SuzanneMarieBandick

They are called virtual assistants

2007-03-26T15:25:00.000-05:00

My search for an assistant continues. I have learned the official title is Virtual Assistant. Did you know that with the power of Internet your assistant can live virtually anywhere? How wonderful is that?

My assistant already has a title - that makes me feel like I am getting closer to finding the ideal person or persons to work with. I even found a course my virtual assistant can take to make them an exceptional virtual assistant.

Just wait, I have marvelous plans! I am so excited! ......... but actually I am pretty well always excited.

By the way, I have discovered that posting on forums and writing articles are marvelous ways to advertise......I thank all my visitors to my sites and my blogs.

Suzanne

P.S. My current sites are:
www.SuzanneMarieBandick.com
www.OnlyinMexicoYouSay.com
www.LiveYourDreamsCoaching.com

I'm still looking for that assistant!

2007-02-23T12:26:00.000-05:00

Yes, the adventure continues as projects I want to do seem to stack up around me. How long have I been saying I need to publish into print format my first book? How about the other books that are written or part written? Help! Then there is my new Life Coaching enterprise and all the things I want to do for it. What will happen now?

Well, using Law of Attraction I am asking and I know I will find exactly the person or people I need to help with these projects. I will now just wait for inspiration and allow as I know that because I ask and I believe - I will receive.

I live in joyous anticipation of more continuing adventure as I expand my Live Your Dreams enterprises through my books and life coaching. I promise to keep you posted!

Suzanne

P.S. My current sites are:
www.SuzanneMarieBandick.com
www.OnlyinMexicoYouSay.com
www.LiveYourDreamsCoaching.com

Live Your Dreams

2007-01-30T13:52:00.000-05:00

I have officially become a Life Coach. Now I am a Life Coach and a Writer. My new website is complete and I even have clients. Have a look at www.LiveYourDreamsCoaching.com and let me know what you think. I coach on how to use the Laws of Attraction to your benefit. The teachings of Abraham-Hicks and the Laws of Attraction have been a huge inspiration and wonderful guidance in my own life. How is that for a wild detour to book writing? Actually all the writing I do is about living your dreams, and I have been coaching people most of my life, so I think it all ties in very well.

This site www.SuzanneMarieBandick.com now directs everyone to my www.OnlyinMexicoYouSay.com book site or my coaching site. The future also holds two more books I am writing which are mentioned on my main site. This is really fun!

I of course will continue to keep you posted on here about my book publishing adventures and once I have learned all the ins and outs you will be sure to be able to complete the process of self publishing yourself more quickly than I. I seem to keep taking detours! I am enjoying myself though - which is of prime importance in life.

May you enjoy all your adventures in life, Suzanne.

P.S. On my Live Your Dreams Coaching site you can sign up to get my free monthly Live Your Dreams E-zine and I offer a complimentary introductory coaching session as well as a Live Your Dreams Using the Law of Attraction 3 month course that we conduct over the phone.

I need an Assistant!

2007-01-08T17:15:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Everyone! A new year can mean increased focus and more goals - it certainly has for me. However, I have added that all will happen in an easy and relaxed manner and in a healthy and positive way. No sense getting all stressed about it all. Actually, I feel more clear, focused and empowered than ever! One way that I see being able to achieve so much of what I have chosen to accomplish this year is with an assistant.

In 2007, I plan to have 4 books available as eBooks and in print. I am also developing a Life Coaching Business (website under construction) to help empower people to "Live their Dreams". That means a new Blog coming, a new E-zine and more articles!

Does anyone know of someone who can layout a book for traditional print, design book covers, edit (yes, check my spelling and punctuation), do internet research, post my articles all over online, and help with website development? Someone that is perhaps bilingual - English/Spanish, and loves to do the above with a Can Do positive attitude?

Hold on - I may need more than 1 assitant to keep up! I can't even keep up with all that! 3 assitants! That's it - I need 3! Look out Playa del Carmen - look out world! Because with 3 assistants I can get a lot accomplished....maybe I can even blog on here more often.

