Manifest Your Supporters Wisely

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A part of the manifesting process I’ve come across frequently is the importance of keeping positive and one of the ways mentioned as frequently is to be sure you are around positive people who can support you in your efforts.

There are a number of philosophies that also suggest not talking about your goals which is a strategy for avoiding negativity when you don’t know your audience or they may not be supportive.

I’ve come up with a different yet effective strategy, one I use not necessarily because I don’t have supportive people around me but because there are times I just need an extra boost of support.

Before I explain I want to give a bit of background perspective.  For as long as I remember I’ve had goals that stood out from those in my community.

  • I lived in a Blue Collar neighborhood but saw myself living better
  • I wanted to gain an education and have a career when those in my community pushed for marriage in lieu of
  • I wanted to travel the world when those around me were happy home bodies
  • I embraced change in the midst of a conservative group of people who were at a different stage of their lives; one that required more stability

Being at odds with those around you can take a toll on your soul.

Not to mention your psyche as you are drawn into seemingly endless discussions wherein you have to defend your position.

Incidentally, the idea for this article came out of an Event Horizon Session I was doing this morning.  As part of the stream of consciousness released, I wrote 

They may speak to my fears but they do not speak to my reality.

I was immediately taken back to my time in tech when our company and region was facing economic turmoil of a signficant magnitude, and how while I spoke of taking risks, many around me – who I considered wiser because of experience – gave grave words arguing against it.

I now see they were in a different place in life than I was and though their advice may have served someone in a smiliar situation, they didn’t serve me.  

Perspective:  I was single and just starting my career whereas they were usually married with kids in high school and/or college, mortgages, and car payments.

Fortunately I was able to deduct that their advice wasn’t helpful for me.  Unfortunately, it led to some serious self-doubt.

I didn’t realize we were speaking from different life situations.

My twisty turny path through life led me far from those consesrvative shores but the need to feel confident in times of uncertainty is just as valid today.

Experience doesn’t fill the gap here.

It doesn’t help that I am still in a place significantly different than of those who might support me.

We may be in a similar geogpraphy or industry but we are at different places in life.

Note: I’m not talking of family and/or friends who are all around loving and supportive. I’m talking about finding support in uncertain times when you might need or want a bit extra.

At times I’ve had to be creative in how I gain my support.  Here are two places from which I draw strength and perspective.

Sports

Watching  Caleb Williams’ Heisman Trophy speech was amazingly inspirational as he detailed the concrete steps taken to reach his goal of playing football.  It reminded me how athletes are an amazing source of such inspiration as many use wonderful strategies to help them achieve their goals and dreams and deal with stress.

The Road Less Traveled

I am – and always have been – fascinated by those who live a life far from standard issue.

People who decide to live at a Research Station in Antarctica or pack up and move to another country.  Or who, like friends of mine, live on a sailing yacht raising a family while traveling the world for work.

Sports 2

A number of recent articles on various aspects of golf were particularly intriguing as they showed that regardless of salary, people are people.

Basically, deciding to do something differently put them out of favor with their peers.  That didn’t feel so good even though they continued on because they had to follow their dreams.

Each of these scenarios helped me see myself as part of a group I admire, as a peer.  

Maybe not one they know personally but one who lives the philosophies they espouse; a philosophy that can propel them through times of self-doubt and uncertainty.

I hope sharing these strategies helps others facing uncertainty and/or self-doubt while going for their goals.

Final Note:  It pays to keep company with those who are positive and supportive so seek them when and where you can and when you can’t – improvise!

And stay tuned for more positive here!

Your goals are waiting!

This Too Shall Pass

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Seeing the jobs report headlines this morning resolved a challenge regarding this new project of Sharing Perspective to Share Smiles.

As I considered various angles from which to go at the content, I’d decided the priority was to remain positive in the messaging while drawing from a life of unique if rich experiences.

I’ve witnessed world events getting feedback through observation and conversation from some interesting and amazing individuals.

While wanting to remain positive is a noble desire it needed to be done in a way that wouldn’t come across as pollyanna-ish.  This is where drawing from experience comes in.  The challenge in that, however, is that experience isn’t always happy or positive.

