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One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

_REMEMBER: Our books Inspire, motivate, encourage, teach and entertain! All of our books come with FREE *Priority* Shipping and Handling!


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Love Pour Over Me, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Love Pour Over Me, Click Here
ASK YOUR BOOKSTORE FOR Love Pour Over Me (NEW BOOK!)!
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Saturday, January 2, 2016

Happy-Happy, Blessed New Year!! I hope that your loving, joy-based dreams come true today!! I want to see you incredibly happy!!

Okay. You can see how long it has been since I've updated the writer's PenPal page. A lot has happened since 2012. That's for sure! For starters, I was blessed to spend the winter holidays with my family. I'm also loving this mild winter weather that we have been enjoying. Met a wonderful group of women who I have been networking with. Almost all of my blessings involve other people.

Regarding book writing, I'm in the process of creating a new novel. Yeah! The working title of the new novel is "Gada's Glory". The novel is set in Chicago, Illinois. This is my second novel that's set in Chi-Town. It's 1945 and Gada has had enough of living in Mississippi. Gada and her mother simply do not get along. Yet, they are so much alike, until Gada hits Chicago. An old boyfriend invites her to Chicago. But, he's not as loving (or as honest) as Gada wishes. Gada has to be smart and quick! Her old flame knows some very dangerous people. It's into this life that Gada enters, haunted by her mother's old habits, propelled forward by her amazing grit.

The plan is to have "Gada's Glory" published and on the market later this year. I'll let you know when it's out. Writing "Gada's Glory" took me into a whole different world. You're going to love this book!

On another note, I haven't been watching much sports lately. Glad to see that Ohio State won their bowl game. Wish they had made it all the way to the big dance. I'm rooting for LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. It'll be interesting to see the team after Kyrie Irving gets back to his normal basketball playing self.

Gonna run. Thanks for stopping by. Again, I wish you a joy filled and blessed 2016! Make it a good one!!

Denise





Love Pour Over Me, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Love Pour Over Me, Click Here
ASK YOUR BOOKSTORE FOR Love Pour Over Me (NEW BOOK!)!
_


Friday, November 30, 2012

Happy end of November 2012! I had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Trust you did as well. It's always a blessing to connect with family and friends. Next week, I start a gig in New York City. I love going into the city. I will continue to write for a myriad of writing clients. I'm looking forward to it. Also preparing for Christmas. It always seems to come so fast now that I am an adult. Of course, when I was a kid, Christmas seemed to take forever to come around.

As I look back over this year, I see so many changes and blessings. That said, I'm glad this year didn't have as many huge changes as 2011 did. One thing I've learned over the last few years is not to expect what happened in the past to always happen in the future. This journey does bring changes.

Last night, I watched the Miami Heat play the San Antonio Spurs on television. Miami won. The Spurs big three stayed at home. I felt like the Miami Heat weren't into the game and picked up steam at the last two minutes of the game just so they could get the win. Anyhow, I was happy to see the Heat get another win. They're my favorite team in the NBA, although I also root for the 76ers, mostly because I live in Philly. But, I don't love the games the way I did when Allen Iverson and Kareem Abdul Jabaar (I know I'm going back) played. They're my favorite NBA players.

December 8, I'm in Center City Philadelphia for a book signing. Looking forward to it. I might move my regular Saturday at 11 a.m. Off The Shelf radio interview so I can get into the city on time for the book signing event. That said, a hearty Thank YOU! to all of you who support my weekly radio show Off The Shelf over on Blog Talk Radio. I appreciate you and your ongoing support! We're heading into our 9th year on the air!

I'm gonna run. Here's to wishing you and your family and friends a FABULOUSLY GOOD holiday season! Have a good one, and thank again for supporting me, my books and Off The Shelf radio!


Denise, Author - Love Pour Over Me


Love Pour Over Me, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Love Pour Over Me, Click Here
ASK YOUR BOOKSTORE FOR Love Pour Over Me (NEW BOOK!)!
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Tuesday, March 16, 2012

Next week my new book, Love Pour Over Me will be on the market!! I'm very excited! Love Pour Over Me is my sixth published novel. I'll let you all know as soon as Love Pour Over Me is out!

As I write this I'm listening to the smooth sounds of Euge Groove playing "Ten 2 Two". What an amazing saxophonist! I love the saxophone! Plainly put, I love jazz! I think it's in the genes. Everybody in my family I know loves jazz.