Suzanne

P.S. You can buy my current book online now: Only in Mexico, You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico at www.OnlyinMexicoYouSay.com

Are we focused on a book?

2006-12-05T15:32:00.000-05:00

One might think I am not focused on a book or on marketing - I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted on here! What an embarressment! I am beating myself with papers from my desk as I type. What have I been doing? We did pick up a new truck in Houston and drove it home to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. That was an adventure! Maybe an adventure for another book. You would not believe the huge potholes and rough roads we encountered! That is why you do not drive at night in many places in Mexico.

Anyway, I am back and ready to write, and print those books, and do whatever I need to do. Never mind that Christmas is coming and most Mexican businesses close for 3 weeks over the holidays! Now where did I put my list of printers for books?

If you are waiting for news and do not see enough posts on here please feel free to contact me even if you fear waking me from my hammock nap! I always wake up happy.

Suzanne

P.S. How to Buy Real Estate in Mexico is my next book!

Book Printer Update

2006-10-19T11:51:00.000-05:00

Great day everyone! Just to let you know, it is a sunny and beautiful day here in the paradise of Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Everyone is appreciating it immensely as we just went through some rainy weather. It was good weather to write in though as I didn't feel like going to the beach in the rain.

Currently my book has been only available as an e-book but that is about to change. I have always known I wanted to self publish a print version of it. I have narrowed my search for a printer down to two companies. Who will I choose? When will the print version be available? Where will it be available? Check back in a week or two and I'll let you know! How exciting!

Choose to make every day outstanding! Suzanne

P.S. Thinking of buying real estate in Mexico? My new book will be out soon - it will be available in e-book format and there will be a regular print version as well!

Life coaches

2006-09-15T13:48:00.000-05:00

Great Day Everyone! As I told you, I would share my journey of writing, self publishing and marketing books. Part of that adventure seems to be the fact that I have hired a coach. Interestingly, I did not choose a business coach but I chose a life coach. Her name is Eva Gregory and she is fabulous.

She is teaching me to follow my passions, to fully enjoy life and to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that all manner of successes are mine. The writing of my real estate book is flowing along and I already know what my third book will be. I have been selling my current book and have about 90 subscribers for my "Only in Mexico" newsletter. I get thank you notes all the time from happy readers! How cool is that?

I am in the process of going beyond just writing books - I am creating a visionary business; combining books, seminars and coaching to help people live their dreams in all manner of ways.

If you would like to find out more about what I am learning (I promised to share all), have a look at the following program:

Leading Edge Coaching Products and Services

It is a comprehensive weekly program for reaching your goals in 12 months. The program is broken down into lessons with excercises and actions to be taken weekly. You participate by conference calls and internet so you can be anywhere in the world.

I have discovered that it is a small investment for a life of joy and ease. You can find all kinds of information on her site. Enjoy!

May today be an outstanding day for you! Suzanne

P.S. Dont forget to read backwards and check out my past blogs for all the inside scoop on the adventures of self publishing and marketing a book.

Joyful Living

2006-09-12T14:31:00.000-05:00

I am so excited these days. So, if you will allow me to ramble....

Yesterday it got to a point that I was feeling so much joy and excitement that I couldn't concentrate on working - I could not sit down and ended up spending most of the day dancing around the room! Now, I have not received any large sums of money yet or booked any trips - but I feel beyond a doubt the powers of the universe working with me to achieve my dream life.

I did not get a lot of work done yesterday, but if visualization counts I think I just spent the day accelerating the success process.

By the way on Friday I received inspiration (just popped into my head) that I should become a life coach. I explored this option all weekend and it resonates with me. I feel joy at the thought. It will also blend together well with books I have written and am in the process of writing.

I have always said I want to help people live their dreams. Always. So this morning I checked to see if the domain name LiveYourDreamsCoaching was taken. It was not - but it is now! I have it!

I am still so excited. Things are happening exactly as I affirm, in an easy and relaxed manner and in a healthy and positive way.

I am getting great feedback from people on my upcoming real estate book. That will be available before the end of the year.

Here is to huge successes and growth for us all! And that we all learn to live in joy! It's my goal.

