Rules of the Game in Battling the Time Monster

Some of us let circumstances rule our time. Take the kids to school, go by the dry cleaners, helping others do their work, or just answering the phone. These little things can eat up a lot of time and make it hard for you to get anything done.

But before we tackle these things lets get down the rules.

1. What is really important – you know the non-negotiable items that can't be put off or delayed. Such as family, health, education, career, spirituality. How do you rank these things?
2. Then come up with negotiable. The kids in soccer, baseball, football, the volunteer time at church, the group of friends that get together once a week to gab.

Once you know what things you are willing to change and those things that can’t. Then you can start carving out time to do the things you want to do.
Small bits of time like:

1. Watching commercial – most mother’s use these breaks to cook, clean, or do small chores around the house.
2. Daydreaming – now this one is important if you’re using this time to say plot out a scene, or decide on which direction you want the story to go. It can be very valuable for deciding what you want to do next.
3. Waiting for appointments – this can be use to catch up on articles that you need to read or work through the mail or write bills.
4. Riding in the car – this can be use to find out what the kids are doing, setting in your mind what has to be done, and what can wait.

It may sound like you’ve got to stay busy every second of the day. But no one can do that, just determine how much down time you need and work that into the schedule too.

For example if you can’t sit for a long time without getting bored or restless. Set up your breaks so that you go to bathroom, get a drink, eat, delivery items to other people, any thing that still gets a task done, but gives you a break too.

But I’m tired of thinking I want to rest!

Find the items that don’t require a lot of thought and spread them throughout your day to give yourself a break. If you don’t have any, give yourself a time-out. Two minutes to think about nothing. Set a timer and go. Then when it’s over remind yourself that you’ve had a break and you’re ready to face that next hurdle. (Important: the time-out has to be without interruption or you’re not going to feel like you got a break.)

Ride the wave or swim against the current. Both can be fun.

Other girl in the house?

Callie is a terrier mix which we got when she was about two years old. Right after we brought her home we put her in the back yard to run around.

She broke out.

So we put up chicken wire on our metal gate, so she couldn’t get out. The rest of the yard had concert blocks.

She broke out again.

By using her head as a lever, she wedged her way through the bars and out of the yard. We had to uses extra wire to keep her in.

Wonder if she had a six sense about our family?

Now, she enjoys her day lying in her bed and playing in the back yard.

Oh, to have a dog's life.

Have a great weekend,

Tina

Tallulah Grace -- Fate

 

 

Fate: Timeless Trilogy, Book 1

by Tallulah Grace

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:
Death stalks Kris in dreams and in reality. The target of a cunning serial killer, Kris must defend her life and her love. Visions prepare her for what’s coming, but is knowledge enough to change the future? Or will demented mania claim victory over fated love?

The good things in life are coming together for Kristina Collins. She’s found her ideal home, her career is on track for mega success and the man of her dreams has finally come back into her life.

In Fate, the first installment of the Timeless Trilogy, Kris Collins discovers the benefits and risks of having precognitive visions while being stalked by a serial killer. Her friends can’t help her, the FBI can’t save her; she must save herself.

The Timeless Trilogy heroines, Kristina, Veronica and Cassandra, each deal with paranormal abilities as they discover and rediscover eternal love.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

“Thanks. Do you live there with your husband?”

“No, it’s just me and Peg, um, Pegasus. My cat. Who is probably trying to dig his way into the pantry, looking for dinner.” Kris smiled and started to back down the stairs. “Welcome to the neighborhood, I’m sure you’ll love it here. I have to go now, see you around.” The very last thing Kris wanted was to run into Marla. Seeing Nick was bad enough, but she had to get her act together before making nice with the wicked witch.

“Wait,” Nick didn’t want to let her go. The woman had stomped on his heart, crumpled him up and threw him away, but that didn’t seem to matter at the moment. “Would you like to have dinner? We could catch up.”

Kris felt like a deer in headlights. Her body and soul screamed ‘YES’ but her mind knew better. “Thanks, but maybe some other time. I’m really beat tonight.” Two more steps, keep moving, she thought.

“Tomorrow night?” Nick was determined not to take no for an answer. “I’ll cook. Is seven okay? Pegasus is invited too.” Nick gave her one of his most charming smiles; at least he hoped it was charming.

Kris opened her mouth to say ‘No thanks’, but she heard the words “I’d love to” escape her traitorous lips. She had never been able to resist this man. Not from the first time she saw him walking out of the library at school. Tall with broad shoulders, he was one of the only men she had met who made her feel petite, which she definitely was not. His thick, wavy hair—so black it was almost blue—was a little longer than she remembered. It suited his high cheekbones and wide-set blue eyes.

