Kathleen J. Shields's Blog, page 15

I can’t afford to follow my dreams the bills always come each month.

Have you ever said this?  I know I have, on many, many occasions. When my husband was first trying to get me to start my own website business I couldn’t fathom working for myself. Waiting for someone to just happen by and give me money to create something for them.

I grew up KNOWING that you work for someone else. When you get a job, you are working for someone else. They pay you every week, or every two weeks or every month (however it is done) and you do the job for them.  You may like working for them, you may not, but you know you are going to get a set amount of money each payday to balance a budget by and live off of and that is just how it’s done.

WRONG!

[image error]America was not built on the employed, it was built on the small businesses, the entrepreneurs. The people who had an idea and went for it with every fiber of their being.  Every blood, sweat and tear that dropped from their bodies was done so to establish their business. And it wasn’t because they wanted to have the uncertainty of whether the bills would get paid each month, it was because they had the desire to do something bold.

Ever heard of the unemployed? The laid off? They worked for someone else as they were taught to all their lives and now they don’t have that set amount of money coming in each payday to pay their bills.

That’s why opportunity is so important.  There is so much opportunity out there, so many ideas, so much technology at your finger tips, so many possibilities. Why not take those opportunities and run with them?

If you have an invention, make it.  If you have a novel in your head, write it and if you have a talent, use it. Yes, it can be stressful not knowing whether rent is going to get paid each month, but God has always provided for me.

I always pray “Lord, please send me a client needing a job done.” Because it is wrong to pray for money (in my mind). Besides, I want to EARN my money. I want to pay my bills knowing I did a job to the best of my ability, and I want to become a successful author because I wrote a good book.  Yes, it is stressful. No one said life was easy. They did say enjoy it.

It won’t happen if you never take the chance.

Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity.

They seem more afraid of life than death.

– James F. Byrnes

Don’t be afraid to be bold. To step into the unknown.

You will never know what CAN happen until you take that first step!

– Kathleen

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Experience life through a writers eyes!

You see things and say “Why?”; but I dream things that never were and I say “Why not?” – George Bernard Shaw*

That is how I write. Or at least how I used to write.  So many of my stories came from dreams (stories that I haven’t published yet) and a few that I have.  I used to have the most intricate dreams and they varied so wildly. Sometimes I was young, sometimes old, sometimes I was female, sometimes male, sometimes a hero, sometimes a villain, sometimes in need, other times a provider.

[image error]The point is that when I woke up I wrote them down (at least the jest of them because sometimes that’s all that is needed to bring back the memory), and then, when I had time, I asked myself “Why not?” or “What next?” and then I embellish upon them.

I encourage children (and you) to do the same.  Sometimes the neatest story ideas can come from dreams (even day dreams) and you have them for a reason. Not necessarily to work through the days events and organize them in your mind – but maybe you have them to let go, get creative and explore your imagination in a way that real life just can’t do.

I always say when you write you can BE anyone you want, DO anything you want and GO anywhere you want.

Experience life through a writers eyes and say “Why not?”

It may be the most fun you will have all day!

*George was an Irish playwright and a co-founder of the London School of Economics.  He wrote many highly articulate pieces of journalism, his main talent was for drama, and he wrote more than 60 plays. He was also an essayist, novelist and short story writer. 

I hope my wikipedia page one day says something like that.

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The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.

The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Think about that. Really think about how deep that is… and then let’s talk about time travel!

Didn’t think I would go there did you? Well, why not?  There’s that question again.

[image error]If we traveled back in time to the day that first acorn fell (or worse yet sent a hungry squirrel to that day) and that acorn never existed, those thousands of forests wouldn’t have either!  No oxygen for the world.  No shelter and shade for the forest creatures. No building materials for our log homes… of course we could have lived in teepees but no wood for bows and arrows… of course we could have just stoned our food.  But no wood for fire, raw meat? Yuck!

Of course, the other side of the coin is… if we sent a hungry squirrel back to the day that first acorn fell… where did it fall from?

Welcome to the mind of an author!  If you aren’t a little bit crazy… will you understand the sound a tree makes when it falls, if it never existed in the first place?

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Enthusiasm – No fears here!

  No person who is enthusiastic about his work has anything to fear from life.