P.S. If you do not have the book Ask and it is Given, by Esther and Jerry Hicks - run - don't walk to get it!

The Book is: How Foreigners Can Invest in Real Estate in Mexico

2006-08-22T13:48:00.000-05:00

The adventure continues with my new book on "How Foreigners Can Buy Real Estate in Mexico" (haven’t really settled on a name yet). It will include real people – telling their real stories. Once read, you will have all the inside scoop on what to do and how best to do it – that is if you still want to buy real estate in Mexico! You see real estate is handled a tad differently in Mexico than in say, Canada or the US. You'll just have to read the book to find out the differences. I figure if you know ahead of time the steps and processes - you can save yourself frustration and maybe really enjoy the process. Wouldn't that be nice?

So, amidst all kinds of unfinished details regarding my first book – I start my second book. Why? I was moved to do so. I am inspired and I feel confident the rest will catch up.

I promise to keep you posted!

P.S. Check out my site www.SuzanneMarieBandick.com for new links and pictures!

Oops, so it's been awhile....

2006-07-19T17:12:00.000-05:00

A quick post to let you all know I am alive and well. A few enquiring minds want to know what I have been up to lately.......

I've been busy writing articles to market my book and working on my second book. I am a little slower these days as I work around two kids home for summer holidays. I bet a few of you can relate.

I got my ISBN identity number and now have to research printers to be able to market some traditional books. I'll let you know who I choose and why.

Mexico is a little hot this time of year so the beach becons a lot in the evening and I always cave to the things that make me feel good - so the beach it is for walks in the surf with my husband.

We are also headed away in a few days for a two week holiday in Canada. Looking forward to some okanagan fruit!

Make Every Day Outstanding - because it is fun!

PS. I now have 50 people on my newsletter list "Only in Mexico: monthly tips and updates." I figure that is not bad for only being available for two months! Check out the subscription form on my site so you can enjoy an edition too. The next one mails August 2nd.

Next book will be on "Real Estate"

2006-06-15T14:07:00.000-05:00

Well you have to keep the ball rolling......... it really is so much fun.

This is what I am currently focused on:

- Marketing my first online book "Only in Mexico, You Say?" (It is such a pleasure to watch the book sales grow, and have more and more people sign up for my newsletter!) I am doing this through online forums, article writing, linking to other websites, having others promote my book for commission, etc. Just for fun search Google by typing in Suzanne Marie Bandick or Suzanne Bandick - the # of links connected to my name is growing - and I've only just begun!

- Gathering information to write my next book for foreigners buying real estate in Mexico.

- The process of getting my first book available in paperback.

By this time next year - my goal is to have 3 books both online and in print. I also want to put together a game on living in Mexico and do audios of some of my books and have some videos on my site or on Youtube.

Letting the adventure continue........but still making time for the beach, Suzanne

PS. Order my current book now before they sell out!

This gets better every day!

2006-06-06T14:58:00.000-05:00

I continue to work on the marketing of my eBook every day. Every day I manage to at least do a couple of things to market my book and put the word out; and every day I have something cool happen. I make a contact, I get a link, I get an article published, I have someone say something great about my site or my book ....... and I feel great!

Last week I was invited to contribute to the website www.mexpat.com, which has an eclectic collection of writings on Mexico. I am writing my thoughts ( a different blog) on living in Mexico. With every blog I write I get to advertise my site and my book - it is win/win for both of us. So if you would like to read even more ramblings from yours truely on life in Mexico - check it out.
By the way, how did he find me? A forum I posted on.

I am even making sales! Imagine that! A really neat thing is that I am now getting sales from people I don't even know. That means my marketing must be starting to work. That gives one the motivation to continue so more cool things will happen.

Marketing one step at a time.

Choosing to make every day great. Suzanne.

P.S. I am now looking for stories of foreigners who have bought real estate in Mexico for my next book. Just send me an e-mail through my website www.SuzanneMarieBandick.com

The book marketing is in full swing now.....

2006-05-24T16:20:00.000-05:00

So, it has been awhile since I have written ....... miss me?

