Stephanie Verni's Blog, page 48

My First Podcast – Inspiring You To Write

[image error]on Steph’s Scribe

Hi, you guys! I am very excited to share with you my very first PODCAST! With some advice from some of my super-techno-savvy students who broadcast their own podcasts, I decided that creating a podcast was something I wanted to incorporate into my blogging life.

In light of the kick-off of National Novel Writing Month and to celebrate National Author’s Day, I’m sharing my very first, 5-minute podcast with you.

Let’s embrace writing…and let’s get excited about it…together.

Steph’s Scribe FIRST PODCAST

https://stephsscribe.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/first-podcast-11_1_17-4-57-pm-1.mp3
Filed under: On Life Tagged: getting you writing, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, pocasting, steph's scribe podcast, writing, writing inspiration, writing podcast

Kicking Off National Novel Writing Month with an Exercise for You

W e l c o m e !

If you haven’t stopped by and visited my blog before, I’m so glad to see you here. I’m a professor, author, and blogger, and I have a passion for all things writing. Today is exciting, because on my campus, the Library and I have teamed up to launch National Novel Writing Month, with a kick-off today at 2 p.m. in the School of Business Library. We’ll be getting you ready to write at our event entitled STEVENSON WRITE NOW.

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I’ve written three novels that I’ve self-published, mostly because I like to have a hand in every aspect of the process. I publish through Amazon, and it’s a great way to share your work without going through an agent of publisher. I have also published one academic textbook with my colleagues—an altogether different type of writing—on Event Planning through Kendall-Hunt Publishers. And now, I’m your writing cheerleader.

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At Steph’s Scribe, I’ll be posting every day throughout the month of November as we tackle National Novel Writing Month. Whether I share a prompt as an exercise, offer writing tips, or share some of my own work, I’ll be writing alongside you every step of the way this month.

National Novel Writing Month has spawned many published books, but perhaps my favorite that came out of the endeavor is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. But whether you want to begin writing a novel, or you want to just practice writing, this month is for WRITERS and FUTURE WRITERS.

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OUR FIRST WRITING CHALLENGE: Daily Prompt #1

As this is DAY ONE of November, I am challenging all writers out there, whether you are a…

fiction writer
non-fiction writer
poet
blogger
essayist
memoirist
dabbler in various genres
travel writer
or a new writer

…this prompt is for all of us.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE

Today’s challenge is to write 300-400 words whereby you tell a short story. Tell us anything—from fiction to non-fiction—that you would like to share.

Here are today’s rules:

Be creative.
The story should have a beginning, middle and end.
Write like you, not like anyone else.

If you would like to share your work, feel free to post in the comments. If not, keep your writings in a file. You never know what one of these prompts could turn into (in fact, one prompt I wrote became an integral part of my first novel; it’s so much fun to see it come to fruition).

Good luck today and KEEP WRITING.

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[image error]Stephanie Verni is Professor of Business Communication at Stevenson University and is the author of Inn Significant, Baseball Girl, and Beneath the Mimosa Tree. Along with her colleagues Leeanne Bell McManus and Chip Rouse, she is a co-author of Event Planning: Communicating Theory and Practice, published by Kendall-Hunt.

 

Filed under: On Life Tagged: fiction writer, fiction writers, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, novelist, storytelling, telling stories, writers, writing, writing a book, writing a novel, writing challenge

The End of #Frocktober and The Beginning of Something New

As today is Halloween and also the last day of October, it marks the end of the month of #FROCKTOBER, which I’ve been participating in on Instagram at stephverni. In order to highlight and bring awareness to OVARIAN CANCER, I posted one outfit each day for the month of October. While I’m sort of relieved it’s over, I always finish what I’ve started, and I hope I’ve raised awareness of this type of cancer, which my colleague and friend, Chris Noya, is battling. It’s never to late to contribute: visit Cancer.org (American Cancer Society) or ovarian.org (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition) to donate and help change lives.

Here are the last few shots from the month of #frocktober:

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NOW…ON TO SOMETHING NEW…

Tomorrow, in conjunction with the Stevenson Library, we will kick-off NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH here on campus. We are a designated writing site, so you can always feel free to come here and write and get away from any distractions you may have. The event begins at 2 p.m. in the STEVENSON LIBRARY IN THE BROWN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS. I hope to see you there.

