Becky Clark's Blog, page 24

DIY Uses For Vodka-Besides the Obvious

I saw this recipe for a DIY natural spray for eliminating odors. Haven’t tried it yet, you know, because everything in my life already smells like skittles and rainbows. And I’d have to make a special trip to find vodka — okay, I could barely type that with a straight face.

1C water

2t vodka or witch hazel

1t cornstarch

5 drops essential oil (choose your favorite flavor)

Stir everything until cornstarch dissolves then pour it into a clean spray bottle. Spray 6-8 inches from whatever you need to freshen. Shake between applications.

Here’s another idea, this one for facial astringent … Mix 8oz cooled green tea with 1/4t vodka. Blot as necessary.

You can de-frizz your hair with it. Add a shot to your 12-oz bottle of conditioner. Shake it up and use it every week or so.

Vodka is a great household cleaner too. Wipe counters with it and anywhere there’s mold or mildew. It makes chrome and glass shiny again, and does wonders for your windows. Mix 1C water with 1t vodka in a spray bottle. Spritz your windows, wipe off. Voilá!

Here’s another good one, for those of us who cling to our outdated but favorite blouses. When the armpits get stinky despite careful washing, spritz them with vodka. It neutralizes the odor but won’t stain. (Same reason to drink it, methinks.)

And the last use for what I like to call Household Vodka … add it to your pie crust dough! It keeps dough from forming too much gluten which can make your crust tough instead of flaky. Substitute 1T vodka for every 3rd tablespoon of water.

Have you tried any of these? Will you? Can you spare vodka for non-drinking activities?

Write 10,000 Words* A Day

(*not to be confused with Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hours theory) because I bet anyone can write 10,000 words in 10,000 days.)

Have you read Rachel Aaron’s blog about how she writes 10,000 words a day?

I was reminded of side one of her ‘triangle process’ the other day when I felt overwhelmed by the chapter I was revising. I knew where I eventually needed to end up with the chapter but I had SO MANY WAYS I could get there.

I was stumped. Stymied into inaction. Paralyzed.

But then I thought about what Rachel had tried to teach me. I got out a piece of school paper and started scribbling a truncated version of the scene. I crossed stuff out, added other stuff, drew a lot of arrows. But after about four minutes (yes, I checked), I had it figured out.

Side one of her triangle is Knowledge … knowing what you’re writing before you write it. Even though I knew what I was writing  — I mean, c’mon, it’s my fourth revision! — I still needed … something.

I don’t know if it is a matter of writing by hand, or free-writing, or simply dumping out the contents of your brain on a simple sheet of paper, but it absolutely worked for me.

The other two sides of her triangle are Time and Enthusiasm, fyi. But if you haven’t read the article, do it now. Anything that helps you write faster should be seriously considered, eh?

How many words can you average in a day? What’s your personal best?

Does Grammar Matter?

My life is full of odd little synchronicities.

Yesterday I was having fun with this meme on Facebook:

Today I ran across an op-ed I clipped by Patty Limerick. She talks about employers who answered her poll about whether writing skills matter when hiring young people.

In case you were curious, yes, yes they do. Overwhelmingly. In fact, many of the employers told her, “that application material with a couple of errors in punctuation or grammar sends a resume to the recycling bin.” One employer said, “If this is how the applicants present themselves … why expect anything but an unsatisfactory work performance to follow?”

Harsh? Maybe. But guess what? None of those grammar rules in the meme are too difficult. I have every confidence each can be mastered. If you find yourself making the mistakes listed above — or your favorite auntie clobbers you over the head with them — just learn them. That’s the beauty of the human mind. It can do mental gymnastics with very little effort. Let your brain cartwheel! Wheeee!

But let me add one more tiny rule …. “alot” ain’t a word. Quit using it. Quit, quit, quit!

Now go out there and make grammar your biyutch!

What’s your grammar pet peeve? And don’t say “people correcting my grammar.” First, we can’t help ourselves. It’s a sickness for which there is no cure. Second, we do it out of an abundance of love. It pains us to see you look stupid. Which maybe makes it not completely altruistic. Hmm. Self-awareness is strong in this one ….

