Don't Be a Scrooge

Earlier this month, as I was walking around the mall with my family, we noticed a kiosk for a local cupcake shop. The baker sat on her chair, with her goodies lined up along the counter, and tended to her customers. My oldest daughter, an aspiring cupcake master, took notice. She pleaded with me to take her over to the baker because she wanted to ask some questions. After milling around, I leaned over to my husband and pointed out our little one's desire.



Image from MS Office Clipart

We trotted over to the kiosk. The baker, an older lady with a bright smile, greeted us. She pulled out a tray filled with mini cupcakes and offered us each a sample. Nerves took over and caused my daughter to remain silent. I had to take control before she walked away disappointed. I scooted closer to the baker and said, "My daughter is an aspiring cupcake maker. Would you be willing to answer a few questions for her?"

"Sure!" she exclaimed before turning to face my little girl. "What would you like to know?"

My daughter quickly opened up and asked her questions. The baker shared what she needed to do in order to get her own bake shop, which includes going to school to learn about business management as well as baking courses. She also shared how she tests her cupcakes in order to create delicious treats everyone likes. When she was finished, she said to my daughter, "When my new store opens up, you can come and help me decorate the cupcakes if you want."

A big smile stretched wide across my daughter's little face, and beams of lights radiated out from her before she replied, "I would like that." The baker handed over a business card to her. "Thank you!" she said to the baker.

"You're welcome! Hope to see you soon!" the baker stated. We walked away, after buying several cupcakes of course, and continued our stroll around the mall. Crystal remained on cloud nine.

"I cannot believe I got to talk to a real baker!" she kept exclaiming, as she floated from store to store. When we got home, the happy little girl proudly displayed the business card on her treasure board.

So, as you can see, it is very important to take time to help others. The baker could have easily shooed us away, but she welcomed the chance to help a little girl with a big dream. It was a moment that I am sure my daughter will never forget for the rest of her life. Again, thank you, cupcake baker, for taking the time out of your day and teaching all of us the importance of helping others.

Dear Reader, who will you help today? Tell us your story below!

Peace and love, my friends!

~Jaclyn

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Free Book Reviews

Are you looking to reach your target audience? If so, I have three children ready to read your book. Hello, my name is Jaclyn. I am a writer, blogger, illustrator, and mommy of three. The books I review are for ages 0-14 and PG. Any genre is fine. I regularly review on Amazon, but I am starting a section on my blog for reviews. If we don’t like a book, we will not review it; however, if we do chose your book, I will tweet and share it on my SM sites. Feel free to message me at theretiredtoothfairy@outlook.com. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and G+. And of course, don’t forget about my blog. Hope to talk to you soon!

::::Update::::

I am now a volunteer reviewer for The Midwest Review. Reviews I post on my site will also be submitted to the Reader's Bookwatch--a monthly newsletter by The Midwest Review. It is a great opportunity for extra exposure.

In addition, my first book has been published. If you are willing to exchange reviews--I would appreciate if you can return the kindness- please let me know when inquiring about a book review.

Another thing to keep in mind, since my children help review the books, there is a timeframe to consider.

Early Readers can take 4-6  weeks depending on amount of requests.
Middle Grade Chapter Books will take longer 6-12 weeks depending on size and amount of requests.

Preference will be given to audiobooks since they are easier to review.

In order to make it as a submission for the Reviewer's Bookwatch, these need to be included in your email:

From The Midwest Review site---

Title

Author

Publisher

Publisher's address

13-digit ISBN number (a 10-digit ISBN is accepted if necessary)

List Price (a.k.a. "cover price"), in U.S. Dollars if possible. Please do not give a book's discounted price on Amazon or anywhere else, because "sale" prices are subject to frequent change, unlike the cover price.

Thank you! I look forward to helping you!

 

My Top Ten Writing Resources

Photo by Jaclyn Bartz

It has been three years since I started writing professionally. Writing and drawing have always been hobbies of mine, and now I have finally taken this brave step forward. Through the years and the difficulties, I had learned a lot and remained persistent. This blog is written with my past experiences in mind and the intent to help you grow as well. Being an aspiring author starts with the desire to write; but not necessarily the knowledge on how to do it. It takes a lot of ambition and desire to follow this path. The road is paved with failures and doubts; but, remember, there is no success without it.  As I transition from being a writer to an author, there are many things that have helped me along the way. The following list is a compilation of my favorite resources. Please take a look. I hope you find these useful. Good luck on your journey.

1. The Dictionary &  The Thesaurus

Plain and simple--these are by far the most valuable books to have. I use them daily. They are really great for looking up the meanings of words and for eliminating redundancies.

2. YouTube

This site is loaded with information. I have looked up all different topics--from writing author bios to marketing. Anything you are wondering about is located on this site. And there are many experts willing to share the inside of the business with you.

3. LinkedIn

Another great source for information and a place to connect with like-minded individuals. I believe the only way to succeed in your chosen career is by asking for mentoring from other professionals. They have gone through different experiences and their knowledge is valuable. As I have stated in an earlier post, they are willing to help you if you ask. Don't be afraid to reach out because they were once in your shoes and have fretted over the same fears. They are also passionate, just like you.  