Tonight is a big "update website" night. Tomorrow I'm interviewing Tyora Moody, author of When Rain Falls on Off The Shelf radio. I'm very happy for Tyora, writing and publishing her first novel. She's been supporting other writers for years. Glad to see her take her turn! Go, Tyora!

Please check out my blog at Write Money Incorporated. Upcoming feature interviews at the blog are with Eric Maywar, bookstore owner, and Troy Johnson, owner of African American Literary Book Club (AALBC). Both men are avid book lovers. They're also smart businessmen who love supporting writers and literacy. I appreciate them and other people like them. This week we featured Sonia Brown, an entrepreneur hailing from the U.K. She's strong at building and enhancing business relationships. Love what she's doing!

On an entirely different note, make sure you stay wrapped up as the weather changes. I went outside without a jacket earlier this week and my throats tickly. Won't be doing that again, at least not until the temperatures stabilize. Let me get back to updating the website. You all have a fabulously good weekend! Enjoy family, friends and loved ones!

Have fun!


Denise

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

_REMEMBER: Our books Inspire, motivate, encourage, teach and entertain! All of our books come with FREE *Priority* Shipping and Handling!

2003 Journal Entries
2002 Journal Entries
2001 Journal Entries
2000 Journal Entries
2011 - 2004 Journal Entries Directly Below
 


Love Pour Over Me, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Love Pour Over Me, Click Here
ASK YOUR BOOKSTORE FOR Love Pour Over Me (NEW BOOK!)!
_

Tuesday, February 28, 2012


Wow! It's been awhile since I wrote an update in a week, but I'm doing it this month! Yeah for me! Marketing is ready to roll out for my new book Love Pour Over Me. People have been asking me for the book which I love. It's coming! It's coming! Will get it out for e-book publication this week. As soon as it's ready, we'll send a splash announcement! Thanks for your interest and support.

Did a few updates to our website today. Sitting here with smooth jazz on (I love Internet radio!). I listen to SkyFM and a few other stations while I'm writing. Got out earlier and enjoyed a walk in the neighborhood where I live. My son baked chicken. The scent is hanging in the air. It smells delicious!

Sunday I finished reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. I love his work. I think he's very objective. His work removes a lot of guessing and assumption from topics he covers. I really appreciate that. Plan to do my taxes the first weekend in March. Just waiting on another 1099. When you freelance, you have to get a 1099 from every client you earned $600 or more from. Depending on how many clients you work with, that could be several 1099s. I wish companies could upload then into a repository and freelancers put in a code and simply extract their 1099s. One day; it's coming. For tech wizzes, there's an idea that might make you lots of money.

Oh, to have strong technological skills. Those skills are worth a lot of money these days. I remember when I was in the Navy. A colleague took technology courses in colleges. He said technology was really going to take off. Was he ever right. I hope he's doing awesomely good!

I'm not going to be long. I have to get back to writing work. Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate you very much! Keep listening to Off The Shelf at Blog Talk Radio and Blake Radio. Check out my blog at Write Money Incorporated. You'll find lots of tips, advice and awesome feature interviews there! Take as long as you want checking out the articles. There are also links to Wall Street Journal, Black Enterprise and other news sites at Write Money Incorporated.

Be blessed. Enjoy the rest of the day and week! You're AWESOME!

Denise


Long Walk Up, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Long Walk Up, Click Here
ASK YOUR BOOKSTORE FOR LONG WALK UP (NEW BOOK!)!
_

Tuesday, February 21, 2012


Sunshine is pouring through my office window. What a sight! Last night I interviewed with author Rachel Berry, aka Lady Serenity, on the Heart and Soul Show at Blog Talk Radio. She's a joy! It was good connecting with Rachel again. After the interview I finished developing questions for feature interviews I have with a top chef from Philadelphia, the mayor of Miami Gardens and other business leaders. At my business website (http://www.writemoneyinc.com) I'm featuring an interview with Nancy Mills, founder of Spirited Woman, this week. Check it out! I love what Spirited Woman is doing. She has an insightful business, website and newsletter. Read the interview at Write Money Inc. to learn more about Nancy!

