As of Friday, May 28, 2010, I've signed on with Xlibris - a self-publishing company based out of Bloomington, IN. Even through all of the fear and trepidation, I plan to make this a success. But only by the grace of God, continual prayer for guidance and the support and encouragement of my friends and family everywhere.
With my husband, Oscar, Jr. as my illustrator, we plan to make a go of this endeavor as a literary and illustrating team. So watch for my updates and then the final notification that, "It's A Book!". Because I plan to consider this a labor of love that requires the same amount of time, caring and love that makes a child.
...here we go!...
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Mind My Own Business
"Why can't I just be happy with the hand that I was dealt in this life?"
Shouldn't I be satisfied with what I have? My health, family, job, car and a place to live. That should be enough right? Well that's not what society tells me. Society tells me that if I want to be able to make certain decisions regarding my health, family, job, car and place to live, then I should and must take action.
But what does that mean "take action"?
To me, it means I should and must take more personal responsibility for the hand that I was dealt in this life. I should and must look "outside of the box" that is my view of life. This is why I'm so heck bent on creating a Home Based Business of some sort that will allow my family and me a sense of security and freedom that the average employer can't offer me.
Yes there's a lot involved in creating and maintaining a Home Based Business, but therein lies due diligence. Where you have to say, "okay, I'm in control now and so I must make this work", "And if it fails, I have no one to blame but myself" - but we won't allow those negative thoughts to infiltrate and commandeer our goals.
So I intend to make it a point to become educated in the realm of creating a Home Based Business; learn from those who've made a go of it, ask for help when it's needed and network whenever possible.
If you find that you have some words of wisdom and or encouragement to share, then by all means, please do make note of it here on my blog.
*
Shouldn't I be satisfied with what I have? My health, family, job, car and a place to live. That should be enough right? Well that's not what society tells me. Society tells me that if I want to be able to make certain decisions regarding my health, family, job, car and place to live, then I should and must take action.
But what does that mean "take action"?
To me, it means I should and must take more personal responsibility for the hand that I was dealt in this life. I should and must look "outside of the box" that is my view of life. This is why I'm so heck bent on creating a Home Based Business of some sort that will allow my family and me a sense of security and freedom that the average employer can't offer me.
Yes there's a lot involved in creating and maintaining a Home Based Business, but therein lies due diligence. Where you have to say, "okay, I'm in control now and so I must make this work", "And if it fails, I have no one to blame but myself" - but we won't allow those negative thoughts to infiltrate and commandeer our goals.
So I intend to make it a point to become educated in the realm of creating a Home Based Business; learn from those who've made a go of it, ask for help when it's needed and network whenever possible.
If you find that you have some words of wisdom and or encouragement to share, then by all means, please do make note of it here on my blog.
*
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
"That's Just Ducky!" (will be my very 1st children's book)
I recently spoke with, well - via email - a local children's book author who was able to offer some sage advice for an aspiring author such as myself ... and here's the "gist" of it:
With her very first children's book safely ensconced in reach of the public, the author of "Dante the Dancing Goose" is well on her way, I'd say, to becoming a household name. Check out this piece I read about her at the Lakeland Local on-line;
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2010/02/local-teacher-publishes-childrens-book/
I'd have to say that any advice from Katherine Boll, as a published author, should definitely be heeded as gospel. The lady knows what she's talking about. Hey! She's been published!! She's a success story as far as I'm concerned. And Katherine told me that, "... - it's not easy!". She's right! Because my own mother told me time and time again that, "Anything worth having or doing well is never easy". And trust me, I take the phrase "labor of love" very seriously; labor means work.
Also, Katherine reiterated the regards of copyrights, self-publishing and research. All for me to keep in mind.
http://www.dantethedancinggoose.com/index.html
WAY TO GO Katherine!
Marketing:
I mentioned to her that I actually thought about keeping the marketing local. I'm an avid proponent for keeping money in the local economy. To me, that's a WIN-WIN situation; I'm keeping the local businesses [my neighbors] employed & those local businesses [my neighbors] are supplying a need I may have. I once mentioned to my husband that I could see copies of our book, "That's Just Ducky!" displayed at say, the local Beverly's Consignment Shop off of Edgewood Dr. and South Florida Ave. or have a book signing set up at the South Gate Shopping Center on South Florida Ave. or at the Lake Morton Library.
