Today―A Poem

Does this ever happen to you? 

You're in the bathroom getting ready for the day when a poem starts chanting in your head and you have to grab a pen to write it down because it just keeps repeating itself? Yeah―thought so. These words wouldn't leave me alone this morning; I thought I'd share them...

TODAY
"Today is the day that good things come your way and then bad things to suck all the fun from your play.

Today is the day that you stub every toe, blow your nose on a sleeve thinking no one will know.

Today is the day the sun bursts from the clouds and then sunbeams rain down as you smile and sing loud.

Today is the day that you meet someone new. You'll tickle his fancy―he'll tickle yours too.

Today you spend beaming, you'll sigh with a frown. You'll buoy up all happy and cry when let down.

Today is the day you will figure things out, 'cause today is called life and that's what life's about.”

― Richelle E. Goodrich

Smile Anyway

A book designed to be used on a day-to-day basis.  Curious?

Smile Anyway

by 

Richelle E. Goodrich

'Smile Anyway' is a collection of my original quotes, verse, and the occasional grumbling.  The book includes a profound thought for every day of the year plus three bonus quotes, including the popular following:

"Anyone who takes the time to be kind is beautiful."

“There are many who don't wish to sleep for fear of nightmares. Sadly, there are many who don't wish to wake for the same fear.” 

“Gratitude doesn't change the scenery. It merely washes clean the glass you look through so you can clearly see the colors.” 

“Just pick a goal and stick to it―no big complicated secret.”

“Walk with me for awhile, my friend—you in my shoes, I in yours—and then let us talk.” 

“Happiness doesn't always come in pink.  Learn to appreciate the rainbow.” 

This book was created to inspire and motivate individuals daily.  It is your 'thought for the day' in hand, and it includes a saying for leap year.    

Smile Anyway is available in PAPERBACK, NOOK, KINDLE, 

                                      SMASHWORDS, KOBO, & iTUNES.

And your thought for the day.....

"Laugh as if it's funny, embrace as if it's love, and smile anyway."

~ Richelle E. Goodrich

#richelle #richellegoodrich #popularbooks #quotes #smileanyway #smile 

Author Spotlight: Mignon Supnet

This month, I'd like to introduce a young writer who has published a non-fiction book that will speak to your spirit.  Whether writing fiction or non-fiction, or just spending time sharpening her author skills, Mignon Supnet has found heartfelt reward in the journey.  Read on!

- Hi, Mignon!  Would you mind telling us a little bit about yourself?  Where were you born and raised?   

Hi Richelle.  Thank you for having me here.

I was born in Philippines and I did most of my growing up in Sparks, Nevada.

- How did you get your start in writing?  Was it a life-long passion or a more recently developed talent?

I’ve always enjoyed writing.  For the longest time, writing was a way I could escape, by pouring my heart into my journals. I found that for me, writing was easier than speaking.  Words would flow from pen to paper and it felt like a release. 

But… I think that as an author, my writing is still developing.  I consider myself a complete newbie and I’m finding that it’s not just about putting words together and writing whatever you want, there is a craft to writing for the masses and I’m busy learning and sharpening those skills.

- What genre and audience do you typically write for? 

My first book was non-fiction—about Spirituality.  It’s a self-account of my journey, but also a reference for other people finding themselves waking up to a new… perspective J.  

- Could you give us a list of your books and a short description? 

It’ll be a quick list J  I just have one so far.  Here it is!

Spirit 101: An Overview for Beginner Seekers into the World of New Age Spirituality

The book is an account of my experiences and what I’ve learned going through this process of ‘waking up.’ The shifts I’ve been through have been so pivotal, but also laced with a lot of frustration that I wanted to share what I’ve learned  and discovered. 

My hope for the book is to make the journey easier for someone going through the same things I did.

Where can this title be found for purchase?

Available at Amazon

- Since you’ve put your work out there for others to read and enjoy, what has been your most rewarding experience?

I got an email from a reader and she thanked me for writing the book.  She shared that she’d also lost her father and could understand and relate to everything I was talking about in the book. 

Her words were so heartfelt, and I was so deeply touched. It felt like an angel had been sent to me. It really lifted me up during a time when I was seriously questioning my abilities…  

- Who would you cite as an influence on your writing style?   Do you have a best-loved novel?

