Month: August 2012

Authors’ Words Provide Inspiration

Most people have an office in their home. I have a library. It’s a matter of word choice, but for me, it also sends a message. One day I will publish a mystery and my book will grace the library shelves.

In the meantime, I write in my library surrounded by signed copies from some of my favorite authors, whom I have been fortunate to meet.

Books on a shelf

Books signed by favorite authors provide inspiration. (Photo by Cynthia Price)

There is Janet Evanovich, who at her book signing, spent a few moments giving me advice and suggested writing critique groups for me to seek out.

There is Adriana Trigiani, whose advice is simple and direct, “Just write!”

There is Emyl Jenkins, who provided me with fairy dust, to keep my writing inspiration alive.

Another favorite is Michael Connelly, whom I met at a mystery writers’ conference. I passed him in the foyer and said hello as if I knew him. Of course, I didn’t, I just felt like I did because I was familiar with his photograph on the back of his book jacket. It didn’t matter. He found a sitting area and spent a few minutes with me, also giving me solid advice.

David Baldacci is another favorite. He always makes time for his fans, signing books and answering questions. Like the other authors mentioned, it doesn’t matter how many times he makes the best-seller list, he still is approachable and pleased to talk about his craft.

So while I continue to write and re-write, I surround myself with the words – both on paper and in person – of other authors.  And I leave space on the shelf for what I hope will be the first of many books I publish.

What helps you write and where do you write?

What Is Your Favorite App?

The other week I was visiting a smartphone kiosk and mentioned that I dislike carrying around all the cards to get discounts from various vendors. Next thing I knew I was addicted to the Key Ring app, which brings all the cards together on my phone. I can scan and store all of my existing loyalty cards (I have a ton!). I can even find ones that I might be missing. I’ve had a few glitches, but overall, I love not carrying all those cards. Or worse, leaving one at home!

That led me to wonder what friends and colleagues would say are their favorites. Here are a few that scored high:

Grocery IQ: I don’t like grocery shopping so when a colleague told me about this one, I couldn’t wait to try it out. With this app you can make grocery lists, check off items as you pick them up in the store and set favorite products. You can even customize the aisle for each store you shop.

Myfitnesspal: Another colleague told me about this one, which allows you to keep up with your exercise and food eaten during the day.  It lets you know how many calories you should take in and when you are over or under. Even better, if I have exercised, it lets you have more calories!

GasBuddy: If you drive a lot, this is the app for you. It allows you to check gas station prices and where the deals are in different cities. It also tells you how far to the next gas station. NFPW member Teri Ehreman used it when she was scoping places for next year’s post-tour trip.

Waze: This is another great app if you are on the road frequently or just can’t stand traffic. As the site says, Waze is a “fun, community-based GPS traffic and navigation app.” Drivers report what is happening and you get turn-by-turn navigation that re-routes as road conditions change.

DirecTV: NFPW Member Gwen Larson likes this app because she’s often running from the office to her son’s athletic event and will realize she’s forgotten to DVR a newscast with which she did an interview. With this app, she can set the recordings directly from her phone.

What are your favorite apps and why?

Restart Your System

Sometimes it’s good to restart the system, whether it’s a computer or yourself.

Every so often at work, I have to stop and let my computer update its system and then restart. It takes several minutes. That happened the other day and the message really struck me. I realized I was due for a system restart.

I’d been working long hours, traveling a lot, keeping up with outside interests and completing home projects. I was off track on several fronts, including my fitness routine. I was due for a system update.

I quickly scheduled a long weekend. In advance of it, I made a “To Do” list. Whether I completed it or not, didn’t matter. It just felt good to list everything I needed to do so the items weren’t weighing on my mind. I would do as much as I could. Anything I didn’t finish, I would schedule the time for in the coming weeks.

I also took time to journal and review my personal mission statement. I realized I had too much on my plate so I made a few phone calls, acknowledging to others that I had too much to do and it was time for someone else to step up. As much as I disliked removing myself from some committees, I realized I wasn’t doing any of us any good if I wasn’t doing it well.

I created a plan of action to get me back on track with some key areas that are important to me. For some reason, I always let those slide, and now they’re inked into my calendar.

Finally, I scheduled unscheduled time. It sounds crazy, but I have found that for me I need at least one weekend a month where I have nothing planned. I blocked those weekends on my calendar to keep them free.

Sometimes it’s good to restart the system.

Watch Your TV Viewing Habits

I’m conducting an experiment in August – no TV.

Recently, someone asked me what shows I watch. I said I don’t watch much and then listed everything I watch. I was embarrassed – and surprised – by the long list, to say the least.  Of course, I’m not alone in my habit. The average American watches five hours of TV a day, according to Nielsen.

While my habit isn’t that excessive, I realized that TV viewing was cutting into time I could be spending doing other things. Like what? How about –

  1. Reading
  2. Exercising
  3. Gardening
  4. Finishing home improvements
  5. Catching up with friends

Since NCIS is in hiatus, I’m choosing August to give up television to determine how much more productive I can be.

In other words, I could be doing instead of simply observing. So for August (and I admit I planned this so I’d be back to viewing to catch new episodes of my favorite show, NCIS) I’ll keep the TV behind the closed doors of the armoire and see how much I can accomplish.

Who knows, if my productivity soars, I may just give it up permanently and also save some money.