Two years, baby! For those of you who missed my Oreo-infested pity party back in 2014, here’s a recap:
I lost my literary agent who represented Pennies from Burger Heaven and could only cry, eat and scream into my pillow. I was very much a broken writer.
One day, I wiped enough crumbs off my face, and started this blog to share with the good, the bad and the ugly on my path to publication.
Two years later: SkipJack Publishing released my debut novel, Pennies from Burger Heaven. Total strangers are reading my book. I have 145 Amazon reviews! My dreams have come true, so I want to celebrate with you by giving away ….
Two, free 30-minute Skype Sessions with me (one per winner, selected at random).
If you’re a writer, we’ll talk about your story, plotting problems, or your fears. Whatever you want to discuss. If you’re a reader, we’ll gab about books, watch cat videos together, etc. No worries if you do not have a Skype account. I’ll give you instructions + it’s free.
Perfect Doesn’t Exist
My world rocks right now, but some folks think that means my life is perfect. HA! Far from it. Perfect is an illusion. Fortunately, my husband and two teens are happy and healthy, but in my extended family, my heart aches over: one battling Alzheimer’s, another at-home with hospice with ALS, one struggling with alcoholism, another has lost a job.
That’s my reality today. Still, I intentionally seek out things to be grateful for because that’s what I couldn’t do back in 2014. It would’ve made a HUGE difference!
What about for you? What’s good in your world, right here and now? Look deep. I’ve learned whatever we focus on magnifies. If you seek out the bad, you’ll find it. If you focus on the good, you’ll start to see your life in a more positive light.
What Can You Celebrate Today?
This goes way beyond writing. What in your life can you point to, and be grateful for?
You’ve gone to the gym every day this week.
You made another credit-card payment to become debt free.
You entered that screenplay contest.
Your husband has been cancer-free for one year now.
You’ve applied for a new job.
When you change your thoughts, it changes your actions and that changes your life.
Got Skype?
I love this community, and am grateful that you read my posts, leave comments, share my work with others, email me to say, “What’s up?”. Don’t worry if you do not have a Skype account. I suck at technology and it took me 5 minutes to get started. Here’s a post by the Geek Squad that gives instructions + a two-minute video showing you how (you have to scroll down a ways to see the video). All you need is a computer with high-speed internet. You don’t even need a camera on your computer. We can just talk like a phone call.
Dreams + Work = Success
We’re all working toward different goals, and that’s awesome. The more important that goal is to you, the harder it may be to achieve. The key is don’t give up. I was a Gawd-awful mess back in 2014, but I didn’t quit. One day at time, one step at time, I made my dreams come true. You can do the same.
Thanks for an incredible two years!
Congrats to Mollie & Anne, who each won a free 30-Skype session in honor of my blogiversary!
Tell me this…what’s one thing you can celebrate in your life today?
Pick up your FREE copy today of the mystery, The Moon Rises at Dawn (SkipJack Publishing). Read, enjoy, repeat.
You get every day you get. Now get some writing out of every one of them.
This made me laugh out loud, John. The great thing about your wisdom is that you can fill in blank with whatever you’re striving for: “You get every day you get. Now, get….to the gym, fill out another job application, pass up those sugary sweets, etc.”
It’s not as short as snappy sounding as yours, but still solid advice. Thanks for kicking off my blogiversary.
I’ve done a lot f reading and reviewing for authors and have tried to write something in my latest ebooks to be published whenever that gets accomplished.
FANTASTIC, Angela. You are living EXACTLY what I’m talking about. Baby steps will get you where you want to go + how COOL is that you’re reading + reviewing. I’m jealous. Keep up the good work. m3
THANK YOU MARCY! I have wireless Internet but not the speediest one as my friend who helps me with my finances has told she does not feel I should spend that extra money for faster Internet acess,see? A ND I am on a low fixed monthly income. THANKS for the compliement. I am also an EMHC= a minister that can give communion and blessings to those who cannot receive communion for whatever the reason may be. GBU! Angela
How cool that you can bless so many others (literally and figuratively)! Love it~
Today I did the color run! I can celebrate that. I also got off my butt and write this week. Not as much as I need to but I did it!
Awesome, Sarah! I’ve never done the Color Run, but have friends who do it faithfully every year. And good for you for writing this week. Today, please forget that you’re not writing as much as you need to. One of my big mistakes is tend to focus on what I’m doing wrong vs. what I’m doing right. SOME IS BETTER THAN NONE.
Rock on!
so much to celebrate every day, really, but since i’m now nine weeks post-op (knee replacement) i am truly celebrating every day of recovery—SO much i am now able to do that hasn’t been possible for years!!
Woohoo, Robin. Congrats on the new knee + new mobility. That’s a tough process, but I’m sure each week you grow stronger. Good for you.
Thank you also for your tweet. You rock.
Dearest Marcy #HUGSSS
Congratulations dah-ling!! You deserve every ah-mazing review, applause, accolade, and more.