Even if the outcome is.  

So, how much do you share and how do you keep the spin on the lighter side?

This morning’s jobs report headlines gave me the answer.

One in particular.

From Experience.

One of the best strategies that got me through times of uncertainty was to tap other people’s perspectives.

Perspectives gained through experience.

Not all storms are the same.

Economic Headwinds.

Having grown up in the Metro Detroit Area, I lived through a number of economic downturns.

I remember being in the service station line in the family car during the oh-so-fun oil embargo.

Though I recalled the somber mood and the concerns of various individuals during those days I couldn’t appreciate it the way I do now for the simple fact I was too young to truly understand.

To add complexity there was a family member who had a birds-eye view of the situation which ruffled a number of family feathers, none of which I could, being a kid, understand.

When, as a young adult making my way in the corporate world, I was facing those economic headwinds, simply drawing from childhood memories wasn’t enough to assure me that things would eventually turn around again.  Drawing from the experience of those I was working with- people I trusted who were older – gave me that assurance.

I eagerly listened as they explained how and why challenges unique to the Discrete Manufacturing Industry meant our area was harder hit yet how we consistently came back stronger.

Coping is Investing.

I spent that time not just listening but observing.  What I noted was that a number of the savvier and better-performing consultants spent the time tinkering with new technology.

Hardware and software.

Deciding they knew something, I did the same.  

It paid off.

Not only did it help advance my career, it made me a valuable player so that when those headwinds came around again, I had skills in demand.

Just the Facts, Ma’am.

One of the more valuable skills I developed was the ability to step away from the emotional flashpoints to look at reality.  

I wish I’d known to do it then.

This is a great way to insulate yourself from other people’s drama.

Priceless in terms of reducing stress.

No I Don’t Think So.

Over the past weeks I’ve seen plenty of headlines warning of a recession.

Along with a number that proclaimed if there was one, it wouldn’t be that bad.

I had my own feelings on the matter.

Based on some hard facts.  

Even before the pandemic hit, we were looking at a demographic shift that tilted heavily in favor of the consumer.

The employee.

Not only would there be more jobs than people, it was a trend that would be around for awhile.  The pandemic only exacerbated that.  As a result I was confident that regardless of other factors, we were not looking at the type of economic storm we saw in the early 70s, early 80s, early 90s, etc…

Notice a pattern?

No panic here.

Even when the layoffs – mostly in tech – began, as painful as I knew they were to those directly affected, I understood today’s employment situation meant many of those affected would find new jobs.

A vast difference from what I witnessed in the early 90s when many of my tech colleagues were affected.

At no time did I feel the country was about to relive earlier downturns.

We are in a completely different situation.

When I saw a headline this morning mentioning the January Jobs Report leading a number of individuals to say they no longer feared a recession, I felt a bit vindicated. I hadn’t shared my thoughts beyond a close group of individuals and I certainly didn’t brag but I did draw from prior – if painful – experience.  

Young and inexperienced, I was highly traumatized by the secular headwind fallout of the early 90s.  

I considered how I could pull this together to put out an article that would assure people.

Ease some of the “fear of the unknown” lack of experience can fuel.

We are a nation and a world that continuously looks to the future.

And our place in it.

I believe that, despite alarmist headlines, we can feel good about the situation.

As my grandmother used to say – this [secular headwind] too shall pass.

To brighter days ahead!

A Return to My Writing Roots

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Note:  Longer Post.

As part of a soft launch of the new writing project I’ve been revamping my website.  As it says in the updated Welcome message 

I’m really excited about this change as it is an opportunity to return to my roots as a writer while continuing to make a positive difference in the world.

Return to my roots as a writer. 

What does that mean?  

To fully understand I need to go back in time to what is – ironically – one of the more challenging time periods of my life.

I was working in a culture that was becoming more toxic in proportion to the  strengthening of “secular headwinds.”

In the midst of this despair I found comfort in the company of some of the most creative individuals I’ve ever worked with; souls who shared the ways they channeled stress into their life’s passions.