Here is the inside scoop - our family took a 3 day holiday to Merida as our son had an American Football game there - what a perfect excuse! I will post some pictures on my website www.SuzanneMarieBandick.com.

When we came home I had no phone line - which means no internet! Turns out the problem was with a line out on the road; that took 4 days to fix. Not a problem really - I follow the philosophy that everything happens for a reason. I used the time to plan my book marketing strategy.

I told you that in this blog I would share my self-publishing and marketing adventures so here is the start of the marketing segment:

I am spending my time right now making online contacts. Every website I look at that has anything to do with Mexico, travel, relocating, or expats - has access to people who are a target market for my book. On each site I check if they will:

Accept articles from me ( I get to put my book info and contact information at the end).
Will provide a reciprocal link to my site.
Are interested in my affiliate program (I have set up to offer a 40% commission to anyone who wants to promote my book on their site). They do this through www.payloadz.com which is the company that encripts and delivers my eBook. Very cool as they track the sales and payment is made through Paypal.
Also, do they have a forum I can join? I get to help people live their dreams and promote my book.

So, as you can see every day is very busy. I am actually really enjoying this promotional aspect, more than I thought I would. Now I just have to figure out my day so that I also have time to get my book into traditional print and work on my next book(you'll really like it). Where is that assistant?

PS. "Only in Mexico, You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico" can be purchased at www.SuzanneMarieBandick.com for only $10.95.

Announcing I have an eBook online!

2006-05-04T18:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, you heard right. My eBook "Only in Mexico, You Say?" is online, on my website, and available for purchase now.

I feel like I have reached a marvelous place. It didn't seem so hard after all. Tonight I celebrate!

Tomorrow, I continue with my marketing plans and the process to eventually get it into print. Stay tuned for those adventures. Somehow, with this one grand achievement under my belt - all seems easier and clearer now.

PS. Why not order it now at www.SuzanneMarieBandick.com to read for yourself what all the fuss is about?

Are you finished that book yet?

2006-05-02T11:20:00.000-05:00

So, are you finished that book yet? That would certainly be my question if I knew someone so close to having their book ready.

OK. here is the update: My book "Only in Mexico, You Say? The Humorous Side of Living in Mexico," was ready to go online last Monday. What delayed the process? I did not realize I needed to have a verified account with PayPal (the internet company who will be accepting the payments for my book on my behalf). Now, I only wait for a code to be mailed to me so that I can verify I am who I say I am, and that I live where I say I do.

My book is edited and sits in a pdf file, ready to be sold online. The cover is finished, and the cartoons and drawings are included. I will be using payloadz.com to code and deliver my book once it is ordered. They work in conjunction with with PayPal (who accepts credit cards), which is why I need to be verified.

I think I need to write another book on how to get your book online faster. I would be a good person to write it as I think I took every slow road imaginable. This would probably be caused by my belief that the joy is in the journey - not the destination! I also never want life to be dull and boring! It is amazing how you always get what you really want.

While I wait, I am setting up my newsletter and delivery method and making plans for having this book available in paperback.

My motto; life should be a daring adventure!

PS. Watch for my book to be online any day now, and check back for the continuing adventure!

My website is finished!

2006-04-04T11:18:00.000-05:00

Yes! My website is ready to announce.......... I think I finally have something I can be proud of.........Ready? ......... I've got to build this up as it took awhile to create ........... See it here www.SuzanneMarieBandick.com.

Of course it is still waiting for a book to sell - but it sure looks good as it waits for my book on the adventures of moving to and living in Mexico.

Now that my web is finished, I want to add a few things; I better tell my web designer to sit down.

Look for the following to be added one day soon:

- a newsletter feature on the insider tips and ongoing adventure of living in Mexico.
- a way to sign up to receive the newsletters.
- a couple of videos (one of the beauty of Mexico and one of me talking about some of our adventures).
- oh, and a book!

Did I mention I now have ideas for other books and even a game? Ideas just keep popping! I think maybe I need to sell some books so that I can hire an assistant.

PS. A book is coming soon to www.SuzanneMarieBandick.com

Could there be a harder way to go about self-publishing?