Merchants that I frequent, I'd ask them if they'd be willing to offer times for book readings at their establishment during times when families with children visit most. I could see a quiet time during dinner, listening to an author read to the audience. Or say in a corner of a local department store, have a blanket laid out with floor seating for the kids to sit and listen while their parents shopped. Not so much as a babysitter, just a quiet time out of sorts.
Can you tell that I'm a dreamer?
The publishing time frame is something to take into consideration as well; and understandable. Nothing will happen overnight - and a processing time frame of say four to nine months is to be expected. Again, I hear myself saying this is a labor of love; nine months comes to mind in that regard. [smile]
A Website:
I actually thought of that as well. But then I wasn't sure if that was a part of the copyright gamble. Although, I have designed a website, for other reasons; at http://www.tributellc.webs.com/ - it's something for my own multi-generational family to consider and think about embarking on some day. (...and that's a whole other business endeavor...)
But http://www.webs.com/ is where you can create and maintain a website - for free. It's when you decide to upgrade your site there or do not want ads to show up is where any additional costs will be incurred.
Proof is in the pudding:
Trust me, instant gratification is not on my agenda at all. I do realize this whole publishing/self-publishing process will take time, patience, money and the love and support of my family and friends in order to achieve this endeavor. But above all else, as a Christian, I know that if I keep in my heart and mind that God has blessed me with a talent, a gift, for writing and getting along with others - then I do not intend to make a mockery of or waste this blessing.
I've subscribed to the Downtown Lakeland Partnership at http://www.downtownlakelandfl.com/
in order to stay abreast of the local economy; merchants - new and old, city plans, etc. So I will make certain to contact their offices when we're ready to move forward in order to get their feedback as well on promotions in conjunction with local merchants. And Oscar & I have a business tax ID# already established with the Polk County Tax Collectors office; once we are ready to sell items.
Katherine has become a beacon of hope for me. And I am eternally grateful to her for having taken the time to communicate to me all that she has - and yet we've never met. This is exactly why I believe in angels. For their guidance through this life in order for us to connect with people who are willing to take a chance. Katherine's advice alone is priceless.
So here's to the beginning of something wonderful!
With her very first children's book safely ensconced in reach of the public, the author of "Dante the Dancing Goose" is well on her way, I'd say, to becoming a household name. Check out this piece I read about her at the Lakeland Local on-line;
http://www.lakelandlocal.com/2010/02/local-teacher-publishes-childrens-book/
I'd have to say that any advice from Katherine Boll, as a published author, should definitely be heeded as gospel. The lady knows what she's talking about. Hey! She's been published!! She's a success story as far as I'm concerned. And Katherine told me that, "... - it's not easy!". She's right! Because my own mother told me time and time again that, "Anything worth having or doing well is never easy". And trust me, I take the phrase "labor of love" very seriously; labor means work.
Also, Katherine reiterated the regards of copyrights, self-publishing and research. All for me to keep in mind.
http://www.dantethedancinggoose.com/index.html
WAY TO GO Katherine!
Marketing:
I mentioned to her that I actually thought about keeping the marketing local. I'm an avid proponent for keeping money in the local economy. To me, that's a WIN-WIN situation; I'm keeping the local businesses [my neighbors] employed & those local businesses [my neighbors] are supplying a need I may have. I once mentioned to my husband that I could see copies of our book, "That's Just Ducky!" displayed at say, the local Beverly's Consignment Shop off of Edgewood Dr. and South Florida Ave. or have a book signing set up at the South Gate Shopping Center on South Florida Ave. or at the Lake Morton Library.
Merchants that I frequent, I'd ask them if they'd be willing to offer times for book readings at their establishment during times when families with children visit most. I could see a quiet time during dinner, listening to an author read to the audience. Or say in a corner of a local department store, have a blanket laid out with floor seating for the kids to sit and listen while their parents shopped. Not so much as a babysitter, just a quiet time out of sorts.
Can you tell that I'm a dreamer?
