FACE FACTS

Guillaume-Benjamin Duchenne studied facial expressions. The theory resulting from his research was: the muscles of the face represented the movement of the soul. Duchenne identified and isolated fifty-three emotions that correlated with the formation of certain muscle responses. Which makes me wonder if he isn't the granddaddy of the social media phenomenon -  emoticon.

There are forty-two muscles in the human face, each capable of forming expressions and contortions. We unconsciously manifest our thoughts, desires, and disposition through the reflections cast upon our face.

If you visualize someone who's love-sick; depressed; courageous, eating chocolate cake . . . it's easy to get the picture. Thinking back to times of stress, duress, or trauma in our own lives, someone may have told us to suck it up or put a smile on our face and we've complied. We show the world what they want to see but for a fleeting moment while we decided on our public persona, our true feelings may have shown. Actually, this unspoken language of expression is hard to suppress but some will argue that what you think is what you'll be.

These reasons are why it's so important to have contact with another person in more than a one hundred forty character tweet where they've chosen the icon they want you to think they feel. It's important to see for yourself how another is actually internalizing your conversation. This is where separating fact from facade becomes complicated. We are drawn to people because of their demeanor and until we gain knowledge or life experience, we'll sometimes walk away from our conversations saying, 'What kind of a look was that?' not sure if the body language actually matched the verbal response.

If you think about it, our personality shines through our face. So does our mood. Feelings. Physical health. Even our credibility. Writers who study facial expressions and body language and apply them (with the same sensibility as adding hot pepper sauce to meat) tend to develop more well-defined characters. I encourage you to think about using a little spice in your writings.

(Mecanisme de la Physionomie Humaine - 1862) 

"Begotten With Love" news update:  It's now possible to access our website www.BegottenTheBook.com with most mobile phones. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

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IS IT POSSIBLE TO WRITE LIKE THE OPPOSITE SEX THINKS or TALKS??

AS A WRITER (IF YOU"RE A MAN) CAN YOU THINK AND TALK LIKE A WOMAN (and VICE-VERSA)?

Writers are observationists. We study movement. We feel colors. We absorb the pulse of a city. We sense the turmoil of the heart. From the shadows of a fertile mind come all sorts of characters . . . real and imagined!

Yet, the plague from our pen is our inability to talk, reason, or think like the opposite sex. It's easier to draw a caricature of a human being and enjoy their foibles than to build a genuine, sensitive, or complex life for the hero or heroine locked within the pages of our book.

Let me put it to you in another way. Who wrote the following . . .  a man or a woman?
    The cop placed his hand firmly on the hood of Grady's truck. "Could you pull this bad boy closer to the dock?"

Most women will read this and not have a clue. Most men will get it immediately. Why? Because a man knows men don't ask someone if they "can." They know people "can." It's a question of will they?

As they say, the devil is in the details.

If you'd like to read more about relationships, I suggest reading the classic: "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" by John Gray, Ph.D.

Then, when you feel comfortable with your dialogue, read it with someone of the opposite sex and ask them their opinion. The answers may surprise you! Remember, the goal is to improve our skills.

Here's wishing you colorful relationships to write about and much success.

"Begotten With Love" news update:  It's now possible to access our website www.BegottenTheBook.com with most mobile phones. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

To learn more:
VISIT: www.BEGOTTENtheBook.com
LIKE: on Facebook or
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5 HABITS THAT SAVE TIME

Have you reached a point where you can no longer see the top of your desk? Are you missing deadlines?  Misplacing important papers? These five time management tips may help quell that breath-squeezing nemesis of procrastination that holds us back from being productive.

The excuse "I don't have time . . ." is a lie! Time management studies have proven we waste 45 minutes a day looking for documents, papers, phone numbers, or eMails because we don't take the time to organize and file. HABIT ONE: Start filing papers scattered around the office each day. 

As an indie author, I understand how difficult it is to prioritize but putting out fires is not a management plan. Make yourself sit down once a week and plan out a day-by-day activity sheet. What's the top priority for the week?  HABIT TWO: Productivity thrives when projects are outlined and timelines are set. It forces us into accountability.

HABIT THREE: Clean up eMail, phone, and business card contact lists. Categorize your contacts: Fans, press, publishers, etc. Two great reasons to do this: 1) gets rid of erroneous addresses and names of unknown origin and 2) allows you to release important information in the most expedient format.

HABIT FOUR: Choose two or three social media venues to get your message out. It may take a while to find which ones work best for you. Set a timer, if need be, to limit on-line use. I try to limit myself to half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening. I also give myself half an hour to just chat with friends but that's on my time; not when I'm working.

HABIT FIVE: Take time to organize the websites you want to visit someday. Whether you do it on the computer or in a 3-ring binder, tab it for quick and easy access.

Here's wishing you more time to write and much success.

"Begotten With Love" news update:  It's now possible to access our website www.BegottenTheBook.com with most mobile phones. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

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FIND LIVING HISTORY IN OUT-OF-PRINT BOOKS

My fingers delicately thumbed through the browning pages of the aged book, a prized gift from a new friend. I didn't know what I was looking for. I was browsing, hoping to immerse myself into the lifestyle of  the south from the 1860s to the early 1900s.

Reading the Honorable Daniel Pratt: A Biography, Eulogies on His Life and Character by M. S. Tarrant (1904) offered information I would have otherwise never found. Pratt was an amazing man, truly a visionary. Beloved by the community, honored for his philanthropic work, admired for his ingenuity, he used his wealth and prestige to better the lives of his employees. Still, after all these years, he's a model of the American dream and the positive influence of capitalism.

