t trying hard enough. I think that’s true.

When I ski raced, you have to ski ‘on the edge’ in order to win. When you ski ‘on the edge’ you have to be willing to go one way or the other. Which means, you either complete the race of your life or you have a spectacular crash. I have had many (with the evidence of a few broken ribs on MRIs), but also I have my share of wins.

Let me tell you, the wins more than make up for the crashes. I don’t call them failures because they’re needed to get to the wins. Not every idea or plan is golden.

Embrace the tarnish and polish it off the next time. Sonja

#Nature #Outside #Horses

Photo by Greta Schölderle Møller on Unsplash

It’s Sunday Funday and I plan to spend it outside.

I would love to enjoy this beautiful weather from the back of a horse. Too bad I don’t have one to ride! But I can use my imagination–

I love the smell of horses, the creak of the leather saddle, the sound of the hooves clopping on a dirt trail. And so much more.

Tell me what you like to do on your #Sunday Funday. Sonja

My Love of Candles

Photo by Paolo Nicolello on Unsplash

When I write, which is every day, I sit at the dining room table. That way I’m near my dogs, my movies, and my candles.

I have a candle in a frosted glass holder exactly like the one in the photo. I keep it lit while I’m sitting there and working. I also have a teapot warmer that keeps my tea hot. It was purchased in Germany and heats the tea using a tea light. I have tapers on the breakfast bar in a holder that used to be my grandmother’s and tea lights on the window sill.

Can you tell that I love candles?

I buy tea lights by the bushel and scour sales for larger candles. I’ve been lucky enough to buy large bags filled with candles from estate sales. Those have lasted for weeks!

What do you use to make your workspace warm and comforting? Sonja

Photo by Zoran Kokanovic on Unsplash

Blogs, and Podcasts, and Articles. Oh, My!!!

Lately, I have been trying to keep up on the happenings in the publishing world. What a task! Things happen so fast.

A publishing house that I admired has closed its doors. Agents come and go from agency to agency. Books are published, make lists, and then are gone.

How to keep up?

Blogs, podcasts, and articles!

I’ve also found that some agents write essays on their websites that are full of information and tips

It’s our job as writers to watch the industry and learn what’s going on. There is a lot of information on the web. Go find it.

Local indie bookstores are great sources for info and books. The owners tend to know what’s coming down the publishing pipe and are happy to recommend titles. Just ask! These fascinating and fun stores are the lifeblood of the writing game.

Near where I live, there is a large book festival that attracts approximately 135,000 people. I love attending, showing off my books, and meeting the parents and children that stroll through all the booths and tables. I have found that most want to buy a physical book and aren’t interested in downloading an ebook. I love to see people walking past my table with bags of books.

It makes me optimistic about the future of the book world.

I hope you take the time to read today. Choose the format you like and find a comfy corner. I read printed and ebooks, plus listen to audiobooks in the car. Find what works for you.

Keep reading! Sonja

Bucket List!

About a year-and-a-half ago, I was able to mark a big item off my bucket list. I was able to hike the Inka Trail to Machu Picchu!

I have wanted to see this spectacular area since I learned about it in elementary school. My sister took me there as a gift (great sister, huh?)! The Inka Trail (yes, that’s the correct spelling) was an arduous hike on uneven and slippery rocks. See the photo. That’s what we hiked on for three of the four days. We slept in tents and our porters (best ever!) cooked for us and carried a large percentage of our load.

I couldn’t have made it all the way to Machu Picchu without their help!

When I look through my (thousands) of photos from the trail, I can remember how amazing and how difficult it was to hike on those rocks, with my loaded pack, at that altitude.

It was one of the most difficult, and rewarding, things I have ever done.

I hope you have a chance to challenge yourself and cross something off your bucket list! Sonja

A Little Something For You

Photo by Jonathan Farber on Unsplash

I wanted to share a fabulous podcast with you.

@biggestlittlelibrary

Go to www.biggestlittlelibrary.net/episode1 to get started.

A librarian I’ve known since college is a contributor and I highly recommend you give it a listen.

If you like books, then this is for you! Sonja