I love JK Rowling’s writing and I wish I could write like her.

 I completely fell in love with Harry Potter and his entire world.  I love how I felt I was part of everything in that story.  I wasn’t just reading it, I was experiencing everything—the sights, the smells, the awe and wonder of it all.  It had me going on many sleepless nights trying to finish ‘just one more page.’

As far as influence, I would say that my biggest influence is my best friend—NANCY BROOKS.  She’s an author as well and she’s always encouraging me about my own voice and style. She also coaches me, shows me tips, and gets me past my writing blocks by acting as my sounding board.  She’s awesome!

- Any projects planned for the near future that you can share to perk our interest?

As of now, I’m taking a step away from non-fiction writing.  However, I do have this nagging want to do an Angel book in the future, but the time isn’t quite right yet.

In the meantime, I’ve entered into fiction writing and I’m having a blast.  My mind is constantly on overtime thinking about the story I’m building and I’m loving having this other world to go to.  It is so much fun!

- I have to throw in my own curious question; do you have a favorite quote? 

Someone once told me that ‘everything we’re going through now, is only to get us prepared for our better future.’ I think about this advice/quote a lot and it has gotten me through some difficult times.

The quote is reassuring and keeps me going.

All the good, bad, and ugly that I’ve seen and experienced are the very things that will take me into my better future and I can’t wait!     

- Thanks so much for your time, Mignon, and best of luck with your writing endeavours.  Is there a way for any interested parties to keep informed about your accomplishments as an author?  Do you maintain a website or an author blog?

 Ooh, yes. Thank you for asking.  My primary site is Books, Blogs, and Bits where I like to post author interviews and other highlights. Eventually I may start to include reviews, but I just haven’t had a lot of time to read, now that I’m spending most of my free time, writing.

I really believe in supporting other authors and artists of all mediums and I’m honoured whenever I can feature an interview.

I also have Mignon’s Place, where I post more personal thoughts and experiences and where I like to give out free downloads whenever I can J

Here are the links:

Books, Blogs, and Bits:  http://books.iggylife.com

Mignon’s Place:  http://iggylife.com

- Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Becoming a writer has… I can’t explain it, but it feels like, I’ve grown and come alive in ways I didn’t even realize that I needed/wanted.  I have had awesome opportunities like this interview, that I would have never had before!

If there is anyone else out there, contemplating becoming a writer, an author, or pursuing another dreams, do yourself a favour and listen to your heart. Give your dreams a chance and see what happens.   

I just want to say THANK YOU.  This has been such a great experience!

________________________________________________________

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Eena, The Curse of Wanyaka Cave

by Richelle E. Goodrich

Giveaway ends April 10, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Dandelions Book Promo

In this fictional tale, Annabelle Fancher, a girl of elementary school age, struggles to cope with a cruel, alcoholic father. By means of storybooks and dreaming characters to life from popular fairytales, she manages to create make-believe moments of happiness in the midst of a harsh reality.

School is the only place Annabelle interacts socially, where a few individuals suspecting her circumstances attempt to reach out to the wary girl. But it is an imagined friend whom she turns to repeatedly for comfort and kindness. When his ghostly form appears before her during waking hours - his voice augmenting the hallucination - it becomes a struggle to keep reality and pretend from blurring boundaries.

Her choice, it seems, is to succumb to madness, and happily so, or embrace her cruel reality.

Available at Amazon.com, Kobo.com, BarnesandNoble.com, or through any EBM Machine.

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Do You Have the Passion?

I read a writer's blog the other day and was impressed by the talent I discovered in samples of a murder mystery piece.  It was enjoyable to read what was offered.  It was shocking, however, to find in the last entry an adamant statement regarding the writer's work. 

'I quit on my novel.'  Point blank—no excuses. 

How sad.

So, I wrote her a message, one that might help others who stand on the brink of that high cliff called I Quit.  Are you so sure you want to jump? Perhaps you should fill your name in the blank.

"You,_________, have talent in writing, that is clear. But what I sense is a novelist's dream detached from real love for the work.

