Morning Greeting 08/28/2013

Good morning all,
Where you are right now is not your final destination.  Unless you give up on yourself and your dreams, your path continues to stretch in front of you.  Have a wonderful day.

Learning From A Five Year Old

Often, I find myself jotting down ideas for stories.  Sometimes I just get a title in my head and that is it.  The real pleasure comes from listening to my five year old read to me his stories.  He wants to write books like his mom.  It's such a great learning experience for me as a writer because I get to hear how a child talks and reacts to the story.  I get to sharpen my skills as a writer and strengthen my imagination.  Quentin isn't easily won over by buggers, bugs or monsters.  I have to be creative and keep his attention once I capture it.  Quentin represents a significant percentage of my audience, so I have to step it up.   There is a lot to learn in the literary world, I've just begun.

Morning Greeting 08/26/2013

Good morning all,

Just because you are talented in a particular area such as art, writing, sports does not mean that you are by far the best.  We can learn from others as we strengthen our talents.  Don't let your pride stifle your growth.  Have a great day

Morning Greeting 08/22/2013

Good morning all,
The talent you have is your own.  No one controls it but you.  Let no one stop you from sharpening or sharing your gift. Have a wonderful and progressive day.

Morning Greeting 08/21/2013

Good morning all. We have been blessed to see a new day. Greet your challenges with a smile. You have what it takes to overcome the challenges that are before you. Have a wonderful day.

Morning Greeting 8/02/2013

Good morning all,

When it seems no one will listen, no one cares, remember that God will never leave your side. Pray about everything, worry about nothing.

Morning Greeting 7/29/13

Good morning all,

I hope you are well rested and ready to face this new week.  Face your challenges and believe that you can overcome them.

Morning Greeting

Good morning,
The weekend is here!!  Enjoy your family and friends.   Have a great and safe weekend.

Advisors

Often, there will be people who will give you all kinds of advice.  They won’t be professionals; they will be your friends and family.  The advice they give will be mostly their opinions of what they think you should be doing with your life.  Some of the advice will be 100% negative.  They will offer you nothing but reasons why you should give up on your goals.  Some folks will give you a list of options you may want to consider.  They may offer you an idea or two that you never considered.  Whatever the advice you get, keep in mind that you have the power to achieve your goals, not them.  Filter the advice you get and those who are giving it.  You have to learn who actually wants you to succeed and if they will offer any help in getting you there.  People may give up on you, but never give up on yourself.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

We have been blessed to see another day!  How will you spend it?  Make today a great one by continuing to work on your goals.  Every time you make the effort, you gain knowledge and strength on completing your goals.  Let no one stand in your way, and believe that you will succeed.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

Take a look back over your life.  Have you had any difficulties?  Have you had any setbacks?  Are you in the same position then as you are now?  If the answer to any of those questions is no, then that means you a survivor.  You may not realize it but you are strong.  Be glad you have made this far.  Encourage someone else that they too can make it through difficult times.  Have a blessed day.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

God has been to good for us not to give Him praise.  Have a talk with Him, and unload your burdens. You are not meant to carry them.  Follow your dreams and achieve your goals.  Have a great day.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

Make a list of all the things needed to reach your goals.   I'm sure there's an entry on that list that requires you getting assistance.  Don't be afraid to network.   Enjoy the weekend and be safe.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

Don't give up on yourself or your goals.   It may not happen overnight,  but it will happen.   Don't be afraid to ask for help.   Some goals are accomplished with the help of others.

Affordable

There are many things that money cannot buy. It cannot give you peace, happiness or God's favor.   With that knowledge I smile. I'm grateful for these things.

Morning Greeting

Today is such a great day!  Celebrate your fresh start today by first thanking God for grace and mercy.  Encourage someone to accomplish their goals. Have a fantastic day

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

Thankful to see a new day? I hope so, I know I am.  Today is a good day to get it right.  Have a talk with God about your troubles. You can't fix it by yourself.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

Start fresh today.   Renew your passion to achieve your goals.