Many popular novels began with the National Novel Writing Month challenge. Are you up for it?

Additionally, it would be really lame if I were to help kick off the month of writing, but then didn’t write.

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So, here’s another challenge I’m going to be involved with for the month of November: we are going to (TOGETHER) participate in this amazing writing challenge. We will share ideas, tips, writing insights, and our work throughout the month. I will be blogging EVERY DAY with regard to some aspect of writing, whether it’s sharing a writing tip, story, work in progress, or chapters of a novel.

We have to work together and encourage each other. So…writers out there…whether you are a…

BLOGGER
POET
SHORT STORY WRITER
NOVELIST
WANNA-BE NOVELIST
TRAVEL WRITER
NON-FICTION WRITER
MEMOIR WRITER

…let’s do this thing together.

You can count on me. Can I count on you?

Filed under: On Life Tagged: authors, frocktober, Happy Halloween, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, novel writing, write during November, writers, writing challenges

Steph’s Scribe & National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

This morning in my two sections of feature writing on campus, I had students engage in an activity for writing DESCRIPTION. We tapped into our senses of smell, touch, and taste, and I had the students smell different items and try to describe the scents (one was from my garden, one was a spice, and two were candle scents); next, they had to touch something and describe that feeling (it was my daughter’s jar of slime, and they were pretty grossed out—it was awesome!); then, they had to take a bite of something and write about what it reminded them of by describing it through a story (it was a piece of a graham cracker). We turned the lights down low, listened to some relaxation music featuring waterfall sounds, and we wrote. I tried to get them in the frame of mind to enjoy writing, a task many of them do not enjoy. Then, they had to write about a personal experience focusing on description.

I love writing, but not everyone does.

I love writing, so I’m working on inspiring others to write, both inside the classroom and outside of it.

[image error]Books that started as National Novel Writing Month projects. Amazing!

November 1 marks the beginning of National Novel Writing Month, otherwise known as NaNoWriMo. Famous, well-known published authors have started their novels during this time, and whether you can actually complete the designated 50,000-word novel in four weeks, or it simply prompts you to begin writing “that story” that’s been in your head for a while, I’m going to be right here with you encouraging you EVERY DAY OF THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER. That’s my promise. Whether it’s a quick word of encouragement or a post of my latest writing to show that I practice what I preach (and maybe even post excerpts from what I’m writing as a sequel to Inn Significant, my latest work), I am going to be that voice cheering you on and saying, “You CAN do it.”

Likewise, Stevenson University has been designated as a writing space for NaNoWriMo, and we are kicking it off on November 1 in the School of Business Library at 2 p.m. I’ll be giving a very short talk on writing and getting people inspired, and the Library has created a website with prompts to encourage writing. All are welcome.

I’m excited—truly, I am. After a short bout of writer’s exhaustion having produced three novels and one textbook in the last five years, I needed a short break. But now I am energized to get back at it. In other words, my writing mojo is BACK.

[image error]All three of my novels, but I’m exciting to start something new during NaNoWriMo…are you?

I hope you’ll join me for the wonderful journey we’re about to take. Getting your thoughts on paper is super therapeutic, and telling a story that’s been in your head for a long time might just be one of the best things you’ve done in a while.

I’m looking forward to NaNoWriMonth—and I hope you can create some space for yourself to write—even if it’s for only 15 or 20 minutes a day, to do what John Mayer suggests we do in his song, “Say”—

“Say what you need to say…say what you need to say.

Say what you need to say…say what you need to say.”

Let’s give it a whirl, shall we?

Filed under: On Life Tagged: encouraging writers, how to begin writing a novel, John Mayer, National Novel Writing Month, Say What You Need to Say, Stevenson University, writing, writing a book in four weeks, writing location for NaNoWriMo, writing novels

FROCKTOBER Thus Far

We’re past the midway point with this year’s version of FROCKTOBER with a new focus on calling awareness to ovarian cancer. I learned that this endeavor began with a woman from Australia who wanted to help those who battle this form of cancer. And so this month of outfits is dedicated to helping women battle ovarian cancer, and to my friend and colleague, Chris, who is still fighting. You can make donations to the American Cancer Society or to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

Here is a collection of what’s been featured on my Instagram thus far. With 10 days to go, I’ll post one more wrap up with the remaining outfits.

