Tuesday, May 31, 2011

RetirementQuest


I was asked to participate in a tour for RetirementQuest. I wasn't sure what to think at first since you never know what kind of things you'll find on the internet. I have to admit, however, that I was pleasantly surprised to find this website very informative and full of resources. I would recommend it to everyone and plan to visit it myself in the future. You can find the website here. The following includes information about the site:

The state of today's economy is insecure, causing concern in many people and fear in many others.  It used to be that we relied on our retirement income to see us through our golden years, but we now have to face the reality that we must take action to ensure our well-being in the future.  How do we go about this?  What steps do we take, where do we go, how do we know we're doing it right?

 
Financial advisor John Hauserman, CFP®, has created a no-cost website as a tool for you to use on your financial journey.  This site features the amazing Planning Map, designed to help you think like a financial planner.  You can begin by setting up an account at no charge, complete with your zip code which will enable you to save your progress, but your information will never be sold or given away to any outside party. Or, if you prefer, simply skip registration with a single click. As you chart out your financial situation, you will never be asked for account numbers or personal information.
 
As you go through and create your personal profile, you'll feel in control of your future—a sense of freedom and independence that perhaps has been missing since the economy went downhill. You will get the tools you need to help:

1.       View the financial planning process from the eyes of a CFP®   professional in a user-friendly format that most find easy to understand
2.       Get the whole story on various investment products, not just "the good stuff" that financial (snake oil?) sales folks talk about
3.       Find useful links to government and other helpful websites
4.       Identify if a financial advisor has been thorough in their duties
5.       Identify and avoid fraudulent advisors
6.       Make better financial decisions

You're invited to stop by the RetirementQuest® website and see for yourself if this is a tool you can use.  Again, it's no cost, and all you have to lose is your financial stress. Those who take action now will find themselves in a much better place later—why delay your future security? Plan ahead and be prepared.
  
Securities and advisory services are offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, member FINRA/SIPC. A Registered Investment Advisor.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Thanks for the Tag


Angela at My Poetry and Prose Place tagged me. Angela is awesome. If you haven't visited her blog, you should.

I have to answer the following questions. You may all find this quite boring, so before I begin I'll remind you that I am going to have a 200 follower giveaway. I just haven't figured out what I'm doing yet. Once I figure it out, I'll let you know.


Do you think you're hot?
Um, no.

Upload a picture or wall paper you are using at the moment
It's my wallpaper at the moment.


When was the last time you ate chicken meat?
Sometime last week, I think.


The Song(s) you listened to recently?
The soundtrack to "Wicked"


What were you thinking as you were doing this?
Is this the last question?


Do you have nicknames?
Yes, and it's called Mom.


Tag eight Blogger friends
(You are it!)

Sara B. Larson

Emily Wing Smith
Jill at Musings by Me
Elena Jube at storyfires
Karen at A Writer's Ramblings
Christine at Day Dreamer

Who's listed as number one?
Sara. She's an amazing writer and sweet friend.


Say something about number 5.
She is a poetic writer. Everything she puts on paper comes out so beautifully. And . . . she is the reason I started writing seriously. Her support has been vital.



How did you get to know number 3?

We grew up in the same house. She's my sister.


How about number 4?

I met her at WIFYR a few years ago. She totally stole my agent, but I really liked her anyway.


Leave a message for number 6.

Hi Christine, love your face. (I would have said guts, but that's kind of gross.)


Leave a lovey-dovey message for number 2.
Lovey-dovey? Um, I don't know Emily that well. I think she's an amazingly awesome person, though.


Do number 7 and number 8 have any similarities?
Yes. Neither one of them exist. (I only picked six.)

Monday, May 16, 2011

Death by Delete Key

Yes. I'm ripping my baby to shreds. It's not pretty right now, but perhaps someday it will.

I've struggled with this manuscript, had all kinds of different feedback on it, and now, once again, I'm tackling another set of revisions. Sometimes I wonder if I'm killing it or molding it. Is it getting better--or worse?

What are your thoughts on revisions?

Monday, May 9, 2011

Hooray for Conferences

I had the opportunity to attend a really great conference this weekend. And it's not just because I won third place in a contest (although that was very cool). I learned about character bibles, writing great queries, and how to have a great blog (thanks Elana!)

I also got to brainstorm with the wise and uber-talented, not to mention really nice, Sydney Salter Husseman. It means a ton of work for me, but it was still full of awesomeness. I met two new writing friends there, too. Hi Sally and Janice!

I pitched FREE BREAD GIRL to Sara Crowe. I liked her and not just because she was interested in looking at my ms.

The best part of it all was hanging out with fabulous writing friends who I adore.

Conferences are full of awesomeness.

What are some of your favorite conference memories/experiences?

Monday, May 2, 2011

The Last of the Letters


 

M = Music

N = Nothing – the word wives say to husbands that really means something

O = Opulence – I just love this word.

P = Two words – Prison Break – How could I have not found this sooner?

Q = Quiet – My favorite sound

R = Running – Yes, I like to

S = Spinning – Yeah, this one too

T = Time – Why does it seem like there's never enough?

U = Undivided – Not able to divide which can also mean united, another good "U" word

V = Vanquish, as in master or overcome

W = Writing stories!

X = Xanthous (or yellow) We should all try to use this to describe yellow in our next novel. Doesn't that sound fun? No? Okay, fine.

Y = You – thanks all of you for coming by to visit!

Z = Zupa's – the best restaurant for soup and salad


 

Have a wonderful week!