Nine Tips for 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

1. Set schedules and priorities.
2. Get organized.
3. Use your non-writing time to pre-think.
4. Try a new writing time.
5. Try new surroundings.
6. Stay busy.
7. Set goals within goals.
8. Keep a daily log of writing accomplishments.
9. Set deadlines.

If you want to make more money writing you probably will have to write more.

Forming good work habits is my weakness but this year that will all change. What is your weakness? What have you begun to do about it?

The January issue of Carma's Window Newsletter has been sent to all subscribers. If you would like to have one, sign up and I will send you a copy.

Write it down,
Carma

New Year - New Career - Learn to Write for Children - Free

A year-end bonus for you! Yes Learn to Write for Children - Free. Join The Children's Writer's Coaching Club in January 2009 and receive one month of lessons at no charge to you.

You will need a credit card to sign up but if you decide the club is not for you -- simply cancel your membership and you will not be charged one penny. But if you decide that learning to write for children is just what you have been looking for, then do nothing but continue on with your membership. No matter what your decision, you will not be charged for the first month.

What have you got to lose? Join the Children's Writer's Coaching Club and have access to a professional coach and mentor. Also, as a CWCC member you will learn how to strengthen your writing skills, meet other writers who will give you encouragement and support.

It's real easy to join. Just click the icon below.

Keeping Christmas

The Art of Keeping Christmas

How can we best keep Christmas? How can we best defeat the little bit of Scrooge in all of us and experience the glory of the Great Day?

By sinking the shafts of our spirits deep beneath the sparkling tinsel of the surface of Christmas and renewing within us the radiance of the inner meaning of the season.

By following the Star on an inward journey to Bethlehem to stand again in awe and wonder before the Babe in a Manger.

By rediscovering the faith and simplicity of a little child, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.

By being still and listening to the angels sing within our hearts.

By quietly evaluating our lives according to the Master's standards as set forth in the Sermon on the Mount.

By reaffirming the supremacy of the spirit in our conquest of ourselves.

By rededicating ourselves to the Master's ideals of Peace, Brotherhood, and Good Will.

By resolving to give ourselves away to others in love, joy and devotion.

By using the light of Christmas to guide us through the darkness of the coming year, refusing to go back to the dim kerosene lamps of the spirit when the brilliant electricity of Christmas is available to show us the way.


Wilfred Arlan Peterson


I will be back January 2009. I wish everyone a safe and happy New Years.
It is time to reflect and set new goals based on what worked and what didn't work in 2008.

Write it down,
Carma

The Gift of Love

The Best Gift
Betty Wirth

On Christmas Eve, a young boy with light in his eyes
Looked deep into Santa’s, to Santa’s surprise
And said as he sat on Santa’s broad knee,
"I want your secret. Tell it to me."

He leaned up and whispered in Santa’s good ear
"How do you do it, year after year?"
"I want to know how, as you travel about,
Giving gifts here and there, you never run out.

How is it, dear Santa, that in your pack of toys
You have plenty for all of the world’s girls and boys?
Stays so full, never empties, as you make your way
From rooftop to rooftop, to homes large and small,
From nation to nation, reaching them all?"

And Santa smiled kindly and said to the boy,
"Don’t ask me hard questions. Don’t you want a toy?"
But the child shook his head, and Santa could see
That he needed the answer. "Now listen to me,"

He told that small boy with the light in his eyes,
"My secret will make you sadder and wise.
"The truth is that my sack is magic inside
It holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride.

But although I do visit each girl and each boy
I don’t always leave them a gaily wrapped toy.
Some homes are hungry, some homes are sad,
Some homes are desperate, some homes are bad.

Some homes are broken, and the children there grieve.
Those homes I visit, but what should I leave?
"My sleigh is filled with the happiest stuff,
But for homes where despair lives toys aren’t enough.

So I tiptoe in, kiss each girl and boy,
And I pray with them that they’ll be given the joy
Of the spirit of Christmas, the spirit that lives
In the heart of the dear child who gets not, but gives.

"If only God hears me and answers my prayer,
When I visit next year, what I will find there
Are homes filled with peace, and with giving, and love
And boys and girls gifted with light from above.

It’s a very hard task, my smart little brother,
To give toys to some, and to give prayers to others.
But the prayers are the best gifts, the best gifts indeed,
For God has a way of meeting each person’s need.

"That’s part of the answer. The rest, my dear youth,
Is that my sack is magic. And that is the truth.
In my sack I carry on Christmas Eve day
More love than a Santa could ever give away.

The sack never empties of love, or of joys
`Cause inside it are prayers, and hope. Not just toys.
The more that I give, the fuller it seems,
Because giving is my way of fulfilling dreams.

"And do you know something? You’ve got a sack, too.
It’s as magic as mine, and it’s inside of you.
It never gets empty, it’s full from the start.
It’s the center of light, and love. It’s your heart.

And if on this Christmas you want to help me,
Don’t be so concerned with the gifts `neath your tree.
Open that sack called your heart, and share
Your joy, your friendship, your wealth, your care."

The light in the small boy’s eyes was glowing.
"Thanks for your secret. I’ve got to be going."
"Wait, little boy," said Santa, "don’t go.
Will you share? Will you help? Will you use what you know?"
And just for a moment the small boy stood still,
Touched his heart with his small hand and whispered, "I will."

