Farewell to Leanneism

On Monday, April 26th I will stop blogging here. I have a bright and shiny new blog on Word Press. My new address there is www.authorleannedyck.wordpress.com That blog will focus on my life and my writing as this one has done. I hope that you will follow me over there.
See you there
Leanne
Visit me: www.oknitting.com

Happy Earth day

About four years ago I gave a speak that I will now offer you...

Living on Mayne Island it's hard to escape nature. Deer wander through our lawn daily. Raccoons relentlessly attempt to steal our trash. Tree frogs serenade us. Spiders seek refugee in the nooks and carnies of our house. Yes, there is no escape -- enjoy it or leave.

Those of us who have chosen to stay care about nature. Caring about nature we have no choice but to commit ourselves to reducing global warming. I am proud to say that I have done my part:

-I recycle, reduce, re-use
-I haven't ridden in an airplane for over nine years
-I wash my laundry in cold water
-I'm a vegetarian
-I use energy saving light bulbs
-I walk or drive an electric bike

But I am the first to admit that I'm not the poster child for greenness. Most of what I have accomplished has been forced upon me by life circumstances. I'm being honest not humble.

Recently I realized that I could be more purposeful in my approach to reducing my footprint. If you're like me full of questions. Its time you find some answers. Wake up, search the web, follow the example of others who are more mindful. It is up to us. Set goals. Work towards them.

However, when of if you fail to reach these goals don't be too hard on yourself. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try again.

Living green requires changing your mindset and that's hard to do but I promise you it worth it and it is fun. Just ask me about my electric bike.

It is time.

I recently saw a bumper sticker that read -- The earth doesn't belong to us. We belong to the earth.
Leanne
Visit me: www.oknitting.com

I'm working...

I'm working on the next book in the Maynely A Mystery series -- MAYNELY HIDDEN.
I finished writing two other books before setting sail on the good ship MAYNELY HIDDEN. One of these other books was written, edited and submitted in one month -- I was inspired. The other, after four years of labour, was finally finished and submitted this month. These experiences left me feeling invincible. I was writer hear me roar.
Then, then I meet MAYNELY HIDDEN. Then I panicked and my pen stopped moving.
Why?
I'm not sure but I think it may have been pressure.
You see it seems that everyone I have spoken to lately about my writing has loved MAYNELY A MYSTERY. Their words still sing in my ear. I love praise.
However, like eating too much chocolate hearing too much praise made me sick. I began to panic. I want you to enjoy MAYNELY HIDDEN just as much as you had enjoyed MAYNELY A MYSTERY. ...But what if I couldn't pull it off?
It has always surprised me that some of my most favourite authors only published one book. I'm not surprised any longer. Now I know one of the possible reasons why.
So that was my dilemma.
What was the solution?
Freewriting.
I just wrote -- blindly, fearlessly. I wrote. I didn't worry about the merit of my words. I wrote.
Have you heard of this technique.
Today on The Book Designer blog Joel Friedlander has a blog entry entitled: Unleash Your Creativity Now: How to Freewrite
It's a good article you should read it. Here's the link: http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2010/04/unleash-your-creativity-now-how-to-freeewrite/#more-5757
So if you are blocked try freewriting. It works.
Oh, yeah and please don't forget this Saturday, April 24th starting at 1 pm two fellow Mayne Island authors and I will be giving book readings at Overleaf Cafe and Bookstore (1105 Pandora) Victoria, BC
Leanne
Visit me: www.oknitting.com

the ebook NOVELTY YARN is published

NOVELTY YARN is published.
I know this is way before the projected publication date of May 31st. Things just clicked along at an amazing rate.
for more information please visit: http://www.oknitting.com/
Follow the links for the sample or buy this new and improved edition.
All the best
Leanne

Let's talk fashion

A couple of weeks ago the Yarn Harlot posted a few pictures of a pair of leg warmers she recently knit for her sister. The ensuing discuss circled around how some were pleased and some were disappointed by this recurrence in fashion.
Keep that in mind as I continue...
Now, I have a dirty little secret I like to watch reality shows.
There I said it. It's out.
I don't watch all of the reality shows but I do watch my fair share -- Survivor, the Amazing race and Top Model.
In this season's episodes of Top Model Tyra Banks has been wearing jumpsuits.
(http://theskinnywebsite.com/site/2010/02/tyra-banks-update-2/)
Do you remember those?
I do -- fondly.
I have searched for jumpsuits in malls everywhere. I couldn't find them.
Now you may recall that I have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). When I have flare-ups waistbands are an issue. Jumpsuits would be the prefect solution.
I hope that Tyra's fashion statement encourages a trend.
What fashion would you like to encourage?
Leanne
Visit me: www.oknitting.com

Amazing progress on Novelty Yarn ebook

Today I rolled up my sleeves and set to work. I read over all the stories that were in the NOVELTY YARN audio book. I read over all the knitting related stories I have written recently. I pulled out the ones I really loved. I was very pleased -- I had a nice cross section of prose, poetry and essays.
I rolled up my sleeves even higher and edited these lovely stories.
Then I started organizing them -- in what order did I want them to appear? Which story should be first? Which last?
Then I formatted the document.
I worked so quickly I was amazed.
Of course it helps that each of these stories has been professionally edited. Thank the stars for a professional editor.
Now comes the tricky bit -- adding it to the smashwords site.
Wish me luck
Leanne
Visit me: www.oknitting.com

Self-publishing: a different point of view

I found an interesting blog entry. Please read it and then come back here for my two cents, thank you...
http://www.stateofindependents.co.uk/2010/03/self-published-authors-before-you-send-me-your-book-bear-this-in-mind/

To this I say...
So self-published books are the only ones with errors...really?
So the only reason why self-published authors self-publish is because no publisher will publish them...really?
Well, there are other reasons to self-publish. Here are mine...
I had a clear vision of my book -- the cover, the title, the content
I knew my target market and how to reach them
I wanted to educate myself regarding the publishing industry
Could I build a readership? I wanted to discover the answer to this question.
I wanted to take a risk on myself before I asked someone else to.

Oh, yes, Becky and Vanessa don't worry I have read the title of your blog entry. I have read it and will respect your wishes.
Leanne
Visit me: www.oknitting.com