Tag Archives: Videan

Coffee CommuniTea Debut

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Coffee and tea shops attract villages of like-minded people. But, not just coffee and tea lovers or people seeking community, relaxation and entertainment. Business folk hold meetings in these watering holes. Artists display work. Writers meet with their book clubs and critique partners. Music lovers come to relax and hear local acts. What a perfect environment to complement my goal to support all things Words•Music•Village?

Join us on this journey to discover indie coffee and tea shops, starting in the Phoenix metro area.  You’re expected to be an integral part of the conversation, adding your own hot spots and providing commentary on what’s posted. Consider this blog as our own online village to capture the cool, the hot, the fun, and the funky in this Coffee CommuniTea.

So, ready to join me for a cuppa?

How to Catch Your Dream: Immediate Ideas

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Recap of the “Catch Your Dreams” writing workshop and brainstorm for the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers, Jan. 26, 2011
By Ann Narcisian Videan

©2010 ANVidean

Do you have a life dream you want to catch and live, but can’t get past everyday reality? Need a jump-start to move you toward your goal?

In our January brainstorming session, we talked about how – by listening to intuitions, using available resources and taking action – you can find true fulfillment, just as I have, and also as my heroine does in my novel Rhythms & Muse.

I asked participants to express their life dream and, with input from everyone in the room, we shared the ideas, resources and support recorded in this blog post.

Expect to gain at least one, but probably many, positive action items to help you take the next step with your writing, or life goal.

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Writing Goal #1: Publish a historical fiction book for young adults.
Next step: Get started.

Ideas Resources/Action Items
Research how it’s done. • Read books on the topic.
• Attend professional meetings. Scottsdale Society of Women Writers is a good start.
Take a writing class. Check out Gotham online writing workshops.
Contact Stella Pope Duarte, author of If I Die in Juarez. Duarte teaches classes at Paradise Valley and Phoenix community colleges.
Contact Jessica McCann. (Glendale, AZ writer) McCann‘s book All Different Kinds of Free releases April.

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Writing Goal #2: Publish My Book(s)
Next step: Get out of overwhelm.

Ideas Resources/Action Items
Hang out with others who will support and encourage your efforts. Start with the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers.
Set up one next step and do only that. Then, set one more step and do that.
Listen, and ask for what you want. Interview authors, get to know others who already do what you want to do.
Protect your rights. If you wrote it, you own it. You may also copyright works legally, using online forms.
Find an illustrator. Ask other writers, visit illustrators’ association meetings, and participate in pertinent blogs.
Never give up! Example: Misty Hyman, Mesa-born swimmer who swam 22,000 miles to earn Olympic gold.

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Life Goal #1: Buy cottage in Maine
Next step: Find the money

Ideas How to apply the ideas to a writing goal
Visualize yourself in the place you want to be, in clear detail, and write it down. Visualize your writing goal, in clear detail, and write it down.
Create a picture board or three-ring binder with magazine cutouts showing what you want. Create a picture board or three-ring binder with magazine cutouts showing samples of other’s works or ideas representing what you want to create.
Never say never. Indeed!
Make a list of ways to obtain your cottage without money. Make a list of ways you can accomplish your writing goal, elements and resources you might need.
Rent a cabin/become part of the community. Immerse yourself in the community, connect with other industry people associated with what you want to do. Ask for input and ideas!
See what trades are available. See if you could create a mutual support system with someone else. You help them, they help you. Perhaps a critique partner.
Find a realtor/private person and switch places for a summer. Find a critique partner, agent, editor, publisher, writer’s group, or others with whom to swap information and skills.
Develop a pen pal in the area. Find a mentor who’s done what you want to do, and meet consistently.
Create a blog with entries about making the cottage purchase happen. Create a blog with entries about making your writing dream come true.
Start a savings account and fill it with change or any extra money. Divide the work into small, reasonable steps so you don’t get overwhelmed. Or collect needed notes or tools as you work forward.
Explore the costs and set a budget. Explore what’s involved in your next step and set aside the resources (time, money, people) to make it happen.
Keep the mindset, “I have enough.” (use play money) KNOW you can obtain anything you need to meet your goal.
Keep in mind what it represents to you. Picture yourself after accomplishing the goal and hold that image.

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Life Goal #2 Manifest a Civics Program for inmates.
Next step: Bring Sandra Day O’Conner into the movement.