The publishing time frame is something to take into consideration as well; and understandable. Nothing will happen overnight - and a processing time frame of say four to nine months is to be expected. Again, I hear myself saying this is a labor of love; nine months comes to mind in that regard. [smile]
A Website:
I actually thought of that as well. But then I wasn't sure if that was a part of the copyright gamble. Although, I have designed a website, for other reasons; at http://www.tributellc.webs.com/ - it's something for my own multi-generational family to consider and think about embarking on some day. (...and that's a whole other business endeavor...)
But http://www.webs.com/ is where you can create and maintain a website - for free. It's when you decide to upgrade your site there or do not want ads to show up is where any additional costs will be incurred.
Proof is in the pudding:
Trust me, instant gratification is not on my agenda at all. I do realize this whole publishing/self-publishing process will take time, patience, money and the love and support of my family and friends in order to achieve this endeavor. But above all else, as a Christian, I know that if I keep in my heart and mind that God has blessed me with a talent, a gift, for writing and getting along with others - then I do not intend to make a mockery of or waste this blessing.
I've subscribed to the Downtown Lakeland Partnership at http://www.downtownlakelandfl.com/
in order to stay abreast of the local economy; merchants - new and old, city plans, etc. So I will make certain to contact their offices when we're ready to move forward in order to get their feedback as well on promotions in conjunction with local merchants. And Oscar & I have a business tax ID# already established with the Polk County Tax Collectors office; once we are ready to sell items.
Katherine has become a beacon of hope for me. And I am eternally grateful to her for having taken the time to communicate to me all that she has - and yet we've never met. This is exactly why I believe in angels. For their guidance through this life in order for us to connect with people who are willing to take a chance. Katherine's advice alone is priceless.
So here's to the beginning of something wonderful!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Pedal Our Wares (a business idea)
My husband, Oscar and I are very interested in a home based business of sorts. Our most recent business idea is called, "Pedal Our Wares".
We would sell various wares from a kiosk like cart that could be positioned in various ways around the downtown Lakeland (FL) area on the weekends: either at a stationary marketplace, pedaled or mobile with a small quiet motor attached. We have yet to see this creative way of selling goods to the public and would like to jump on the opportunity if available. I could only imagine the looks of surprise we'd endure as we pedaled past onlookers; potential customers.
We think it would be sheer genius to offer pedestrians, sightseers and onlookers a chance to purchase say, a soda and a bag of chips, a bottle of ice cold water or a T-shirt, towel or other piece of merchandise that references their stay in the area. It would be the talk of the town if you ask me to sell merchandise from a mobile kiosk, that just happens to be rolling by.
We'll keep looking into this idea as well as continue to brainstorm and come up with the next best thing. So watch for us to make our stand and earn a piece of the American Dream.
We would sell various wares from a kiosk like cart that could be positioned in various ways around the downtown Lakeland (FL) area on the weekends: either at a stationary marketplace, pedaled or mobile with a small quiet motor attached. We have yet to see this creative way of selling goods to the public and would like to jump on the opportunity if available. I could only imagine the looks of surprise we'd endure as we pedaled past onlookers; potential customers.
We think it would be sheer genius to offer pedestrians, sightseers and onlookers a chance to purchase say, a soda and a bag of chips, a bottle of ice cold water or a T-shirt, towel or other piece of merchandise that references their stay in the area. It would be the talk of the town if you ask me to sell merchandise from a mobile kiosk, that just happens to be rolling by.
We'll keep looking into this idea as well as continue to brainstorm and come up with the next best thing. So watch for us to make our stand and earn a piece of the American Dream.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The Robert and Arella Bryant Family, LLC (website)
Well, I've got the Family LLC website up and running. Now I just need family members to log on, view and sign-up on the site itself.
http://www.tributellc.webs.com
We can make this happen! I just know it!!
Granted, it's a new and exciting venture; emotionally scary and financially risky. But we'll have to see it as an opportunity for our family to come together and prosper - for generations to come.
The website itself will be updated almost daily by me the administrator so family members will know exactly what's going on. And since there's a way to sign-up and sign-in to the site, family members can add, update and review information for themselves as well. Everyone stays informed.
Well...here's to the beginning of something new and prosperous for our family!
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