Three Cheers for Readers!

Pretty sure I blew some sort of blogging gasket during my week long BBT.

I needed a few days of rest to refuel my blogging mojo.

Currently, I'm outlining a series of posts aimed at writers.

Yes, I know the title of this post suggests it will be all about the readers. And it is. In a round about, circling my brain, and finally out to you - The Reader, sort of way. You know, my typical way of thinking.

My hope is that this "writing series" of blogs, will not only be helpful for developing writers, but it will give readers a glimpse into the writing process. To see how a story takes shape.

But today, in this very post, I wanted to shine all the attention on The Reader and say, 

"Thanks!"

Your support of kind words and emails have made my heart soar to places I only day-dreamed about.

My current ranking on Amazon, and the success of my digital launch, is a direct result of readers being interested in Connor and the story he has to tell. So, Merci, Danka, Graci!

Here is my most favourite "review" that I received from a parent of a child who has Asperger's Syndrome:.

"I am so happy to have a glimpse into how my son thinks and why he does some of the things he does. Simply put, reading this book helped me to know my son better. I can't wait to share this with his teachers and family members. Thank you Ms Carmichael, from the bottom of my heart." - DB, Virginia, United States

P.S. This is why I write for children. 

A Stroll Down Karma Street

www.trollable.com



 

I think Karma is one of the greatest inventions. 

 

What you put out there, comes back to you - the good, the bad, and always the ugly.

A few weeks ago, my mom and I were sitting in my living room, sipping our coffee, catching up. She reminded me of a question I asked her, back when I was still in college. Back when we still thought of spanks as something children avoided, not something you wore under a cocktail dress.

I had been watching her mail a letter of complaint to some company who had not delivered the high quality service they’d guaranteed. She was quite the expert in giving, “constructive criticism.” Mom was never rude. She was polite, yet firm, believing the only way a company could improve was through customer feedback.

“Mom,” I said that day, “Do you send as many thank you letters for great service as you do for bad service?”

My question made her stop and consider her actions and from that day on, she became a champion of the Good News Letter.

The End.

(Ah, not quite.)



Although that would’ve been a tidy little story, I worried you may have left thinking, "Is that all? Isn't there more?" 

 

www.getinvolved.ca

Why, yes! Yes there is!

Pretty soon this blog is going to take a stroll down Karma Street. Big time.

Earlier in the year, Mom was rushed to the hospital by ambulance (yes, she is fine) and this particularly caring paramedic took especially good care of her. To show her appreciation and to tell him how this extra attention relieved her fears, Mom wrote him a thank you note. She said it took her about 10 minutes to put her gratitude into words. 10 minutes. That's 600 seconds.

Many months later, she was at her favourite breakfast spot, The Garwood Grill, and the server told her a remarkable tale.

“My friend is a paramedic,” the server said, “ and he's had this thank you card posted on his fridge for ages. It's tattered around the edges. He said getting it was the proudest moment of his entire career.”

And can you guess who sent that letter? Right again. My mom.

Now, that is Karma.

It’s those little comments. A simple thank you note.

Small acts of kindness can make all the difference.

They can have real impact.

They can change lives.

Go for it.



www.myspiritgarden.com

 

Too Grateful?

diggingwithdarren.com

Is it possible to be too grateful? To give too much thanks for all the good in your life? Can appreciation go wrong? Maybe.

Maybe the risk is not being sincere enough with your “thank yous.” I think the problem lies with your chompers. Your pearly whites. Yes, that’s right your teeth. Not following me?

Let me explain. When you smile, in appreciation, your grin should always reach your eyes, crinkling the corners.

No eye crinkle = no sincerity. All surface and no depth. Big hat, no cattle. You get my drift, right?

I know I’ve blogged my gratefulness before, thanking my family, my friends, my teachers – heck I even thanked my neighbourhood! I got gratitude oozing from me, I tell ya’!

The closer I get to the launch date of my book, the more people I meet who want to help see it succeed. So I now have another round of thank you’s.

Ahem, are you ready? Top up your coffee. Add a shot of bailey’s while you’re at it. (No worries, I won’t tell.)

Thank you to Drew, my husband extraordinaire, who wouldn’t allow me to quit writing when I dramatically announced, “All hope is lost. I’m burning all 243 of my writing notebooks and getting a real job - one that pays cash.”

To my friend, mentor, writer, all round amazing human being Anita Daher for convincing me Spaghetti was ready to submit to publishers. I thank you. And then listening to me moan, groan and fret over possible rejections as we jogged around the track at The Rehfit Centre. (Okay, so she fast walked and I jogged to keep up. Unimportant details.)

Many friends have given me support and encouragement but I have to tip my hat (it's large, brown, and floppy) to two incredible women. I've known them since our children were babies. There's something special about the mom friends you make when your kids are that young - a bond of friendship forms that is hard to duplicate.

Karen Kernaghan, introduced me to speech pathologist, Ramona Thompson. Ramona teaches social skills to kids with Asperger’s and was excited to hear about my book, Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons.

Trish Wainikka, put me in touch with her dear friend, Melissa Harju, who is a board member of Asperger Manitoba. We had an instant connection and shared our hopes and dreams for AS children.

A ginormous thank you goes to my publisher Rana DiOrio of Little Pickle Press. She took a leap of faith with me – an unpublished author from the heart of the Canadian prairies – and in doing so has opened my eyes and mind to the world of eBooks, social media, and the global possibilities for Connor’s story.

My final thank you is for Little Pickle Press’ blog book tour guru, Dani Greer of the Blood Red Pencil Blog. She has given me sage advice on blogging, the future of eBooks and how to better market myself. Our first half hour phone call extended to an hour and a half as we discussed books, the universe and everything, leading me to joyfully conclude I have found another kindred spirit.

There are so many more people I could thank, but I’ve learnt that often less blog = better blog (thank you Dani.) I’ll save my appreciation for those kind souls for another time.

Oh, wait! I almost forgot. Just one last shout out.

Thank you to the scientists who discovered the healthy benefits of chocolate.
I owe you one!