Of course, I'm excited that my new book, Love Pour Over Me will be on the market this month. Tyora Moody is designing the cover. Love Pour Over Me is being released in e-book format. This is a first for me (e-book release). I'm truly excited. Love Pour Over Me is a deeply engaging book that will pull lots of emotion out of readers and keep you very curious as to what will happen to the characters, both major and minor characters. It's my best book so far, 300 pages of intrigue, conflict, mystery and love. You'll get to see what comes of Anthony's, a college football standout, career in the NFL. You can decide whether you really like his girlfriend, Aretha, a very in-your-face type of woman, or not. Sandra and Patrick don't disappoint. Their's is a stable romance, but their lives aren't always stable. But it's Raymond and Brenda who are the centerpieces of Love Pour Over Me. What happens to those two, especially Raymond, is rare. Check back at our main page (http://www.chistell.com), as that's where news will be posted of the release of Love Pour Over Me. You can purchase it right here or at ebookit.com (where most of our books are available in e-book format) and at any e-book retailer (i.e. Amazon.com, iTunes).

Next month I'm headed to Ohio. Hanging out with my sister for her birthday. That's my buddy, my sister! I'm also thinking about traveling ss an author a bit more this year, the way I did several years ago. I love hitting the road and meeting readers face to face! And I've started on my next book. Right now it's set in Chicago, but we'll see if I move the location. My first book, Portia was set in Chicago.

Well, friends, I'm gonna run. Gotta write. It's my full-time gig now. Thank you, Lord! Enjoy your day! And remember to follow me at Twitter (@DTWriters) and on Facebook. I love connecting with you! Be blessed!

Denise

Author - Love Pour Over Me

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

_REMEMBER: Give Yourself the Gift of Entertainment. All of our books come with FREE *Priority* Shipping and Handling!


2003 Journal Entries
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2011 - 2004 Journal Entries Directly Below
 
Long Walk Up, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Long Walk Up, Click Here
Ask your bookstore for Long Walk Up (New Book)!
_
Sunday, October 16, 2011


I'm updating my website as well as doing some marketing. One thing I've learned over the years is that you're best served if you love what you do. Why? The tides of life (and they are wonderful) may push you toward or away from what you vow you most want if you don't absolutely love what you do. There is no place you can go where you won't experience contrast, no place I no of anyway. Everyday's not going to feel like you're hanging out at the beach. In and out of season love, sweet love, will propel you forward. Will power will give out at some point. Your own power and might may give out, but love, it'll remain. Hence, the tip to do what you love. Also stay the course when something deep inside you tells you to keep moving forward. That something deep within (Christ said the Kingdom of Heaven is within us) knows something. It's a good guide!

This Sunday was our pastor, his wife and their family's 19th pastoral anniversary. We have a loving pastor. He and his entire family are a tremendous blessing! Congratulations to them on 19 years! I'm very happy for them. My oldest brother, Richard, his wife and family's pastoral anniversary is soon as well. He's also pastored about 20 years. Where does the time go? . . . This is coming from a woman who thought she'd live year after year without ever turning 40! LOL! Surprise!

Happy to tell you that Portia is available in e-book format at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, ebookit.com, etc. Got that finished last week. May push back the release of my new book, Love Pour Over Me until early 2012. I really want to get Love Pour Over Me out. Bless you for your patience! I appreciate it! I want to release the print and e-book versions at the same time or near the same time so pushing the release back.

As I type this update in my online journal, I have smooth jazz (105.9) playing on the Internet radio. Wish you could hear it. Count Basic is playing the sweetest song right now. I love jazz! It's one of my absolute favorite music genres.

Gonna run. Please visit Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble and grab a copy of my books: Portia, Spiral and Long Walk Up. You can also pick up the e-books at ebookit.com. I so appreciate your support, but more than that the books tell stories that I'm confident will keep you turning the pages, eager to find out how everything connects, what's going to happen next and who did what.

Be Blessed!

Denise

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

_REMEMBER: Our books Inspire, motivate, encourage, teach and entertain! All of our books come with FREE *Priority* Shipping and Handling!

2003 Journal Entries
2002 Journal Entries
2001 Journal Entries
2000 Journal Entries
2009 - 2004 Journal Entries Directly Below
Long Walk Up, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Long Walk Up, Click Here
ASK YOUR BOOKSTORE FOR LONG WALK UP (NEW BOOK!)!
_
Saturday, May 3, 2010


Happy Blessed Fabulous Saturday!

My first children's story, Rosetta's Great Hope, is for sale for only $2 at www.chistell.com. Please stop over and order a copy. Children and adults will love this story! Thank you VERY MUCH for your support! I am so EXCITED to have completed my first children's story!


Long Walk Up, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Long Walk Up, Click Here
ASK YOUR BOOKSTORE FOR LONG WALK UP (NEW BOOK!)!
_
Saturday, December 19, 2009


The last time I updated my online diary, it was cloudy in Philadelphia. Today it is snowing and I do mean snowing. Friday it was forecasted that we could get as much as 20 inches of snow. I think we'll get that. 1993 was the last big snowfall like this I remember Philly receiving. In 1993 the city got more than 20 inches of snow. It kept snowing for about two days then. It's been snowing all day, and it's supposed to stop snowing until tomorrow morning.

