Day 22: The Golden Coffee Cup -- Kathy Whitehead

Click here to learn more about the Golden Coffee Cup.

I hope that you are enjoying the rhythm of the work. We are near a holiday, a tough spot on a journey. We have lots of obligations. Breathe. Think about the plan and move forward with boldness.

Today's high five comes from one of my cheery friends, the ever optimistic Kathy Whitehead.



You might want to check out her book, ART FROM HER HEART. She’s here today to offer some useful advice about how to keep the home fires burning. In Kathy’s words:

Sustaining goals can be tough, especially when the end can feel so elusive. I am fortunate to work in a 'lesson-planned' work mode which harkens back to my days spent as a classroom teacher. The lesson plan usually has a similiar daily structure and adheres to time restraints. I even build in a morning recess for myself - walking my dog Toby.

The beauty of a a lesson planned day is you don't waste valuable mental energy deciding when you will write. It gives your day a natural flow and balance, qualities helpful for long term projects.

My focus and effort can be directed toward my writing, instead of decision making about how to plan my day.

Oooh, good stuff. I feel more focused, and I hope you do, too. Come back tomorrow for more piping hot stuff. Hey, let me know you are out there! Post your progress and I will do some holy snappin'.

Here is a quote to help you on. Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find joy in overcoming obstacles. Helen Keller

Day 20: The Golden Coffee Cup -- Conrad Wesselhoeft

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Today’s "fist bump" high five comes from West Seattle author Conrad Wesselhoeft and his lovely daughter Jen:


Here are a few tasty shots of coffee from Conrad that I lifted off some of my manuscripts.(I am so blessed to have such a talented author write such helpful stuff on my manuscripts.)

Here's a first bit:

I’m concerned that the early paragraphs read more like a “telling” than a “showing.” Not that this is wrong--because the voice is so strong. Also, "telling" leads have been used to powerful effect by many successful YA writers. (This is classic Conrad; you can tell if you want but you better be brilliant.)

And more: On the other hand, your character seems bent on communicating a whirlwind of information right away. I'm not sure we need so much so soon. Information that might be better served as a full-blown scene. Would that scene be stronger if expanded, with full dialogue?
How about this great advice: I like this line’s snap and clarity: “I’m about fractals. They mirror life to me. …” These lines are good enough to open the book with. You have a good lead as is, but give it some thought.

or this:
Watch out for passive voice. A little's OK, but not more than that.

or this: Because this one line raises hairs on the arm, consider making this the end of a chapter, or at least a chapter break.

and last a cup of you-are-getting-there golden hot stuff:

Molly, I like where you're going with this. I want your character to go out in the world and become transformed. As a reader, I want to go with her. Others will, too.

I’ve had the honor of not only being Conrad’s friend but for a long time showing up at libraries and bookstores and bringing pages and spending hours going over our work making it stronger, better, richer. What a gift.

I hope these notes help you see the power of not going alone today. You are with friends. Keep working and come back for more of the hot java.

And here is a quote from his recently released novel. This one will really warm you up:

By itself, the moon rising is nothing. It's cliche. But the girl falling asleep and missing the moonrise is everything. It blasts the poem with pain and possibilities. Figure out what those possibilities are and you've got a poem. That's the secret -- to close your hand on jagged glass, then open it and find a butterfly. Conrad Wesselhoeft (Adios, Nirvana)

Day 15: The Golden Coffee Cup -- Paul Michael Gordon

Click here to learn more about the Golden Coffee Cup.
Let me know how it's going and I will offer you some coveted holy snappin'. You are at the halfway mark!

Today's high-five comes from visionary film maker: Paul Michael Gordon. He created the book trailer for Holly Cupala’s TELL ME A SECRET, nominated for School Library Journal’s first Trailee award. Check out his brand of film-making.



Uh, umm, Paul, uh, hmm, there is just no high-five in your photo, but it is somehow inspiring. I believe in film-making this next photo is called a stand-in. Here is a double high-five from two pandas that can follow instructions...


And now an energizing thought from Paul for your creative journey:Pandas are just bears with right-brained fur. Put on your panda suit.

Here is another bit of motivating advice from Paul: M&M's for breakfast, Red Bull for lunch and some healthy exercise to the fridge is what keeps me creative. Oh, and don't forget the cold pizza.