 

How I Delved Into Online Teaching

I was flattered to be asked to teach my time management class ‘The Faster I Go, The Behinder I Get’ for the very techie, very cool DelveWriting. They just launched a month or so ago, but they’ve already given their members a couple dozen educational classes and interviews, many of which are FREE for anyone to view.

Delve Writing is an online community to support writers throughout their journey. They have different levels of access, starting at just $10/month. I don’t have any stake in this business, but I can absolutely vouch for the integrity, diligence and enthusiasm of the people who run it, all of whom I count as friends.

But enough about them. Let’s talk about me.

Despite the fact I blog, have websites and publish books electronically, I’m kind of a Luddite. Techie stuff tends to intimidate me. So when Aaron Brown and Chris Mandeville asked me to teach this class, I was, how you say, bumfuzzled. Seriously? Teach an online class? Make a podcast? Um, no.

I’m so glad they wore me down!

It was a terrific experience. Aaron held my hand, walking me through the technology, telling me which button to push — many, many times. (Apparently I’m not so good at the “remembering.”) But he was kind and gentle, always going off-mic to laugh at me.

We had a training session. And then another. And then one more, at my nervous request. Sure, stand me up in front of 400 people, no problem. But make me sit still in front of my computer for an hour? Ay caramba.

At any rate, the big day finally came and I got ready. I banished my husband from the house, I remembered to turn off the ringer on the phone, I shut down my ice maker, and I put on Real Clothes. Well, mostly. Because of the format, I was able to go with Chris’ recommended clothing mullet — business upstairs and party in the basement.

I set up shop at my dining room table in the most ridiculous set-up EVER …

You’ll see my Purple Professional Podcast footstool holding my computer which had to be about halfway closed so the camera hit me at, ahem, a flattering angle and didn’t broadcast my wine glasses and deviled egg tray in the hutch behind me … two fat Harry Potter books … holding my notes cleverly printed on the top of the page so I didn’t have to look so far down while on camera (even though I did. A lot.) … scattered bunches of print-outs for various contingencies. And my ice tea (swear!) on my orange Splat Stan coaster.

Pay no attention to that girl behind the curtain because this is how it looks for broadcast …

This is just very, very slick technology. Because I needed a couple of slides for the presentation, Aaron plopped them into an easy format to click through, which he did at the appropriate time. My job was to sit still up in my little box in the corner while talking. Throughout the class, the attendees interacted via the chat box you see there. But they didn’t have to. They could sit quietly sipping wine at their computer at home. They could cook dinner while watching/listening. They could comfort a screaming baby. And their clothing mullet could be party in the basement AND upstairs.

You can see in the screen shot that Aaron kindly included the various links to All Things Becky in the chat box, but more importantly, he kept tabs on the chat for me. Not only would it have been impossible to read the scroll while I was presenting, my computer was far enough away (flattering angle, remember?) that I couldn’t possibly read it, even though he showed me how to increase the text size on my screen. I think I had it set at 525 point. During the class the attendees were able to ask their questions and share their ideas, which Aaron passed along to me verbally.

Everything about it was awesome.

If you’re a writer — especially if you’re in an area where it’s difficult to find a good writing community, or that you can’t get to easily — I wholeheartedly recommend what Delve has to offer.

If you’re a speaker, I highly recommend offering your expertise to them. Not only will you gain experience speaking in a new medium, you’ll increase your reach and sell some books.

And if you want to sample the technology — for FREE — and/or get some time management tips and/or see if I was able to sit still for an hour, Delve Writing has graciously allowed me to post the secret link for you. I’m not sure how long I’ll keep the link live (after all, people actually pay me to teach this class!) so if you’re the least bit curious, clickedy-click the link …. HERE … soon.

You don’t have to watch the entire hour (although I simply can’t imagine why you wouldn’t) and you can’t join in the chat — because it’s not live anymore — but you can see what they were chatting about during the class. FYI, when Aaron pops the timer over my face for the 4 or 5 minute exercises, on the recording it says “15 minutes.” But it’s not; it really is only the 4 or 5. If you’re not doing the exercises, you can slide the bar at the bottom ahead to where the clock comes down.

What are you waiting for? Put on the mullet of your choice, go sit in front of your deviled egg tray and give it a look-see. Let me know what you think!

Best Cinderella?