As for one thing I can celebrate in my life today – that green smoothies do not taste as nasty as I thought they would! 😉 hehehehehe
In all seriousness, I celebrate the day I stumbled upon a magnanimous mentor and a magnificent writer who is referred to as Marcy McKay! #HUGSSSS
Thanks for your wisdom and warmth, dear Marcy
Kitto
Isn’t it funny how disgusting green smoothies look, but you add an apple or pear (or something to sweeten it bit), and it’s totally fine. I’m sure there’s a deeper life lesson there, but let’s stop while we’re ahead.
I’m so grateful I found you, too, Kitto. (Was it the Write Practice?). You’re a natural cheerleader. You zest and love for life are infectious. You’re one of many write friends I’ve been via the internet. Cool beans.
Thanks you for your well wishes. xo – m3
Hey Marcy 🙂 Hang in there… you’ve got this! One that I can celebrate is I had a 30 Writing session yesterday!!! I’m actually going to be trying out setting a writing time and sticking with it to see if I can get a habit. Isn’t that amazing! Can’t wait for today’s session!
btw… this is miriam.. it just says me as the name..
I’m glad you clarified…I wasn’t 100% who is was! M3
Thanks, Miriam. One minute I feel like I’ve “got it” and the next, I’m almost in tears. But, I keep pushing forward.
Congrats on your writing sessions they seem to be working well for you!
Thanks Marcy, also I’d love to have that 30 chat on skype… but if it doesn’t happen it doesn’t happen. Have a good day!
The way I do these “at random” drawings is…whoever leaves a comment, I put their name into a hat. At the end of the allotted time, I draw and whoever wins — wins. It’s VERY unscientific, but simple and honest.
I guess I couldn’t just leave a ton of comments from different accounts… that wouldn’t’ be honest. But I’ll cross my fingers!
Congratulations Marcy! Your career has come a long way in two years, hasn’t it.
Your perseverance has been an inspriation, thank you.
Still writing…. Blogging but have to figure out how to get more exposure!?! The skype call with you would be great ?
Grateful that today I am able to travel to see my Mum.
Thanks, Anne. I appreciate your well wishes. Congrats on blogging and putting yourself out there. Exposure seems to be the million-dollar question. I’ll let you know when I find the answer.
I hope you and your mum had a wonderful day together.
Congrats on the two years. I chopped 10,000 words from my wip. I’m glad about that.
Thanks, Nickie. I appreciate your comment. Chopping 10,000 words? I can’t imagine being in a position to cut words…I ALWAYS come up short with my stories and have to add, add, add. I guess both are just different kinds of hard.
Nevertheless, GOOD FOR YOU! Cutting off 10K and tightening your story is impressive. WELL DONE!
It’s still at 171,000 words. I write epics.
WHOA! Impressive, Nickie!!!
Congratulations on your second year blogging. 🙂 I may be a lurker, but I always read your posts and always get something out of it.
What am I celebrating, other than just getting out of bed this morning with a pulse? I’m celebrating that I have a great job that I go to every day. Despite the mountain of work I have ahead of me today, I love what I do.
I don’t think we do nearly enough to celebrate our accomplishments, so find 10,000 ways to celebrate those accomplishments, even if it’s just a “WOOHOO!”.
Yay, the lurker left a comment! Thank you, Mollie!
We’re lucky to live another day, and your’e doubly lucky that you love what you do. And you’re right…we should celebrate more often. I appreciate the reminder.
Happy Anniversary Marcy. I will download your story. I’ve joined Romance Writers of America and a FL affiliated chapter. I am polishing up my MS and plan to have it published soooooon. Wish me luck. Happy Blogaversary. We are in FL and heading back to New England in a few weeks. Had a setback with my art, but every storm has a silver lining and I get a glimpse of it now and then—I’ve been picking away at that stormy cloud and I see brilliant sunshine up there. Thanks for you upbeat blog. Jo
Thanks, Jo. It’s great to see you here. Congrats and congrats again on your impending publication. There are so many setbacks, but it’s so worth the time and trouble. Good luck!
Huge congratulations, Marcy!!! Sorry I’m a little late replying, I was away at a conference this past weekend and I’m very slowly getting caught up! You could say that right now I’m celebrating having cleared one section of the three in my inbox LOL.
Hugs! xoxox
Thanks, Em. It’s been an incredible two years. I appreciate friends like you. Good luck clearing out your inbox.
Lately, I’ve been lurking ’cause I was away with two wonderful grandsons (13 and 7) and then before that a brief stay in Florida. Grateful, grateful ’tis I. For the very first time, I’m actually collaborating with an illustrator who’s making fabulous pictures for my story, the longest piece I’ve ever done, almost complete. And to you, Marcy, I say you are such a great support. I thank you for the care you take. Just the other day found me an e-copy of Pennies from Burger Heaven. Ready and eager to read it. Congrats on your successes.
Thanks for moving from lurking to commenting. How EXCITING to be working with an illustrator, and seeing your story come alive through pictures. I appreciate you reading Pennies, and hope your enjoy it.