Let me be bold here, not to bruise feelings but to help you face your desires full on.  It seems your attitude towards writing is more like that of a spectator—a hopeful soul thrilling in the race from the sidelines, mostly glorying in the idea of crossing that coveted finish line but without stepping foot on the track.  Do you dare join the harried sprint, to sweat and struggle and sacrifice things of worth, to risk being knocked onto your butt, laughed at or pitied for attempting to compete with experienced performers and risk everything only to find yourself the least of the pack?

It is a gamble: following a dream. To be one small and perhaps weak voice among millions. That is precisely why you must LOVE the work.

I write because in all my life I have found no other venture that consumes me with the same fierce desire. I am a storyteller at heart. Like hunger, the need to put fantasy into words controls my appetite continually throughout each and every day. I yearn to share my daydreamed adventures, and I hope (as well as pray) to live long enough to scribble out every last story swirling about in my head. Writing is my passion. Succeeding as a novelist, minor successes even, drives my daily choices and actions.

So the questions you must ask yourself are these: Do I crave opportunities to write? Is writing my driving force or simply a hobby and a pleasant way to fill the time? Does the desire to write push me to the point of sacrificing other activities of arguable importance? Would you give up your lunch hour just to scratch out one more really good paragraph? And perhaps the best test of all—would your family ever accuse you of being obsessed with the work?

I love this quote by Leon Uris - "'Who here wants to be a writer,' I asked. Everyone in the room raised his hand. 'Why the hell aren't you home writing?' I said, and left the stage."

I dare you to feel toward writing as you do toward whatever activity wins your free time. Or... perhaps... is it this other distraction that truly sparks your inner drive? Are you an artist, a builder, an athlete, a performer at heart? If you had the choice to describe a love scene through words, or sketch and color it visually, or perhaps act it out on stage, which would excite you to action? And which would cause your shoulders to droop with thoughts of procrastination?

If a desire to write burns in you, try this approach to a new novel. Think up an ending first. Imagine those last touching moments in a movie, the final chapter of a book so consuming you neglected all else to finish it in two days. Envision this great ending (you don't have to know the plot yet) and play it out a few times in your imagination. Give the characters mental faces and names. Then write the ending to this masterful story. If you are awed by your own ending to the book, then in my opinion you are more than halfway there.

It is building castles in the sky! Now, all you have to do is put foundations under them. Or in other words, write towards that amazing ending. It will steer your characters' choices all throughout the creation of the book. For me, it has always been an effective way to write because it assures where the story is headed and where the finish line has been drawn. That is how I write—with the end determined first, my goal clearly in sight.

I wish you the best of luck in whatever dream you pursue. The difficult part is choosing where to focus your efforts when you are obviously gifted in more than one creative area. God has blessed you with talents that you have been faithful in developing.  But, do not fail to do something daily to move toward your goal, even if it means writing only one sentence. You will be amazed by how quickly those simple sentences accumulate into an impressive accomplishment! 

Small steps.  You can do it!  There is no need to quit.

Christmas is a Whisper

A whirlwind.

That is Christmas.

Turmoil, demands, expectations, and anxiety swirl internally while I rush to and fro, trying to accomplish in very little time what is deemed necessary for a successful holiday.

Tree up. Decorate the boughs, lights first. No, not like that, spread the ornaments around. Mix up the colors. Attempt to show helping hands how to do it right, but everyone is apparently colorblind. Whatever. Determine to fix it later. Where did that blasted star get stored? Check inside ten different boxes and then settle on an angel topper.

"But, Mom, we used the angel last year and the year before that!"

"Ugh, just deal with it."

Online shopping―because it's easier, right? Have gifts shipped to the front door and avoid the crowds. Why is the cursed internet so slow? Out of stock―ugh. Only the sizes I don't need, of course. Click, click, click―tick tock, tick tock. Oh, oh, wait a minute... great prices here! Yes, my shopping cart is full at last! Check out with VISA; charge it and worry about the bill later.

"What the criminy? HOW MUCH IS SHIPPING?!!!"

Search the internet for a free shipping code. Find none. Try twenty discount codes―all denied. First-time-shopper code―invalid. Invalid? Really? Did our house elf shop at this site when I wasn't looking? Feel a serious headache coming on. So much time wasted surfing the net, inserting useless codes. Fine; just forget it. Empty out half the shopping cart and swallow the exorbitant shipping rates. Determine to finish the Christmas shopping downtown―later.

