Success--The End is the Beginning 2

This excerpt is from "Success, Your Path to a Successful Book," by Maralyn D. Hill and Brenda C. Hill.

We are grateful to all of the writers whom we have met, read, learned, quoted, received advice from and permission to mention in our workbook—$uccess. Some of the authors are well known, some will be new to you, but all share the gift of learning and giving.

With or without the dollar sign, the best of authors find it difficult to describe the feeling of breathless excitement at seeing their hard earned efforts for the first time in their hands and at bookshops. The best description for us… it’s like falling in love. And whether or not another love comes along later, you never forget your first love—that first rapturous kiss.

We have repeated the old, but true, and new adages throughout the book. By now you are ready to write your own successful book.


Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Success--The Ending is the Beginning 1

This excerpt is from "Success, Your Path to a Successful Book," by Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill

"Success isn’t a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire." --Arnold H. Glasow

We have written the book that we wished we had read.

Unlike our previous publications, written for ourselves and the many chefs from around the world, this one is for you, the writer.

Addressed are many of the questions that have been asked at writers' workshops and seminars.

We designed $uccess as a workbook to help guide you through the process of writing your own book with tools we've learned along the way. With each book and article, we have learned something new. We know there is more to learn.

Hopefully, after reading and working on the exercises that apply to your particular field and interest, you will avoid some of our time-consuming and costly learning experiences that we, and other new writers, have lived through.

Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Success-Creative Sources

The following excerpt is from "Success, Your Path to A Success Book," by Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill.

Creative Sources

• CPSI Conference, http://www.cpsiconference.com.

• The Humor Project Inc., http://www.humorproject.com/conference/.
  

• Andrei G. Aleinikov, Ph.D., Megacreativity—This is full of quizzes and exercises that will help you think outside the box.

• V&C Crowley, Free Your Creative Spirit—This book helps you discover your talents in a manner that will help you with self-expression.

• Sam Harrison, Ideaspotting—This helps you think outside the box, like the 9 dot square. Harrison provides insights into your using the creative process.

• Simon Joinsonm, 101 Great Things to do with Your Digital Camera—Understand your camera and add spice to your photos.

• Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird—National best seller that deals with tackling writing one bird at a time. First published in 1995, it is one of the most recommended books by writers of all ages and genres.

When Anne spoke at the Santa Barbara Writer’s Conference, she held the audience captive. I love all of her books, but Bird is the bible for learning the writing process from A to Z.

• Eric Maisel, Ph.D.,Coaching the Artist Within—This book will help you coach yourself and use your creativity.

• Eric Maisel, Ph.D., Creativity for Life—Helps those who experience blocks in balancing life difficulties. Dr. Maisel is a creativity coach.

• Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, Creative Mind System 2-CD Set—Provides music that helps you better access your creative abilities.

• http://www.BrainBashers.com.

• http://www.Wikimedic.org.
  

Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Success-Creativity 9-Illusions

This excerpt is from "Success, Your Path to a Successful Book," by Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill.

Man’s Face and a Word
We’ve no idea who to credit as we received this via e-mail.
Do you see the man’s face? What about the word spelled out?
Hint: If you tilt you head to the right, you should see it. The word begins with L.


Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Success - Creativity 8 - Illusions

This excerpt is from "Success, Your Path to a Successful Book," by Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill.

The Face Vase may be one with which you are familiar. Credit goes to Mikkalai for this.

Hint: Two faces looking at each other and the vase is the white part.

Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Success Creativity 7-Illusions

The enclosed excerpt is from "Success, Your Path to a Successful Book," by Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill.

Face or an Eskimo?

Elizabeth Winson made this drawing in 1973. We both saw the face quickly and had to hunt for the Eskimo. What do you see first?

Hint: You see the back of the Eskimo. He is all white and the fur trim of his coat is the hairline of the face.

Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Book Review--"Sea Clearwater" by Selene Cardenas & Reviewed by Susan C. Haley

The Hill Team is fortunate to know a fantastic reviewer, Susan C. Haley.

Selene Cardenas book, "Sea Clearwater," measured up to Susan's standards and she was happy to review it.

"Sea Clearwater" Review by Susan C. Haley

I do believe we are led where we need to go. In order for that phenomenon to work, however, we must be paying attention. Selene Cardenas was paying attention. Once shown a path, we must also pursue diligently. Selene Cardenas pursued with diligence. What makes this premise more unique in her case? Selene was only thirteen years old when her path became clear to her! Now, she is the ripe old age of fifteen! Sea Clearwater was the amazing result then, and now she is busy working on the sequel.

Though blessed with a fascination for the cosmic wonders, I've never been a great lover of the Fantasy genre. The success of the fantasy adventures proves me rather 'out of it'. One need only look at the remarkable success of Star Wars and Harry Potter, or the Star Trek generation preceding that to realize the magnitude of that audience. People, not necessarily young, love fantasy, sci-fi, folk-lore and even mythology. Perhaps, we all secretly long for the ultimate triumph of good over evil. So what does all this have to do with Selene and Sea Clearwater? You might think of it as a 'head’s up'.

Most are familiar with the heartwarming story behind the rise of J.K. Rawlings; the years of rejection and struggle before recognition that brought fortune and fame. Being forewarned, I strongly recommend you immediately acquire a copy of Sea Clearwater now. It may just be a valuable treasure in the somewhat near future. Selene Cardenas might just be the next J.K. Rawlings!