Being part of a band, writing fiction, dancing, working on code to predict winning Lotto numbers among other interests.

Working with people who had dreams outside Corporate meant I was free to share mine with an audience that was receptive if not outright supportive of them.

A few even helped me fulfill some of them.

Though I eventually attained my dream of leaving corporate to pursue writing novels full time, reality was nothing like I imagined.  Coming into the dream right as the publishing industry was undergoing one of the most significant transformations in history was turbulent to say the least.

The rise of ebooks via Smashwords and Amazon.

Somewhere along the way I lost sight of what the dream was all about.

Why did I want to be a writer?  

Quiet!

Like with so many around the world the pandemic forced a total recalibration on every level so it’s no surprise that on the other side of the worst of it I took stock of where I was and looked to see what needed to change.  In terms of my career, a lot.

Though I’d become highly prolific during the lockdown, turning out several books – fiction and non – I drove myself straight into the wall of burnout.  

Eliminate the Source.

Though I would have gotten here eventually, a recent and revealing discussion with a caring friend accelerated the decision to turn my focus from writing books.

The source of the  burnout.

What excited me most was the opportunity to take time to think about what it was I wanted to write.  I came to see the answer was going back to what I used to do.

Writing in a way that reflected who I am.

Which brings me to…

Making a Positive Difference

I have a lifetime of service that began in childhood with volunteer work.

Read, walk, and skate-a-thons for organizations such as March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy, The American Juvenile Diabetes Association, to name a few.

This continued into adultood.

Working with food banks and other volunteer opportunities.

I channeled my love of helping others professionally by becoming a consultant.

I was always gratified by the smiles of customers who got what they wanted in a solution.

After earning a doctorate in holistic healthcare, I channeled the consulting into nonfiction work.  

Books and websites.

Unfortunately, this led to a rather interesting conundrum.  It became about them.

My motivation was in the right place.

I didn’t understand the toll it would take.  

Fast Forward to Positive.

I’ve decided to focus on blogging as it allows me to write what I love for the reason I got into writing.

To Share Smiles.

I believe it’s best – for readers and this writer – to stick with what I have rather than go to a newsletter service and ask readers following me to add an additional service.  

Sharing Smiles

When I thought about who I was as a person I remembered countless stories of laughter shared with colleagues and customers.  

Even and especially during difficult times.

I knew immediately I wanted to give that to a broader audience.

I changed the site banner to reflect this.

Sharing Perspective to Share Smiles.

I think the world can do with more opportunities to smile and look forward to doing my part.

Stay tuned!

Warmly and with good vibes,

Elizabeth

I Hope Works Too!

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“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.”

Albert Einstein

I’m fortunate that I had the philosophy everything is a miracle from childhood. I’m lucky to be getting a refresher course in this truth! I reached out to a friend via email this morning, told her how looking out a window and seeing lights in a nearby house brought a smile.

It reminded me of manifesting a childhood goal.

I went on to explain the lights give a warm cozy vibe.  No sooner were the words down when I thought of yet another reason this place is a symbol of manifesting success.

A success to be considered and reviewed when going for new goals.

I Hope

For a long time the house stood empty.

Owners – retired – lived in another state and though caretakers – also in another state – came periodically – it was generally empty.

I remember telling this friend I hoped whoever moved in was a family.

It just seemed to be a house ideal for a family.

Time went on and there were no signs anything would be happening with the house.

To rent or to sell.

Though I hoped a family would eventually move in I released attachment to it and went about my life.

This morning as I typed the comment about the cozy vibe I thought how a family is now living in the house.

A very nice family.

I’ve no doubt it’s a good part of why the house gives off the warm and cozy vibe.

Everyone wins!

Even “I hope” brings manifesting results!

MANIFESTING: BUILD YOUR APPROACH

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Though I didn’t stumble on books on the subject until 1996, I have been strategizing on how to achieve goals most of my life.

I believe it started in second grade when I was taught to pray for a variety of items and/or outcomes.

When I stumbled across Robert Stone’s Celestial 911: Call With Your Right Brain for Answers, my relationship with goal achievement changed forever.