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Thanks for stopping by!

Filed under: On Life

How I’ve STARTED WITH WHY and the times I LOST MY WHY

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Simon Sinek was able to take things we all think or have thought in the business world and world of creative leadership and make sense of it. He rationalized it all in a way that makes sense to us. I found myself nodding and giving him silent “Amens” as I read along, chapter by chapter, immersed in the question he started asking himself about successful leaders and organizations: How do they achieve the level of success? How do they begin?

They start with WHY.

As I read, I became more inspired with each story, example, and principle underscored and highlighted by Sinek. I haven’t read a book since Elizabeth Gilbert’s BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR that has sparked my creative spirit, my entrepreneurial curiosity, and my desire to inspire others as much as START WITH WHY: HOW GREAT LEADERS INSPIRE EVERYONE TO TAKE ACTION.

Sinek took this notion of starting with WHY and theorized it to help him better understand leaders. He made a Golden Circle. He examined the Law of Diffusion of Innovators and the tipping point in companies—when an idea becomes a movement— such as what happened with the iPhone. He puts WHY in plain language for all to understand; he tells stories worth listening to; and, he inserts himself into the bigger picture thinking toward the end.

So powerful is his writing that I couldn’t put the book down, and I was wondering if my students in a new creative course I am teaching felt the same way. After our class discussion only minutes ago, I can tell you that I think they took away the key points beautifullly—those most worth noting—and some were wholeheartedly inspired to always start with WHY.

[image error]The students brainstorming in our new collaborative course on campus.

As for me, I was intrigued and enamored by his connections from the second I started reading his book. During my own careers (and I do mean that, as I’ve had several), I always started with WHY. During my time at the Baltimore Orioles, believe me when I say I wasn’t getting rich there. I had a fantastic job—one that constantly inspired me—and I can tell you that what Sinek says is so true: if you are inspired by THE WORK, the money is secondary to what you are doing and the bigger picture of WHY you are doing it. When I left the Orioles and went to my next job, the WHY was much fuzzier; I went for the wrong reason–to make more money than I previously made. And while I did that, the WHY and inspiration was missing from the work. When I broached the subject of leaving that job while on vacation in London with my husband, I asked him this question: “Why can’t I do the two things I love: teach and have a writing/design business?” His answer was the best anyone could give: You can.

And so I did.

When I made the foray into full-time teaching, I knew my WHY. I had discovered it when I began as an adjunct teacher at a local community college back in 1993. I wanted to be a teacher because I was a born cheerleader—I wanted to inspire, coach, and help others with their education and prepare them for careers. I think I knew this my whole life—that this would be my chosen profession eventually—but it took me working in another profession to find out that the WHY for teaching was not to be ignored and it warranted serious consideration.

When I decided to become an author and write fictional books, I knew my WHY: I wanted to entertain and inspire others through storytelling. I chose to become a self-published author and wrote and produced three novels. I lost my WHY a little this summer when book promotion took hold and made me leery of WHY I was a writer in the first place. But then, upon being asked to give a talk about self-publishing at Stevenson University to faculty and staff, I remembered and was reconnected with my WHY. I write books because it is my PASSION, and I just LOVE the process. How many books I sell should be secondary to the task I adore so much—storytelling. And so, newly refocused, I will continue along my writing and publishing journey.

In 2013, along with my colleagues, Chip and Leeanne, we decided to write a textbook on event planning. After scouring the library and bookstores for a good text to share with our students that attached communication theory to event planning and coming up empty-handed, we decided to write our own textbook. So, what did we do?

We started with WHY and asked this question: What is the WHY behind what we do in event planning? And out of this question was born our book, EVENT PLANNING: COMMUNICATING THEORY AND PRACTICE, published by Kendall-Hunt Publishers.

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If you adopt Simon Sinek’s approach—that anything you do that is meaningful must start with WHY—you are more likely to find some meaning in it and grow from it. In turn, you will learn from it and maybe even have great success from it. And without even realizing it, you begin to inspire others.