Morning Greeting

Morning all,

Its the weekend!!!  Live it up with friends and family.   Don't be too consumed by work.

Trust

Trust is earned.  When trust is broken it is hard to gain it back.  One has to prove that they want to be trusted again, and that are willing to prove it.  If someone gives chance after chance, its because they have hope for you.   Never make someone regret placing their trust in you.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

It's Friday,  the end of the work week. Take the time to enjoy family and friends.   Remember your dreams,  and continue to be positive.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

Find what makes you happy.  Don't follow the crowd because trends change.  Be commitedto your happiness.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

A new work week has begun.  Someone will try to tell you about the limits to your ability.   Just smile and say thank you, for they have given you the fuel to drive harder.  Turn the negativity into fuel this week.

Friday thought

Remember to filter when conversing with others.  Saying too much or the wrong thing will have its consequences. Have a safe weekend!

My poetry

I'm writing more and more poems.  My personal deadline for the completion of  "My Thoughts Unbound" is the end of September.  My mind holds more than one genre of writing. I appreciate those of you who have given me feedback on the poems I've posted here.  I ask for your continued support and feedback.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

The work week may be almost over, but the work on yourself has just begun.  Encourage yourself and someone else along the journey.  

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

Pay no attention to the people who speak negatively on your goals, dreams, thoughts or achievements.   When people are not happy or satisfied with their own lives, they have difficulties expressing joy and encouraging others.  Don't allow anyone that can't speak encouraging words hinder you from reaching your destiny.

Morning Greeting

I woke this morning with a simple thought.  I thought how fortunate am I to wake up to a nee day.  I get to use my limbs, senses, talents- somethings everyone was not able to do.  I greet my obstacles with a smile, prayer and my Bible.  Be humbled, for it all could have ended, and today would not be in existence for you.

in between

I'm back to the drawing board.   I need to perfect my craft of writing query letters to agents. I'm still writing other stories and organizing my ideas.  I'd say I'm in between step 1 & 2 of the whole process (writing & queries).  Its stretching me a little, but I've come to believe that it will make me stronger in the end.   I get to measure my growth as a writer and business person.  Step 3 will come soon I know.   God is moving in all ateas of my life including this one.
Never give up, especially when you are close.

Morning Greeting

Good morning,

Wisdom is more than an experience. It is the accumulation of lessons learned.  It's the knowledge of the effect of the experience.  Have a productive day.

Morning Greeting

Thanking God for grace and mercy. A new day seen is a new gift. If you can tell someone thank you for holding a door open then surely you can tell God thank you for waking you up today.
Enjoy your day today!

Morning Greeting

Good morning,

We don't always get what we want.  We should first seek to obtain what we need.  Set your priorities in order and stick to them.  Have a great and safe weekend!

Multitasking

I am working on my Steven the Cow series.  I am also writing poems for my book My Thoughts Unbound.   I am researching and fullfilling my role as a mother.  I am a bit streched out, but that is how it goes.   I didn't get much done with the cow series last night. Hopefully tonight I can play catch up.
Don't give up on your dreams!

Morning Greeting

Good morning! !

Take it all in; you were blessed to wake up this morning.   What will you do to show appreciation?   Will you help someone get closer to achieving their goals?  Will you be proactive and productive in achieving your own goals?  Take a chance and smile at a stranger.  Be bold and apologize to the person you've hurt.  Make today count.

Motion

I wrote a few query letters and have not received a response.   It is slightly disappointing to have it rejected.  I see no reason to be negative about though, I know it isn't personal.  I am still writing my poetry and children's stories.  I will keep moving forward with my works.  Someone will say yes, and when they do it will be a the right moment.

Morning Greeting

Good morning! !

If you are reading this it means you are amongst the living.  Take a moment and give thanks. Take a deep breath and organize your thoughts/plans.  Make no decisions in haste.  Today you have been given the opportunity to put your purpose into action.  Have a wonderful and progressive day!

