The Fabulist Flash

Issue 115

with Photography by Gregory A. Kompes

2007 Wall Calendar

In This Issue:

1. This Week
2. Gratitude
3. Thankfulness
4. Cleveland W. Gibson takes the 18Q
5. About The Fabulist Flash

1. This Week

Happy Thanksgiving!

Holiday or not, work continues fast and furious here in the home office. The series of articles I mentioned last week are in. The editor's email response: "Fabulous!" Such a great word to hear.

With those assignments done, it's on to columns for the 2007 issues of Writers on the Rise (WOTR). I have a new monthly column: Writer-prenuer: Building Your Writing Career with Technology. The editors, Christina Katz and Sage Cohen, have lined up some excellent columnists and it's going to be a fun, learning centered 2007. If you're not on the WOTR mailing list, sign up today!

Keep Your Dates Straight in 2007 with this Holiday Promotion: 20% Off all my Calendars and FREE Ground Shipping with purchases of $50 or more! Discount is automatically applied when you purchase Calendars featuring my photography. Promotion ends on December 3, 2006, at 11:59 p.m. (PST).

This week's issue is all about giving thanks. Nancy Marmolejo joins us with Gratitude: The Secret behind Creativity and Roger Seip offers The Art of Thankfulness. Plus, Cleveland W. Gibson takes the 18Q.

I'd also like to offer my thanks to you for your continued support and interest in The Fabulist Flash. Keep those emails coming!

Until next week,

Gregory

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Gregory A. Kompes (www.kompes.com) is a writer, manuscript consultant and author of the bestseller 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live, The Endorsement Quest, The Everyday Gay Activist and Turning Your Writing Hobby into a Writing Career.

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Preview 9 essential books for writers on The Writer's Bookshelf

2. Gratitude

Gratitude: The Secret Behind Creativity by Nancy Marmolejo

When you think of being more creative, what comes to mind? Most people think in terms of artistic skills, but creativity manifests itself in a number of ways beyond the obvious. Picture creativity like a jet stream that flows all around us: when we step up to the flow and dip our hands in, we easily grab wonderful ideas, refreshed insights and innovative actions. At times, things get in our way and we lose our contact with the creative flow. We consider ourselves in a rut, not creative, unproductive, dull. There is a simple practice that magically ignites the creative juices and brings joy to all parts of life. It takes practice, commitment, and an open mind.

It is gratitude. Giving thanks, appreciating others, acknowledging the wonderful things we have in our lives.

Gratitude is extremely powerful and can’t be activated unless consciously practiced every day of our lives. It can turn a sour mood into a joyous one, make us laugh at our own silly shortcomings, and open our hearts up to increased appreciation of all that surrounds us. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out… it just takes willingness.

1. Make a Gratitude list. Start reciting the alphabet and fill in a person, place or thing for each letter. (If you're stuck for people's names that start with the letter X, remember Xena the Warrior Princess and my friends Gil and Lily's cool kid Xiarel. He won't mind if you're grateful for him!) Making a Gratitude List is a wonderful way to shift your focus when feeling down.

2. Write thank you notes for everything. Have a wonderful client? Send her a card. Do you appreciate the service at a neighborhood store? Write a note saying so. Feeling extra artistic? Make your own card and envelope. Be creative.

3. Free e-cards are everywhere on the Internet. These are easy ways to send a grateful thought to someone.

4. When you go out to eat or patronize a store that gives you exceptional service, ask for the manager. Tell her what a wonderful time you had and how nice it was to visit.

5. Whenever you write a check, jot the words "Thank You!" in the memo line. Even though you're parting with your dear cash, think of the goods or services you enjoyed in return. (Some people believe that this practice will attract wealth... you never know unless you try!) When you endorse a check, be sure to write thank you for the abundance.

6. Thank the people in your life who would least expect it. "Mom, thank you for having me." She'll probably come back at you with a shocked look, but think how dull the world would be without you!

7. Thank a child for something. Children learn from example. Teach your children about gratitude when they’re young.

8. Thank an elder. Our elders have such a wealth of knowledge and experience to offer us. Take a moment to express your gratitude to a special older person in your life.

9. Write a thank you letter to your Higher Power. Express your gratitude for your life and all that is around you.

10. Write a letter of thanks to yourself. What are your special gifts and traits? What makes you uniquely you?

Challenge yourself to practicing these acts of gratitude everyday for the next month. Use your creative gifts to add that unique touch of yours to the way you express thanks.

Your creativity will rise to the occasion at unexpected times. Welcome it and have fun!

About the Author
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Nancy Marmolejo is a life and business coach for creative women and the owner of Comadre Coaching. To contact Nancy, email info@comadrecoaching.com or call 714-777-1216. Sign up for Nancy’s award winning newsletter, The Pocket Comadre, by visitng http://www.ComadreCoaching.com.

3. Thankfulness

The Art of Thankfulness by Roger Seip

With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be especially appropriate to discuss a defining characteristic of successful people that I've met worldwide. I've found that successful and joyous people are usually very skilled at counting their blessings. They focus on what's right about their life instead of what's wrong.

Why is this important?

It goes back to the incredibly simple but undeniably profound thought expressed in Earl Nightingale's great album The Strangest Secret. He said that "you become what you think about all day long." If you think about that, you'll realize it's true- the dominant thoughts that live in your mind will definitely manifest themselves in your life. Nightingale was certainly not the first or the only one to express this thought, either. It's been reflected in most of the great wisdom literature throughout the ages. The Book of Proverbs says "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." William James, the father of 20th century American psychology said that "if you change a person's thoughts you change their Life". There are countless quotes and examples that tell us the same thing- the things we dwell on mentally are what we attract into our lives. So when you learn to consciously focus on the things you are thankful for, you get more of them!

