Chicken Soup Series call out: Here Comes the Bride; chosen stories get $200 and 10 copies; deadline is June 30, 2011; details HERE: www.chickensoup.com
Tag Archives: marriage
Chicken Soup paying for true stories
Accepted pieces pay $200 plus 10 copies; 300-1,200 words; stories must be true
Upcoming themes and deadlines:
• Brides and Weddings – April 30, 2011
• Canada – Jan. 30, 2011
• Devotional Stories for Times of Trouble ($100) – Feb. 28, 2011
• Marriage and Married Life – May 30, 2011
• Mothers and Daughters – Dec. 31, 2010
• Teens – Dec. 31, 2010
• Young at Heart – Dec. 31, 2010
Details and to submit, go HERE:
10 QUESTIONS FOR…Mitch Temple, author of “The Marriage Turnaround”
Author interview with Mitch Temple
1. Tell us about your latest book.
It’s called The Marriage Turnaround: How Thinking Differently About Your Relationship Can Change Everything. As I have worked with couples through the years I have noticed that most marriage books focus on behavior: “5 Steps to better intimacy”; “3 Steps to resolving conflict.” But what about attitudes, expectations and beliefs in marriage? Psychology 101 teaches us that these things definitely affect how we feel and behave. Same is true in marriage. I discovered this principle in my own marriage as well couples who were thinking about walking out. If our thinking is wrong, our beliefs and expectations based on the wrong things the outcomes will typically be less than desired. So a good place to start in turning a bad marriage around or taking a good one to the next level is make sure that our expectations, beliefs and thinking is accurate and realistic. This book identifies over 10 common myths that many couples buy into today. We tackle the myths and help couples replace the bad thinking with more realistic ones. My writing style reflects the real me. I am a guy who celebrates common sense and practical things and who is doesn’t like books that buzz way over the heads of its readers. I use a lot of stories, humor and practical common sense stuff to help husbands and wife start “thinking” about what makes a successful marriage and not simply emoting and reacting all over the place.
2. How did you get started as a writer? I
had all these great ideas about books and kept pushing them to friends of mine who were well recognized writers and their response was always: “You write it, dummy.” So, I did. I didn’t see myself as a writer because I slept consistently through High School and College English. Another thing that was against me was that I am from the south. However, I am a very creative person and I enjoy helping people see things about themselves, life and marriage that they possibly overlook in the everyday rat race. I also had a younger friend was an editor and English major. She kept telling me “Mitch, just write! It don’t have to be pretty, just write.” I took her advice and started putting pen to paper and fingers to key boards and years later topics, patterns and ideas began to emerge.
3. What does a typical day look like for you?
I am the Director for a large international nonprofit so my day begins early and often ends late. However, I write at least some every day: during a break, during work or in the evenings and weekends. I have found that daily blogging helps me keep my writing fresh and provides some great ideas for other books. I am contracted to write another book for the publisher of The Marriage Turnaround, so my fingers are pointed in accomplishing that goal.
My day begins in the evenings upon returning home by kissing my wife, talking about her day and mine (when she lets me), talking to each of my practically grown kids and then going out on the deck with a cup of coffee and leaning back in my gravity defying chair staring out at the Colorado Rockies watching the sun go down. That is my daily therapy and occasionally a few good book ideas will float past me in the process.
4. Describe your desk/workspace.
Moderately cluttered. But my intentions are clean. Everyone is in a cube at work so dreams of a nicely decorated office with a door is not realistic for me. I once had the nice office and door for about 14 years. I miss it. However, I have a corner cube so I get to hear everyone’s gossips and complaints. Provides great stories for my books. At home, I grab a quite place usually situated by a window for Mountain Inspiration in the basement or an unoccupied bedroom. My daughter and 10 month old granddaughter have been living with us while our son in law has been serving in Iraq. So, peace and quite has to be sought after creatively which often includes closets, typing out on the deck in freezing weather, ear plugs and long bathroom visits. The vent fan provides great white noise.
5. Favorite books (especially for writers).
Bird by Bird (Anne Lamont); Favorite Poems by Robert Frost; anything by Garrison Keiler.
6. Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you-
One of my friends was one of the band members for Lynard Skynard; I love to help hurting people, and I once won a Prize Ribbon at the local horse show for chasing down a goat and tying him up the fastest.