START WITH WHY is a book you will not soon forget, and I will recommend it to anyone who wants to be an inspirational leader, as well as to anyone who has lost his or her way and needs to be reminded of their WHY.

 

 

Filed under: On Life Tagged: being an author, Elizabeth Gilbert, inspirational leaders, simon sinek, start with why, writing, writing books

Every One of My Books Has Killed Me a Little More

 

 

[image error]In 5 years, I wrote three novels and a textbook while working full-time as a professor. I think that warranted a short respite.

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You see the title there, and maybe that’s why you clicked over to see what’s going on here.

If you did, please know I didn’t say that quote. It was said by the famous late writer, Norman Mailer. “Every one of my books has killed me a little more, ” he said.

I didn’t know the man. I’m not on par with him as a writer. I am not as prolific a writer as he was. And I certainly don’t earn my primary income as a writer as he did.

And yet, I can totally understand what he said.

As some of you who follow my blog may know, I hit a wall this summer. Exhaustion took over, and I needed a break from writing. While writing novels hasn’t killed me, the promotion of them was making me crazy. Every morning I thought to myself, “Just what do I need to do today to sell one book? How can I market my book today on social media? How can I spread the word about my novels? How can I post one more thing on social media without annoying my friends and supporters?”

[image error]These thoughts began to consume me, and I knew I had to tread lightly. Ruining friendships over book promotion is not worth it, but I needed to put a little distance between me (as a person and friend and mother and wife) and my writing and marketing. I could feel myself slipping into a sort of dark abyss and feeling quite down about things, and I didn’t want those feelings to affect me and my family.

Taking a respite from writing has been just what the doctor ordered. I am concentrating on my family, helping my son with his college applications, teaching at the university, planning a new course I am co-teaching, and exercising, something I had let slip as well.

The miraculous thing that happens when you put a little distance between you and your writing are these things called invigoration and inspiration. I find I am becoming inspired by things I’ve neglected to notice; I am invigorated by relationships I never knew I could have; and story ideas seem to be coming to me at a mile a minute.

It’s a good thing I keep a notebook. I jot down ideas that may be novel-worthy, and I’ll examine which stories I might like to tell next.

[image error]I still keep a paper planner in which I jot down things, keep notes, make to-do lists, and write inspiring quotes. Still works for me as opposed to using my iPhone or Outlook calendar.I’m not done writing novels, I’m just gearing up for something I can sink my teeth into to grab hold. The inspiration fairy, when given some room to breathe, seems to want to come to life and help out a weary writer and marketer.

And, moreover, because I do LOVE writing so much, I don’t ever want to utter the words Norman Mailer said.

I won’t ever let my creativity and need to tell stories kill me a little.

I absolutely refuse to allow that to happen.

 

Filed under: On Life Tagged: am writing, author, book publishing, Creativity, Norman Mailer, Norman Mailer quote, novelist, professor, Teaching, teaching at the university, writer, writing, writing books, writing fiction, writing textbooks

FROCKTOBER | DAY 2

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It’s kind of difficult to get happy today with the news coming out of Las Vegas. I’m so saddened by the reports of all the victims of the mass shooting and those who are injured. Prayers go to all of those who have been affected by this horrible, senseless, and heinous tragedy.

However, FROCKTOBER must carry on, because we are doing some good here by raising awareness for ovarian cancer. As I mentioned yesterday, my colleague and stylish lady friend, Chris Noya, has been battling this disease since January. If you wish to donate, you can do so by giving to the American Cancer Society or to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (click the organization names to go to the sites). Much research is being done to try to end this disease.

Today’s Outfit of the Day (#ootd):

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Day 2. Taught on campus today in this #ootd — red pants from #whbm; top from #anntaylorloft; booties by #matisse; bag by #adriennevittadini.

In a world full of nonsense and hate, remember to be kind. Stay safe and hug those you love.

#ovariancancerawareness #ovariancancer #frocktober2017 #style #personalstyle #blog #blogger #bloggerstyle #fashionisfun #professorstyle #stephsscribe #prayersforlasvegas

Love the cute red and blue top with the loose turtleneck and flutter sleeves. I wear a lot of black, so I’ve been attempting to infuse some color into my wardrobe. Just a little.