Forgiveness

When you are wrong, don't hesitate to ask for forgiveness. Realizing you're wrong is the first step though.

Morning Greeting

I thanked God for giving me peace last night. I thanked Him for allowing me to see another day.   I won't squander it arguing, crying, or complaining. I'll trust that everything will work out for my good.  Step back, let go, and let God.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

Be aware of how you interact with others.  Inconsistencies can also break trust and relationships.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

LIVING life means that it is continuous.  Don't stop believing in yourself or worth.  Trust and believe in your own talent. Success starts with you.

Late Night Thought

I don't know if I would be as interested in writing if I only followed trends.  I want my ideas and my imagination to be expressed and appreciated.  On a shelf with many books I want to stand out.  I see books with the same theme and I wonder if the focus was more on numbers.  I think that if I remember the reason why I started writing,  then I won't be consumed by monitoring trends.

Sharing my story

Below, is an excerpt from my first book (Eric and Steven the Cow).  I have read this story to numerous people including children.  The reaction each time gets better.  I cannot wait until I can share my characters with the world.  Thank you to all who continue to support me  along my journey.





One morning while Farmer John and Mrs. John were gone, Steven decided to build a new barn.  He went to the shed, and when he came back, he had a wheelbarrow full of tools; wood and paint.  Steven the cow was so excited; he just couldn’t wait.

“Aren’t you going to ask for help” asked Eric, “you don’t know how to build a barn.”

“Moo moo I know how.  This is too easy” said Steven the cow.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

Failure is not genetic.  Only you have the ability to set and achieve your accomplishments. Believe in your talent and encourage your determination. Your success is in the making!

Alona

Onward and Upwards

I am continuing my Steven the Cow series.  Steven is such a fun character to write about.  He is kind, caring, busy, and imaginative.  The next two books involving Steven the Cow are Christmas themed books.  I cannot wait to have him interact with other animals on the farm.  He and Eric made such a great team in my first book “Eric and Steven the Cow”, but I want to focus a little more on Steven himself.

I am still in need of illustrations and a publisher.  This process takes time I know.  Instead of sitting and waiting around for a response to query letters, I will continue to organize my ideas and time for writing more stories.  Time management is important, as I work full time and I am a mother of a busy 5 year old.  Besides the stories, I am still working on my line of greeting cards.  I realize that I cannot get all this accomplished in a month.  I have to pace myself and not make unrealistic deadlines.  I am learning a lot throughout this process and enjoying it.  Giving up on my dreams is not an accolade that I will be boasting.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

The week if half over, you can make it.  Its not too late to reach your goals!

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,

As you start your day, take the time to find the positive points in every situation.   Its so easy to see the negative.

Patience

Waiting on a response after submitting a query letter really will test your patience.  I am on pens and needles here.  I have lost count of how many times I’ve checked my inbox.  It isn’t that I am scared that the agent won’t like my work; it’s will they like enough to give me a thumbs up.  Researching publishing companies, illustrators, literary management companies, and advice also requires patience.  The do’s and don’ts list seems to expand every week.  I don’t expect my career to take off within 48 hours of me completing the writing.  I have entered a new chapter in my life and I am so unfamiliar with everything that it is uncomfortable at times.  I am glad to have support of friends, family and a few professionals in the literary world

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,
 I hope today is very productive for you. Don't let anyone stop you from reaching your goals.

Morning Greeting

Good morning all

Take this weekend to enjoy your family,  friends, and/or solitude.

In the wee hours

Now that my first book "Eric and Steven the Cow" is complete, I can focus on my next project.  This weekend I will start writing "Sadie the Cat" and "Quentin Makes a New Friend".      I'm looking forward to bringing the these ideas to life.

