My Dirty Secret

Mar 9, 2012 by Karen Doniere

I wanted to share a poem I wrote last March when I was feeling some kind of way about debt. At some point, we’ve all had at least one negative encounter with debt herself. I wrote this poem in about five minutes. Afterward, I decided to finally get rid of my debt. I’m usually hesitant to share my poems because they are very personal and emotional. What’s your take?

My Dirty Secret

so empty, dead, and hollow
just black inside
some say simply shallow
can’t shake this sickness
alone in this world
to bear this illness
wanna run and hide
don’t know what else to do
credit card was declined
who can help me
mom and pop don’t know
but oh,
how embarrassing
and it feels so good
when it goes down
if only I might,
I could
do it on my own
just leave that card at home.

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Being Supportive Matters

Mar 7, 2012 by Karen Doniere

How do you deal with unsupportive people in your life? It’s not easy as we’ve all had to endure the negative or contrary attitude of a colleague, family member, or friend. I realize that everyone is not going to love my projects. It’s human nature to be envious of someone who is making more professional strides than we are. For example, if Sarah has recently found an agent who is pitching her book after just two submissions and you’ve submitted over 30 times, jealousy and envy may ensue. But what’s important is how you deal with those negative feelings. Are you going to be unsupportive of Sarah because she now has an agent? Or are you going to continue to support Sarah and possibly learn more about how she found an agent? It always makes more sense to support one another as writers and as human beings. I tend to agree to disagree with unsupportive and negative people because their attitudes are contagious and poisonous. Life is stressful enough, so why make it more stressful by enduring the antics of a nay sayer? What’s your take?

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Business Card Blues

Mar 2, 2012 by Karen Doniere

As a writer or blogger, do you have a business card? Unfortunately, I don’t. A few weeks ago I was speaking with a Nook representative at Barnes and Noble, and upon completing our conversation she asked if I had a business card. I was stunned because I had just recently read about the importance of having a business card on a blog. I felt like a fruit cake because I didn’t have any quick contact information to give to her. I still don’t have a business card but I plan to have my public relations representative design one for me and have it printed at either Vistaprint or Moo. I have used Vistaprint for previous business cards many moons ago, and they turned out great. But Moo comes well recommended. Do you have a business card? Is it really necessary? What’s your take?

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The Secret Top Ten Part 2

Feb 29, 2012 by Karen Doniere

1. I love Michael Jackson music videos.
2. I eat peanut butter and anything with peanut butter until it becomes a compulsive issue.
3. I’m extremely shy.
4. I didn’t start writing until I was in college.
5. My husband is my illustrator.
6. Whenever I fly, I sneak snacks on the plane in my backpack.
7. I’ve never been a tourist in my own city.
8. I have a bad habit of biting my finger nails.
9. I dance with my Doberman by holding his paws in my hands while he’s standing on his back legs. He can really go in hard.
10.  I don’t like confrontation but some how rise to the challenge.
11. I really can’t stop at ten.

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Before I Write.…

Feb 22, 2012 by Karen Doniere

Is it me or is this just silly? I can’t sit down to write unless my housework and tasks are completed, and my immediate area is clean. What is that all about you may ask? If I knew I would tell you. I know it sounds crazy but that’s just me. I impose the silliest rules on myself for no apparent reason. I think it’s just a mental block that prevents me from writing unless the above conditions are met. I don’t remember how or when it started, although I can remember feeling cramped and overwhelmed when I wanted to write and my area or another room in the house wasn’t tidy. But really, what does a clean kitchen or another tidy room have to do with my writing? Absolutely nothing. Deep down in the trenches, I think that if I’m going to take time away from other activities to write, I need to have other areas clean so I can focus my mental energy on writing great material. Again, I know it’s absurd. What are some things that you have to do or that must happen before or when you sit down to write? What’s your take?

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Famous Author Interview

Feb 17, 2012 by Karen Doniere

If you could interview two famous authors dead or alive who would you choose? I would interview Alex Haley and Stephen King because Roots is one of my all time favorite books, and I used to be a fanatical Stephen King fan. Not only did I have to own all of King’s books, but I had to own the corresponding movie as well. Can you say fanatic? Now that I mention it, I’ve read Roots more than once and seen the movie more times than I can count. Can you say fanatic again?

I would ask Alex Haley the following questions:

• What was your inspiration to write Roots?
• What was the most discouraging thing that happened during that time?
• As a writer, did you ever feel like the book was ever truly finished?
• What is your revising process like?
• When writing, how do you stay motivated?

I would ask Stephen King the following questions:

• What was your inspiration to write It?
• What was the most discouraging thing that happened during that time?
• As a writer, did you ever feel like the book was ever truly finished?
• What is your revising process like?
• When writing, how do you stay motivated?
• Where do you get your book ideas from?

What questions would you like to add? What’s your take?

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The Shortest Blog Post Ever

Feb 15, 2012 by Karen Doniere

I’m sure you have noticed that the majority of my posts are very brief and to the point. What is my problem you may wonder? I don’t necessarily have a problem, but I generally don’t like to read lengthy blog posts. I have been under the impression for a long time that blog posts should be short enough to engage the reader and not hold him hostage. Although I love to read, I just don’t have time to read lengthy posts. I have several natural hair, writing, and fashion blogs I enjoy reading daily. Usually, I read the first few paragraphs to get the gist of the article unless something extraordinary grabs my attention. Occasionally, I will find a well written post that literally captures me. In addition, those articles are the ones I will comment on because they’ve provided motivation, inspiration, and food for thought for me. We all know it’s easy to become discouraged and disgruntled with our situation, and much harder to become inspired and motivated. Do you prefer short or lengthy blog posts? What’s your take?

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