One of my latest blog posts as a guest contributor for Sue Scheff's internet safety blog. Please go check it out. :-) http://www.suescheffblog.com/pointers-for-setting-up-computer-guidelines-for-your-kids/

"Novices in the arts think you have to start with inspiration to write or paint or compose. In fact, you only have to *start*. Inspiration comes if you *continue*. Make the commitment to sit still in solitude several hours a day and inevitably your muse will visit. 'I write fifty pages until I hear the fetal heartbeat,' Henry Miller used to say." —Erica Jong, Fear of Fifty

To help focus and clarify what's worthwhile to spend my time on and to strive for more meaningful and positive experiences, here are questions I'm going to ask myself:

1. Will this bring you happiness and laughter?
2. Will you get peace of mind from this experience?
3. Will this advance your purpose in life?
4. Is this in alignment with your personal or professional goals?
5. Will this help you be a better or more evolved person?
6. Will this be worth investing your time and energy?
7. Does this add value to your life?
8. Is this educational?
9. Have you picked a worthwhile battle to fight?
10. Have you practiced discernment and/or restraint?

After considering these questions and the number of "no" responses, I can then decide -- clearly and wisely -- if investing my time and energy in something is beneficial for me. I will then decide whether to engage, participate or walk away/withdraw. I'm over the halfway point in my life.

Time to train myself to be more selective and discerning about people, events, causes and attention. Must close the circle and separate the wheat from the chaff.

Most of you know I'm not Christian. However, I am spiritual. Very much so. It is a strong fiber in my being...I am connected to the universe and beyond.

I believe there is no separation between science and the magick of existence and ALL THAT IS. Paranormal events are normal...not paranormal. We just haven't the experience and knowledge to explain or understand them yet.

You do not have to invent magickal or wondrous events...it is all around you...and it's in every single thing you touch, see or feel. The fact that you are here, living and breathing and thinking with your brain is a calculated expression of science, divine mathematics and logical evolution.

Divinity, to me, is immanent (in other words, inherent). This is why Taoism (道) makes sense to me.

As I told my brother, Jan, "To everything there is a time and a season, as the saying goes. There is a time to let go -- this was that time. It's two sides of the same coin. Her work here was done. Now she is on to another plane of existence...but I truly believe the soul reincarnates...and if so, her spirit will be born again once more. Rejoice in the time you had with her...and know you were of comfort to her during her last days, Jan."

You must remember this: energy never disappears or ends -- it simply transforms. One day, we will all transform. It is the the way of our existence and our irrefutable destiny. It is, in fact, your birthright. Until that time, you are here for a reason; find out what that reason is and live your purpose!

**UPDATE: My original publisher, Whiskey Creek Press, got in touch with Barnes & Noble and the issue has been settled. How something so simple turned into something so complicated...well, it boggles the mind!**

Really, Barnes & Noble?! "We can't comment on this matter"? Why?! If you, the company itself, cannot comment on this matter or do anything about it...then who can? This is the type of stuff I've been dealing with for MONTHS regarding books that I wrote and own ALL the rights to! This has to be the dumbest, most mind-boggling response to a customer service query I've ever received. And then to end with, "We hope you find this information helpful"? Wow. I don't even know. Is it just me, folks, or are you shaking your head at this response as well? I highly doubt they can truly "feel my frustration."

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: RE: Customer Service Mail - Order Number:Re: Mending Fences by Star Ferris - Other Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2013 10:00:08 -0400 (EST) From: To:

Dear Bev Sninchak,

Thank you for your email.

We understand that you have not authorized Barnes and Noble to carry "Mending Fences." We feel your frustration. However, we are sorry if we cannot comment on this matter. We apologize for any inconvenience.

We provide answers to many questions posed by publishers and authors in the FAQs on our website: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/help/cds2.asp?PID=8148

If your question is not covered or you need more information, please write to us at publisherauthorinquiry@bn.com or call (732) 656-7285 .

We hope you find this information helpful.

Sincerely,

Mary Grace Santos Customer Service Representative Barnes & Noble http://www.bn.com/ 1-800-THE-BOOK

Woot! Excellent news! I *finally* won my battle with Amazon to get Sun Signs for Writers into the KDP Select program. I've held the rights for a while, but had to go back and forth with them about it, which was extremely frustrating! To celebrate, I'm making the eBook version of Sun Signs for Writers FREE for download for a couple days! Click HERE to get it now: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HA0OA4/ref=docs-os-doi_0

The promotion ends Sunday night at a minute before midnight, so GRAB your FREE copy of Sun Signs for Writers now! Regardless of your astrological sun sign, my book (originally published in print by Writer's Digest Books) will help you break writer's block, increase productivity and fuel your creative fires. Even if you're not into astrology, you will still find inspiration in the end-of-chapter writing exercises. This is a writing reference book, first and foremost. ;-)

Here's what some reviewers have said about Sun Signs for Writers:

++ Midwest Book Review calls Sun Signs for Writers "A unique, revealing guide."

++ C. Hope Clark, author and editor of Funds for Writers: "Bev Walton-Porter has created a genuinely fun book in Sun Signs for Writers. I read it in one sitting, a rarity in my busy and hectic world."

++ Author Barbara Ardinger, Ph.D.: "Sun Signs for Writers is one of the most helpful books you'll ever find. Buy it, read it, and set it on your shelf beside The Elements of Style, The Transitive Vampire, and the Chicago Manual of Style."

++ Ginnie Bivona, Director of Atriad Press: "...this is more than just another astrology book; I intend to suggest this book to every aspiring writer I come in contact with, it's got more useful suggestions, and concise information about how to make it in this industry than I have read anywhere else in a very long time. It's inspiring and informative, and personally I think it belongs on the shelf of every writer. It's that good."

Sooo...go download your FREE eBook version NOW before the free promo expires. Enjoy, my friends! :-) Again, here is the link to download: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HA0OA4/ref=docs-os-doi_0

I'm sorry, but when I hear a loudmouthed, macho guy bragging about his big gun collection or driving a huge, jacked-up truck, all I can think of is, "Small penis? Overcompensation? Napoleon complex?"

It's okay to use your frontal lobes more than your amygdala. Really it is. If you aren't a macho man, then this description doesn't apply to you. Got it? I'm referring to a certain type of male.

I have a strong aversion to macho types. In fact, I want to punch those types of men in the face or wait till they're asleep and super glue their junk to their leg (I knew a girl from school who actually DID that -- yikes!). I'm sure I'd have to use a microscope to FIND their junk FIRST, though. *wink wink*

See, I think you can be a virile, sexy man without all the testosterone-filled preening and cockiness. Pull your pants up, turn your ball cap around (having it backwards is SO 20th century), learn new vocabulary words and read an entire book every now and then. Joking here, but if you get your jocks in a twist, eh, too bad. It was on my mind.

I've been reading Erica Jong lately, so my confrontational feminist side is flaring up. But hey, my husband LIKES when I'm outspoken...because he's not threatened by it and he's what you call a REAL man. :-) Some of those posers out in the world should take lessons from him on how to have manners and how to make a woman feel cherished and special. You could learn a thing or two, you macho Neanderthals swinging your pathetic dingles around and scraping your oversize knuckles out on the sidewalks!

Now...want me to tell you how I REALLY feel, without censoring myself? Nope, I don't think you do.