Dear Maxy ,
I have led a very interesting life and have wanted to write a book about it for a long time . I'm not officially a writer, but I have done a little bit of writing here and there for years . If I want to go into writing and publishing my autobiography, what should I do ?
Wannabe Author
Dear Wannabe Author ,
You may want to start by taking a writing class . You may be able to find a class specifically on writing an autobiography or a memoir . This will help you learn how to structure your story effectively and complete your project .
These days you can get a book published at a nominal cost by using services such as Amazon's CreateSpace , which allows you to have your book printed on demand .
That means that you pay for the book to be printed only when someone has paid for it upfront . The amount of sales that you can garner through such a service depends largely on how well you promote your book and what kind of platform you have for getting the word out .
Maxy
Dear Maxy,
I feel like I've gotten caught up in a web of conversations between different friends where they are all talking about each other in one way or another . I fear I'm getting sucked into these little chats and finding that I am voicing unkind and sometimes mean-spirited comments, mainly because we are talking about these people all the time . I don't want to be party to this . How can I get my friends to stop this ? Or should I just stop talking to them ?
All Talked Out
Dear All Talked Out ,
One of the best quotes I have ever read is from Eleanor Roosevelt , who said," Great minds discuss ideas ; average minds discuss events ; small minds discuss people ."
You are wise to recognize that the conversations you have been having are not serving you or your friends . Rather than "divorcing" your friends straight away, talk to them . Tell them that you feel extremely uncomfortable about the path that your conversations have taken of late . Explain that you are friends with them in the first place because you value their thoughts and creativity . Point out that you feel you have been weighted down by gossiping and you believe this is derailing all of you from the opportunity to really enjoy your time together . Tell them you do not want to gossip anymore .
Maxy
Dear Maxy ,
My part-time assistant of past three years is about to move away because she is graduating from college .
I am so proud of her . I have watched as she has blossomed into a fine young woman . She has been an amazing support to me in more ways than I can outline . I want to do something special for her when she graduates . Times are lean in my business, so I can't afford anything lavish . But I do want to send her off in a meaningful style . What do you recommended ?
Grateful
Dear Grateful ,
Why Not take your assistant out to dinner at a restaurant that you believe she would enjoy ?
If you know any of her friends or co-workers with whom she would enjoy sharing this experience , invite them as well . Make it a celebration by hosting it in her honor and using the time to have everyone tell stories about her and have her talk about her plans for the future . Pledge to stay in touch and follow up on that promise .
Maxy
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