2006-03-31T09:54:00.000-05:00

OK, so this book self-publishing plan is taking a little longer than I expected. If ever there was a hard way to go about self publishing - I think I picked them all!

Not to worry - I have got it now and it actually appears fairly easy to go about this self-publishing business. I will prove this fact by having my book online and ready for sale in a matter of weeks. The traditional hard copy version will follow.

What is the big secret? This may surprise you, but I carried the thoughts that this process would be difficult. A universal law is: you get what you think about. Your mind wants to prove you right, so I was finding it a difficult process. As soon as I changed my limiting belief to an empowering belief that self publishing was really an easy process - it became easy! All the things I needed fell into place. Told you earlier I was learning a lot!

I have lots of work ahead as I am looking at the things I need to do to market it too - but now it looks easy! Want to see my list to do? Here it is ............

- finish the back cover
- finish the cartooning
- create offers to be placed in the back of the book
- put the book into a PDF file
- pick the internet order system to carry my eBook
- get my ISBN (don't ask - I really complicated this one)
- research publishers
- make contacts for joint venture partnerships for book promotion
- create another eBook that I can give away free through my joint venture partnerships
- get my business cards and bookmarks printed (my daughter has designed them)
- create my link logo and write up description for website sharing
- decide which affiliate program I will use to help market my book
- write out my marketing calendar
- write articles to submit to online magazines
- write my press releases
- plan a monthly online newsletter that people can subscribe to

You see, now it is just a step by step process. How easy is that?

US politics effect foreigners in Mexico

2006-03-30T16:20:00.000-05:00

The debate is hot right now as the US considers a crackdown on illegal immigrants within their country. Where are these illegal immigrants coming from? Mexico.

They call it: the border war. Will walls between the US and Mexico really be built? Will illegal immigrants be allowed to stay to do what US officials consider the menial labor jobs? Who has seen the movie, "A Day Without Mexicans?" What a mess.

Does this have an effect on a foreigner living in Mexico? Well, let's just say I am glad our working pemits called FM3's are not up for renewal. Immigration tends to take a fairly retaliatory stance when they feel their citizens are being treated unfairly by another country. My family and I are Canadian, but often all foreigners will get penalized. As often happens anger can get carried away.

Now understand, foreigners who are here in Mexico legally really have nothing to worry about; but that does not stop Mexican officials from sometimes adding a few more hoops for you to jump through if you do need to deal with immigration during a time like this.

I don't have a solution to this challenge. I can see both sides and understand both sides. I do not envy the jobs of the politicians.

Now if Mexico could only show all its citizens the wealth they have right in their own country maybe we would not have this problem.

PS. My book on living in Mexico is almost ready to go up online. I'll keep you posted.

I like to move it, move it!

2006-03-20T13:42:00.000-05:00

Whenever I feel like stopping my efforts, I just think of the cute song from the movie Madagascar - I like to move it, move it! It reminds me in a fun way to keep moving to make the things I want to happen, happen. I think I'll play the song again and see which direction I am inspired to move and what happens.

P.S. All the revisions I wanted to make are in to my website designer. Now all I need is a finished book!

Websites with free information are a gold mine!

2006-03-17T12:23:00.000-05:00

This is the best ride ever! Which means life feels incredible to me and I don't even have a book fully published yet!

In the quest to self-publish my book I am learning so much - I am so happy I chose to make myself a student. The more I learn, the more excited I get and that excitement gives me the fuel to continue my efforts - because believe it or not, it is sometimes a challenge to get the things you know you need to do - done.

Since I set my goal to self-publish my book, I have subscribed to free e-mail newsletters and called into free teleconferences. With the information received, I feel more empowered then ever. I have even purchased a few online books to help guide my marketing and publishing efforts.

I have learned there is great value in buying the things you need to support your efforts. I also now know the importance of hiring people who have the expertise to do things more professionally, and more quickly than I can.