 

Do not forget the holiday baking! Sugar cookies, gingerbread, chocolate chip... you want brownies and fudge? Gain 10 pounds just mixing the dough. Bake, clean, bake, clean, bake, clean, clean, clean... I'll clean up the rest later.

Make up plates to deliver to friends. Run from one side of town to the other.

"Merry Christmas! No, sorry, no time to sit and talk. More deliveries to make."

Go, go, go. Nearly done!

"Hey, Mom, what about so-and-so? We didn't give them any cookies."

Dang it, forgot about so-and-so. Hurry home. Find a paper plate. Extra cookies, but no red candy kisses. So what, good enough. Head across town... deliver... finally done!

 

Exhausted. Whirlwind intensifies. Still have shopping to finish―later.

 

Just smile one time for this photo. Please? Yes, you have to wear the Santa hat. For the Christmas card. Because, dear.

Because.

Because.

Just because.

Because I said so, alright! Now smile! Grrrrr.

Good enough―not really; kids look like angry little elves. Patience has left the building (mine and theirs.)

 

Sign a hundred Christmas cards.

Lick a hundred stamps.

Hand cramps. Tongue numb.

Christmas shopping to finish―later.

 

"Mom, you didn't put up any mistletoe."

"I know."

"Mom, you didn't get out the Countdown-to-Christmas chart."

"I know."

"Mom, you haven't watched Scrooge with me yet."

"I know."

"Mom, you didn't make my hot chocolate yet."

"I know."

"Mom, how many days until Santa comes?"

"I don't know."

"Mom, I have a Christmas Concert tomorrow at school."

"Eeek! What? I forgot about that."

"Yeah, Mom, I have one too for band next week."

"Uh, forgot about that too."

"Yeah, Mom, and we have to sell Christmas trees to go to camp."

"You have to sell what?"

"Mom, I have to bring brownies to school tomorrow for a party."

"Mom, I wanted to make that Christmas wreath, remember?"

"Uh, right."

"Mom, I have to go caroling with our group tonight."

"Mom, did you find that Countdown-to-Christmas yet?"

"The company Christmas party is next Friday; don't forget."

 

Whirlwind escalates. And I still have to finish the Christmas shopping―later.

 

Time stretches thinner to allow for attending Christmas concerts and parties and tree sales and to finally dig through storage boxes for that begged-after, must-have, young-lives-will-be-ruined-otherwise Countdown-to-Christmas chart. "Thanks, Mom!"

 

Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock...

"Twelve days to Christmas, Mom!"

"Seven days to Christmas, Mom!"

"Five days to Christmas, Mom!"

 

The whirlwind picks up internally; anxiety levels spike. I seriously need to finish my shopping!

Make a list and run to the store between work and piling events.

"WHY ARE THE LINES SO *%#@$*•ING LONG?!"

 

Hide in a room to wrap gifts.

Wrapping, wrapping, wrapping―"Mom, where are you?"

Ignore the question; hope it goes away; wrapping, wrapping, wrapping―"Mo~o~om, where are you?" Sigh and answer. "I'm in my room. I'm busy."

Young mouths press up to the door―"Mom, we need... Mom, we want..."

Ignore their demands to wrap a little more, a little faster. "Mom, can we come in?"

Doorknob twists and jiggles. Throw blanket over exposed gifts. "No, no, no! Stay out!"

Return to wrapping―frantically. Whining now begins, traveling through the locked door. "Mo~o~om, we're starving."

Might as well give up. This means wrapping all night on Christmas Eve, but who needs sleep?

 

"Two days to Christmas, Mom!"

Grumble under my breath. No time, no fun.

The whirlwind inside feels awful.

 

Dinner over. Dishes done. Everyone in bed. Lights out. So much left to do but too exhausted. Still have last-minute items to shop for―later.

 

I plop down on the sofa in the dark, but it is not entirely dark. Christmas lights on the tree blink soundlessly, on and off and on again in repeated patterns. It is beautiful. I stare at the light show, mesmerized.

The silence is astounding. Therapeutic even. Internally, the whirlwind eases by degrees, melting like magic. My breathing slows as colors dance on needled tree branches, consoling me. Sinking into the sofa, I wonder at this strange feeling of calmness that invades my being, seeping in from the top of my head to travel in warm tingles throughout my body. It makes me smile.

