dcor's picture
16

It's a snow day!

The snow started around 8am and now it's falling like a constant trickle. I doubted that it would hit us as we missed the last two storms that blew this way.  Winter's back!  I love watching it.  At least with the snow falling, the squirrels will stay in their holes and Maya will be all the more manageable for it all.

Debating going out in the falling snow to deliver a parcel to the US postal service.  My Amazon book selling business is going quite well considering I'm making about four or five times more than what I would earn selling the books to a used book seller! 

Steph's off to Albany to give a talk and left me home alone with the pooch-who-sleeps-all-day. 

dcor's picture
12

The choice is yours...

An enlightening blog entry about a musician who decided to follow the 'safe' route and go to university.  These days I have been considering my options while I wait for news from recruiters, whether good or bad, and wonder what it is that I truly want to do with my life. 

Many of my friends and family may not realise that I put the career of an author on hold long ago at the request of my parents.  Their dream was that each of their daughters hold a profession so that they would never want for anything.  The price of a career was marrying later in life than I would have liked (though admittedly I didn't meet my future husband until later in life).  As well as the price of putting my dreams on a purpetual shelf where I could look and admire but I could not touch.  There is a reason that most of my 'scribbles' are from almost a decade ago and somewhere along the way I forgot that I was only aiming to get a profession - for in my childhood mind, I had permission to pursue my dreams only after that stage.

So now as a professional I have opportunities opening up around me and some would think me a fool not to take the offers.  In my 'older age' I have a much higher standard for my quality of life and for the amount of time I have for my family and friends.  For me it was never that work factored as foremost - but instead the relationships that have been tempered by time and experience.  I turn to myself and see my dusty dreams on the shelf and I don't see any reason why i can no longer pursue them.

The dream may be pushed aside for a time, but if you are only listening to the nay sayers then you will never have tried.  As a wise man in my life reminded me - "Don't judge those who try and fail; judge those who fail to try."  If I succeed at most things I turn my hand to (hand eye co-ordination and most memory tests being standard failures) - then it goes to reason taht if I turn my hand to my dreams - that there is in fact the possibility of success.

Given a generous timeline - and a goal - there's always a chance!

dcor's picture
12

has been bitten by the writing bug... ;)

Feeling inspired after a talk with my supportive husband and am in the mood for writing.  A new story on my mind and for once - I have nothing to interrupt the momentum!  All I can say is that this will be a long one.Looking forward to this Valentine's weekend.  Not sure what to expect but planning to spend some time with Steph. Nothing else knew to report.  I suppose no news is also good news!
dcor's picture
11

Self-published The Adventures of Choukie!

Adventures of Choukie

Finally self-published my second book - of which I would like to send the profits to either the Save a Sato organization or the Worchester Animal League (without either of which I would never have written this story).  It's loosely based on what factual details I was able to obtain about Maya's history.  It's a children's book though issues like death and abandonment are featured.  A BIG THANK YOU to Eun-Ah Park for being my editor on this!

Two versions depending on if you want the limited ed. square book featuring a picture of Maya or the text only version of the book... The text version is way cheaper than the other! (under $10.00)

 

#a0a0a0; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; position: relative; width: 120px; height: 240px; background-color: white;">
The Adventures of Choukie#a7a7a7; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 118px; vertical-align: middle;" />
#fd7820; text-decoration:none;" href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1184227?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=140x240">The Adventures...
By D.M. De Alwis
#fd7820; line-height: 15px;"> Book Preview
#000000; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; position: relative; width: 120px; height: 240px; background-color: white;">
The Adventures of Choukie#a7a7a7; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 118px; vertical-align: middle;" />
#fd7820; text-decoration:none;" href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1184075?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=140x240">The Adventures...
By D.M. De Alwis
#fd7820; line-height: 15px;"> Book Preview
dcor's picture
2

Finally put up the Storyteller site! :D

Grass
One small step at a time...Am very happy to have finally posted SOMETHING on my storyteller section of this site.  I've dug up several poems and stories I wrote ages ago.  I've many ideas in my head for stories - and hopefully now that the foundation is there, I'll go ahead and get them out.