Thank Goodness I was able to start and finish all of my Christmas shopping today. I got near everything at a mall. Wal-Mart was sold out (the clerk told me they sold the last one a few seconds before I came and asked for the game system) of the PS3 I wanted to get for my son, but I was able to get one from FYE. I got myself some cologne. A few years ago I started buying myself a Christmas present because as a grown woman I receive so few presents from other people including my own family.

The 76ers are playing the Los Angeles Clippers. I'm surprised that they didn't reschedule the game. Hardly anyone is in the audience. Surprisingly the 76ers beat the Boston Celtics last night and in Boston at that. I was shocked when I learned that the 76ers won that game earlier in the day. That's a nice win.

Had a wonderful interview with Maxine Thompson this morning on Off The Shelf Radio. Maxine is the author of the books The Ebony Tree and Hostage of Lies. She is a tremendously talented writer. Maxine is also a literary agent, editor and radio host. I wish her much much success. Her books have been picked up by Black Expressions Book Club, the largest African American book club in the United States. Next Saturday I am interviewing Mark Markland, author of the book Why The Hell Is It So Hard To Find a Good Man. I'm looking forward to that interview too.

Trust that you all have a wonderful holiday week and a Happy blessed 2010! Thank you for all of your support! I appreciate each of you tremendously!

Blessings!


Continue to advance upwards!
Denise (author - Long Walk Up)

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

_REMEMBER: Our books Inspire, motivate, encourage, teach and entertain! All of our books come with FREE *Priority* Shipping and Handling!

2003 Journal Entries
2002 Journal Entries
2001 Journal Entries
2000 Journal Entries
2009 - 2004 Journal Entries Directly Below
Long Walk Up, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Long Walk Up, Click Here
ASK YOUR BOOKSTORE FOR LONG WALK UP (NEW BOOK!)!
_
Saturday, October 3, 2009


Today it was cloudy here in Philadelphia. I'm told it's supposed to be the same way next Saturday. It has been a day of writing, marketing and promoting for me. Odd that I'd go so fully into this zone because last night I interviewed Veronica Crawford, CEO of BIVI Productions on "Off The Shelf" radio show. Veronica is a marketing and promotion guru. Speaking with her must have stirred something within me. After the interview, I listened to a CD I have by the Chi-Lites. I don't expect everyone of you who stop by my online diary to remember the Chi-Lites. I think of my Aunt Tena when I hear the group's name. The Chi-Lites and Tavares. Remember the song "Heaven Must Be Missing An Ange?" My aunt had a thing for the Tavares lead singer. Anyhow, I thought about the smooth dance steps and the way the groups back then harmonized. Loved it! It was nice to listen to those songs again.

I've been busy lately with writing, other projects and radio again. Later today I'm going to knock out the next two issues of The Book Lover's Haven. This month I am going to get my fifth novel, Love Pour Over Me, to my editor in California. She is the coolest editor! I appreciate her and her talent so very much.

NBA basketball is starting up again. I think the Los Angeles Lakers are going to repeat again. What do you all think? Kobe's passion to win a championship is matchless. I also want to see Allen Iverson have a phenomenal year this season. He's with the Memphis Grizzlies now. I thought Allen Iverson would go to the Charlotte Bobcats, but I think he will help take Memphis to a higher level. The fit kinda reminds me of when he played with the Philadelphia 76ers.

So who are you all rooting for this season? Whoever wins, I think it's gonna be a good season. And if it's a cold, snowy winter, folks who love professional basketball will be at home watching the games. I pulled my jacket out of the closet this week the temperatures dropped so much here in Philly two days this week. And can you believe that for the first time in my life I bought a leather coat about a month ago when I was shopping for baby presents for a friend? I wanted a leather coat since I was a teenager. I finally got myself one.

I'm gonna run. As always, thank you so very much for supporting my books and my writing, Off The Shelf and The Book Lover's Haven! I appreciate appreciate appreciate YOU! Thank you! Enjoy the start of a new season! You are blessed!

Denise

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

_REMEMBER: Our books Inspire, motivate, encourage, teach and entertain! All of our books come with FREE *Priority* Shipping and Handling!