How sweet the silence that needs no straining ear. How perfect it is, like a whisper that only my soul can hear―"It's alright. It's alright." This gentleness settles into my heart, and I wish for it to remain. This is what has been missing. Too caught up in the whirlwind that society declares Christmas to be, my racing thoughts have drowned out the still, small voice that now brings genuine comfort to my soul. The Christmas spirit does not rush. It does not shout. It does not expect or demand or constrain.

I joy in this rare moment of stillness. My soul hears and believes.

A whisper.

That is Christmas.

"Christmas is a whisper of peace and a sigh of hope on the lips of love."  ~ Richelle E. Goodrich

Being Mrs. Santa Claus

It’s nearly Christmas.

A mid all the festive and traditional runaround, we generally perform a few extra acts of goodwill during this giving season.  So, upon a request this year, my husband and I agreed to dress up and play Santa and Mrs. Claus at a craft bazaar held inside a small-town elementary school.  Children lined up to sit on jolly, old Santa's lap and receive peppermint candy canes from his sweet and cheerful wife, Mrs. Claus.  Our teamwork made a bunch of kids happy—twinkling, eager eyes and grinning lips reciting long lists of what-I-want-for-Christmas.  We also made a few wary children cry at their parents' insistence they sit on the old, bearded man's lap for as long as it took to snap a few keepsake pictures.

O verall, it was a merry day.  But it was more than that; it was an eye-opening marvel.

I  began noticing something fascinating the moment we walked out our front door all dressed up in red-and-white Claus disguises.  Observers who looked our direction beamed cheerfully, pointing us out to others in their company.  Nudging my husband, (who had also become aware of the fact that his presence was excitedly noted by kids in the car ahead of us) we waved at the smiling onlookers.  They returned eager waves.  It was an interesting drive along the freeway noting brightened expressions on those who glanced our way, traveling the same road.  And by the time we arrived at the little elementary school, a distance from our own hometown, I understood that great expectations rest on the shoulders of those who dare garb themselves in the famous 'Claus' uniform.

A s  Santa and I walked up the sidewalk to the front doors of the school, we were taken in by a sea of eyes.   It was an illuminating and surreal experience.  People smiled.  People waved.  People offered cordial greetings.  The unanimous assumption was that we were a happy, kind, generous couple with warm hugs to offer and open ears available to hear every last youthful want and wish.  And as we went about our business—visiting with strangers, holding their children, giving them sweet hope and happy hearts and candy canes—it occurred to me I'd never in my lifetime been approached by such an abundance of friendly smiles.  It felt wonderful!  So I had to ask myself, why this collective thrill at Santa's presence?  

E asy enough to answer... because people know that Santa cares.  They expect a jolly character, open arms, and a warm lap.  They trust that this white-bearded man dressed all in red will be attentive to their wants, patient with their reservations, kind in his words and gestures, and generous with his gifts.  A short visit with him grants acceptance and love and affirmation to all.  A moment in his presence lets them know they are indeed precious individuals worthy of his time.  What an honorable thing to assume the role of Santa Claus!  What a treat to have Santa's fixed attention!

U nderstanding of these facts came to me bit by bit throughout the afternoon as I did my very best to perform as people expected.  My time as Mrs. Claus passed delightfully.  My thoughts, however, continued to mull over the event even days later until I finally understood why this experience had affected me so intensely.

T  he truth—I want people to look at me the way they looked at Mrs. Santa Claus.  Is that silly?  Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  All I know is this: when I walk into a room full of individuals who know me presently, the response isn't nearly as delighted and good-spirited as what I experienced from those faces turned on Mrs. Claus.  Not that I don't receive smiles or kind words, but the reception is mild compared to the joyful acceptance of those who greeted Mr. & Mrs. Claus.

I  t seems I have my work cut out for me.  For it is one thing to care about people; I do care.  It's an entirely different story to have people know you care and respond to that surety.  And that is where the Claus's have taught me a valuable lesson.  And so this Christmas season I will turn over a new leaf and do more than simply feel for others.  Then perhaps, eventually, people will see in me the heart of dear Mrs. Santa Clause and naturally brighten up in my presence.

"Act like you care. Pray like you care. Speak, smile, reach out, and live like you care. The point is to make sure those in your life know beyond doubt that you do care." 

~ Richelle E. Goodrich