Ellyn Oaksmith's Blog, page 12

How Do You Follow a Hollywood Formula and Make it Yours? Details and Execution.

How Do You Follow a Hollywood Formula and Make it Yours? Details and Execution.:

I’m up on the Girlfriend’s Book Club tonight and tomorrow. Check it out!

How Even Bestselling Writers Sabotage Themselves (And How To Learn From Their Mistakes.)

How Even Bestselling Writers Sabotage Themselves (And How To Learn From Their Mistakes.):

I love this one!

FIFTY ACTS OF KINDNESS -- DAY NINE -- Why did this act fall in my lap? (It's easy)

MY KIND OF LADY

(For those of you that are following, here’s my early morning. For those of you that just joined us, please read the previous posts and LIKE me on Facebook to hear more.)

"You saved my life!" the check out lady at Trader Joe’s said to the woman departing the store. I assumed the check out lady, let’s call her Amber, was kidding. People say that all the time. They don’t really mean it. So I smiled as I stepped up in line. "Oh, now, she’s saved your life. What can I do?" 

It was a joke. I thought Amber was talking about a referral to a good mechanic or advise on how to get rid of rats in her compost. (This is Seattle) She was smiling, happy and wearing a bright pink Trader Joe’s t-shirt. What could possibly be wrong with this adorable lady? Every time I’ve seen her at the checkout line she’s in a perpetually good mood.

Amber told me that she was trying to quit smoking because the next step for her was a tracheotomy. And drinking too because after one drink, she wanted to smoke. As she spoke I noticed that strong teeth were stained and her beautiful face had more than a few worry lines. She was also bursting with energy.

While she bagged groceries, Amber explained that her co-workers at Trader Joe’s were her support group, as was the customer who just left. Amber’s husband smoked and wanted to keep smoking in the house. This took a total of one minute. Amber wasn’t complaining. She was determined. I said I didn’t have anything to offer. I’d never smoked, seriously.

"Pray for me!" she said brightly. "That would be great." Kind of an odd request with a checkout counter full of hummous and Greek yogurt between us. But at the same time, perfectly normal. 

I looked her straight in the eyes, nodding my head. “I will.” It was so easy and felt incredible. She thanked me and we said goodbye.

Of course, my teenaged daughter thought it was funny, this little exchange. But it perfectly illustrated what my main character in FIFTY ACTS OF KINDNESS learns. People just need support; just put aside your agenda for a moment and listen. Maya Angelou called this being a humanitarian. 

I didn’t realize until that night, as I prayed, that this was my ninth act of kindness. It’s easy.

Onward.

Ellyn Oaksmith is the author of funny, twisty contemporary novels such as Adventures with Max and Louise and Divine Moves. Please visit Ellyn at Ellyn Oaksmith.com, Facebook and Twitter.

USA:
http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Max-Louise-Originally-published-ebook/dp/B009NFNDR0

http://www.amazon.com/Divine-Moves-Ellyn-Oaksmith-ebook/dp/B00H1ZC8UW

UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventures-Max-Louise-Ellyn-Oaksmith/dp/0062268112/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410972490&sr=8-1&keywords=adventures+with+max+and+louise

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Divine-Moves-Ellyn-Oaksmith-ebook/dp/B00H1ZC8UW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410972455&sr=8-1&keywords=divine+moves

DAY SEVEN -- FIFTY ACTS OF KINDNESS -- Why take a break? Today there's 51 reasons.

(For those of you that are following, here’s my early morning. For those of you that just joined us, please read the previous posts and LIKE me on Facebook to hear more.)

Today I’m posting the end of a magazine article I wrote when I turned 47. Today I’m 51 and I feel even more strongly about these words. I am posting my most precious present this year: Forest.

"I have bad days, sick friends and a cat with hairballs. I enjoy using sarcasm. I know that tragedy is random. So what is it with this birthday glow thing? It’s about finding a memory of happiness and replicating it. It’s about the greenness of trees, the feel of my dog’s fur, lighting a candle, kissing my daughters goodnight. It’s my daughter, who grew beans even though she doesn’t like eating them. She likes watching them grow.
No one else is going to celebrate you the other 364 days of the year better than you. You may never lose the weight, get the promotion or like the way you look in jeans but let’s look at the big picture, shall we? When you are six feet under will it really matter? No one’s gravestone says “Beloved CEO whose butt looked awesome in jeans.” 
So go ahead, toot your own horn. Light candles for breakfast. Dress up. Smile. Share. Plant a seed. Find beauty in your own backyard. And Happy Birthday from a woman who knows that the secret to aging gracefully is to enjoy your birthday 365 days a year.”

So this year all I have to say is thanks for sharing this journey people. You’re awesome.

Ellyn Oaksmith is the author of funny, twisty contemporary novels such as Adventures with Max and Louise and Divine Moves. Please visit Ellyn at Ellyn Oaksmith.com, Facebook and Twitter.