2003 Journal Entries
2002 Journal Entries
2001 Journal Entries
2000 Journal Entries
2009 - 2004 Journal Entries Directly Below
Long Walk Up, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Long Walk Up, Click Here
ASK YOUR BOOKSTORE FOR LONG WALK UP (NEW BOOK!)!
_
Thursday, July 23, 2009


Now I'm starting to feel badly about not updating my online journal more frequently. I even received a comment from a visitor to the site to send out regular updates. I put it off sometimes like I'm waiting on something I perceive to be huge to happen so I can share it with you. LOL!

I have been doing a lot of non-fiction writing (a lot!!!). I want to work more on my fifth novel so I can get it out this year. After I finish with it, it has to go to the editor so the longer I take, the longer the whole process takes. I'm going to work on it somemore tonight. The manuscript is complete. I am just going over it for changes that I want to make.

There's a lot to remember when you create a novel. A lot happens to different characters at different times, etc. and you have to keep it all together. But I LOVE it all! I LOVE to create by way of writing!

Tonight I enjoyed listening to Aretha Franklin and Fred Hammond sing some gospel songs. Oh! The blessing of gospel music! I like the more traditional style. It reaches more deeply into my soul. Not sure why - but it does.

Last week was a time of old things falling apart and going away and new things coming in. I had repairs around my home. One day it was one thing and another day it was another. Monday I got a new refrigerator. LOL! I don't even think the old one was kapput. I think I hit a button or something and it stopped working for awhile. I had it for nearly 19 years so I guess it was time. My turtle tank started leaking and I spent hours waiting for the guy at the pet store to clean the new tank and deliver it. He told me he was anal retentive and it showed. Every new mark, the guy at the pet store (he was very nice) had to stop and clean off all over again. Finally, he delivered the new tank. It's HUGE! It's so big I can't put my hand in it when I stand on the floor and reach the bottom. Even my son has to get up on a chair to reach the bottom of the tank. Our turtle (Ralph) is a happy creature!!! LOL!

I wrote an article about Egypt and after doing the research, I want to go there. I have long wanted to visit Africa. Now I want to visit Egypt too. A writer friend of mine who works in the United Nations has been there. Her recounting was a little different than the research work I saw. I think she saw other sides of areas she was in that don't make the tourist and research papers.

Almost went to the Maxwell concert in New Jersey on July 22 with one of my girlfriends but when I checked out the ticket prices a few weeks ago, I backed off of that! LOL! I hear he is AWESOME in concert! A lady on a woman's discussion list I'm a member of saw him in concert a few days ago and said he was AMAZING! She used to be married to one of his band members. LOL! I have to laugh! What an experience! I went to a concert in Atlantic City (Be Be and Ce Ce Winans) and saw a guy I used to date playing the keyboards. LOL! Oh my goodness! Very awkward. I was married at the time, but I didn't hardly expect to see the guy (I won't say his name) playing the keyboards. He has gone on to win several gospel category Grammy awards and owns a gospel record company of his own today. He's a cool dude. I wish him well.

You think you'll never see people again and then - oops! There they are right in front of you! That has happened to me twice. I felt like running the second time it happened. I was with a guy I was dating at the time and saw another guy I used to date. Totally unexpected and awkward. That's why it's important to treat everyone (and I do mean - everyone) with love and respect because everybody is not out of your life as much as you might think that they are. I'm sure that you all have similar stories of your own that you could share.

I always enjoy chatting with you all online (as in updating my online diary). The nicest people in the world come to my website. You all are absolutely wonderful! Fabulous, I say! Fabulous!

As always - to each of you who support me and my books - THANK YOU! Thank you for stopping in! I appreciate you TREMENDOUSLY! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

Denise


Long Walk Up, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Long Walk Up, Click Here
ASK YOUR BOOKSTORE FOR LONG WALK UP (NEW BOOK!)!
_
Sunday, May 17, 2009


Sunshine is coming through the window of my office. Today we notified the winners in our 9th Annual Chistell Writing Contest of their winnings! I so love being a part of this process! I remember when I won finalist in a McDonald's writing contest in the 1980s. I was so honored and happy to get their letter. Talk about an encouraging event! We all can benefit from both giving and receiving encouragement and inspiration to each other because each new step that we take in the right direction is truly a step forward.

Wonderfully I have been writing more! Not only novel and book writing, but also non-fiction article and web content writing. I absolutely LOVE to write! Next Saturday I am in Philadelphia at the Arts Sanctuary Book Festival at Temple University. They always have a lot of thought provoking events at the festival. Last year Nathan McCall, author of the bestselling book Makes Me Wanna Holler was there. He sat on a discussion panel. I always enjoy the Q&A at the end of the panel discussions. We are each and are also each surrounded by incredibly intelligent and loving people! Everybody has the ability to do both at all times.