7. Favorite quote:
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”
8. Best and worst part of being a writer:
Best part: having permission to look deep into your heart and pull out the stuff that you would never say out loud with hopes that your vulnerability and realness will bring help and direction to others. Worst part: the carpal tunnel, ongoing neck and back pain and criticism from rude people who don’t know your own heart as well as you do.
9. Advice for other writers:
Write. Write. Write. You don’t have to have an outline or solid ideas, just let the words seep out of your relaxed thoughts. Save everything- notes on McDonald’s napkins, notes you wrote to your spouse and kids and even writing pieces you felt were terrible. Everything can be valuable later, down the road. Listen to your critic’s but go with your gut and heart.
10. Tell us a story about your writing experience.
I got a call from a publisher friend who turned me down: “Let me give you some advice, don’t pursue this. You have other talents, pursue those. Some of us have it, some don’t. I am sure you will help a lot of people in other ways. Hope this doesn’t hurt your feelings.” I got a call from a much larger publisher three days later and they asked me to sign a two book contract with a major marketing promise. What a dumb head! Glad I didn’t listen to him.
Where can people buy your books?
Buy The Marriage Turnaround online at Amazon.com or your local book retailer. Visit Mitchtempleonline.com to read an excerpt from the book and read blog posts and articles from Mitch.
10 QUESTIONS FOR…self-help/inspirational author Karen Sherman, Ph.D.
Author interview with Karen Sherman, Ph.D.
Most of my time is spent as a practicing Psychologist and also teaching. But I love to do lots of things rather than the same routine. After lots of different experiences, I felt the need to share them with others and felt the best way to do it was through a book. Initially, I co-authored “Marriage Magic! Find It, Keep It, and Make It Last” to help couples rejuvenate their stale relationships. I tend to write about what I have experienced. I also write for various websites regarding relationships, which is one of my specialties.
1. Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book, “Mindfulness and The Art of Choice: Transform Your Life” is a self-help book that enables the reader to get past their past. It’s the result of a personal journey that was quite devastating from which I recovered with a lot of lessons on how to live a life of choice, a life of joy rather than being a prisoner to your past. After going through such an experience, I felt compelled to share with others what I had learned so that they, too, could live a better life.
2. How did you get started as a writer?
As I said, after going through my own experiences I guess I was a bit egotistical in thinking others could benefit from what I had learned!
3. What does a typical day look like for you?
Each day varies – which I love. But generally, it’s a mix between seeing clients, teaching, writing, and Fridays is left for watching my grandson. That’s really the best day of the week.
4. Describe your desk/workspace.
Organized clutter. I can find anything as long as I don’t get frustrated going through the piles.
5. Favorite books (especially for writers).
Just about anything Deepak Chopra has written and I have fun with James Patterson’s Alex Cross series when on vacation.
6. Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you.
– As a psychologist, I’m a bit unusual in that I’m willing to share personal information if I think it will benefit the client.
– My next book is about in-laws. Yep – you got it, another experience I’m going through that I think might help others.
– I couldn’t care less if alcohol was never on the face of this planet again; but bagels and ice cream – not that’s a whole different thing!
7. Favorite quote: “I took the road less traveled and that has made all of the difference.” (Robert Frost)
8. Best and worst part of being a writer
Best – People hold you in high regard.
Worst – Marketing the book so you can get your message out.
9. Advice for other writers:
It’s true what is said – writing the book is the easy part; getting it published and marketing it is the real work. You need to be persistent and believe in what you have to offer.
10. Tell us a story about your writing experience.
After self-publishing my first book, I decided to go the more traditional route for the second one. It was a challenge finding an agent to represent me (also part of the process). I still remember the day he signed me on – I felt so validated – someone believed in my work! A year and a half later, though there had been a couple of bites, none of the larger houses wanted to take me on. Supposedly, my title wasn’t sexy enough. My agent and I parted ways – certainly not the same exhilarating feeling as the initial one.
A small independent house, however, showed an interest in publishing my book. I was apprehensive in signing on with them. But I had heard all sorts of stories about how I would still be required to do a large portion of the market with a large publishing house and that if the book didn’t take off in 90 days, it would be problematic.
So I took the risk and signed. I have such a nice relationship with the company and get such personal attention and backing. I’ve never regretted it!
Where can people buy your book?
My book can be purchased through any online bookstore (Amazon.com, Borders.com, Barnes&Noble.com) or through either of my sites: www.drkarensherman.com or www.ChoiceRelationships.com.