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Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: Karen L. Syed, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 5 of 5
1. My Face Hurts

Warning: This is not my usual cheerful tone. My apologies in advance.

Okay, I could not come up with a clever subject for my Blog today. So that is what you get.

But I am in a challenge and I WILL Blog every day in January.

Why does my face hurt? Because I have Sleep Apnea and they say it is bad to stop breathing 54 times in the span of an hour. Something about lack of oxygen.

So I now get 14 pounds (or something) of pressure pumped into my nose as I (try to) sleep, wearing the clever little contraption to the left. What does this have to do with the price of tea in China? Not a darn thing.

I just thought you might like to see what I might look like at night...but my eyes are hazel

But this leads me to my question of the day.

In ten words or less, what is the one thing you want more than anything in life?

Here is my answer. All stomachs full, all head covered, all faces smiling.


©Karen L. Syed


This Blog post is brought to you buy the awesome authors at Echelon Press.

11 Comments on My Face Hurts, last added: 1/30/2009
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2. Walkin' on Sunshine



It doesn't get any better than Katrina and the Waves. Who doesn't feel perky when they hear that song. I know I do, and it has been stuck in my head for days now. But I don't mind, it is one of the 80's ultimate feel good songs. They had huge success in the 80s.

Think about it. Here is a group from England who hits the big time in the US and Canada. In fact I think I might just make this my new theme song. Come on people, SING WITH ME!

And to add to my sunshine, I have received another "meme" award. I think it is totally cool that people think my Blog is worth recognition, no matter the form. I really appreciate the sentiment. I also appreciate that each of you who follow and read my Blog do so by choice.



So today's recognition comes from Joan De La Haye. She has bestowed on me the Butterfly Award, and I graciously accept. The rules are as follows.

This is a ‘meme’ award (what ever that means), but who cares. It’s fun and it’s sweet. So, the rules for passing it along are

1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Award up to ten other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message for your awardees on their blogs.

So the ten sites I would like to honor with this cool award are as follows, in no particular order.

1. Tim Broderick
2. Austin Camacho
3. Gayle Carline
4. Lorraine Bartlett
5. Yvonne Eve Walus
6. M.K. Scott
7. Robert Goldsborough
8. Teagan Oliver
9. Oak Tree Press
10. Princess Neve

So now I say, go forth and share the sunshine.



© Karen L. Syed



9 Comments on Walkin' on Sunshine, last added: 1/15/2009
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3. A Healthy Attitude

The wonderful thing about Tiggers is Tiggers are wonderful things.

Who has a better attitude than Tigger? There isn't anything he can't do, or even won't do. He is a determined and loyal friend to all.

Imagine if Tigger were a writer. How far do you think he would go to market and promote his books? I can just see Tigger bouncing from bookstore to bookstore.

Consider his enthusiasm for everything he does. He's always smiling, he's always friendly and he's always happy.

Readers are very sensitive to the words we offer, and that includes in person. If you are at an event or developing advertising and marketing make certain that your enthusiasm shines through. You have to consider that while you put a tremendous amount of work into your books, the readers also put a lot into earning the money they will spend on your books. You are responsible for giving them the very best reason to spend their money on you.

So no matter where you are who you are talking to about your books, put your best foot forward and bounce your way to success.

And if you're looking for a great read to get you bouncing through the day, check out

Operation: Stiletto at Amazon.com


























©Karen L. Syed





8 Comments on A Healthy Attitude, last added: 1/14/2009
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4. Wall of Gratitude

What the heck is a wall of gratitude? If you don't know the answer to that, you aren't listening to enough Zig Ziglar. This is something I have become very fond of.

As Zig explains, this is a place of honor for the people who have influenced you in your goals and dreams and accomplishments. In his seminars and books he names many of the people that have made it to his wall of gratitude. The count as of the publication of Better than Good is 26 people.

Over the course of the next few months, I will be periodically slipping in the names of those people who have earned a place on my wall of gratitude. I will also explain why. I will be listing them in no particular order.

The first person I want to recognize is Luisa Buehler. Luisa is an author with Echelon Press, but she has become a dear friend to me for so many reasons.

First of all is her character. Luisa truly is a kind person. She is extremely giving of her time, both personally and professionally. She is what Zig would refer to as a beautifully passionate person. Luisa is passionate about her work at The Hire Solution, a temporary placement agency that she owns and operates. She is extremely passionate about her causes and civic organizations. I honestly don't know anyone who gives more freely of their time to others in the community. I recall something about the Kiwanis, an early morning traffic rush, and peanuts. You'll have to ask her about that, I can't remember the details.

But the one thing that has impressed me the most is her passion for her writing and publishing career. In spite of all her other activities, Luisa has published five books, soon to be six, and two short stories with us. She tirelessly works to promote and sell those books, and she does every bit of it with a wide smile across her beautiful face.

When I met Luisa several years ago, I knew, and I said to someone else, that I wanted to be just like Luisa when I grew up. For more than five years now, she has listened to me, she has guided me through a few business crisis', and she has held my hand through prsonal crisis (most recently, Luisa was there for me with Mary Welk when I had an "episode" at Love is Murder in 2008--that episode was soon discovered to be heart failure). She is unfailing in her support.

Most importantly, Luisa has supported and encouraged me with total honesty. If I come up with something and she's not sure it is in my best interest, she tells me. When that something is a great thing, she is always there to cheer me on, and usually works with me to make it happen.

There is no better role model or friend than Luisa Buehler. For that she will always have a place of honor on my wall of gratitude.

More about Luisa Buehler
Web Site
Deadly Duo Blog
Twitter
FaceBook
LinkedIn

Books by Luisa Buehler
The Rosary Bride
The Lion Tamer
The Station Master
The Scout Master
The Lighthouse Keeper
The Inn Keeper
Tuscan Tall and Too Close for Comfort
Missing: Harry's Fall from Grace (Short Story)



© Karen L. Syed

11 Comments on Wall of Gratitude, last added: 1/15/2009
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5. Big Band Networking

Networking is all about goals. We all march to our own beat, but that doesn't mean that some of the notes aren't the same for each of us. We are all connected on some level, and networking allows us the opportunity to develop those relationships that can help us to achieve our goals.

We are a unique ensemble of characters interacting in a common forum. We all have knowledge to share and the Internet is a remarkable venue to perform in.

Like the big bands of the early thirties, writers are often viewed as an oddity or a curiosity. It is assumed that life in the publishing industry is all glitz and glamour. Not true.

Unlike Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, and Count Basie, we don't have the luxury of well-attended clubs and the nightlife to bring fans to us. We've got to go out and find fans on our own.

But that doesn't mean we can't show the world a little sparkle when we step out. The key is to make certain that you know the right people in the right places. This is where networking comes in.

Don't just assume that because you are a part of the industry that you have all the connections you need to succeed. Every song has it's own unique beat, and you as an author, reader, publisher, reviewer, whatever, need to ensure that when someone sees your name or your company or product, that they know who YOU are.

So whether or not you are in the mood, get your business cards out there, get your Blog address circulating around the Internet, and make certain that everyone knows YOUR name.

Get into the swing and rub elbows with other authors, booksellers, librarians, and who ever else is breathing. Your book, company, product, whatever is what you do. Don't think that it is who you are, but understand that it is what you do.

I want to be clear on what networking is. Networking is making yourself familiar with those who are in some way involved with what you do or what you have to offer. It is also encouraging others to be familiar with you and what you have to offer.

So get into the groove and jazz up your road to success with some big band networking.

©Karen L. Syed



7 Comments on Big Band Networking, last added: 1/8/2009
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