Ideas How to apply the ideas to a writing goal
Contact Sandra Day O’Conner. Get to know other successful writers.
Tie in your contact to your book, or maybe the book she wrote with her granddaughter. Existing work can open doors. Think about how you can leverage what you’ve already done.
Andrea Beaulieu (http://www.yourauthenticvoice.com/) knows Dick Snell, who went to college with Sandra Day O’Conner. Ask others if they would be willing to make introductions with others in their network (an editor, agent, publisher, mentor etc.).
Just ask!
• Sandra Day O’Conner to participate
• Everyone around you to help
(What’s the worst thing that could happen?)		 Just ask!
(What’s the worst thing that could happen?) 😀
Sandra Day O’Conner may simply be a stepping stone for you to get to the person who can’t wait to help you reach your goal. (Supreme Court Judge Rebecca Burch? Or someone else!) Keep your options open and listen for ideas to move you in the right direction with your writing.

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Do you have other ideas or resources to share? Please comment.

Do you have a goal for which you’d like others’ help? Ask here and let’s see if we can’t get you moving forward with help from our “village.”

Media signing, Feb. 4, Chandler Coffee Bean

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Ann Narcisian Videan announces a
media signing for her debut novel and music CD.

Friday, Feb. 4, 2011
2 p.m.– 7 p.m.

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Chandler
2560 West Chandler Boulevard
(just east of I-101)

Novel ($16.50) , CD ($6.50), or both ($23) available for sale on-site
with cash or check.

Win a free signed and numbered CD.

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Praise for Rhythms & Muse

“One of the best ‘chick flicks’ I have ever read. Rhythms & Muse, Ann Videan’s freshman release, engages your heart and spirit with the same lilting energy as a romantic soft rock ballad. If ever a dream was meant to be realized, this book is that dream, and you will gladly enfold yourself in its verbal magic.”
– JM de Biasi, literary critic, bibliophile

“Definitely a page-turner! I loved the great dialogue, flashbacks and dreams, and the juxtaposition between the ’70s and current day. Plus, a lovely ending.”
– Laurie Fagen, writer, publisher SanTan Sun News

“Love your writing! What a pro, the way you wove the past and the present together seamlessly.”
— Andrea Beaulieu, author Finding Your Authentic Voice and Ah Ha!: 100 Flashes of Insight and Inspiration From Your Authentic Voice (www.yourauthenticvoice.com)

“Wonderful. I love the way you took us from the present back to the past to weave the storyline for each of the main characters. I am recommending the book to my daughters and granddaughters who are searching for their life rhythms.”
—Margaret Jacoby, SPHR, the Goddess of Compliance with MJ Management Solutions (www.mjms.net)

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About The Novel

Witnessing a horrific car accident seen many times before in her dreams spurs award-winning singer Alexandra Lauren to reevaluate her glamorous Hollywood lifestyle. With her lofty musical goal now tarnished by reality, and her unfulfilled memories from her senior year in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, haunting her, Alex takes a bold step to change the rhythms of her life. Leveraging her newly acknowledged intuitions, she makes a plan to reconnect not only with her musical touchstone and high-school sweetheart Matthew Roberts, but with her desire to impact lives for the good through the innocence and beauty of music.

***

Even though Matt holds Alex in his heart as his only muse, he resolves to ignore her existence. He cannot stay in control with her powerful presence in his life. Besides, how can he ever forgive her? In alliance with their charismatic friend Daniel, her betrayal demolished Matt’s joy in creating their hit single, not to mention their future lives, together.

***

Can anything in this world shift Matt’s resolve to distance himself from Alex? And, with Daniel still pursuing Alex even as his wife Kathy looks on, can Alex actually find fulfillment? Will music draw the estranged soul mates together again and guide them to realize their dreams?

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About the Music CD

A solid 1970s folk and rock-ballad influence on five original tunes inspired by songs “written” by characters in the Rhythms & Muse novel. The author composed and sang all the vocals, played piano and guitar on select compositions, and mixed the tracks in GarageBand software.

Where To Buy

Book: createspace.com/3485275 [CreateSpace E-Store]

Book and music MP3 files: www.tinyurl.com/ANVamazon [Amazon]

Limited Edition Music CD: I’m offering 50 numbered and signed hand-pressed music CDs upon personal request at avidean@videanunlimited.com, until my CDs are available online (within a couple of weeks).