This was followed that same evening with an equally life-changing book, Shakti Gawain’s Creative Visualization Workbook.

Dr. Stone’s book listed the Silva Method.  Intrigued I signed up for the Basic Lecture Series.  It was another life-changing moment as I learned techniques to solve problems with the idea to make the world a better place as Jose Silva taught.

Throughout the years since I’ve come across a number of books on the subject of creating the life you want and achieving goals.  What I found worked best for me was to take whatever worked from each of the different resources and use it in a way that was meaningful – for me.

Though I’ve written about how my daily prayer and meditation routine is kluged together from these earlier sources – including prayer routines learned in Catholic school – it came up recently after I recommended a book on the subject to a friend.  After a bit of back and forth I suggested that having more than one author’s point of view on the subject had been very helpful to me and what stands out for me in choosing one, aside from the techniques, is the tone with which the book was written.  I need them to be – in a word – upbeat.

Not every book on manifesting and/or achieving goals has even a neutral tone as many authors are very serious about the subject.  However, there are writers who approach the subject in a way I feel is optimistic and leaves me feeling so good I feel like I’m already a success with my efforts!

Bob Stone’s book definitely did!

In addition to Celestial 911, I can list Henriette Anne Klauser’s Write It Down, Make It Happen, and Michael Samuel’s Just Ask the Universe as a very upbeat approach to the subject.

I’ve mentioned previously that while I got answers to long-standing questions on the subject as well as new techniques and approaches fron Lana Shlafer’s Manifest That Miracle, I consider her book a 300 level course on the subject.

What I’ve learned in recent days is that when you make a sincere effort life has a way of putting what you need when you need it in your path.

I also learned – the hard way – it’s just a suggestion.  You don’t have to follow it.

What I do know is that different methods may appeal at different times and work better for specific goals and objectives.  That is where utilizing what resonates personally make sense.  As a final thought, don’t forget to use what you learn from personal experience.

Be well!

Note:  For those interested in the story behind the Silva Method, I highly recommend Jose Silva’s autobiography, I Have a Hunch.

It’s a fascinating story of a devout man who sought to help others and to leave the world a better place.

MANIFESTING BLAHS: FEELING CAN HELP

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I was sitting here finishing off espresso and rereading a fiction reread.

Tears of the Moon by Nora Roberts.  The Ardmore Trilogy is one of my favorites.

My mind drifted to a subject I’ve been writing about.

One I happen to be fiddling with at the moment.

Manifesting goals.

And the emotional ups and downs of hoping it works.

My thoughts first went to a conversation I had years back with a friend who asked how I Aaron and I met.

He was ready for a serious relationship.

We were in a bar in Royal Oak, Michigan.  I smiled at him and said the very best thing I learned from the experience was to put the intention out there.

Ask God or the universe, pray, whatever feels right to you.

Then go about living your life.  

I emphasized focusing on activities that brought joy.

We had a discussion on how doing so could get one’s mind off the waiting.

As Petty said, the waiting is the hardest part.

Years later, Aaron and I met up with him and his wife in Southern California.

Where they too had relocated from Michigan.

He drew me aside and thanked me for my words all those years ago, explaining that he followed them to the letter.

He emphasized that he made an effort to go about living his life so he wouldn’t think about what he didn’t have in the relationship area.

I felt really good that it all worked out.  Coming full circle to another goal that I have and the fact I’m searching for ways to go about my business so I don’t have to think about the fact it isn’t here yet and it occurred to me this is an area where feelings can help.

Whoa Whoa Whoa…

– Feelings, Morris Albert

I’ve written previously how I struggle with the concept of fake it til you make it.

In spite of having a good imagination.

I’m too logical.

I know I don’t have the thing I’m supposed to pretend I have.

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

A few months back I was pondering this as I was trying out a new scripting technique and having trouble writing something I couldn’t connect to because it wasn’t real.

Thankfully that doesn’t happen when I’m writing a novel!

Interestingly, while referring to this book in a previous post my eyes drifted to another book on manifesting suggested by Amazon.