Literacy

What is literacy?  Literacy is the ability to read and write.  Who is responsible for promoting, strengthening, and teaching literacy?  The answer is we all are responsible.  Literacy affects our communities in so many ways.  The foundation for literacy starts at home.  Parents read stories to their children before they can even read.  That sets the tone and behavior for a tolerance of literacy.  Parents also are responsible for teaching literacy skills before their children start school.  Children learn from their parents what is expected of them.  They learn at an early age to respect the process of becoming literate.  Parents should not have the mindset that teachers are solely responsible for making sure their kids can read and write.  It is important for parents to reiterate what is being taught in the classroom.  I volunteered at one of the elementary schools in my hometown.  So many times I came across kids whose parents never enforced completing homework, or bothered to ask what their kids were learning in school.  I have also met kids who were passed along to the next grade level, when in fact they should have repeated the same grade level due to failing core benchmarks.  That makes it so much harder on the next teacher.  That teacher would have to go back and try to teach skills such as phonemic awareness, vowels and etc.  Together parents and teachers make the perfect team for advocating literacy.  Illiteracy in the community means that people are less qualified to fill job positions.  They cannot complete job applications or pass skills tests.  The ripple effect goes on and on. We can all find some way to be an advocate for literacy.  Let’s make a positive difference in the lives of our children and community.

Alona

Morning Greeting

Good morning all,
Keep pressing forward even when others strive to tear you down.

Be Aware

I am currently researching and seeking an illustrator for my first book “Eric and Steven the Cow.”  I have the illustrations perfect in my head.  This is new territory for me as I have only authored one book so far this summer.  It’s pretty interesting, the advice I receive from non-authors or professional in the writing/publishing industry.  I realized that I must keep my conversations short with those who are not in the industry.  Everything that sounds good is not necessarily good advice; it’s more or less just hot air that feels good passing through someone’s lips.  I have my plan that I am sticking to.  Any altering will be done based on continued research and more experience on my part.  I am very thankful to the authors who have given me advice and support already.  It is very exciting to know that I have gained so much support in such a short amount of time.  I am going to need it, as I have set very lofty goal for myself this summer.

 As always, look to make a difference in your community.  Start with yourself first, and then move outward.

Alona

Morning Greeting

Good morning to all!
Today is a good day to start a new adventure.  Sign up for classes at you local community college or university, apply for a job in a new field, or volunteer to read to children in the hospital.   Dare to try something totally new, and make a difference in the world around you.

The High

   I thought of when I used to volunteer with my local AmeriCorps group a few years ago.  Our focus was on literacy in our community.  One of our assignments that year was Story Time at the library.  I would put together the performance program whenever it was my Saturday to perform.  The performance would include two sing along songs and three stories.  To dress up and act out the characters from the stories was thrilling!  The most exciting part about it was the high I got during the performance.  I loved to see each child’s reaction; the smiles and to see them move their lips during the sing alongs.  To have them tug at their mother’s purse or sweater and say, “Mommy that’s the lady that does Story Time”.  Knowing that I was a part of their growth really made me feel good.  That feeling, that high is the reason why I decided to pursue my writing career.  I want to continue to experience the joy of seeing my young family members’ faces as they discover each new work that I produce.  I want to be able to give back to my community, to the world even.  Literacy is so important.  I vow to make a difference in children’s lives through the advocacy of literacy.



Alona

morning greeting

Good morning! ! Smile and greet a stranger today, it may make their day turn out differently.

Introduction

     Let me start by thanking you for visiting my blog.  I am Alona Wilson; I am a 28 year old author and mother of one.  I've been writing since about age 12, mostly poetry.  I just completed my first children's book "Eric and Steven the Cow", which is written for age group 4-7.  I am currently working on my next book project "Sadie the Cat".  Outside of writing books for children, I have a line of greeting cards that I am writing.  I have found that when we encourage the passions that drive and inspire us, we value ourselves more.  Again, thank you for visiting my blog.  I look forward to reading your comments and interacting with my audience.


Alona