All kidding aside, Paul is just one of the most positive people I know. If he even thinks a negative thought I’m pretty sure he wrestles it down like Godzilla taking out Mothra. I mean, you are never going to reach your goal if you can’t get some “positiveness” going. Open up! You can do this! You can complete your goal. Go, Golden Coffee Cupper, go! I think I like your hat, too.

See you tomorrow with more of the hot stuff.

The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise. ~F. Scott Fitzgerald

Day 3: The Golden Coffee Cup -- Linda Joy Singleton

Click here to learn more about the Golden Coffee Cup. Today my friend, the incomparable Linda Joy Singleton is here to cheer us on!



This is the best kind of high five. Linda offers a high five on a Caribbean cruise excursion train ride around the island of St. Kitts. In her words,

"I was touched by these school kids who seemed so interested in learning and excited by tourists passing by. There had also been a traveling Logos Hope ship docked next to our cruise ship. I asked about it about found out the ship is a traveling library from a Christian group that invite uniformed students aboard. Students lined up all day to come in to the library where they have the opportunity to enjoy books and take books home. I was impressed with their travels sharing a love of books.

I've always loved books. In 4th grade I came in 2nd for a contest to see who read the most books and I read about 30, mostly mysteries like Nancy Drew. This interest led to my writing a fan letter to a favorite author and amassing a collection of juvenile girl series that fills up an entire room. My dream at age 14, written down in a writing school application, was to have my own mystery series. And it happened with the 1995 publication of MY SISTER THE GHOST from Avon books. Then came CHEER SQUAD, REGENERATION, STRANGE ENCOUNTERS, THE SEER, DEAD GIRL and upcoming 2012 GOTH GIRL Mysteries.

When it comes to goal setting, I make writing a daily habit. I get up every morning, turn on my computer then check email to clear my head and then turn to my latest creative project. I take a break for lunch and exercise them come back and often stay at my computer all day.

Right now I'm going through an uncertain time. After having book contracts to work on for the last 6 years, I'm waiting to find out what my next project will sell. It's hard to wait on other people's decisions, so I work on the things I can control. And I can control my daily writing. So even though I'm not sure if I'll suddenly be offered a new contract, I've started a new project that may or may not ever sell or even be finished. But I've written a first chapter and I'm excited by this story. So I'll keep writing. It's what I do best.

Linda Joy Singleton's new book is out -- MAGICIAN'S MUSE/Flux. Check out her website or on Facebook or Twitter. And around the corner is her next book, GRAVE SECRETS - A Thorn Goth Girl Mystery coming 2012 (Flux)

I hope that you are as moved as I am by this. If this inspiration doesn't warm up your heart for the creative journey, I don't know what will.

Quote of the day:

If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun. Katherine Hepburn

Day 1: The Fifth Annual Golden Coffee Cup Begins!

Welcome, Golden Coffee Cuppers! Click here to learn more about the Golden Coffee Cup. Any late comers? You have until midnight Nov 1 to post your goal here! Create your best work. Maybe you'll win a cup of coffee

I'm awed and thrilled to be journeying with such a talented group of creative souls. I know we will find good success! Every journey comes with its rewards, highs, and excitement, but there are also bends, set backs, and wrong turns. Be kind to yourself. Remember all journeys also have their surprises, their ah-ha moments, and "take your breath away" summits. Look for them. Let them really fill you up.

I will cheer you on the whole way!

Snap! Snap! Snap!

It's my tradition to start out this year journey with some high fives and spiritual advice from some folks who know way more than me.

Here is some inspiration from Anne Frank.

Here is a good thought for the road from Anne. Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!

Next up is inspiration from Harriet Tubman. Here is some hot stuff from Harriet to keep you warm as you go: Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

Some timeless wisdom from Nelson Mandela, brave soul. If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart. I hope we all write in the language of children and our creations light up hearts.

We have to hole up to work but take time to listen to the wind, to smell the Earth. Gather strength from the natural world. Look up at the night sky -- the swath of the Milky Way, the Moon, and the planets; it feels like things are just inching forward up there but in truth things are moving very fast. Remember this while you work.

Carve out time to work every day. Take some silent moments and breathe. Life can be so busy, but search out the quiet moments. Take care of yourself.

Think about this: you are brave just because you are here. Snap! Snap! Snap! Let's get to work.

I have gathered all the goals so far here so that they are easy to see. We will go far and do much. See you tomorrow for more hot java!


One last quote: Let your mind start a journey thru a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before. Let your soul take you where you long to be...Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar, and you'll live as you've never lived before. Eric Fromm