My husband and I were talking about the Rogers & Hammerstein “Cinderella” they made for TV. Yes, that’s how we roll. A few days later he brought me the CD from the library.

But it was the wrong one. I hated it. I couldn’t listen to it. I threw it against the wall. I rented a steamroller and drove over it fourteen times. I fed it to a bear.

So I’m going to ask you, Best Beloved. Which do you like better, in alphabetical order …

the Julie Andrews version …

or the Lesley Ann Warren version …

Leave your vote in the comments. When I have a substantial enough number, I’ll tell you if you’re right.

So … Julie Andrews or Lesley Ann Warren?

Superman’s Middle Name And A Cautionary Tale

I saw this cute article about obscure Superman facts in a magazine so I was going to share the link on Facebook. Unfortunately, the magazine — which shall remain nameless — made me jump through so many hoops I had to check my hair to see if I was a performing poodle.

I understand and am ALL FOR publications wanting people to subscribe so they can make money. Totally down with that. Two things, though … this is a free magazine and how will they get new readers if we can’t share content?

Oh, three things. Their tagline is “articles to find, enjoy and share.”

D’oh.

So I will share. But I’ll scan it, thereby letting you find and enjoy. Pfft.

 

The Faster I Go, The Behinder I Get — Time Management Tips and Tricks

To Do Lists and Schedules

• To figure out how long something takes, time yourself 3x doing it as you normally do to get an average, including any interruptions.

• Decide tonight what your most pressing task is tomorrow and do it first.

• A TO DO without a WHEN doesn’t get done.

• Consider — deleting (what’s the worst that can happen if you don’t do it?); delaying (rescheduling for a better time); delegating (is there someone who can do it better, faster, cheaper, or good enough?); diminishing (shortcuts or shaving down)

• One system in one place — don’t use a kitchen calendar + electronic calendars for you and your spouse + kid’s soccer schedule posted on the refrigerator. One calendar for everything.

 Dots and Dashes

• Think of tasks as either quick dots or longer dashes

• Learn to concentrate for an hour

• A timer is your best friend

• Focus on completion

• Physical movement improves concentration

• Fuel yourself properly. Eat protein and carbs for breakfast. Drink plenty of water during the day. Move around and stretch every hour.

 Email

• Never check your email first thing in the morning. If you do, you’re letting other people manage your time.

• If you MUST check email first thing, give yourself a short time limit. Delete. Skim for emergencies. Don’t get sucked in.

• Respond immediately to emails that will take you less than 2 minutes. If it requires more time, then schedule it for later.

• If you are overwhelmed by your inbox, declare Email Bankruptcy and delete it all. If it was important you’ll see it again. If you don’t, then it wasn’t too important after all, eh?

• Set yahoo groups or google alerts to weekly digest

• Most email isn’t critical. Say it with me. Say it until you believe it.

• Never feel guilty about your email inbox. It’s a tool for you to use; not the other way around.

Phones

• Only check your phone messages at designated times and make sure your kids/spouse/parents/friends know when that is. If they have a phone, they have lots of people they can call in an emergency. It doesn’t always have to be you.

• Get rid of your call-waiting

• Unplug during mealtimes, in the car, when your kids are around, at the theater, when you’re with friends. Don’t be That Guy.

• Again, your phone is for you; not the other way around.

Facebook

• Don’t play games

• Take shortcuts. Skim.

• Delete or hide boring people and/or people who post too much.

• Set timer

Procrastination

• Bribe yourself

• Focus on the task for 5 minutes. Then 5 more. It’s the same way we get on the treadmill.

• Keep a log for a week. Did you avoid all tasks or just some? See if you can find a pattern.

• Find something fun about the task

• Break job down into smaller bites

• When writing, make it easy to pick up where you left off — stop writing mid-sentence when you stop for the day/lunch

• Start anywhere. Lots of writers start with a scene or with the ending. Just start.

• If you don’t want to paint the bookcase, don’t. Either live with the old paint or get someone else to do it.

• Reframe your thinking about the task. Yes, it’s difficult to write a novel, but not TOO difficult; people do it every day.

• We’re grown ups – we do things we don’t want to

Clutter

• Declutter everything — all the rooms of your house, all your drawers, car, desk, computer desktop, shelves, cabinets, closets

• Find a place for everything and keep everything in its place. Never waste time searching for stuff again.