Nick took note of her appraisal, his heart hammering against his ribs. Relief washed over him when she agreed to join him for dinner. Dazzling her with a smile, which she couldn’t help but return, he said softly, “Till tomorrow then.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Tallulah Grace is an aficionado of anything paranormal, loves to read a good thriller and creates characters that become friends. Tallulah was born and raised in a small southern town located in the foothills of the vibrant Blue Ridge Mountains. When she's not developing characters and weaving stories, Tallulah enjoys antiquing and bead-weaving.

Personal Links:

Website: http://www.tallulahgrace.com
Blog: http://www.tallulahspeaks.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TallulahSpeaks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grace.tallulah
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/tallulahgrace
Book Trailer on You Tube: http://bit.ly/mC5UfX

Book Links
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0054QZNRA
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/timeless-trilogy-book-one-tallulah-grace/1104729281
http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/timeless-trilogy-book-one/id454533167?mt=11
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/66643
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Timeless-Trilogy-Book-One-Fate/book-AGyrHX17p0yENAS0mnawxg/page1.html


PRIZE THAT THE AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY:

Tallulah will be awarding winner's choice of a backlist eBook to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop, and a choice of a backlist eBook to each host.

Follow the tour and comment; the more comments, the better the chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/03/virtual-super-book-blast-fate-timeless.html

Thanks for stopping by and best of luck with your book,

Tina

Fan Appreciation Month - Join the Fun

May is Fan Appreciation Month for me.

Exciting things are going on in my newsletter group where you can show your support and receive more of my books.

I know how important my fan are to my success and I want to let you know how much I appreciate your support.

So during the month of May, I'm rewarding my fan who show their support by not only giving away my books for each 25 points earned but also for the person who accumulates the most points a $25.00 gift certificate from Amazon.

So how does it work?

Number one rule - you have to be a member of my newsletter group to receive prizes. (5 points)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinaGayle/

Here's the points you can earn.

20 - Post a review for one of my books on Amazon
http://amzn.to/YkNlcA  (author page with all my books listed)

5 - Share one of my books on your FB page with a comment mentioning me-- Tina Gayle
      (Easy to do - go to one of my books on amazon and hit the facebook symbol in the right hand corner)

1 - Friend me on Facebook
 https://www.facebook.com/tina.gayle

1 - Like my Author Page on FB
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Tina-Gayle/214633841921560?ref=hl

1 - Follow me on Twitter
https://twitter.com/AuthorTinaGayle

1 - Friend me on Goodread
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1641826.Tina_Gayle

1 - Add my books to your "to read" pile in Goodread

1 - Follow my blog (just click the link on the right hand side of this page.)

1 - Leave a comment on my blog (limit one comment per day.)

Once you reach 25 points email me at tina9561@yahoo.com and tell me which of my ebook you want and I'll send it to you.

I'll also be keeping those emails to see who has accumulated the most points for the month.

If you have already done some of the things above let me know and I'll give you the points.

Example - how you can accumulated 25 points -
member of my newsletter group 5 points
reviewed Revive on Amazon 20 points
you email me and receive another one of my books.

Contest ends May 31, 2013.

Not sure which book you want to read - Visit my website and

Read the first chapter of any of my books at http://www.tinagayle.net

Let the fun begin and thanks everyone for all you do for authors.

We are nothing without our readers,

Tina

Managing the Time Monster

Lesson One - Scheduling your lifeThe one thing that I think we all struggle with is time. It is the great equalizer. Everyone only gets 24 hours in a day. I don't care how rich you are, or how smart you are. We all have the same limited number of hours in the day.

Break your projects into bit size pieces.
I read an article that said that most of us are so busy that the most time we can spend doing one task is about five minutes.

Okay, what can you do in five minutes?

• Mop the floor.
• Write a novel, a scene, a sentence, a word. (Not counting the time it takes to boot up you computer.)
• Drive the kids to a baseball game.

I could go on and on, but I think you get my point. Most task take more than five minutes.

The trick is to take a large task and break it up.
"Mop the floor. (this is my personal hell)" – but look at it this way.
What part of the floor needs the most attention? The corner where Johnny didn’t clean up his mess, the spots where dirt has collected, the dust bunnies that are growing in the corner. (Bunnies multiply quickly)

Got five minutes? A wet paper towel can fix these spots. The floor looks nicer and you can wait now, until you can get someone else to do the floor or have more time.
I know this was a simple example but if you can break down your tasks to bite size chunks. They are easier to swallow and you can get more done.

Don’t let the waves pull you under.

Tina

Inspiration for Dreamers.

I'll admit it. I'm a dreamer, have been since I was a little girl.

I would put myself to sleep with stories I created in my head.

Never thought that some day I would write those stories out to share with other people.

Being an author was a far away dream...not a real job.

With my parents only a job with a steady income was considered a job worth having. Only dreamers become authors, right?

So some might say I'm living the dream.

Here's some inspiration to help you to remember to follow your own dreams wherever they may take you.