4. Self-Help

Yes, self-help. Confidence is key in this field. Self-doubt ruins many potential artists from reaching their dreams. In fact, it stops them dead in their tracks. Having the confidence to talk in public or to strangers or other professionals is the greatest trait you can have. There are many self-help books, videos, etc. to help guide you through your fears. Again, YouTube is a great source for free self-help videos. My favorite speaker is Brian Tracy.

5. Social Media

Facebook and Twitter are a great way to connect with friends, fans, and professionals. These sites are wonderful for sharing tidbits about yourself, providing information on things you care most about, and, of course, promotion. When I use these sites, I like to share fun things and tips I find around the internet. I like my pages to show my commitment to learning and my fun sense of humor. These pages should be reflective of your unique personality and it should be relatable to your audience. 

6. Writing Children's Books for Dummies by Lisa Rojany Buccieri and Peter Economy

I am a children's book writer, so this book was a valuable one for me. Naturally, if you are writing adult fiction, then this will not be the book for you. On a serious note, I love the content this book contains. It goes over everything from storyboarding to illustrating. It explains effective dialogues and character development. It also includes creative writing exercises. This book is a great starting point. 

7. 2014 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market by Chuck Sambuchino

Do you need more information about this market? If so, this book is a great resource for finding out more about it. This provides great insight on the publishing market, including agents, contests, and conferences. This helps with prepping manuscripts, writing query letters, and some very valuable contact info for industry leaders. This book is specifically for the children's market; if you are looking for another genre, then look at the other collections in the series. They have some tailored for only writers, graphic designers, etc.

 8.  The Frugal Book Promoter by Carolyn Howard-Johnson

What do you do after you write your book? How are people going to be aware your book even exists? Well, this is where the scariest phase of being an author starts. (And, yes--this makes me really nervous.) Marketing, of course! This book I really like because it is tailored for beginners with limited budgets--which I am. Ms. Carolyn does a wonderful job explaining the ins-and-outs of book marketing, while helping to calm those crazy nerves we all experience. Her writing style is equivalent to having a conversation with a close friend. This is my personal favorite. Of course, you want to look for a marketing book that fits your needs, but please check this one out. You won't be disappointed.

9. CreateSpace

This site is loaded with information about writing, editing, and publishing--regardless of the publishing route you are choosing to take. CreateSpace is a part of Amazon; so if you do pursue self-publishing, this is a great way to get your book out into the mass market. This is a must to check out. I am sure you will find something you like.  

10. TypingWeb.com

Why a typing course? Well, if you are like me--a terrible typist, who is lucky to do 10wpm--then this is a valuable ((free)) resource to get this essential skill up to speed. I love this because it shows how well you are progressing and it is easy to use. The courses are laid out in a logical format--starting from the home rows keys to typing words. Overall, it has helped me type my handwritten manuscripts faster on my computer than I could if I still used my "two-finger peck".

There it is, my list of favorites. If you have any favorites you would like to share, please feel free to comment below. Feedback is always welcome. Peace and love!

~Jaclyn
https://www.facebook.com/ArtistJaclynMBartz
https://www.facebook.com/TheRetiredToothFairy

The Artist's Worst Enemy: Self-Doubt

Am I good enough? Will people like my book? Will they like me? What if I fail? What if I succeed? What's next after publishing? Am I in over my head?

Self-doubt. It is a pain-in-the-bum. I am sure I am not the only one experiencing these feelings. In fact, I know I am not the only one feeling this way. If you are reading this blog, you may very well be asking yourself the same questions. Welcome to the club--together we will push this doubt aside. ((Hopefully))

The fear of success is strangely just as powerful as the fear of failing. As artists, we pour our hearts and souls into our projects. In a conversation with Nancy O'Neill (www.guesswhatbooks.com ), she likened writing a book to having a baby. We spend a lot of time nurturing our stories and drawings. We watch them grow from a group of small scribbles to a beautiful, healthy work of art. Then our babies are ready to go out into the world and we are left hoping they are accepted by it. We pray they do not get swallowed up or thrown to the wayside. We want the very best for them. Why? Because they are a piece of us. If they are rejected, then we are in a sense rejected too.

Hence, the self-doubt and the fear. No one wants to feel rejected or to have a project of ours ripped to shreds. We want love and support. We need people to like us and our work. Without it, we are lost. But we cannot let these fears stop us from putting our work out there. Artists crave reaction. We love to see how others respond. We love to see the joy on their faces when they connect with our creations. We love to hear them make comments and ask questions. We love to see them take a closer look or when they are in deep thought over a piece. Artist love to connect. It is why we create.

But how are we able to connect if we don't share our work with others? Simply put--we can't. No one will see your unique beauty if you are too scared to show it. The fear is just that--fear. It is a state of mind. It is a wall preventing you from realizing your dreams. It is stopping you from being you. The truth is your work, your message, and who you are is wonderful. Stop being fearful and just believe. Believe in yourself and your art because you are special. Embrace your fears and learn how to move past them. Educate yourself about the business if you are feeling overwhelmed. Learn about formatting, editing, marketing, etc. Join groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, and any other sites where you can talk to other artists. There are a lot of people willing to help as long as you ask. Peace and love my friends.

Find more useful tips and links @ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jaclyn-M-Bartz/281282778685664