So how can we systematically direct our thoughts to these kinds of things? I've got three tips for you:

1) Write out a "gratitude list". Sit down with your family or some friends and simply create a list of things in life that you are thankful for. Don't rule anything out, big or small. Even if it seems silly, put it on the list. Just this simple act will do wonders for your attitude. It's a great Thanksgiving activity, plus you can look at it later for an immediate gratitude boost.

2) Watch your self talk. Your brain is talking to you 24/7, so monitor and exercise some influence over what it's saying. Especially first thing in the morning, when you tell yourself "This is gonna be a great day!" it has an immediate and profound effect on your mindset. If you need a little reminder, refer back to your gratitude list.

3) Do something nice for someone else. Abraham Lincoln said that "It is impossible to lift the burden of another without also lifting your own." So go out of your way to do someone a favor- even a small one. Send a card to a co-worker, open a door for a stranger, pay the highway toll for the lady behind you. Anything of that nature. The smile you get in return will remind you of the things that are great about people.

Above all, keep in mind what Thanksgiving is really all about- giving thanks. When you focus on the things you are thankful for, you attract more of them into your Life. Try it out, and…

Be Free!

About the Author
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Roger Seip is a nationally known memory trainer. He has helped thousands of students across the country improve their memory as well as study habits. His new program, The Student’s Winning Edge - Memory Training, teaches students how to train their memory to study more effectively and get better grades. For more information on how your student can have a more powerful memory visit http://www.memorytrainingforstudents.com or email info@memorytrainingforstudents.com.

4. Cleveland W. Gibson takes the 18Q

Cleveland W. Gibson

Biography
Cleveland is a new writer. He enjoys drama, the surreal. His work spans many genres with publications around the world. Moondust represents his first short story collection to be followed by an adventure magical-realism serial aimed at children and adults. Cleveland has trained as a Lifeguard, been a road race director amongst other things. Now he writes, is a dedicated carer, a teacher of ESOL, and is hoping to teach creative writing in historic Faringdon.

Bibliography
Moondust

URL
http://linktiles.com?tile=641

1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you?
It chose me. I supplied ideas to a friend who never used them because he died. So, I started with two SF stories as a tribute to him.

2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.)
I was born In India, educated in England and have a multi culture type background. I have a chemical/technical background, but worked for the Government for many years on promotional projects. Road Race Director for 10 years. Organizer.

3. When did you 'know' you were a writer?
When my first story was rejected but the editor wanted more. He published two cover stories after that.

4. How would you describe your style of writing?
I write direct in a compulsive and dramatic narrative form. Often in 3rd person but also in gripping 1st person.

5. What is your writing process?
I get an idea. From my choice of 'starts' and 'finishes' in my brain I can complete a story, but yet make it original.

6. What was your path to publication?
One Poe-type story 'The Trophy Room' was published four times and ended up with me getting a three book contract. Moondust is my first book of short stories. A YA is next. Then a SF short story collection.

7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea?
I found it useful to use a free tool called link tiles. Read loads of my work, see/order my latest book and read about anything I might be working on. All by using link tiles as the link: http://linktiles.com?tile=641

8. What are the biggest surprises you've encountered as a writer?
The real way in which the publishing industry works . 'Behind the scenes' has a new meaning when a book that sells well, may not be a good book after all.

9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity?
I'm inspired by how I feel, what grips me from within and makes me want to tell others how it really was. Often my source comes from what I read whether it is a book or a short story. I might not even like a film and then I'd want to do better than that film.

10. What is your proudest writer moment?
When I had two highly dramatic pieces of narrative accepted on the Laura Hird website. Both were short, but packed an explosive and tear jerking punch when it got to people. I know because they told me.

11. What's the best advice you were given about writing?
Forget about your ego and write as much as you read so make sure of reading a lot.

12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment?
When I asked a friend to read a story and forgot to include a crucial page in the middle of the story. I was never allowed to forget about how they felt cheated at the most important part in the horror story. They wanted to find out what happened.

13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer?
[Not Answered]

14. What is your writer life philosophy?
Aim to entertain and keep both feet on the ground. Nobody is too important to talk to fans. I'm hoping to pick up some fans and when I do I guess I'll listen to what they say.

15. When you're not writing what do you do for fun?
I love to visit the pub or go to social events with my family and to talk to people. When we travel abroad I combine everything and it really is fun to meet people from different countries.

16. Who do you like to read?
H.E. Bates; DH Lawrence; Graham Greene; Leslie Chartres; Dennis Wheatley; Andrew Collins; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle , Peter Chenney and many others.

17. What's your advice for new writers?
Get a fellow writer as a friend. Nobody gets published on their own as it is really team work. Listen to what is said about your work and read up on editing skills. Don't submit work full of stupid errors. And please keep writing not for perfection, but for an excellent finished product.

18. What are you currently working on?
A fast paced YA adventure derived from an impossible situation; it is a 29 chapter fantasy novel with breath taking consequences and a stunning finish. Also co-writing a YA with an EPPE 2004 and 2005 finalist, plus some short stories and a ghost-writing project for the community.

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Are you a published writer? Take the 18Q today!

To read all the 18Q responses or take the 18Q visit EighteenQuestions.com

5. About The Fabulist Flash

ISSN: 1554-0804

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