The following are a few excellent websites that have provided me with the inspiration, newsletters, conference calls, books and information I have found invaluable. Usually when you subscribe to a free e-course or free newsletter they will inform you of free conference calls too.

www.parapublishing.com Dan Poynter's site - He wrote the Self Publishing Manual.
www.mrfire.com Joe Vitale's site - Wow marketing and writing! I now have 2 of his ebooks and on occassion he does excellent free conference calls.
www.dankennedy.com excellent marketing as well with free e-courses, newsletters, and free conference calls.
http://www.everythingyoushouldknow.com/ Arielle Ford's site - with a free newsletter and conference calls and information.

I also have received great information from Steve Harrison and Dan Janal.

On a general life improvemant level; there is Debbie Ford, Anisa Aven and Stacey Mayo's site www.balancedliving.com - she is known as the Dream Queen.

Life is an incredible journey and I am really excited about it, and just wait until my book comes out!

P.S. My book cover is ready and you can see it soon on my almost completed website!

Patience is a virtue?

2006-03-10T11:59:00.000-05:00

My Webster dictionary defines a virtue as - general moral excellence. Well maybe having good morals is enough and I don't need to pressure myself to strive for excellence?

I talk about patience, as I seem to need to continually work on it in my life. I must be striving to work on patience very hard, as even more of it is needed living in Mexico. I also am finding a need for it now, as I work on getting my book self- published.

I started just over a month ago to put all the pieces together to get my book, that is on my adventures of living in Mexico, self- published.

The update? Well, the website is about finished and waiting for the book and its cover. The book has been edited and is currently being layed out as an e-book. The cover just needs a few minor changes before I can put it on the site and use it for my business cards. The cartooning for inside the book is in process ( I should have gotten someone on that sooner). My internet marketing school has been going well and I have several good marketing pieces ( I think) already created. Once the book is on my website, I then need to get it in paperback form. Once I am done all this, I will be virtually an expert on book self publishing! Yes, right.

However, I find I am growing anxious and excited. I am not totally ready marketing wise for the book to be done; but I really want it all finished now! Did I say now?!?

What I need to concentrate on is: I am on my way to having it finished and I work on it every day. Every day I do; not just one thing, but several things toward my goal. It will soon be ready for sale.

Yep, patience is a virtue.

P.S. That e-book is still coming soon!

Internet Marketing School

2006-02-26T22:43:00.000-05:00

Well, I haven't taken the time to update you on my book in awhile as I have put myself in internet marketing school and it has kept me very busy. I do already have a degree in Marketing Management - and believe it or not, many of the basics have stayed the same since I graduated 23 years ago, but so much has changed!

So, if I want to market my soon to be self published book "Only in Mexico, You Say? The humorous side of living in Mexico" to the best of my abilities I figure I better play some serious catch up in the field of internet marketing. We didn't even cover internet marketing when I was in University! However, one of my beliefs is: if we don't keep learning and growing, we end up dying slowly but surely. I want to live life to the max!

In my quest for knowledge I have: purchased some e-books, signed up for some marketing newsletters, and I am listening in on conference calls about marketing. Basically learning a ton. I feel strongly that the time and money invested is going to pay off easily.

By the way, I have discovered a man in my seaching whom I consider to be a marketing genius and his name is Joe Vitale. Check him out at www.mrfire.com. I find his information is invaluable.

My strategy of doing everything that is related to producing and marketing my book all at the same time is proving to be an interesting strategy as everything is still all half finished. But we are getting closer and I am feeling a new found power in that I feel I do have the abilty to self promote my book. I love the feeling of empowerment that gives me.

Let's not forget I am also actively participating in the "Scale the World" program (see previous blog) and it continues to be an incredible journey. I am making myself learn more and do more in order to reach a new level in my life and it actually feels good.

P.S. The e-book will be available very soon now.

Scale the World

2006-02-14T11:22:00.000-05:00

I am on a path to abundance, health and mastery. That, I think, is a pretty good path to be on as you try to self publish and market your own book. Let me explain .....

I am taking a free, 32 day, e-mail course called "Scale the World." It is a program focused on empowerment, answers, strategies, and a fit healthy lifestyle. I am on day 8 of the course as of today and I am loving it and feeling so empowered! I am feeling so empowered and so good about my life and my power to design exactly what I want in it, that I have to share the program.