– Samuel Goldwyn

What a great and TRUE message! I have so much enthusiasm towards everything I do; from website design and graphics, to video creation and writing – even marketing I am enthusiastic about because I know that the end result will be a positive one for everyone!

[image error]When I create a website from scratch it is difficult. I have to think outside the box (for the umpteenth time) and take the lead on a project that may have little to go on and not only create something amazing for someone, but bring it around 360 degree full circle.  I create logos, business cards, advertisements all that correspond to the new website design so there is synchronicity among the efforts. I do it all.

When I write a book it is the same way. I take pride in the rhythm of the story, in the message it gives out, in the educational content. I do tons of research to make sure it is accurate information. Then I collect the illustrations and photo manipulate them into individual pages, two-page spreads, designed to incorporate all of the aspects of the page with the text and I do that over and over again until it is right.

[image error]When I create a Hamilton Troll book I create it 8 times! One for hardback, one for paperback, one for kindle ebook, one for smashwords conversion, one for the flash flipbook on the website, one for PDF marketing, one as a powerpoint for school readings and one low-resolution for emails. Each time I create it I have to fine tune it, print it, view it, go over every minute detail, every page, until I know it is perfect… it is quite time consuming!

Then when the book is done, I create advertisements and flyers for it. Headers for blogs, facebook, PDFs for marketing and distribution, powerpoint presentations for sharing and even book trailer videos.  Then I write press releases, review letters, articles, blogs, tweets, facebook messages. I update the website, create new pages, new activities and games, create coloring pages.  As of today I have 81 pages created in the Coloring and Activity book (that is just my side project).  Then I research other ways to market the books.  It is a never-ending cycle and so… if I didn’t have enthusiasm for my work – I simply wouldn’t do it!

You have to like what you do – even the hard stuff. You have to like it! Otherwise what is there to get you motivated? The dream? Hardly. I’m afraid to dream! Afraid to get my hopes up.  My method of dreaming is that the ultimate goal is exposure for the books. That way, with exposure comes the success. Success is not measured in money (in my mind) it is the thank yous, the followers, the fans, the childrens expression when they recognize me or the books… That is what gets me enthusiastic.  That is what keeps me going. The happy clients, the motivated followers and the excited fans.

Are you enthusiastic?

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I am not afraid to fail. Mainly because failure is not an option!

[image error]To fail, in this industry, is to give up and that is something I will not do!  I do it myself because I am who is depending upon this to succeed.  My life is not measured by monetary success but by happiness; so each time I publish a book I am happy.  Each time I sell a book, I am happy.  Each time I receive a great review or a nice article, I am happy.  And if my books take me places I can’t even dream of, then I know that will make me happy as well – but the dream is not the destination.  And the success is not measured against the dream.

In order to succeed, your desire for success

should be greater than your fear of failure.

– Bill Cosby

I pick these inspirational quotes because they help me. (Not only in a starting point for my next blog) but because they speak the truth, because they are words to live by.  Sure, there is a small part of me that worries about the future of Hamilton Troll, will I be able to afford to keep doing this?  But that fear can keep me up at night, giving for restless evenings with no dreams and baggy eyes in the morning.  That’s not good!

So to be able to dream (at night) to be able to keep pushing forward I have to desire success.  I have to live and breath the success of Hamilton Troll into my waking hours.  It will succeed.  It will be [image error]found.  It will get the credit it deserves. People will read it, they will like it, it will be added to school curriculum, it’s stories will be made into a TV series, Hollywood will call for the movie rights to the ‘Visits’ series (not created yet but coming soon) and the books will be around for generations to come.  Hamilton Troll will become a household name like the Cat in the Hat.

*Note I didn’t say Kathleen J. Shields will become a household name like Dr. Seuss – I don’t need that kind of credit – that would create a big head and I don’t need that either!

I want to see Hamilton Troll bedding, Hamilton Troll night lights, Hamilton Troll plush toys, costumes and Hamilton Troll games. (Of course when I think of games I am thinking board games and I probably should be thinking video games)…

I think small but dream big because…

I don’t need a mansion – but I’d love to see Hamilton Troll in one!

www.HamiltonTroll.com

Hi mom!