USA:
http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Max-Louise-Originally-published-ebook/dp/B009NFNDR0

http://www.amazon.com/Divine-Moves-Ellyn-Oaksmith-ebook/dp/B00H1ZC8UW

UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventures-Max-Louise-Ellyn-Oaksmith/dp/0062268112/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410972490&sr=8-1&keywords=adventures+with+max+and+louise

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Divine-Moves-Ellyn-Oaksmith-ebook/dp/B00H1ZC8UW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410972455&sr=8-1&keywords=divine+moves

DAY SIX (PART II) FIFTY ACTS OF KINDNESS -- Forest rearranges the furniture....

(For those of you that are following, here’s my early morning. For those of you that just joined us, please read the previous posts and LIKE me on Facebook to hear more.)

So Forest is still sleeping in a weird tunnel I never knew existed under my daughter’s bed. He loves it there. Although we want nothing more than to pet and treat and adore the new feline, the new feline is nocturnal. When he does rouse in the middle of the night he ran into another occasionally nocturnal member of family who reported back to me that Forest loved the color, heft and feel of my favorite, most expensive chair. Thus, I found my early morning routine of making lunches, social media duties and rushing out for an early morning swim, also included wrapping my favorite chair in cat-deflecting tin foil. Thus, anyone who comes over this weekend will think that tin foil is the height of chic when gaily wrapped over an otherwise plain chair. Unless I can get down to the pet store to find a scratching post suitable for a 20 pound, polydactyl named Forest. Wish me luck.

Ellyn Oaksmith is the author of funny, twisty contemporary novels such as Adventures with Max and Louise and Divine Moves. Please visit Ellyn at Ellyn Oaksmith.com, Facebook and Twitter.

USA:
http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Max-Louise-Originally-published-ebook/dp/B009NFNDR0

http://www.amazon.com/Divine-Moves-Ellyn-Oaksmith-ebook/dp/B00H1ZC8UW

UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventures-Max-Louise-Ellyn-Oaksmith/dp/0062268112/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410972490&sr=8-1&keywords=adventures+with+max+and+louise

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Divine-Moves-Ellyn-Oaksmith-ebook/dp/B00H1ZC8UW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410972455&sr=8-1&keywords=divine+moves

DAY FIVE -- FIFTY ACTS OF KINDNESS -- We find Forest lounging in style....and Lucky waiting.

CHILLIN’ ON MY BFF’S BED.

(For those of you that are following, here’s my early morning. For those of you that just joined us, please read the previous posts and LIKE me on Facebook to hear more.)

WHERE IS MY KITTY?

We found Forest after a two day marathon involving a cat named Possum who was on the mobile Humane Society Adoption Bus in Woodinville. But first we had to get a bipartisan coalition involving intense budget discussions (our Astro who died at 18 took out a lot of furniture and had serious vet bills in his long, interesting life), which ended the next day with 3 of us headed to Issaquah, near Costco, which was Possums next stop. After filling out the adoption papers, our majority coalition fell apart. Although we all adored Possum, it wasn’t clear that he was The One. We wanted an old, healthy cat. Jumping in the car, fueled up on Costco pizza, raced down to the Humane Society, exploring 4 cats rooms with volunteers and staff overwhelmed with visitors, barking and commotion. Finally we found The One only to be told in no uncertain terms, this old beauty was bonded to another cat. Firmly. Although it was Free Adult Cat Day, I briefly considered, in my done-with-this-search mindset, a cash donation to break the bond but luckily I kept my mouth shut. A kind volunteer told us to take our time and check out other shelters. MEOW Cat Rescue was on our way. Within 5 minutes of walking in, reading Forest’s description, I knew why we’d waiting. He was The One.

Ellyn Oaksmith is the author of funny, twisty contemporary novels such as Adventures with Max and Louise and Divine Moves. Please visit Ellyn at Ellyn Oaksmith.com, Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest for more.

DAY FOUR, FIFTY ACTS OF KINDNESS -- Where's Forest?

For those of you that are following, here’s my early morning. For those of you that just joined us, please read the previous posts and LIKE me on Facebook to hear more.

This is my dog LUCKY, who our fourth third rescue animal and at the time we foud FOREST, so named by my kids for “Run Forest run!” from Forest Gump. Lucky has had glimpses of his new pal, which got him so excited he 1) threw up a little 2) whined and started shaking all over 3) Yipped like a coyote at which point, the cat door was shut. Forest, after being rudely evicted from his apartment and then fostered before we found him at MEOW (http://www.meowcatrescue.org/) and decided out cat search wasn’t about finding any old cat, it was about finding a clinically obese, 22 toed (normal cats have a total of 18) slightly bluish furred feline. Viola. In the photo note the ski boots and other stuff waiting to go back into the laundry room once Forest has joined Lucky, who already sees himself as the BFF. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll have a shot of Forest poking out his head although this is going very quickly. Also, want to get to story of Finding Forest. Have a great day!

Ellyn Oaksmith is the author of funny, twisty contemporary novels such as Adventures with Max and Louise and Divine Moves. Please visit Ellyn at Ellyn Oaksmith.com, Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest for more.