Later this summer I am going to get home and visit with family. Not sure if I'm going to drive or fly. The last few times I have flown. It's a nice trip at 9 hours to Ohio and even longer to get to Tennessee. For some reason I always try to get there as fast as I can (smile). I tell myself to take my time and enjoy the trip, but my foot ends up pressing down on the accelerator more (LOL!).

Trust that all the mothers who visit me here had a wonderful Mother's Day! Next month is the time set aside to honor fathers. People who appreciate their parents have mother's and father's day every day! Good parents are a blessing!

Thank you to everyone who visits us here at http://www.chistell.com! Thank you to everyone who supports my writing and my books Long Walk Up, Love Has Many Faces, Spiral and Portia! I sincerely appreciate, appreciate, appreciate you and your support! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! To the winners in our 9th Annual Chistell Writing Contest - Congratulations!!

Enjoy the summer! All the best!

Denise


Long Walk Up, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Long Walk Up, Click Here
ASK YOUR BOOKSTORE FOR LONG WALK UP (NEW BOOK!)!
_
Sunday, March 1, 2009


The main page representing my books was recently updated. I am very pleased with the work that Melissa Ray from Alter Cube (the business that updated the main page) did. We may make other changes to the website later into the year. Please check back and see what's new.

On another note, the 9th Annual Chistell Writing Contest ended yesterday. Each year I am surprised and quite pleased with the numbers of people who enter the contest. I'm also surprised that the contest has been going on for nine years already. Thank you to each of you who has supported the contest. I appreciate your support!

It snowed a little here last night, but I think rain washed all the snow away by mid-day. Tonight the weather reports is stating that we may get as much to or more than a foot of snow. We haven't had a huge snowfall all year. We certainly have had days when it has snowed, but not more than six inches. I even heard that it snowed in parts of the South in places where it usually does not snow. I like the snow, so I'm looking forward to a big snow fall. I do hope that it comes.

My son's and my sister's birthdays were recent. I like birthdays! They're fun and they are wonderful times to remind people of how much you love them! One of my cousins is having a birthday next month. I'm gonna send her something special.

Sitting here watching a Martin Lawrence DVD. His sitcom remains one of my favorite sitcoms of all time. It's realistic but funny! And Cole always has on a smooth hat on the shows! I wonder where he got all those fly hats from.

I'm gonna run. I'm going to exercise and then chill for the night. Have a good one and thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your support!

Denise


One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

_REMEMBER: Our books Inspire, motivate, encourage, teach and entertain! All of our books come with FREE *Priority* Shipping and Handling!

2003 Journal Entries
2002 Journal Entries
2001 Journal Entries
2000 Journal Entries
2009 - 2004 Journal Entries Directly Below
Long Walk Up, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Long Walk Up, Click Here
ASK YOUR BOOKSTORE FOR LONG WALK UP (NEW BOOK!)!
_
Thursday, December 25, 2008


Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! I am updating my web site this late afternoon. I spent the morning with family, calling family and enjoying watching my son open his presents. Then I cooked and now I'm chilling! I have been on vacation since Tuesday and have not rested yet! LOL! Tomorrow I plan to rest and only write. Saturday I'm heading to Jersey to hang out with a friend I haven't seen since we caught a Tyler Perry play live in Philly. It'll be nice to hang out with my friend again.

I'm not going to stay on here long. I wanted to stop in and say "Merry Christmas!" and "Happy Holidays!" All the best to all of you! Countless blessings and here's to a great 2009!

Denise


Long Walk Up, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Long Walk Up, Click Here
ASK YOUR BOOKSTORE FOR LONG WALK UP (NEW BOOK!)!
_
Tuesday, December 2, 2008


How was your Thanksgiving holiday? Trust you all had a great holiday filled with fun and goodness and good food!

I had an excellent night of sleep last night. It was one of those nights where I dreamed a lot. I vaguely recall having three different dreams last night and they all seemed to have something to do with writing or the Internet. I love those dreams because I love to write! I am writing the last chapters of my new book. I'm also in the process of looking for a children's book illustrator as I want to start a pre-teen book series. I have a writer friend who writes poetry, novels and children's books. Her name is Tika. Hopefully she can help point me in the direction of a good illustrator.