Manifest That Miracle by Lana Shlafer.

I downloaded a sample then went on my merry way.

Given my mindset and what was going on in my life I knew better than to try absorbing something new. I simply didn’t have the mental cycles.

I boosted my morale by rereading Henriette Anne Klauser’s Write It Down Make it Happen.

It is an upbeat book about various techniques for writing goals down in order to encourage their coming to be.

Eventually I got around to checking out the Manifest That Miracle free sample.  I knew within pages it would be worthwhile to purchase the book.  For one simple reason.  The author would be addressing a number of questions I had regarding manifesting goals, not the least of which was a technique for getting the feeling part down.

Before going further I will mention two things about this book.

  • Her life’s story is traumatic and the details may be upsetting to someone who isn’t in a good frame of mind.

I wasn’t.

To counter this I skipped over the details which was easy because I wasn’t questioning why she was qualified to author the book.

  • This is not a book I would recommend to neophytes on the internals of visualizing and writing down goals.

I consider this a 300-level course.

That is just my opinion.  I would never discourage anyone from reading her work.  She does an excellent job explaining.

I just feel people should be sold on the idea that the techniques involved with visualization and writing goals are valid and work.

I was thrilled to find that her way of explaining feelings resonated.  As a bonus and what I came to understand this morning, they are a valid way to fill that space that comes between letting go of that which no longer serves and the arrival of a specific goal.

The big empty.

Event Horizon to the Rescue!

As a writer I easily gravitate toward scripting.  However, without being able to marry feelings to it, the finished product feels like stale bread.

In terms of waiting, yesterday was a particularly challenging day.  To get my mind off my troubles I decided to engage in an activity that always leaves me feeling as if I’ve accomplished something, helping me feel really good even if nothing obvious has changed.

It helps me change my perspective which is worth its weight in patience.

A Bit of Emotional Irony

I designed Event Horizon to help make decisions and/or get clarity on a topic of concern by working through a process that neutralizes emotions that can get in the way.  What I learned is that it works on emotions associated with waiting.

Just what I needed yesterday.

Working the Event Horizon exercises brings feelings of happiness and accomplishment, along with a sense of optimism.  It also brings a number of images to mind as I write the stories that come to mind upon seeing the prompts.  These images evoke more positive feelings.

I’ve found these stories offer solutions to problems I may be dealing with and in several cases, have helped with creative writing challenges.

Feeling good, regardless of the specific event that fostered it, will definitely inject a sense of optimism into the waiting part.  As Lana writes, you feel so happy and so good about the journey you don’t worry about the when part.

Or as Mike Dooley writes, the cursed how’s.  You don’t worry about how it will come about.

Focusing on happy feelings will make it so the happiness pushes out – outshining – anything lesser. 

As Lana points out, there are a number of methods by which to get those good feelings going.  I was fortunate enough to see the app I designed – Event Horizon – is one of them!

Enjoy the journey!

MANIFESTING: MAKING ROOM

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This is generally the time of year when I contemplate career goals. 

Though one year it was all done before the end of summer.

This year the theme that came up was letting go of that which no longer serves.  My first exposure to this concept was back in 96 when I came across Terah Kathryn Collins’ book The Western Guide to Feng Shui Room by Room.  Of all the statements that resonated [at the time] the idea that every item we see chatters at us, reminding us of who gave it to us and/or where we got it, and whether that item makes us feel good or bad was the most powerful.  Once I had that philosophy as a filter it was easy to decide what action I needed to take.

One Man’s Junk

I went through the house room by room and gathered everything I no longer used or needed, as well as items that didn’t leave me feeling good. As a reward for all that work, I was able to pass along every single item to someone whose son was moving into his first apartment and needed everything.

When it comes to getting rid of that which no longer serves it can be done for general purposes which is a great way to keep up on/prevent clutter but also works for a specific goal or area in your life in which you wish to see improvement.  The reason is simple.  If you are constantly looking at something that reminds you of who you used to be or who you are now it will be hard to become the you that you believe you can be.

