Five Things Challenge

Being Productive Through Resistance and Helping Steven Pressfield

Reading The Waves by Lidia Yuknavitch — The book featured in the story by

Cheryl Strayed

that inspired this post. I can’t wait to read it!

Cheryl said she asks authors to share five things about themselves and their latest book. I thought, why not create a list myself to share with you? I challenge you to also write a list of five things that immediately come to mind and share it in your newsletter, blog, social media, etc.

Here are my five things…

1. I’m thick in the weeds of Resistance. How can I tell? Because I’m reading emails and making this list instead of working on my next book! Speaking of resistance with a capital R, let’s help the Resistance originator and The War of Art author, Steven Pressfield get back on his feet after the LA fires destroyed his home. If all of us from the writing community chipped in a few dollars, he would easily reach his goal. I hope he exceeds it so he knows how appreciative we are for him giving so freely to help us aspiring authors over the years.

   

2. My latest book is a work-in-progress. It’s my first attempt at fiction. I thought fiction would be easier to write than nonfiction. It’s not! The story combines genres: historical fiction, romance, and fantasy (time travel). I’ve been working on it since I first got the idea in 1998. I’ve rewritten it more times than I can count. When the AI editors came on the scene I got excited and tried every one I could find. Unfortunately, they created even more confusion and scrubbed my voice. I finally asked Linda Taylor – author, professor, and coordinator of my favorite writer’s conference, Taylor University Professional Writers Conference, for an editor recommendation. She recommended Kippen Miller, who is looking over my manuscript now. I’m anxiously awaiting his feedback. I’m excited to finally move on to the next step and grateful for my first BETA reader volunteer,

   Karen Smiley
   !

3. I LOVE to read and write, especially poetry. I’m working with fellow poet, Stacy Savage, on having a poetry reading at Minnetrista on Earth Day. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for updates! (That $1200 Founders subscription level is for writers who just want to write. I’ll do the rest for you! I’m testing this service for a few aspiring authors to see how it goes.)

4. I am a biblophile. I have thousands of books. My retirement dream is to open a bookstore, or a bookmobile, in my community. I’ll be sure to let you know when that happens!

5. Five is my favorite number because it’s the shape of a vein on my foot. Lol. Unfortunately, I can no longer see it due to swelling from diabetes and lipedema (I wrote about it on my Medium blog). Oh, the thrills of aging. I will never give up the fight to be healthy. I’m looking forward to insights from

   Dr Mehmet Yildiz
   ’s new Health and Wellness publication!