I’ll always love classic, black clothing.

See you tomorrow!

Filed under: On Life Tagged: American Cancer Society, Blog, blogger style, Fashion, frocktober, national ovarian cancer coalition, ovarian cancer, personal style, style

FROCKTOBER | DAY 1

[image error]Day 1, October 1

I’m so happy to be back and doing this again for another 31 days. Last year when I began posting FROCKTOBER pictures on Instagram, I didn’t realize that FROCKTOBER all started as a way to raise awareness for ovarian cancer. This year, it has even more meaning because I’m doing it in honor of my colleage—a very sharply dressed lady herself—Christine Noya, who continues to fight ovarian cancer. I’ll be making a monetary donation to NOCC—National Ovarian Cancer Coalition—in addition to posting photos to promote awareness.

Today, we’re kicking things off with this BRUNCH DATE outfit. Black leggings, black over the knee boots, shirt from #anntaylorloft . Clutch from #BananaRepublic.

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Follow me on Instagram as we publish one outfit each day for the month of

October, 2017.

On Instagram at stephverni

https://www.instagram.com/stephverni/

Filed under: On Life

When You Quit Something Cold Turkey

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Sometimes you just have to stop.

You just stop, and that’s it. You’ve had enough.

Some may call it stopping; some may call it quitting. Either way, you’re ending a relationship you’ve had with someone or something.

Things people have quit? A bad relationship. A bad habit, such as smoking, drinking, or gambling. Loaning money. Maybe even gossiping. These are just examples of a few.

When you quit something cold turkey, it means, the following:

To “go cold turkey” is to withdraw suddenly and completely from an addictive substance or some other form of dependency.

Have you ever quit something “cold turkey” in your life?

For me, one example was smoking. I smoked a little in high school, a little in college, and a little afterwards during a tough time in my life. (Honestly, I should have known better). When I quit full stop, I never had one again. It’s so darn bad for you, your health and lungs, and the smell of it — the after-effects smell of the tobacco on my skin and in my hair — was horrible. I hated the way my fingers smelled after holding a lit cigarette.

I’ve also quit a few bad friendships cold turkey. Never looked back.

Another thing I stopped doing cold turkey was to quit beating myself up over the past. About mistakes I’ve made or people I’ve hurt. I’ve been sorry, apologized, and humbly moved on. Asked for forgiveness. You can’t keep making yourself feel bad about past mistakes or misjudgements. Learn from them and move on from them, certainly, but you can’t keep punishing yourself for things that happened in your way-long-ago past.

Speaking of pasts, I’ve quit a couple of boyfriends cold turkey. It takes a certain amount of gumption to do that. My daughter just did it as well with someone she was seeing. You just kind of say to yourself, “That’s it. I’m worth more. I deserve better.” If you believe it, the act of divorcing yourself from that negativity comes much easier, and you feel healthier for having done so.

You make the decision to go cold turkey because in your heart of hearts, you know it’s the best option. You’ve heard the expression that it’s best to cut the cord. Sometimes you know it’s the healthiest way to move on, recover, or protect yourself from making one bad decision after another.

In the end, it’s really about moving on—from leaving one bad “thing” behind to starting fresh without that bad “thing” in your life.

I’m always interested to learn how these expressions originated. When doing a quick Google search on the phrase, I discovered that the origin “cold turkey” could come from the meaning “suddenly or without preparation,” as noted in the example that a dish of cold turkey doesn’t require much preparation. There’s thought it also comes from the American expression “talk turkey,” which means to speak bluntly with little to no preparation.

Quitting something cold turkey is not always easy, but it’s often best. If you’re struggling with a decision to leave a bad situation, habit, or relationship behind, going cold turkey just may save your sanity—and your life.

Stephanie

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Stephanie Verni is Professor of Business Communication at Stevenson University and is the author of Inn Significant, Baseball Girl, and Beneath the Mimosa Tree. Along with her colleagues Leeanne Bell McManus and Chip Rouse, she is a co-author of Event Planning: Communicating Theory and Practice, published by Kendall-Hunt.

Filed under: On Life Tagged: cold turkey, leaving something behind, quitting cold turkey, stopping a bad relationship, stopping cold turkey, talk turkey, talking turkey