Integrity

When I die I’d like to stand over my Akashic Records and read about a life lived with integrity. As a writer, ‘truth’ is sacred and complex. As a fiction writer it is a thousand times more so. Every novelist knows that the best novels are held together with firm bindings of truth. But integrity is important in all aspects of life, not just fiction writing. Living a life of integrity is about facing down who you really are and being that person despite potential defamation, discrimination, or segregation.

When others remember the person I was they’ll say, “I knew her, because she never pretended to be anything but herself.”

Creativity

I live in my Idea Waterfall. It is here the very essence of life surrounds me, flows through me. That essence? Creativity. Without creativity all that is or ever was would never have been. Every accomplishment mankind has achieved came first, through creativity. To create!

As a writer creativity is my lifeblood. Without it I am nothing more than a husk of the person I want to be.

Passion

The ultimate life is lived with passion. Without passion we follow the masses, clock in and out, sleep, eat, and function but do not live. I think, because I am Bipolar, I’m more conscious of the influence passion has on my life. Passion is more powerful than the deepest of lows, it is a tether in the peaking highs. What I feel passionate about is a ground, a center, constantly bringing me back when I’ve wandered from the course. Being passionate about writing steers me back here when anxiety, depression, or pain draw me away from the page.

Passion is a driving force, embrace it.

Nurturing

As a mother, I know what it is to nurture a child. As a writer, to nurture the story, the characters. As a human being I choose to nurture the hopes and dreams of those around me. One of the things I love most about freelancing is having the opportunity to guide other writers. Some hire me as a mentor or editor and it is a blessing to watch their skill grow, their confidence glisten, their writing mature. Other writers are simply friends, we nurture the talent within each other and harness each others strength to achieve, to succeed.

We cherish and nurture the seed within each other.

Charity

I believe in giving more than I have. It doesn’t make much sense on the surface, but I reflect on my life in any moment and feel abundant. I have so much. I have two beautiful children, a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, clothes on our backs, and all that we need to live happy, healthy lives. I have love, and hope, and with those two things alone the future burns bright and clear. I live an abundant life and I give freely because there is great need in the world.

Reflect on your life and see your own abundance. Do not be afraid that giving of yourself or all you own makes you less, it makes you more.

Fantasy

I suppose the final word of my memoir would be fantasy. For, with all of the above, I give this as my greatest gift to the world, and cherish it most dearly as the world’s greatest gift to me. I choose to write fantasy because it gives us ultimate freedom. Fantasy has no structure, no restriction, and needs no source. All that you imagine, is, or will be. Creativity has no reign in the world of fantasy, and living in that world, heart and mind, even for a moment, is like breathing under the sea or touching a star; impossible, magical.

Fantasy charged with creativity makes anything possible.

What are your six words?

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One way we CAN help is by sending cash or supplies through the various crisis management and support avenues that have been swiftly erected. The Australian Red Cross and The Salvation Army have been pooling their resources to help needy Australians and at times like this need our support more than ever.

One incredible online think tank has created an amazing deal to offer something more to readers, web professionals, and victims of the Victorian bush fires. Sitepoint, a site filled with articles and ebooks (Fresh Thinking for Web Developers and Designers) is offering $149.75 worth of e-Books for $29.95. The entire proceeds go directly to the Bushfire Relief, to help our Australian friends and family recover from this tragic loss.

If supporting a great cause isn’t enough these ebooks are packed with information. I had already purchased, devoured and loved The Art & Science of CSS so the opportunity to add 5 more Sitepoint ebooks to my collection was one I couldn’t pass up.

Be quick and order your ebooks today because this deal ends Friday the 13th of February. Please, help Sitepoint reach their Bushfire Relief target and get your 5 for the price of 1 ebooks right now!

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It’s not Blog Action Day today but I feel it’s never too late to add your voice to a good cause. Did you miss the 15th of October too? Have your say today, or tomorrow. You could even begin planning for another Blog Action Day in the future. Unlike the shortage of food and shelter those in poverty suffer there is an abundance of material, information, and inspiration to reach out and touch another’s heart and mind.

The world around us seems to be rocking at the moment with terms like ‘financial crisis’, ‘economic crash’, and ‘depression’. It seems we are all feeling the pinch as the global economy shifts to accommodate the latest changes in financial infrastructure. The truth is, while it might seem a challenge to make ends meet on our worrisome incomes, freelancers are amongst the richest people in the world.

It can be difficult to find a paying gig, maintain existing clients who are looking to cut financial expenses, or even cover the rising interest rates when it comes to paying amenities and banking fees. But, did you know, your ability to read this post right now makes you one of the wealthiest people on Earth?

Writer’s have often been portrayed as the ultimate ‘starving artist’. In lean months we eat spaghetti from the tin or share canned tuna with the cat. These days however, in cultures that are connected to modern technology we are richer than we have ever been. These days, the majority of homes in the USA, England, and Australia have a web enabled computer, some have more than one. Most homes have a telephone connection, piped water, natural gas, and electricity. Many of us are able to get into gas (petrol) guzzling cars and do grocery shopping at the local supermarket. We are richly provided for and it has become easy to take this for granted.

