Your Life Yoda

April 30, 2019

Interview with Author Susan Schmid

It's a joy to have children's book author Susan Maupin Schmid by for an interview. Susan is the author of the 100 Dresses series from Random House, an avid seamstress, and a Mentor Mom for MOMSnext (a division of MOPS International). She considers her inner 10-year-old her greatest asset as a writer and mentor (except when said inner child wants to stay up late or play Animal Crossing). You can connect with Susan on SusanMaupinSchmid.com or on Twitter @maupinschmid.

April 15, 2019

Interview with Author Bonnie Clark

It's a joy and a pleasure to introduce an avid writer and true seize-the-day'er Bonnie Clark. Bonnie is a stay-at-gym mom of three kids and the lucky wife to a hairstylist. She lives in Canton, GA where she enjoys running, doing yoga, drinking coffee, writing and is often found behind a stack of books. Bonnie is an inventor and has been a contestant on Wheel of Fortune. She has been writing for children for about 4 years and is passionate about helping kids discover and like who they are. TASTE YOUR WORDS is her debut picture book, set to debut in 2020 with Worthy Kids/Ideals. Her literary agent, Adria M. Goetz from Martin Literary Management, negotiated the deal.

April 10, 2019

Rise of the Personal Brand – What Does Yours Say About You?

Branding is a big deal. Companies pay tens of thousands to millions of dollars on improving their brand, communicating their brand, and developing their brand. But most people don't fully understand what all the fuss is about. Some people think a brand is a logo or style. Others say it's a vibe. But a brand is so much more than both of those things and if you haven't faced your personal brand face-to-face, you're in for a rude awakening. Take your career, business, and life to the next level by examining your personal brand.

April 9, 2019

Why Life is Sacred – Imago Dei

Do you think all human life is sacred? Most people quickly respond with a head nod in the affirmative or, the more confident among us, with a stretched out arm. The World Health Organization estimates roughly 40 people commit suicide per second. That's 1 Million people ending their own life each year. By 2020, they expect this number to double and CBS News reports that over 10 Million people consider suicide each year. In 2017, Statista reports there were 1.28 Million violent crimes in the United States of America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states 650,000 babies were aborted in 2015 in the USA alone with approximately 56 Million babies aborted worldwide according to the Guttmacher Institute - Induced Abortions Worldwide. Between 1982 and 2011, a mass shooting occurred in the USA roughly once every 200 days and between 2011 and 2014 that reduced to once every 64 days. In the USA, nearly 2 Million cases of self-harm are reported each year which amounts to every 1 in 5 females and 1 in 7 males according to Healthy Place.

February 20, 2019

Write Captivating Stories to Build Your Author Platform or Brand

Is your work "good enough"? If you aren't asking this of yourself, you should be. Too often, we creatives are blind to our own abilities - our own limits. You've heard the saying before, "If it was easy, everyone would do it." Does that adage hold true for your work? Is it true regarding what you've just created and shared with that special literary agent or potential client? I hope it isn't, but if it is, relax. Let's work through the art of writing captivating stories so that you can put your best foot forward and build your platform for the long haul.

February 11, 2019

Losing a Loved One

For the first time in my adult life, I'm on the cusp of losing a loved one. I was in my teens when my grandfather passed away and it all seemed a bit more distant than. It was a thing that happened, an acquaintance that was no longer around. It was a name that was retired from conversation. Now, as an adult with a family of my own, my grandmother is facing serious health issues and I'm trying to process and understand what it all means and what to do about it.

January 31, 2019

Interview with Author Heather Macht

Welcome to the (virtual) interview platform, Heather Macht! Heather is the author of THE ANT FARM ESCAPE! (Pelican, 2019), REX THE…WE-DON’T-KNOW (Pelican, 2019) and YOU MAY JUST BE A DINOSAUR (Pelican, 2015). She has a degree in Fine Arts, is an active member of the SCBWI, and is the Assistant Administrator, the Newsletter Coordinator, and a volunteer judge for Rate Your Story. She loves spending her Saturday’s in bookstores or in libraries with friends. Heather is happily married and currently resides in Florida next door to a quiet beach. When she’s not writing, she enjoys painting, reading poetry, and watching scary movies with her husband and children.

January 16, 2019

Interview with Author / Illustrator Abi Cushman

I've been so excited to share this interview with the #writingcommunity! Abi Cushman is an award winning children's book author and illustrator based in Connecticut. Her debut picture book, Soaked, comes out Summer 2020 from Viking Children's Books. You can find her on Twitter @AbiCushman or Instagram @Abi.Cushman. Are you ready to gleam some insight from, and share in the journey of, this talented lady? Let's go!

January 8, 2019

Interview with Author / Illustrator Valeria Wicker – Part 2

What an exciting opportunity we have to gleam more publishing insight from successful #kidlit and #SCBWI author/illustrator Valeria Wicker! If you haven't read our first interview with Valeria, be sure to check it out so you're up to speed on her backstory. Buzzing in the news was her children's book sale with literary agent extraordinaire Adria Goetz from Martin Literary Management. The sale was for her debut picture book, The Ugly Doodles, and a second untitled picture book to Sasha Henriques at Little, Brown/Patterson. Valeria stopped by for a conversation on her debut picture book and to share more (including some illustration dummies!!!) on her life as a soon-to-be published author/illustrator.

September 27, 2018

Focus on One Thing for Success

Do you start something new just as you get tracking on something old? You're not alone. Often referred to as having an idea fairy on your shoulder, it's normal and natural to find a greater sense of joy chasing new ideas with new potential rather than old ideas that have reality attached. But you don't need to be someone who can't focus on just one thing. You can learn the skill of singular focus to achieve a greater level of success in all areas of life.