• Declutter your brain too. Write things down instead of trying to remember it all. Keep a notebook with you.

• Don’t save stuff because you think it might be worth something someday. Visit eBay and find out.

• Go for a Trial Separation from your stuff. Box it up, tape it, write the date on the box. If it’s still taped shut in 6 months, toss it.

• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, and … Refuse. As in refuse to buy any more stuff. Like Grandma said, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”

• Ask these questions: Do I want this? Do I need this? Do I have room for this? Do I want to pay to store it?

• Don’t focus on your stuff … focus on your space.

• Keep only clothing that fits, makes you look fabulous, and that people compliment you on. Don’t keep outfits that mock you.

• Just because you have the space doesn’t mean you need to fill it.

Prioritize

• Determine your top priority for the day – the one thing you’d sacrifice everything else to achieve. Then do it.

• Tackle your hardest job first and save your favorite tasks till the end so you look forward to them. Helps with procrastination too.

• Prioritize like they do in business — which task makes you money?

• If the tasks seem equal, ask: How long will it take? What’s the return on my time investment? When’s the deadline?

Perfectionists

• Learn selective perspective. Which things really need to be perfect (query, manuscript, math) and which can be good enough (housecleaning, store-bought cupcakes for bake sale)?

• Figure out who belongs to that voice in your head telling you stuff isn’t good enough. Then get them to shut up.

• Back away if you’ve worked on it too long. There’s a law of diminishing returns.

• Impose deadlines on yourself. Something done imperfectly on time is usually better than something late.

• Allow yourself the opportunity to do it poorly. Just do it.

• Recognize degrees of excellence. On a scale of 1-10, a 7 doesn’t look much different from a 10 to most people.

• What’s the worst that can happen? If you fail, you never have to do it again and/or you learn something that helps you succeed.

Multi-Tasking

• Multi-tasking is a myth; nobody can do it.

• Don’t confuse multi-tasking with doing a lot of stuff. Multi-tasking is trying to do all those things at the same time.

• Your brain simply can’t focus on two separate things unless one of them is completely mindless. Like breathing. Or pumping blood.

• People multi-task because they’re worried. Seems better to work on everything so 100% of your tasks are 50% done. But you’d feel much more in control if 50% of your tasks were 100% done and you know you have a plan to finish the other 50%.

• Don’t confuse activity with accomplishment

• Focus on one job till it’s done or your time is up. Then focus on another one.

Paperwork

• Identify your problem areas – Desktop? Filing system? Emails? Reading material? Piles of stuff?

• Then prioritize – which is the biggest problem? Which is costing you the most money?

• Every day put things away, write that debit transaction in your check register, add that contact to your database, file that receipt.

• Don’t let your filing pile up. It makes it that much harder to find stuff.

• If you don’t have a file cabinet, go buy one. But set a limit on how many files you’ll keep. When you go over, one has to go. Same with paperwork within each file. Weed those files regularly. When you file this month’s water bill, shred last month’s.

• Put all your papers in one pile then sort into categories. Which category is most important? Put it on your To Do list then tackle the next most important pile.

Delegation

• Insourcing and Outsourcing. It might be more cost-effective to hire someone to do certain tasks.

• Make a list of stuff you hate to do. Can anyone do those things better? What is your time worth?

• Enlist your kids and spouse

• Remember to monitor and mentor; don’t nag and micromanage. Set expectations/parameters then let it go.

• Celebrate their success to breed more success

• Don’t fall for the old trick of pretending a crappy job is the best they can do. Make them do it over as many times as necessary until they hit the mark of the expectations you agreed on previously. Stand firm.

Just Say No

• Decide if a project makes your heart SING or SINK. Even if it makes you sing, say no if it will crack your full loaded plate.

• Acknowledge their request by not laughing in their face; address your own limitations; offer an alternative.

• Thank you so much for asking, but I’m unavailable then.

• It sounds like a terrific opportunity that I’m going to miss.

• I know it will be a wonderful party. I’m disappointed to miss out on the fun but I have a conflict on that date.

Interruptions

• First defense is education. If my door is closed, I’m working.

• Set aside time when people have unconditional access to you, but be consistent and firm. Set timer.