The Gift of Peace

I heard the bells on
Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth,
good-will to men!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow




Whatever else be lost among the years,
Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing:
Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,
Let us hold close one day, remembering
Its poignant meaning for the hearts of men.
Let us get back our childlike faith again.

Grace Noll Crowell



I am not alone at all, I thought.
I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses.

Taylor Caldwell

Sharon Tregenza - Author Interview

I am happy to post my Email interview with Kelpies Award winning Author Sharon Tregenza. Her latest book, Tarantula Tide, can be found on Amazon. and here

Hello Sharon,
Thank you for your time with this interview. You are one busy lady. I loved the way you plotted the suspense in Tarantula Tide.

Hi Carma, yes it’s been an exciting end to the year. Lets hope it continues through 2009 and 2010 and . . . . I’m glad you mentioned the suspense in Tarantula Tide it was probably the toughest thing to get right. I knew I needed highs and lows to keep the action bubbling along and I made a lot of changes before I was happy.

What came first? The title or the story?

Usually, for me, it’s the title first. I love titles and have a huge list of them. This time it didn’t come so easily, though. I knew I wanted TARANTULA for its dramatic imagery and it’s importance to the plot, but I couldn’t come up with a satisfactory second word. It was a friend who suggested “Tide”. I knew immediately it was perfect.


How long did you work on Tarantula before you submitted to a publisher?

Hmmm, there’s a story to this answer. I was halfway through Tarantula Tide when I spotted an announcement for the Kelpies Award for a contemporary children’s fiction. I already knew of the Kelpies, of course, but further reading showed I already had the makings of a very suitable contestant in my book. But, and it was a big but, I had to complete it in a month to meet the deadline. I worked like crazy and more frantically as the deadline grew closer. It was touch and go and, for the last chapter and final edit, I worked for thirty-six hours straight. I posted the manuscript with only half an hour to spare - came home flopped into bed and slept and slept. Bliss.


Who did you pattern your characters Jack and Izzie after?

Because it was written in first person I have to admit that there were elements of myself in both Jack and Izzie. Mostly thought they are truly fictitious. You know when some writers say that their characters take over? Well it’s true – it really happens. I’d wake up with fragments of their conversation going through my head.

Who or what has influenced you the most in your career?

I had that all important special English teacher many years ago and then favorite writers. I still get that real “stomach kick” feeling when I read an author who excites me.

When did you decide to become a writer?

I think the dream was always there floating around in my subconscious. I come from a very small seaside town though, and the only options, when I was a teenager, seemed to be teaching or the local shoe factory. I didn’t fancy either. Life with marriage, children, and travel intervened and it wasn’t until about fifteen years ago I sent off my first (very amateurish) story. But the monster was unleashed.

What are your future goals for your writing?

Lots more children’s books. I’ve got a wealth of ideas for picture books, children’s poetry and at least two follow up novels to Tarantula Tide.

Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? If so, what seems to work for unleashing your creativity?

Nope. Writers block has never been a problem for me. Occasionally, I wish it was when the constant stream of ideas, characters and dialogue keeps me awake at night.

What makes up a typical writing day for you?

There isn’t a typical day. I just get to my computer as often as I can. I’m passionate about what I do and would quite happily spend all day, everyday, writing. There is life outside fiction though and there are other things that have to be done and people to consider.

Tell us where to find more information on you? Website? Blog?

Happily. My website is www.sharontregenza.com there’s a special site for Tarantula Tide too at www.tarantulatide.com. I’d love people to contact me. I’m on facebook and myspace as well.

Are you working on any new titles now?

Yes. I’m busy with the next adventure for Jack and Izzie. This time the mystery is set in Jack’s city of Edinburgh in Scotland - a fascinating place with a dark and bloody history. This book is called “Scorpion Sky”. Hope you like the title.

What advice would you give to aspiring children’s writers who are trying to break into the field?

Do it! Do it! Do it! And more importantly KEEP doing it. It’s hard and sometimes demoralizing sending manuscripts out to publishers. But if the writing itself is fun what have you got to loose? And then one fine day . . .

Is there anything you would like to add?

Just a big thank you, Carma for setting up this interview. Oh, and the warmest of wishes to you and all the readers of your website. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and a happy and successful New Year. Bye.

Bye Sharon, and thanks again.

The Gift of Family

Christmas reminds us we are not alone. We are not unrelated atoms, jouncing and ricocheting amid aliens, but are a part of something, which holds and sustains us.

As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same. Christmas shows us the ties that bind us together, threads of love and caring, woven in the simplest and strongest way within the family.

Donald E. Westlake

Donald E. Westlake is a three-time Edgar winner and the recipient of the Grandmaster award. He is the author of more than 40 novels, including The Hook. He lives in New York City.



For me, the spirit of Christmas is about letting the loving but messy little rituals become just as important as the solemn
and graceful ones. It's about making
room for everyone.

Ann Michael


My gift to you will be uplifting and motivational quotes by famous and not-so-famous authors over the next two weeks. I hope you enjoy them and I invite any comments on what any passage may mean to you. Christmas is the time of sharing.

Write it down,

Carma