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Kindness of the heart is very rare…

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Kindness is something the blind can see and the deaf can hear. – Mark Twain

What a great message.  To me, kindness is everything.  If you are not kind, what are you?  Difficult to be around.  I want people to be comfortable around me, actually want to associate with me.  I try to be the best person I can because I want to know more great people myself.  I truly believe that kindness is one of the most important aspects of our humanity and without it, we would be nothing.

Scientific advancement, technological progress, even artistic development

is nothing without kindness.

Kindness – is the act or the state of being kind, being marked by good and charitable behavior, pleasant disposition, and concern for others. It is known as a virtue, and recognized as a value in many cultures and religions. – Wikipedia

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Smiles are contagious.

Holding the door for someone is appreciated.

Allowing someone to cut in line is incredibly generous.

So when did it become natural to speed behind someone backing out of a parking spot?  Flipping off someone driving a few miles too slow? Ignoring someone crying on a park bench? Or yelling at some nameless faceless telemarketing person on the other end of the phone line simply doing their job?

[image error]Elephants care for their old.  Apes groom their friends.  Dogs lick the wounds of other dogs. Cats have been known to share their food. Yet humans are getting to be angrier, colder and self-absorbed. We don’t share. We don’t do for others. We don’t associate with the lonely (or unimportant). We look out for ourselves.

Kindness of the heart is very rare… the stone has a power when it’s there. – Secret of Nimh

Research has shown that acts of kindness does not only benefit receivers of the kind act, but also the giver, as a result of the release of neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of contentment and relaxation when such acts are committed.  – Wikipedia

I feel good knowing that I am kind to others. It warms my heart to know that a few moments of my time introducing myself to a stranger at church is going to help them feel more welcome. And when someone needs to talk, really needs to express something, I listen. I have friends who know that they can vent to me about anything and I am there for them.  A sweet hello receives a smile and acknowledgment back. A compassionate act can change a life.

Encourage someone. Thank someone. Help someone.

[image error]It doesn’t need to be monetarily. You don’t need to give away your possessions.  You don’t need to be rich to be generous. Compliment someone – that’s generosity.  Cleaning up your messes is selfless.  Thanking a server is considerate.  Hugging someone who needs it is being sympathetic.

In this world of rushing and waiting, everyone out for themselves, time escaping us and money dwindling, everyone could benefit from a little kindness.  Whether you are the giver or receiver, either way, it will benefit you to know it benefits others.

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Count Your Blessings

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When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

–

Someone said “I count my blessings everyday” in a conversation the other day and it got me thinking.

Do I count my blessings? Do I actually sit down and mentally list all of my blessings?

I know I have never jotted them down on paper and as a writer – that should be the first place I go. But mentally listing them? No. I have thanked God for many things, my home, my husband, my dogs, my church family. I thank him for each job he sends my way, each story idea he helps me with, each time something goes well. But I have never actually counted my blessings.

How many are there? Ten? Twenty? Do I count each dog that adores me separately? Do I count my husband once or do I count each generous thing he does separately? Do I count my church family as a whole or each amazing individual? Do I count a successful business once or do I count each wonderful client?

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What are the rules for counting your blessings? My thought is that you count everything separately because then you will see your blessings are overflowing, but is that padding the ballot?

And what of the blessings that come at a cost?  A painful experience that changes you into someone who can count the blessings of life and friendship in a whole new way? Would the death of a loved one that opens your heart to appreciate the ones left behind, be considered a blessing? Is a no-sale-day a blessing if you choose to look on the bright side and count each inspired child as a blessing?

[image error]So while I go over my list, counting, adding, questioning, considering a deletion and then deciding on adding more I realize one very important thing:

It’s not about the end quantity – it’s about realizing all of the wonderful aspects of your life that God has given you and cherishing them all!

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Unicorns – do they exist or have they ever?

[image error][image error]So, I just recently found out that unicorns were mentioned in the bible… King James Version – there was the strength of the unicorn, the horn of a unicorn, skip… like a young unicorn… did they once exist?

The dinosaurs once existed, but don’t anymore. The Dodo bird once existed… did they get hunted or did they evolve into something else?

[image error]One of my favorite stories growing up (and especially the movie) was the Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle.  [image error]In that story the great bull chased the unicorns into the sea where they stayed…

Has anyone ever seen the Narwhal – a medium sized “whale” with a long spiral tusk (horn) on the tip of its head?