I receive nothing from sharing this but the knowledge that maybe it will help you achieve things in in your life as well. The way I see it, the more people in this world we have feeling good health, abundance and mastery of their own lives, the better our world becomes.

Check it out at www.scaletheworld.com. It is amazing how the right tools turn up when you commit to doing something that is important to you.

Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day!

How to self-publish a book

2006-02-09T15:04:00.000-05:00

Ok, let's get to it, shall we? Considering my book is about the adventures of living in Mexico, I figure my blog should be on the adventures of self-publishing the book and ultimately (gulp) marketing this book. Marketing will obviously be one of the biggest factors, as I wont sell many if people don't know about it will I? More about marketing later.

I have decided that in my desire to finally publish this book, I do not need to know how everything will get done, or be done, or even who will do it; I just need to start. With this in mind, I have now started just about everything and am currently feeling a little crazed as I am the ultimate control freak and my world feels a lot like chaos.

So currently; my book is with an editor (yes, it will be better grammar and punctuation than this blog - thanks Adelle), I am interviewing cartoonists so that I can have humorous drawings inside, I am negotiating on getting the cover done (which also needs a cartoon), I am setting up a Paypal a/c, and I am applying for my ISBN. Because of all this, my website is all partially done because I can't supply my web designer with a book cover or even a book yet. But heh, I now have a website that is ready and waiting for me and I figure that will put me ahead in the marketing game later on.

I think I am actually getting to like this new living on the edge feeling. Nah, but then again, I figure life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all to write about!

Wait until I tell my family they have to pose for a picture for the book cover and my website. Oh yeah, and I still have to figure out how I'm going to market my book. The adventure continues ...........

Beach days are for good health

2006-02-06T12:58:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, my husband and I ,went to the beach to just relax and look out at the ocean. We only looked at it because it was breezy and we knew after a dip in it, we would come out and surely freeze. Yep, we have lived long enough in Mexico now to feel cold at times.

Just putting my feet in the sand, feeling the sun warm my body, and gazing upon the ocean makes me feel centered. My world is suddenly right again. You should all head to a beach (if you can) and try this. There can be a lot of stress in life - how do you deal with yours? A good motto would be "don't take a pill, take to the beach." Maybe, we should challenge ourselves to figure out our best ways to de-stress and write our own motto and then post it; then hardest of all, remember to do it, and often.

By the way, my editor is fine, and my book is on track.....now, if I could only figure out how I want my website to look.....

Am I excited or depressed?

2006-01-31T14:19:00.000-05:00

This has been an interesting few days as I go from euphoric excitement to almost total depression. I haven't heard from my editor lately so I figure this is it, she is looking more closely at my book and given up. I also have been browsing other writer's websites to get ideas for my own and a feeling of inadequacy often comes over me. Can I really put myself even close to their league? To top it all off, I hit writers block; I could not figure out what to say on my own website.

You will be happy to know my feeling of euphoric excitement is back - at least for the moment. My writers block is over; I now have what I feel are some pretty witty words to promote me and my book for my website. I think I'll call my editor now, to make sure she is still alive as maybe that is why I have not heard form her. If depression returns, I figure I'll just hit the beach for awhile; after all, that is why I moved to Playa del Carmen. The beach sounds good.

The book adventure begins

2006-01-28T09:51:00.000-05:00

I have now finished my book about the lighter side of living in Mexico - well, finished until my editor reviews it. It is about the adventures that I, my husband and our two children have had since packing our bags and moving from Canada to Mexico just over 4 years ago. It contains some very personal thoughts and feelings; now, people are going to review and critique it as they actually read it! Talk about baring your soul! Oh well, I am tough - I think - maybe. I did, after all, write it with the intention people will actually read it. If it helps some people with their own transitions and makes others smile or even laugh I will be happy. If it sells a million copies I will be ecstatic. I am sure many Mexicans look at us already and say "silly gringos" and shake their heads.

It feels like a very good day today as I have just choosen website names and have hired the man who will bring my site to life. I'll keep you posted.