Sea Clearwater is a delightful, action-packed fantasy with all the needed elements to champion the good vs. evil war. It fulfills the love of adventure in any young reader, and for the older reader, it also provides a bit of amazement at the budding talent of such a young author. I find myself anxiously awaiting the second book in the Sea Clearwater series. As a much matured, *a-aahem*, writer, I want to have a front row seat in the ascendance of both Selene's growth as a writer and Sea Clearwater's ultimate battle with the evil forces of the Black Benders!

Susan Haley, Author/Editor

**Susan Haley is the published author of three books, several articles on networking, an award-winning poet, an independent copy editor and book reviewer for AME Marketing out of San Diego. She is the political columnist for Fabulously 40, and also contributes a column to "The Florida Writer" the official magazine of the Florida Writers Association, of which she is Facilitator for the Sarasota County Chapter. The audio version of her novel "Rainy Day People" received a national award in the 2008 Indie Excellence National Book Awards. She also contributes a variety of editorials and excerpts of her work to various E-zines, newsletters and local papers. Her third book, "Songs of the Soul" will be released in early 2010 by Infinity Publishing.

You can purchase "Sea Clearwater" on Amazon or order an autographed copy from her website: www.clearwaterseries.com. Sea even answers questions about her characters on her blog. Enjoy the read.

Maralyn D. Hill, President
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Finalist in the Writing and Publishing category of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards,
"$uccess, Your Path to a Successful Book,"

Success - "Problem"

The Hill team used to use the word "problem."

We started substituting the word "opportunity" for the word "problem."

It is amazing how a small change improves our writing and our mood.

We view problems or difficult situation as an opportunity to move forward.


Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Creativity 6--My Wife & My Mother-in-Law

This post is from "Success, Your Path to a Successful Book," by Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill.

This is one of the first illusions we were exposed to many years ago, titled My Wife and My Mother-in-Law by cartoonist W. E. Hill, 1915, adapted from a picture dating back to at least 1888.

When you look at the picture, are you able to see the young woman and the old woman? Which do you see first? At various times, it may be different.
Hint: On the left side, the nose of the old woman is the chin of the young woman.

Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Success

Recently we spent a week of 15 hour fun and fact filled days in and near Richmond and Charlottesville, Virginia.

Richmond is enjoying a highly successful renaissance. What a treat for the lucky members of IFWTWA to view the history, art, wine and food first hand thanks to the Richmond and Charlottesville Visitors Bureau.

We have many success stories to feature in the near future on our Where & What in the World Blog.

After we all worked hard to learn what we wanted, we need to take the time to enjoy it.

Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Finalist in the Writing and Publishing category of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, "$uccess, Your Path to a Successful Book."

Creativity 5 - Illusion

Since we are in brain games, we want to provide you with a few illusions. Some of these have been in our possession for years, but most are available on http://www.Wikimedic.org under illusions or http://www.brainbashers.com. We find them stimulating, relaxing, and they bring a smile to our faces even after seeing the same ones many times.

Illusion has several definitions. We are only going to list the appropriate ones:

Il.lu.sion

· Something that deceives by producing a false or misleading impression of reality.

· Psychology, a perception, as of visual stimuli (optical illusion), that represents what is perceived in a way different from the way it is in reality.

Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Success - Quote

I agree with H. Jackson Brown, Jr., who wrote that there are two ways to judge success: "from our own measure and from the evaluation of others."

I am inspired by the observation of Bessie Stanley in relation to the first view. I have tried to remember her words in my own life as well as passing them on to my children.

"He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much." Maralyn also subscribes to this quote.

Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Finalist in the Writing and Publishing category of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, "$uccess, Your Path to a Successful Book."

Creativity 4 - Breaking out of the Nine Dot Square

The following excerpt is from 2009 INDIE Finalist, "Success, Your Path to a Successful Book," by Maralyn D. Hill and Brenda C. Hill.

We feel creativity and taking time to stretch our minds are necessary. An exercise that has been around for years is Breaking out of the 9 dot square. We are so often used to staying in the confines of what is expected or a certain way of doing something. Give your brain some exercise and try the following:

• Use the sample we’ve provided or draw a square of nine dots, 3 dots per row each direction.

• Without lifting your pen or pencil from the paper, connect all of the dots with four lines. That means that you’ll have 3 angles and 4 lines.

• You can do it.

NINE DOT SQUARE

Connect all nine dots with four lines. Do not lift your pen from the paper.

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Success - Creativity 3

The following excerpt is from 2009 INDIE Finalist, "Success, Your Path to a Successful Book," by Maralyn D. Hill and Brenda C. Hill.

The Hill Team thoroughly enjoys The Humor Project, Inc. Like CPSI, people from all walks of life attend. Its mission statement speaks for itself:

"Making The World Happier, One Smile at a Time."

"The HUMOR Project, Inc. is the first organization in the world to focus full-time on the positive power of humor. Our mission is to make a difference by being a unique, pioneering, and cutting-edge organization that touches the lives of individuals, organizations, and nations. We seek to help people get more smileage out of their lives and jobs by applying the practical, positive power of humor and creativity."

The Humor Project, Inc. has a delightful catalog of unique mirth-makers that will enhance your reading and mind exploration. Plus, its magazine, Laughing Matters, is an easy way to get a monthly fix.

Humor and creativity are tied together and tied to writing. It is important to maintain a sense of humor when dealing with any aspect of your writing life even if serious or tragic.

Maralyn D. Hill & Brenda C. Hill

International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log