Even as few as one hundred years ago these modern conveniences were rare. Many had never been imagined. As we trace backward through history we can watch the decline through the ages of the basic standard of living, and yet, for the most part 80% of the world lived in a comfort of their basic needs being met from day to day.

Through that same history, as we trace from the ancient past back to the present their is another historic trend. The poverty-stricken. The percentage is actually surprisingly high, nations of families, men, women, and their children, who do not have basic supplies. Many days they go without food. Clean water is almost a myth. Shelter is ramshackle and filth-ridden at best. Light is something only the sun creates. Social connection involves standing side by side while they wait for a jug of water from the communal well or beating dirty clothes with a rock in a filthy stream.

Becoming aware of our individual wealth, accepting and appreciating how abundant our own lives are is the first step to helping others. As writers, we have a very powerful means to aid others, our voice costs us nothing to provide, our words no more than the paper we write upon and the ink in our pens. We have the means at our fingertips and as we appreciate our wealth we can see how much of ourselves we can afford to give.

What will you give to create change for those who are less blessed? What small action could you take today, or tomorrow, or each week from now on, that could impact in the tiniest fraction the life of one with less than you have? Do you have some ideas? I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for creating change in the comments. Have your say, share your thoughts, and perhaps together, we can make a difference.

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Will you raise your voice with us? How can you discuss poverty on your blog and spread the message to your readers and beyond? How does poverty affect you or the people around you? How can you help create a difference?

Remember: “Charity begins at home.” Are there ways you can improve your own situation? Are there things you have that could be donated to others in need? If every one of us make a commitment to change starting small and radiating out through our family, our neighborhoods, our communities, our cities, states, and nations. We can affect real change and make a difference on lives around the world!

Do your part on Blog Action Day!

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Speaking of Supporting Simon, Mysti still shares his journey at One Woman’s Heart and he now has his own domain, SimonGabriel.Net. We’re also just launching Simon’s Auctions, a site showcasing a number of products and services up for auction in the coming weeks where proceeds go directly to Supporting Simon and the fantastic cause.

Also mentioned on Merge98FM tonight is Future-Tarot.com. All proceeds from the Personal Tarot Readings offered at Future-Tarot by Miss Michele and Serenity Bly go to Supporting Simon for the month of September also.

So, tune in and listen if you can make it, if not, we’d still love to hear your ideas for Supporting Simon!

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Money is often a big topic when it comes to setting goals. Financial concerns, income expectations, and investment opportunities play an important role in the security of our future. Now is your opportunity to shoot for the stars economically. Remember, we aren’t restrained by logic or poverty. Let yourself soar, believe, dream!

• What are your ultimate financial goals?
• How much would you like to earn each month?
  Certain amount you’d like to earn a month.
  $3,000 or $5,000? 10, 20, or 100,000 dollars a month?
• What annual financial goals can you make?
• What do you want to be worth, your net worth, in your lifetime?
• How much would you like in your savings account?
• What figure do you want in your investment portfolio?
• What are your investment goals?
• Do you want to save for your children?
• How much do you want to give to charity each year?
• Would you like to invest in mutual funds?
• Invest in real estate or stocks?
• What kind of financial support do you want for your retirement?
• Where do you want to be economically in five years, ten, twenty, fifty?
• Do you have some business goals?
• Goals for your company or foundation?

“RIGHT NOW! You’re about to create a real future, it can make a real difference for you. Right now you’re not just writing words down on the page. If you find strong enough reasons you will find a way.” ~ Tony Robbins

Think about the kind of dollar figure you feel it would take to feel financially secure, financially free. What do you feel your lifetime is worth? What kind of money do you dream about making? What sort of economic freedom would make you happy? Remember, there are no limits, this is a wishlist. Take charge of your future!

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Every few days, David takes time to look into the eyes of other writers. He asks questions and interacts with the writer community. He shares his own experiences, his trials and triumps, his passions and perks. David gives of himself when he writes for his readers and he does it so generously it is easy to see the gift in the words he brings to the page.

What you might not know about David is that he is disabled. His hands are significantly damaged, so much so that David cannot write with them. His beautifully written works are created with the wonder of technological transcription. He dictates his blog entries and stories into software that transforms his words to text on the page. His courage and determination have been an inspiration to me.

Now, David is asking for help. You see it’s not easy to support a family on a disability pension. He does what he can while suffering quiet agony and reassuring his loving wife. He’s putting his time into writing a novel and hopes that it will put food on the table, in time. Today he’s asking for our support.

Do you have funds to spare? What about gifts to send? Please consider offering something for David’s Food Fund. Every little bit helps and I know David appreciates any thoughtful gesture. If you can’t offer financial help perhaps you could spread the word?

I hope you’ll take some time to browse “How to get your novel published.” there are true gems of information and inspiration there that will inspire all writers and touch all readers.

Thank you! For supporting me with your kind thoughts and continued reading of Writer’s Round-About. As a single mother existing on a pension I can relate to David’s circumstances. It’s hard to get by and knowing I have dear friends who cherish my words here helps me push onward, each and every day.

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