Thanksgiving was fabulous as always! I cooked a delicious meal and am glad that we still have leftovers. It made it easier on my grocery bill this week too (smile). Now I'm in the mindset to swing into Christmas. I put my decorations up this weekend. This year for some reason I got into the holiday spirit around late October, early November. There's a radio station in Philly that started playing 24-hour Christmas music in October and I listen to that station a lot when I'm driving. Of course, I still give myself healthy doses of wonderful jazz!

Last Friday I went into Yardley, PA and covered a holiday story for Philadelphia News. I had fun! I love to meet new people! I had a bit of a struggle finding the event location, but I kept trying and calling the site and asking for directions and I got there. It was a fun, easy story. I find that newspaper writing tends to be much easier than fiction writing. When a story is factual folks step inside the story much quicker. With fiction you have to develop characters, plot, dialogue, etc. to pull people inside the story. From my experience, I find that fiction writing is more challenging, but I LOVE it!

I'm tossing the idea around about going home for the New Year. I know I want to get home again soon. I was home to Ohio and Tennessee in May. I have a bit of a traveling bug. I want to travel and go someplace new for a few days. The weather is nice so it would be easy to do. Maybe I'll go on a short trip over the Christmas holiday. My son's almost finished with his first semester of college. He's thinking about transferring to a larger school - Temple maybe. We'll see. He's still majoring in Business / Marketing. He's got the entrepreneurial spirit which I love! He wants to own his own business.

On another note, I'm glad that Steve Slaton, running back for the Houston Texans, played good last night. They played the Jaqs. Steve's had a good first year in the NFL. I know his parents and remember Steve when he was a kid. His parents are wonderful people and Steve's a well grounded young man. It's good to see someone do well and do well at what they love! Go, Steve, Go!

I'm going to go. Have a wonderful week! Enjoy your life and as always - Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for supporting my writing and my books! I truly appreciate your support!


Denise

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Sunday, October 26, 2008


We just posted information about this year's Chistell Writing Contest! This is the 9th year of the contest! Already! WOW! I think I've been creating our free literary newsletter, The Book Lover's Haven, for about ten years now. Time can seem to move slowly until I stop and look back. I also can look in the mirror and see the few gray hairs I now have . This year's contest subject is "courage". It's a virtue that I admire and believe is needed to live a good life - the life each of us was created to live.

It's a gorgeous Autumn day here in Philly. Last night the Phillies won the second game in the World Series. I hope they win it all. Philadelphia is longing for a championship win. I can imagine how wild the fans will go if/when the Phillies win the championship. This town is going to be full with loud, noisy, celebrating folks! For a minute I thought the Phillies would be playing the Boston Red Sox. I could hardly believe how the Red Sox came back on the Rays in the last series. They've done that before though. It's amazing how they come back from being down so many games. It rained here yesterday much of the day. Today it's clear. I thought they might cancel yesterday's baseball game but they didn't. I think it was delayed for an hour and a half. Fans came out even in the rain.

I spent a lot of yesterday working on my new novel. I'm getting the itch to start on another new book (smile). That's a good thing. My creative juices are flowing well. I like that! Today I feel sleepy for some reason. Not sure why. I tell myself it's the change in the weather but I'm not sure. I didn't go to the Collingswood Book Festival earlier this month. I wasn't feeling well. I'm glad I'm back in full swing now. I hadn't been sick in years and I caught a bug this year. It's been going around. But just because viruses go around doesn't mean you have to get sick. You can stay well even if everyone around you is hacking. Don't expect to get sick. Expect to always be well and in good health!

I'm gonna run. Trust you all are enjoying this time of year. For those in America, please get out and vote on Tuesday, November 5. If you don't think it's worth it to vote for yourself (HARD TO BELIEVE!!) then vote for your grandchildren or great-grandchildren or someone who needs your voice to be heard.

Much love! As always - THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU for your support of me, my books and my writing! I appreciate you!

Denise

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Monday, September 29, 2008


Okay. So I've been busy. I last wrote something in here at the end of July. Truly a lot has been going on. The stock market has caught up with the mortgage fiasco or vice versa -- however you wish to see it. And I think that's a good thing. The sooner balance is restored, the better. To let things go as they are when they are way out of balance is not a good thing.