• Give them a head’s up —”I’m going to shut my door and start writing in 10 minutes. Do you need anything?”

• Practice your catchphrases: I’m in the middle of something. How’s 2:00? …This week is impossible, but next Tuesday works.

• Ask how much time they need from you. If you can spare it, set your timer. Otherwise make appointment.

• Keep a log over the next week. Jot down who interrupted, how they interrupted, how long the interruption was, and how important it was. Then, schedule an intervention for them.

• Making yourself unavailable teaches others to think for themselves, solve problems, and make decisions. Empower your loved ones.

• Don’t interrupt yourself either. When writing, never stop to look something up. Don’t give up momentum. Insert a placeholder.

Distractions

• Cousins to interruptions, but instead of being caused by other people, we create our own distractions.

• Focus and prioritize. What’s the one thing you need to get done this month/week/day/hour?

• Keep a log for a week. Note all the times you caved in to the siren call of your distractions, whatever they are. (I don’t use this but it might be helpful to download and try out for a few weeks to track where your time goes … https://www.rescuetime.com/tour_new )

• Then make a plan. If you can’t work because your desk is messy, clean it the night before. If your computer pings every time you get an email, shut it off. If you find yourself listening to your background music, shut it off. You get the idea. Take control.

A Metaphor Obscured By Smoke

You see signs like this all over Colorado.

But because it’s already wildfire season here in Colorado, I’d like to point out to Mother Nature, while black is certainly a color, it’s not the one we want covering the landscape.

As I write this, there are four wildfires raging (do fires do anything else?) around the state. One is in a remote area of Rocky Mountain National Park, one is near Canon City threatening the historic Royal Gorge Bridge, one is contained and almost out near La Veta.

But the one that concerns me most is in Black Forest, just north of Colorado Springs. (The irony of the name breaks my heart.) The weather is not cooperating — too dry, too hot, too windy. It’s only about 10% contained and has already destroyed almost 16,000 acres and 379 homes. It threatens thousands more.

Some of them belong to my friends, many of whom have been evacuated for days.

The Colorado Springs area is still reeling from the huge Waldo Canyon fire of last summer, until a few days ago the most destructive in Colorado history. In fact, Barb, a writer friend of mine who lost her house last year was moving into their new house just as the inferno in Black Forest got started. Everyone is having stressful flashbacks, some more so than others.

Barb spoke eloquently at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference about her journey from fire victim to survivor, reducing most of us to tears. She talked about not being able to get off the floor for days after her husband and kids resumed their normal lives. They returned to work and school. But Barb’s ‘normal life’ — like many writers — is spent at home. She had nothing normal in her life any longer.

People often say, “It’s just stuff.” And it is. Kinda.

But you have it because you need it: eyeglasses, prescriptions, clothes, phone chargers, shoes, file folders of writing ideas.

And because you want it: photographs, piano music, your Dad’s pipes, signed copies of books, the carved roadrunner wearing sneakers you got in Santa Fe that Christmas.

George Carlin has a funny stand-up routine about ‘stuff.’

Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by our stuff, think “Hoarders” and clearing the paperwork from our desks. Sometimes we get tired of our stuff and haul it to Goodwill. Sometimes we’re forced to get new stuff because we’ve used it up, worn it out, or made it do for too long.

I’ve been thinking about ‘stuff’ more than usual, even before these new fires, because I was involved a bit in the cleaning out of my father-in-law’s house after he died. It made me wonder about the, ahem, legacy I was leaving for my kids. Most of my treasures will be their junk. And that’s fine.

Every year the news reminds me to go through the house photographing everything for the insurance company. But now I’ll do it for my kids too. I’ll tell them the story of where I got my stuff and why it’s important to me. If my stuff is important to them after I die they can add it to their stuff and pass down the story, adding their particular insights.

But if my stuff is not important to them they have my blessing to haul it to Goodwill. As George Carlin says, “Ain’t nobody interested in your 4th grade arithmetic papers.”

There’s a helplessness that has settled over me like so much ash, but I guess if Barb can get up off the floor and start writing again, certainly I can pick up the camera and a trash bag. (If there’s no reason to photograph it, at least I can get rid of it so nobody else has to.)

I’m sure there’s a writerly metaphor hiding in there but right now it’s obscured by the smoke.

