Some thoughts

This probably has nothing to do with writing at all - or maybe everything to do with it, depending on your point of view. How's that for ambiguity?
A dear friend of mine died a few days ago. She touched many people and she lived her life as she chose. She will be missed for the love she gave and the joy she spread. I am so grateful she was in my life.
Her passing is causing me to re-evaluate and prioritize. Our time on this earth is short.
If you have a dream or a goal, go for it. If you have always said "some day I will give back", do it now. Some day is here.
None of us knows what tomorrow will bring or if tomorrow will even come. Look at the daily newspaper if you doubt that.
Be in the present moment and make the present moment count for all its worth. Reach out to those around you.
Each of us has a gift to share.
And for a true inspiration that will bring a smile to your soul, follow this link.

READ event

In a wonderful movement to promote local authors, the Scottsdale Public Library is starting a new program - READ Local. They will showcase and highlight the emerging literary efforts of the Arizona community. This will introduce readers to homegrown talent that may not be nationally known. It will also give local authors a way to connect with their Arizona readers. The collection will be housed at the Civic Center Library.

All Arizona authors are encouraged to submit their work for consideration. For more information, click here.

Microsoft Store - Scottsdale, AZ

Nadine Laman, my friend and fellow writer, and I were invited to participate in an author event sponsored by the new [and first ever!] Microsoft Store at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall in [where else?] Scottsdale, AZ. We had a ball!
As part of the event, authors can have their laptops "skinned", which means they will put images of the covers of your published books on a vinyl skin on the face of your laptop. What a great marketing tool. Of course, Nadine and I had to be the first and we had tons of fun doing it.

Now when we dine at Starbuck's while we write our latest epics, all the world can know we are writers hard at work. Seriously, can you think of a better conversation starter?
Anyone can "skin" any device they have. To do this yourself, go to http://www.skinit.com/ .

Nathan applying Nadine's skin to her laptop.

Nadine, Nathan, and me with our new dressed up laptops.

The whole gang after we skinned both laptops.

The Microsoft Store Author event will be held from January 22, 2010 - January 24, 2010. I will be appearing on Friday January 22 from 4 - 5 PM and Nadine will be the same day from 5 - 6 PM. Both of us will have slideshow presentations presented on their large touchscreen monitor at the back of the store.
The staff couldn't have been nicer. They were very helpful and are very excited to be doing this event. In fact, the response was so positive they are planning on having another some time in August 2010.
Come down and say Hi if you are in the area.

Happy New Year!

Make this the year that you finally get published if you have never been published and the year you publish something new if you have been published before.
Make resolutions you can stick to.
Write every day.
Join a support group if that is something you think will help you. There are many local groups of various national writing organizations that you might find helpful but there are also online support groups that can be just as motivating. Scope them out. And remember to give as well as take.
Network with other writers. Join Facebook and Twitter.
Take a course. Learn a new skill.
But most of all write.
Happy New Year!