Or to feel it because you are surrounded by items that may be telling a different story.

Career Part One

As part of my path in tech I switched Fortune 500 companies, bringing with me experience and expertise to do my job but leaving the loyalty for my former company behind.

I had to prove that last part but it worked out and I had a very successful career at the second company as well.

There came a point where we went through a merger and I was told I – along with my peers – needed to give a presentation to the members of my new team, many of whom were from the company we merged with.

Which had been a competitor.

This was so new colleagues could learn a bit about my background and professional experience.  As I was putting it together I came to see some of the certifications I had were no longer relevant outside that I’d earned them and they came in handy when I ran into legacy systems and/or customers.  How I handled it on the slide was to poke fun at them even while making sure it was understood I was proud of them and the work it took to earn them, and that they were steps along the professional path to get me where I was at that point.

A Senior Technical Consultant.

As I write in my bio, I learned the benefit of flexibility working in an industry where change was constant.

It’s why I was drawn to the industry to begin with.  I love learning.

Though the principles still apply, it hasn’t always been as easy in my writing career.

Career Part Two

I’ve written about a bit of a wardrobe challenge in the letting go department, mostly because I had no idea of what would be next.

Having a vision of where you want to go is extremely helpful when setting goals.

As I layered this knowledge over the particular goals I have and the path I’ve traveled this far, I came to see letting go felt a little different.  It required not only seeing myself as that person who achieved the goal, but required feeling like that accomplished individual.  That was a little harder to fake.

I understood the concept of fake it til you make it but wasn’t clear on the execution.

In spite of that missing piece I took physical actions I knew supported the concept.  

  • Got rid of items that sent the wrong message about my career goals. 
  • Reminded myself doing the basics on visualization and getitng rid of what didn’t represent the me that achieved the goal had worked previously.
  • Reminded myself of other challenging goals I’ve achieved to boost my morale and confidence.
  • Acknowledged every mini victory of change – no matter how slight – in how I felt after taking action.
  • Remained open to following whatever my instincts told me I might need to do even if it didn’t make sense. 

So long as it was in line with achieving my goal.

Along the way books were put in my path that deepened my understanding and provided new techniques to try. 

As I come to a point where I’ve just about cleared out that which no longer serves I remind myself of another important piece of the puzzle, albeit one that isn’t always comfortable.  To illustrate I will give a metaphor.

New Dishes

Let’s say you want a new set of dishes.  Let’s also say that you already have some in the cupboard but maybe they are hand-me-downs from when you got your first apartment or maybe your taste has changed.  You can go about this a few different ways.  

  • You could go buy what you want but then you have to figure out what to do with what’s in there.

This assumes you know exactly what you want and you have the means to get that other set.

  • You could take whatever is in there and pass it along.

In this case you may or may not know what you want but decide to get rid of the old because you don’t like how looking at the old makes you feel.

For this scenario you have options but if you’re the kind of person that freaks out at the sight of an empty cupboard you may find yourself making a rash decision.  

One you may regret.

You need to get comfortable with the real big empty.

In the meantime you could use paper plates or find other work-arounds.  Remember, this is just a metaphor.

When we let go of that which no longer serves – items that may be sending a message that becomes an emotional block to attaining the goal – we need to live with a between part until the goal finds its way into that space. There is no set timeframe on how long this between part may last.

One may have more inner work to do to align with the goal.

I’m not saying this is easy but it’s in this space we are able to grow into the person we need to be to receive the goal.

For a technique to help get through this between time, see Manifesting Blah: Feeling Can Help.

END OF YEAR TRADITIONS

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I wanted to take a moment this holiday week and let everyone know how thankful I am for my readers.

And visitors to this site!

I am also thankful not only to my team but to all of those at WordPress, Smashwords, and other organizations who make this all possible.

I hope everyone has a peaceful and happy Thanksgiving week.  

Update

I will be offline for a bit.

Though I may be inspired to write a post.

I continue to work on projects but will be using the coming weeks to do a bit of introspection and self-evaluation.

This end-of-year tradition is a significant part of career planning.  