Stay safe, peeps, and good luck with your stuff.

Connecting Readers and Writers

A few Sundays ago I was one of ten authors participating in a Local Author Showcase put on by our library district.

The library gal who was in charge of it also works for the Tattered Cover bookstore here in the Denver area. In her job with them she helps with author signings and she made the leap that local authors can’t/won’t pay the fees associated with bookstore events and she wanted to help us find an audience. As with all good events, everyone wins. Authors sell books and the library helps patrons find new authors while fostering goodwill with the community.

If you’re a reader or a writer, you might want to do something like this with YOUR library. As a reader, you’ll find new authors who might — just maybe — give you free books to thank you for organizing such a fabulous event. As a writer, it’s always better to do a group event with other authors. Always.

The premise is simple. She emails a basic application to interested authors  – contact info, book info, synopsis and bio. She has four dates available at different library branches on Sundays in March, May, August and November. Authors are in charge of their own sales. The library district (ours covers quite a large territory, hence the four locations) advertises the event in local papers and via the library newsletters and signage, but also requires the participating authors to invite at least 25 of our nearest and dearest.

The large meeting rooms are set up to have draped tables for the authors around the perimeter, a podium in front, chairs in the center for the audience, and a table with cookies and drinks in the back. On each audience chair was a well-designed two-sided bookmark with all the book covers, a blurb for each book and our website addresses. We could set up our tables as grandly or spartanly as we wanted. Mine had books and business cards on it. The lady next to me had a display that would rival your local mall kiosk. Her props put us all to shame. Before the audience got there, we authors strolled around meeting each other, networking and trading books.

Each author was given 5 minutes to talk about their book. There were a couple of mystery writers, but the rest were all different genres – nonfiction, poetry, middle-grade, memoirs.

I was flogging my Lazy Low Cal Lifestyle Cookbook so I told the story about how a couple of friends noticed I had lost weight at the same time my daughter (in her first apartment) made a simple request for some recipes she remembered from her youth. I deadpanned, “That’s when I realized I’d been trying to kill my family with cheese.” When the audience laughed and nodded, I knew I’d sell some cookbooks. I told them all the reasons people like my cookbooks (funny, simple instructions, lazy shortcuts, exact calorie counts and serving sizes, etc). Just informal chatting about what I do, how I do it, and why they might like it.

After the authors all spoke, the book sale/signing began. Even if they didn’t buy my book, they stopped to chat. We shared stupid kitchen tricks, epic fails, talk of our children. No need to hard sell. They left clutching a bookmark with my info, my business card, and they can preview the book from the library. If they want me, they can find me.

All of our books were available for library checkout, but I sold waaay more books to this audience of about 50 than I expected. I think because it was intimate, short and not sales-y. Plus, I managed to be charming and not piss anyone off for five entire minutes. I will say, you could feel some of the air whoosh out of the room from those authors who failed to prepare and the one guy who went over his time, even though the organizer stood up and moved toward him – the classic sign to “wind it up, Bubs.” (I mean, c’mon … how hard is it to prepare a five-minute talk about you and/or your book? Sheesh.)

The event was well done and wasn’t overly complicated to organize. If you’re a reader, chat with your library and see if they’ll do something like this. And if you’re an author, do the same. If the library doesn’t want to set up an event like this, ask if you can.

The reason I think it worked so well is because of the diversity of books. A mystery lover who attends still has to cook dinner, reads memoirs, has a kid in their life who would be tickled to have an autographed book, perhaps a father who loves poetry, and a mother who devours thrillers.

At any rate, it was a fun and profitable way to spend two hours on a Sunday afternoon.

Here are some of my fellow authors and their books. They’re all on my TBR pile now! If you want YOUR library to carry these books, print or forward the information to them and ask them nicely. I bet they will. Librarians are nice like that. And just think how lovely my cookbook would look on the shelf at your library.

Glimmer of a Soul by Thomas R. Wilson

 

The Marble Queen by Stephanie Blake

 

Poison by Jordyn Redwood

 

Tainted Mountain by Shannon Baker

 

Under the Shimmering Light by Shewli Ghosh

 

A Is For Alaska by Naomi Gaede-Penner

 

Lazy Low Cal Lifestyle Cookbook by Becky Clark