DAY 3 UNEXPECTED HUGE (OBESE REALLY) ACT OF KINDNESS -- MEOW???

Okay, so my journey to promote my book just got HUGE.

Alright, I didn’t adopt Forest because I planned it. In fact, he’s the one doing me an act of kindness by gracing my home with his very large presence. It started at a mobile adoption unit that the Seattle Humane Society had parked near a Barnes and Noble. My daughter asked me to stop since it had been a year since Astro the Wonder (from PAWS) Kitty had died at the ripe old age of 18. 

I am going to chronicle the entire journey of chasing the mobile pet unit across the Eastside of Lake Washington and to the Seattle Humane Society, only to realize that Forest was waiting for us in 6 toed, (that’s 4 bonus toes people,) 19 pound “large boned” splendor at MEOW Cat Rescue  which is not quite but close to our own backyard. Also, how my daughter’s persuasive essay convinced my husband that it was time to move on and finally admit that we were ready for another member of the family.

As I write Forest is curled up in our laundry room. Although we have a lovely clean space for him on a blond wood IKEA shelf with a homemade blanket from the shelter, he is curled up on some old dirty loafers. I am writing propped up against the washing machine. The dog is sniffing the door, worn out from an early walk. Introductions are slow and carefully supervised.

Peace out people. We have a cat. I am so unbelievably happy. Fifty Acts of Kindness will continue to chronicle Forest and his acclimation and weight loss regime. Calls have been made to our vet. But we’re taking things slow. Right now there are some dirty loafers that need his massive weight.

Everyone is happy. Except the dog.

The 1st Chapter of this book is on EllynOaksmith.com (scroll down)

Like Ellyn Oaksmith Books on Facebook for more.

Ellyn Oaksmith is the author of funny, twisty contemporary novels such as Adventures with Max and Louise and Divine Moves. Please visit Ellyn at Ellyn Oaksmith.com,Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest for more.

DAY TWO -- IT WORKED, (SORT OF)

Sigh. She’s going to Be a Cali Girl, not a Seattleite.

So my second act of kindness (inspired by my unpublished novel 50 Acts of Kindness,) worked much better than the first because it brought 4 great people into my life. The problem is, they are moving. A couple weeks ago, my neighbor, who I knew vaguely from talking over the fence, saw me in the yard and said his wife had 3 job interviews in one day for a great job and they really needed a sitter and was my daughter free Monday? She was not. I had just driven back from a week in Canada and was tired. I said “sorry, she’s busy.” He said “Thanks anyway,” looking slightly panicked. I thought about it, knowing that the interview was in their home (via the magic of Skype) and having a 4 year old and a 18 month old wasn’t going to help a young mother focus. So I told him that I could do it. My daugher’s soccer practise was cancelled, 2 neighbor girls joined us. It was an absolutely delightful few hours which I prolonged just to hang out with the French-speaking, super smart little 4 year old and her adorable sister. The mom got to job, which is in San Francisco, so they’re moving. Yesterday, I invited the 4 year old to hang out with us while the moving vans were at their house. Her sister and parents joined us after they’d done the final bit of paint touch up. Finally, we had that glass of wine with our neighbors that we’d been promising each other over the fence for months. The house is empty now. I am going to miss those little girls and wish I’d invited them over the day they moved in. For a sneak preview of the first chapter of Fifty Acts of Kindness, visit EllynOaksmith.com or LIKE Ellyn Oaksmith Books





Ellyn Oaksmith is the author of funny, twisty contemporary novels such as Adventures with Max and Louise and Divine Moves. Please visit Ellyn at Ellyn Oaksmith.com, Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest for more.

DAY ONE -- DID IT WORK? -- Fifty Acts of (Trying) to Be Kind

Okay, so now that I blabbed about Fifty Acts of Kindness, my not-yet available book, here’s my first act of kindness, which, like the first attempts of my fictional heroine, was a huge flop. I had two freshly baked chocolate chip cookies (like my character I love to bake), in my bag with plans to greet the the other parents at the first soccer game of high school and get to know them. I would be a joiner! An ethusiastic parents instead of one who complains about the cold, the score and how I’d rather be reading a good book. So according to the rules of my fictional book, I approached a dad, (harder for me) shook hands, introduced myself and told him which player was my daughter. He didn’t know where his daughter was. I asked if I could give his son a cookie. One son wasn’t into “carbs” but the other one would. (What other one?) The carb-lover grabbed a cookie at which point the non-carb lover, who materialized at the word “cookie” demanded one. The kids left. The dad said “Say thanks.” They didn’t . He said “See you later” and went to talk to his friends. I found my friends and had a good time. LIKE Ellyn Oaksmith Books on Facebook if you want to follow my Fifty Acts of Kindess.





Ellyn Oaksmith is the author of funny, twisty contemporary novels such as Adventures with Max and Louise and Divine Moves. Please visit Ellyn at Ellyn Oaksmith.com, Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest for more.