After a hectic 13 months I consider this a well-deserved and much needed break.

I will post and/or provide updates as appropriate but for now…

Happy Holidays 2022!

WRITING A SERIES: MANIFESTING THE VISION

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Note: Excerpt at end of post.

Though I don’t have a release date I am well on my way with Blue Skye In the Rain, follow-up to Port In a Storm.

Thanks to work done prior to the pandemic.  

Working on material for the Port Gallatan series has been fun.  It’s also been challenging in that keeping the original vision through the twists and turns of the last 5 years has been a bit daunting.  In no specific order, here are a few of the challenges

Working Title.  Just prior to moving to the current location I mentioned to a casual if somewhat regular acquaintance that I was working on a novel with the working title Blue Skye.  I gave him a brief synopsis and he replied with a smile and a promise to periodically check in to see how things were coming along on the story.  

That was 3 years ago!

Shortly after moving I started the story, then set it aside.

This is typical when I’m finishing one book but want to keep up momentum for the next project.

Off Course.  We’d barely finished unpacking when we were staring down the chaos of a pandemic lockdown and while this turned into one of the more prolific periods of my writing career, it steered me far away from the vision I had for the series.

Switched Gears.  Toward the end of 2021 I turned my focus to a number of nonfiction projects.

Eventually, it was time to swing back around to the story.  And yet…

Which One?

When I plan a series I generally have a good idea how many novels will be in its borders.  Unfortunately, with the Port Gallatan work, I had three different novels that could have followed Port In a Storm.  What I didn’t realize initially is that not all of them were suited to the vision I had for the series.

I was so ready to get back to fiction writing I overlooked that little detail.

I was well down the path of Hollow Shelter when it hit me.

This isn’t going to work!

Dropping the book I took time to regroup.

Figure out where I went off the path.

The process took longer than I anticipated and was filled with a great deal of angst as I tried to figure out where I went wrong and what the best path forward might be.

And which book I should work on next!

Thinking it might be helpful to step away for awhile, I considered doing the next Dragon Core book.

Eventually decided against it.

I considered reworking Hollow Shelter – even started to – then realized that wasn’t the best one for next in the series.  

Finally, I determined Blue Skye was the best one, not the least reason of which is that it beautifully sets up for the next 2 in the series.

It’s also based on a comedic theme, something I think everyone can use these days.

Trouble was, Blue Skye was only a place holder title, what those in the industry call a working title.  Sure enough, I spent several days struggling to come up with an alternate.  Unfortunately, there was a plot device that went with Blue Skye and I knew if I switched out the title I would lose that.

That plot device is a big part of the story.

Aaron and I were out driving recently and I began talking through the challenge of the working title.  Without even thinking, I added “In the rain.”  When I mentioned it being a follow on to Port In a Storm, I smiled.  I had my tie-in!

Details like that are very important to me!

Inertia from being away from fiction had set in.

Little details like working titles don’t get the novel written.

I spent yesterday building out the setup for the story, managing to get in some write time.  

Stuff like organizing files and directories, building a playlist that suits the story.

After a good night’s sleep I am back at it.

Release date will be announced in the coming months.

The following is an excerpt from the upcoming book.

PROLOGUE

Construction Site, Montana

Spring, 2021

“Blue Skye In the Rain?  What kind of a name is that for a business?”

Knowing it would irritate his father, twenty-eight-year-old Ryan Skye took a moment before replying to lean over so he could use his t-shirt to wipe his sweaty forehead.  Oh, and count to ten.  Twice. 

Standing slowly he noted a number of the crew – those not used to the periodic and somewhat regular squabbles between father and son – had stopped what they were doing to watch.  Lips in a half-smile half-smirk, he looked into the eyes of the man who taught him everything he knew about running a business through good times and bad, who taught him to be independent, whose wife his mother encouraged him to follow his dreams.  Shrugging, he replied,  “Guess you’ll just have to come out and see for yourself.”  

Ignoring the snickers of nearby crew- and his father’s look of disgust – he hefted a bag of mix and made for the cement truck. 