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[image error]This reminded me of the theory that dolphins evolved from terrestrial mammals (like wolves) 50 million years ago. Their supporting evidence: pelvic bones – dolphins don’t have legs or even hind fins, why need pelvic bones? Hind limbs can even be seen starting in the embryos of dolphins…

So Narwhals could have evolved from unicorns – as they are already called the unicorns of the sea.

[image error]Now what about the magic? Many believe that the horn of a unicorn is magical.  Did it heal or hurt? Personally I go with heal but it could have impaled a person quite easily. Maybe it was two-fold; an accidental encounter caused enough grief in the heart of the unicorn to find the magic within its soul to save the life of the creature it impaled.

Why not, right? Just because they are not around now doesn’t mean they never were.  Besides, I’ve always gone with the idea that only the pure of heart would ever see a unicorn and since they are so rare these days, living in the most secluded parts of the world, even the pure of heart would not be able to find them.  Or… maybe they live in plain sight with a hidden horn.  I’ve seen some beautiful horses with the most intricate designs smack dab in the middle of their forehead.

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Either way, in my little reality – I’m gong with fact – Unicorns DID exist!

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Scorpions in the Bed and Pink Dolphins – Getting the Conversation Started

First let me apologize for not writing something sooner – I have been so busy!  Between back to back school readings and library visits, to sales for Dandy Lion and then that pesky running my own website and graphic design business as well as getting the latest Hamilton Troll book featuring Elwood Woodpecker published and updates to the site done and then there is the 81 pages I am now up to in the creation of the Coloring and Activity book… I’ve been just a tad bit busy.

That being said, lets get on with it…

[image error]The other day at the library, I did a reading for some children and I asked my regular question of “Who likes to write?” which started a great dialog with the children about what they write about, or what they could write about and before I knew it I was getting told the most hilarious and skin-crawling story about a girls’ mother and a scorpion (actually sitting on her arm) while sleeping in bed! I was squirming in my seat listening to this tale and the other children were listening, as well as adding their own experiences of scorpions…

what is it with the scary critters that gets a kids excitement peaked? 

There was a scary story of a scorpion in the shower, one that stung a puppy dogs nose sending him flying into the trash can behind him (laughter ensued) to one that dropped from the ceiling and one on a towel.

Now, I’m not saying anything one way or another regarding these scary stories except to say, it really got the kids involved, however there is just as much to say about pink dolphins and Unicorns. Did you know there really are PINK Dolphins? They live in fresh water rivers and are rare, but they DO exist! So why can’t unicorns?  It was brought to my attention that even the bible mentions unicorns, and they might have simply gone extinct.  It was quite a unique conversation that made me ponder things for a long time.

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I guess what this post boils down to is; get the kids involved in the discussions.  Sometimes I find it hard to get the discussion going, asking a kid what he or she wants to be when they grow up may receive the phrase “A fireman” but how do you keep them talking after that? But “tell me a scary story…” will always get the conversation started!  Who hasn’t been scared?

Maybe it’s the fact that it actually happened, it was a real experience, maybe it was because of the reaction it receives, maybe it’s because children really do want to talk but they don’t know what to talk about.

Either way I was again taught a valuable lesson by the children I intended to teach.

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Thank You Postcards from the Children!

[image error]So an absolutely amazing letter came in the mail today.  I did a reading at an elementary school in San Marcos last week and was again able to share my writing enthusiasm with the children.  The smiles on their faces, hands in the air for participation, the exorbitant number of them who actually liked to write… it was a magnificent day to say the least.

But then today, a thank you letter came from the librarian. She thanked me for coming, shared some responses from the children and encouraged me to come back. There was even a picture of my reading to the children. Now that by itself is a cherished gift… but also enclosed was 15 hand-written thank you postcards by some of the students.  Some were in English. Some were in Spanish. Some even had little drawings on them of my reading to the kids.

What a Treasure!!!

So… I just had to share them with you!

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[image error]This is one of the most rewarding “jobs” a person can have.  Do what you love. Share it with others.

And receive the cutest thank you cards for doing it.

Thank You Mendez Elementary!

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