"We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true."

Woodrow Wilson
28th US President

Some men see things as they are and ask why.
Others dream things that never were and ask why not.

George Bernard Shaw
Irish Playwright and Critic

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."

- Zig Ziglar

No One to Play With.

Want to play Tag! If you're an Author? You can play.

 

 

You may know this game, but not played in quite this manner before. So, you're the author who is now "IT". To play this game you have to share your Work in Progress (WIP) or it's a smacked bottom and straight to bed with no supper!

 

Paul Anthony / Tony tagged me, and these are the rules:

Give credit (including URL/link) to the person or Blog that caught you and who made you "IT" I was caught fair and square whilst running away.

Play by the rules - no pinching, kicking, spitting, Chinese burns, crying and definitely no tantrums! Which also means you must post the rules.

 

You must answer 10 questions about your current WIP, no matter the genre, because possibly we may like to get to know each other a little better. (To be honest it's only 9 because the 10th question is really only the next step.)

 

 

 

Here is my problem is I need five other authors to do this with.

 

 

Because the next rule is ---

List 5 other authors or Bloggers with their hiding places (URL/Links) so that they can be chased down and made "IT" so we can all go home now we've finished playing. Go in, eat supper, and check out THEIR books.

 

Here are the questions

Q 1) What is the title (or working title) of your next book?

Q 2) What genre(s) does your book fall under? (or land near really!)

Q 3) What actors would you choose to play the characters in the film version of your book? (should you ever, ever get that honor really)

Q 4) What is the main outline for your book? (Call it a pitch as a synopsis includes spoilers)

Q 5) Will your book be Indie published, self published or represented by an agency and sold to a traditional publisher?

Q 6) How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Q 7) What other books in this genre would you compare yours to?

Q 8) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Q 9) What else about the book might pique the readers’ attention?

Q 10) Thank goodness!!

 

 

Phew I've ran as fast as I can and these are the author's I've caught (and any who don't have a Blog of their own are welcome to have a ‘sleepover’ at mine and post their answers here.)

Now for my five victims

 

So do you want to play?

 

Email me or leave a comment and I'll start the chase.

 

Thanks for joining the fun.

 

As soon as I have 5 other players I'll post my answers to the questions.

Football Moment of Joy

Yes, it's not football season but teams are still having their spring games.

This is one game I would have enjoyed being in the stadium for, not only because I like the Nebraska football team, but I can appreciate what they did to make one little boy's dream come true.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/7-old-cancer-survivor-runs-touchdown-during-nebraska-233901185--ncaaf.html


Some of you probably have seen this on yahoo. A feel good story for people who love football and how it can inspire us all to work hard to achieve or dreams.

Tina

Undivided Attention - Can You Do It?

In today's world, we are all running somewhere to the grocery store, work, gym, school...

What we need to remember is that the people we care about need us too. In an article I read today they were talking about give our love ones our undivided attention.

How often do we do this?

Every day right?

No, most of us are always in a hurry to do something else.

The article suggested we give our love ones twenty minutes of our undivided attention. Is it easy probably not, but it can help keep the bond strong.

I know I need this time. I tried to connect with my children at least once a week. Even if it isn't for twenty minutes. I just need to hear their voice and let them know I love them.

With my husband, I like to hear about his day and tell him about mine. Is it earth shattering stuff?

No. We just reconnect and have a chance to get out the joys and pains of the day.

Can you do this?

Yes. Take a moment and listen you might be surprise what your lover, child, friend has to say.

And if that person is too busy to hear you. Write them a note. When reading a person is giving you their undivided attention.

So feel free to leave a comment you'll have my undivided attention.

Tina

Spring Forward into a Perfect Body

Every year, we all start with the same goal of getting into shape.

I manage like others to go on a diet. Hey, I might even lose a few pounds.

The treadmill gets a workout and then I lose momentum. Why?

I believe because I'm an impatience person. I want instant results.

Don't we all?

The problem, I have finally figured out is the goal itself.

Lose weight - is an easy measurable goal.

Problem is it can also be frustrating if you don't get those pounds to drop quickly.

So this year I changed my goal - get into shape.

Not so easily measured -- and so in a way easier to achieve -

- being able to walk upstairs without getting winded.
- take a walk with the dog and not be sore the next day.
- carry in the groceries and not have to take ten trips.

These sound silly but what I really wanted to achieve is doing everyday task without struggling.

Am I in the best shape ever?

 No, but I can keep working at it with out giving up.

Do I still worry if I miss a session on the treadmill?

Yes, but I give myself a break and try harder tomorrow without beating myself up for failing.

All of us have goals, we just need to keep working at them and forgive ourself if we don't reach them.

It's all about remembering to just keep trying.

Here's to us all having a slim summer body, and if not, that we just have a great summer.

Tina