CJAPTER ONE

Port Gallatan

Summer, 2021

The tiny town of Port Gallatan – a town some say is at the edge of nowhere – has had an identity crisis of one sort or another since being founded by eccentric French Noble Jamet Gallatan.  In search of privacy he made sure the small hamlet on the water earned a reputation for being unfriendly to strangers, including those just passing through.  But like the human desire to direct destiny, progress cannot be controlled and soon, others in search of freedom to pursue dreams joined the reclusive Frenchman.  

Those who settled in the small village, who knew Jamet, respected his right to seclusion, opined he should have known that in settling on a port he would be part of the progress he claimed to eschew.  And so it was that the small town, like the fledgling country it was a part of, grew.

For a period following the US industrial revolution, there was belief the town – thanks to the new railroad being built in the West – would grow.  Thrive even.  Speculators from near and far flocked to the tiny port village to lay claim to a piece of history and for a time Port Gallatan burst at the seams.  But it was not to be.  The railway bypassed the little village by the water, sealing its fate as a small town caught between progress and stagnation.  

MANIFESTING: A LOT HAS TO HAPPEN

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It’s been a busy two weeks as I’ve cleared out the old to make way for the new.

All part of the process of manifesting a goal.

As I was getting ready for bed last night I came to understand that some goals take longer than expected because a lot has to happen first.

For instance

In a previous post I wrote of being 13 and thinking while watching a movie that it would be cool to live in a certain type of house in a certain type of neighborhood featured in the movie.  At the time my family was in no position to achieve it and in any case, my vision wasn’t that of my parents.  Needless to say, a lot had to happen between then and now for me to attain that goal.

I lived in a lot of places between then and now and went through a number of life changes along the path to the goal.

It’s no different when looking to achieve a career goal.

For example

There came a time where I decided I wanted to be a technical consultant.  In spite of having taken programming in college and using a computer since I was a teen, I didn’t have the skills when I made the decision.

A lot had to happen.

I spent the next years immersed in classes and activities that filled in skill gaps.

A Wrench

Though an agreement had been in place at my place of employment that once I met a set of criteria I would be promoted, when I met the requirements, the company was in a downturn and there was no headcount.

The Universe Steps In

On the other side of the world

Germany, to be exact

A woman fell in love with a US citizen who happened to be working for the same company I was.  They decided whoever got a job in the other’s country first would move.  As it turned out the American who was a TC in Silicon Valley was the one to make the move.  

Lucky me.

There is a great deal of kismet to this manifestation but suffice it to say that the Universe had bigger plans for me.  Instead of getting a promotion where I worked – one that didn’t come with a raise – I got a bigger promotion and a significant raise.

And a cost of living adjustment.

Pivot

I eventually left corporate to focus on a lifelong goal of being a novelist.

Another Wrench

Thanks to an interesting set of circumstances, I ended up publishing nonfiction first.

The Universe Steps In

In the years since publishing Riding the Waves: Diagnosing, Treating, and Living with EMF Sensitivity, I’ve experienced a number of life changing events, each of which has nudged me – by hook or by crook – along the path of my career goals.  What I’ve come to see in recent weeks is that the path is not only long it’s often like a switchback trail where you sometimes wonder if you’re even going in the right direction let alone have a hope in hell of getting where you are headed.

There is a beautiful 11 mile trail in Sedona that left Aaron and I both wondering this at times.

I think he has video of me with needles from a friendly prickly pear sticking out of my shirt in several places from when I took a wrong turn and got off the path.

Path To a Series

Port Gallatan has simultaneously been fun and infuriating as I’ve tried to build out my vision for the series.

Other work and life in general kept throwing wrenches.

The Universe Steps In

I was so busy working at the macro level of the career goals I didn’t notice that the actions I was taking were in fact clearing a number of obstacles from the Port Gallatan path!

I am happy to say Blue Skye in the Rain, follow-up to Port In a Storm is well on its way to completion.

Availability date to be announced soon.

I’ll take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Holloween!

Closing with a joke I read in an email this morning.

What did Dracula say when the witch and the werewolf started kissing?

Get a broom!

Be well!