Musings – Page 6 – Sonja Danielson

This Week’s Quote

Blogs, and Podcasts, and Articles. Oh, My!!!

Lately, I have been trying to keep up on the happenings in the publishing world. What a task! Things happen so fast.

A publishing house that I admired has closed its doors. Agents come and go from agency to agency. Books are published, make lists, and then are gone.

How to keep up?

Blogs, podcasts, and articles!

I’ve also found that some agents write essays on their websites that are full of information and tips

It’s our job as writers to watch the industry and learn what’s going on. There is a lot of information on the web. Go find it.

Local indie bookstores are great sources for info and books. The owners tend to know what’s coming down the publishing pipe and are happy to recommend titles. Just ask! These fascinating and fun stores are the lifeblood of the writing game.

Near where I live, there is a large book festival that attracts approximately 135,000 people. I love attending, showing off my books, and meeting the parents and children that stroll through all the booths and tables. I have found that most want to buy a physical book and aren’t interested in downloading an ebook. I love to see people walking past my table with bags of books.

It makes me optimistic about the future of the book world.

I hope you take the time to read today. Choose the format you like and find a comfy corner. I read printed and ebooks, plus listen to audiobooks in the car. Find what works for you.

Keep reading! Sonja

Bucket List!

About a year-and-a-half ago, I was able to mark a big item off my bucket list. I was able to hike the Inka Trail to Machu Picchu!

I have wanted to see this spectacular area since I learned about it in elementary school. My sister took me there as a gift (great sister, huh?)! The Inka Trail (yes, that’s the correct spelling) was an arduous hike on uneven and slippery rocks. See the photo. That’s what we hiked on for three of the four days. We slept in tents and our porters (best ever!) cooked for us and carried a large percentage of our load.

I couldn’t have made it all the way to Machu Picchu without their help!

When I look through my (thousands) of photos from the trail, I can remember how amazing and how difficult it was to hike on those rocks, with my loaded pack, at that altitude.

It was one of the most difficult, and rewarding, things I have ever done.

I hope you have a chance to challenge yourself and cross something off your bucket list! Sonja

Consider Charity

I support Wreaths Across America, which is an organization that coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies each December. The mission of the charity is to Remember, Honor and Teach. Their goal is to place a wreath on every veteran’s grave, from every war, in every cemetery across the United States.

The wreath-laying ceremony across the country is held on the same day and at the same time.

Members of the public are invited to help lay the wreaths, which is normally preceded by a ceremony. During past ceremonies that I have attended, a veteran from each branch of service is chosen to lay a wreath in the veterans’ section of the cemetery.

Donations to buy the wreaths are taken all year, and I highly suggest attending a ceremony in December. It’s quite a touching event. You can find more information on their website: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

Find a charity you have passion for. Sonja

We’re Into Week 2 of 2020!

How’s the new year treating you? Have you already thrown out your resolutions?

I don’t make resolutions at the beginning of the new year. It’s too much pressure. I prefer to make changes when I’m ready for them. That way I’m more likely to do the work that brings about the change I’m hoping for.

Right now, I’m working on being more mindful. I have a bad habit of living in the future, which can cause all sorts of problems. Being mindful brings me into the present, which is a better place to be.

Be present in the present! Sonja

Today’s Challenge

I don’t know about you, but I find it challenging to decide which story in my head is worthy of being put down on paper.

I have so many stories swirling around up there. I explore them when I’m walking, hiking, taking some quiet time, driving, or falling asleep.

I have a lot of stories to tell about Guinness. He’s a never-ending source of adventures! Just a walk around the block can lead to an interesting experience.

Just today, we were taking a walk and he was trying to be a good boy. Another dog walked by with his own human. Before we went to school, Guinness would have barked and lunged. Today, he merely kept a close watch on the dog and tried to talk to him. I think that will probably make it into one of his adventures that I write about. He loves to talk to everyone he meets. In the morning, he sounds like Chewbacca from Star Wars (R)!

I’ll try to catch his talking and post it on his Instagram page (@real_guinness_the_therapy_dog). Follow him and get daily updates on his shenanigans!

Have a happy weekend. Sonja

Did you get everything you wished for this holiday season?

It has been three days since Christmas, we’re still celebrating Hanukkah, and gift day for Kwanzaa is still four days away.

That’s a lot.

I hope you found everything you wished for under the Christmas tree and that you will find what you hope for as a Hanukkah gift or on January 1.

Today is also National Call A Friend Day and Card Playing Day.

What a great reminder to call those who are right next door or too far away. You could invite your neighbors over to play a nice game of whist or Hearts!

Poker?

Or you can play solitaire.

Let me ask you, what is the best part of the holidays?

Enjoy your day! Sonja

#Humbug Day

Not only is it Humbug Day, but also Look On The Bright Side Day. They seem diametrically opposed. But if you are familiar with Charles Dickens’ ‘A Chrismas Carol’, you know that Ebenezer Scrooge began as a humbug type of person and by the end embraced the Christmas spirit.

I hope that wasn’t a spoiler!

I recommend reading the book. If you can’t manage that, then watch one of the many movies. I love the older black-and-white version, someone else I know likes the Muppets’ Christmas Carol movie, while others like the Bill Murray-helmed ‘Scrooged’.

Every one of these stories tells a story of redemption. It’s never too late to make a change in your life. It doesn’t matter your age or your history. Embrace the good and reject the pressure and the bad of this season, no matter which holiday you celebrate.

It’s a time of remembrance and hope. Don’t get so caught up in your ‘to-do list’ that you forget the importance of slowing down and enjoying some time with your thoughts and family.

Slow down! Sonja

#Giving #Charity

Photo on Unsplash.com
Photo by Robert Zunikoff on Unsplash

Whichever form of faith you follow, this is the season of giving–the season of charity. My hope is that you give and offer throughout the year.

There are those who have little need of actually ‘stuff’. Give of your time.

There are those who are in need of love. Give your love.

There are those who are in need of food. Consider giving to your local food bank.

There are those who are in need of transportation. Consider giving your time and drive them where they need to go–if you are able.

Anywhere you look, you will find someone in need. Try to determine what it is they need without asking. Most people will deny having any need, but a few minutes of your time or a plate of cookies or small token will do wonders to bring them joy.

Give of yourself. Sonja

What have you done?

Photo by Anton Scherbakov on Unsplash
Photo by Enrique Macias on Unsplash

Just one question for you this holiday season: what have you done to share joy and happiness?

It doesn’t have to be a monetary gift. It only needs to be time spent with you or a homemade gift made with love.

This is the time for you to spread your own brand of happiness.

Take the time to recognize someone you love. Sonja