This 6" x 9" treasure gave me a glimpse into living conditions, education, and employment opportunities, so, that when I traveled to Prattville, Alabama a few months later, and my host took me on a tour of the town, I could visualize the buildings even though some were now torn down, or abandoned. Two of my greatest moments were: one) walking up a set of stairs that my great, great grandfather climbed every day when he worked at the Pratt Gin Manufactory and two) touring his home which just happened to be for sale when I was visiting.

No matter what your story or genre, consider researching conditions to add to the overall ambiance of the location. Things, such as: weather patterns, building materials, road conditions, housing, jobs, local slang, town celebrities, to name a few.

Remember, you may be fully dressed in just a shirt and slacks or a little black dress but it's the jewelry that adds the sparkle. It's the same thing with writing. Don't forget to add the sparkle.

Enjoy the hunt. I wish you much success.

FIRST PLACE - Biography - Published

"Begotten With Love" news update:  It's now possible to access our website www.BegottenTheBook.com with most mobile phones. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

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VISIT: www.BEGOTTENtheBook.com
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LOVE

Happy Valentine's Day!

I think Thomas Merton said it best (and unfortunately I'm going to paraphrase) when he said, "If you love someone and still want to change them, then you are wanting to love a reflection of yourself and not love the other person for who they actually are."

I wish you true love and all the joys that come with that. If you write about love, I hope it's in its purest form and shines brightly on the strength and commitment two people share. And if you need inspiration or clarification as to what true love is, look into the eyes of a baby and be renewed.

MONEY - YOURS FOR THE ASKING

A few years ago, a favorite aunt of mine passed away. She was close to a hundred years old, so, needless to say, she had lived a long life. Even though I miss her dearly, I have the pleasure of cherishing the memories of times we'd spent together. She wasn't rich by any stretch of the imagination. So, needless to say, I was beyond surprised when I received a packet from her attorney telling me their office found an unclaimed amount of money with me named as beneficiary. Now, before you think we are buying and selling islands in the Pacific, let me say that we received enough to have a nice dinner in her honor and then it was back to reality.

This experience led me to wonder . . . how many people know there are government offices in each state for unclaimed property? You may have a claim that is rightfully yours for the asking (with proper identification and forms) whether you earned it yourself or are an heir apparent.

Here are some examples taken from real life experiences:
A new bride and her husband took out a life insurance policy when their first child was born. Sixty years passed and the policy had been forgotten. Grandma and grandpa died and the family knew nothing of their inheritance until someone checked the unclaimed property web site in the state where grandma lived as a young bride.

We are a mobile society. Careers and jobs change. We move, divorce, remarry. Buy and sell property. There may be financial residue from a number of sources we never considered.

In a letter I received from Jeff Atwater, State of Florida Chief Financial Officer, unclaimed property includes lost or abandoned funds, such as: inactive bank accounts, securities, forgotten insurance refunds and uncashed payroll or utility deposit checks. You may be a beneficiary!

Here's wishing you a successful treasure hunt.

FIRST PLACE - Biography - Published

Jo Ann V. Glim is a seasoned veteran of freelance writing
and author of the award winning book, "Begotten With Love."  

To learn more:
VISIT: www.BEGOTTENtheBook.com
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THE POWER of the PEN

It seems, nowadays, everybody has an opinion about everything! No one keeps it to themselves nor should they be forced to, if they choose to voice it. That's the beauty of the First Amendment. The part of it we seem to forget is: along with a personal opinion comes counterpoints which, if expressed these days, will most likely meet with harsh criticism, even disdain and mockery. What happened to respecting differing views? What happened to the art of listening to opposing sides of an argument and then drawing a conclusion based on facts and common sense?

If I were to answer my own question, I would say that I believe a part of this rudeness comes from a lack of respect for our language and the written word. It's true when they say that the pen is mightier than the sword. Our language is as complex and facile as the people who use it. Nations have fallen because of a few well-placed words. Journalists have been murdered for reporting or lampooning trending topics. Politicians have turned historic events into talking points and the media has bastardized our language to make reality (as they see it) palatable. Celebrities have ridden the tail of a comet to stardom with outrageous gibberish, as though having their face in front of a camera somehow empowers them with knowledge.

I saw a tee-shirt recently that said, I'm a writer. What's your super power? Being a writer is an awesome career choice but with it comes a hefty responsibility. Writers are at the forefront of entertainment, education, news, policy, and world debate, Our thoughts, observations and writings have the ability to persuade and inspire others. It can also be used to coerce, dilute or propagandize. We must never underestimate the power of our pens. Nor should we use them for anything but good.

If you are considering a career in JOURNALISM, take these 5 points to heart:

1     Check sources and facts. Even some of the most brilliant and prolific writers from the New York Times and Rolling Stone Magazine have taken shortcuts. It has cost the conglomerates readership and credibility and writers their jobs.

2     Write passionately not emotionally. Write objectively. Let the story unfold naturally.

3     Don't become a part of the story. If you have a pre-determined idea of what the story's outcome is, then you'll be looking to strengthen your point of view rather than investigate the true story.

4     Trust your gut. If something just doesn't smell right (JDSR) keep digging but use common sense. The last thing you want is to be arrested for harassment or stalking or worse yet, injured.

5     Keep an open line of communication with the editors. They are your best friends for assignments, contacts, and as a sounding board for story ideas.

Good luck with your career and may you pen never run out of ink!

Jo Ann V. Glim is a seasoned veteran of freelance writing and author of the award winning book, "Begotten With Love."  

FIRST PLACE - Biography - Published

Ernie Banks fan? Like my Facebook "Book News" page and see a picture and story from my friend Penny Lane Juhlin (learn our connection to Mr. Cub).

To learn more:
VISIT: www.BEGOTTENtheBook.com
FOLLOW/Like: on Facebook or
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