On another note, I'm on vacation. It started off wonderfully then I got sick. I went to a banquet - a fabulous banquet - about two Saturdays ago. I had a good time. Two people at the table I sat at were very sick. I don't know if I caught what they had or not, but come last Wednesday afternoon, I was tanking fast. Started with a scratchy throat and went down-down-down from there. I stopped by WalGreens after I got some more printer cartridges from Staples today. I'm medicine-up because I wnat to knock this virus out today. I stayed in yesterday. I rested and did a lot of sleeping. Today I got a book review out and edited my fifth novel. I want to start editing an ESL book I'm writing later. First, I'm gonna take a nap. Phew! I'm glad I took vacation so I can rest and heal!

What have you all been up to? Next months starts out 9th (it's been 9 years already!!!) Chistell Writing Contest. It's been 9 years already! WOW! When folks say time flies, it's true!

I got me some Boston Market for dinner. I haven't gotten anything from there in awhile. I like their food. I haven't been eating much since I took ill. I'm not going to be on here long since I'm not feeling 100%. Oh. I did want to tell you all that I saw a movie today called "Into the Wild". It's based on a true story. It's about this guy who left his family and took off for Alaska. Not sure what it is, but a lot of people who seek to break free from conventional living seem to be enamored with Alaska. Anyhow, it's a very moving story. Sean Penn produced it. I didn't know that until after I watched the movie. Very moving story. I enjoyed it and learned a lot from watching it. God bless his family and him -- he's still out here somewhere . . . in spirit. I also read a good book that I reviewed titled "How to Completely Disappear". It's a collection of short stories. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's very well written. The stories and the characters are honest portrayals of everyday folk and the ups and downs of life.

I'm gonna run. Enjoy the day and the changing seasons! And as always - THANK YOU for your support!

Denise
http://www.chistell.com

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Sunday, July 13, 2008


I'm sitting here watching a DVD of The Martin Lawrence Show. Martin, Tommy and Cole went to the gym to take aerobics with Gina, Pam and other women. They thought it would be a piece of cake, but they are finding out otherwise. As usual, Martin is a nut! He's the only one who managed to hang. Tommy and Cole fell out long ago. Yesterday I was hunting for some slamming songs to add mention in the new novel I'm writing. I hadn't thought of or heard this song in a long time. The song is "The Jam" by Larry Graham and Grand Central Station. I hadn't heard them since I was a teenagers. My siblings and I used to listen to them a lot when we were coming up. That song is still the joint! Then I listened to "Fantastic Voyage" y Lakeside, a group that started in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio. Listening to those songs brought back good memories and good feelings.

Today it's cooler here in Philly than it was yesterday. Phew! I was sweating something for sure when I came home and carried bags of groceries from the car to the house. I'm going to do lots of writing this week. I'm getting ready to read and contribute to a writer's critique group I'm a part of online. We have to do so many edits/submissions a month to remain active. The group is very good, so I'm gonna do my part to remain active.

Not too long ago I sent out the July issue of my free literary newsletter, The Book Lover's Haven. CB Books Distribution is featured this month. Yesterday when I was looking for other people to feature in the newsletter I came across a novel based on the Scottsboro Boys experience. I saw a movie about them years ago. I'm talking more than 20 years ago. The movie was very moving. The author got back in touch with me today. She said she recently came from Europe where she received great reception for the novel "Scottsboro". She wrote another book on Anne Frank. I like the topics she tackles in her writing.

On other book news, we're running a 50% off sale on all of our books. I invite you to get a copy and enjoy our books now while this special deal is going on. The sale won't run long. I've learned to take advantage of a good thing when I come across it. I encourage you to do the same.

On a personal note, I want to get back home again this summer. Maybe late August or September. I might drive this time. I don't know. That or I'm going to travel to a state I've never visited before. I might go to the NHRA's in Indianapolis with my sister and her daughters. I'll see.

What are each of you up to this summer? Have you traveled? Met with family? What fun have you all been up to? Whatever you do, I hope you have the best summer of your life thus far this summer!!

I'm gonna bounce. Thanks and Thanks and Thanks and Thanks-Thanks-Thanks for all of your support! I appreciate each of you very very very very much!!!!

Peace,

Denise

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Tuesday, June 17, 2008


Temperatures have cooled in Philadelphia. I'm glad about that. The weekend of June 6, it was scorching here, in the 100s. Last Friday, June 13, my son graduated from high school. Time passed so quickly! He turned 18 in no time at all. Now he's going to university and working. He landed a great summer job! For visitors to our site who have children, I encourage you to enjoy being with them. Before you know it, they'll be grown. If you love being with your children and raise them with joy, love and guidance, the rewards will be endless. I cannot count the joy I have gained from being my son's mother!

Sunshine is coming through the window as I type in my journal. Later tonight are the NBA Finals. I am rooting for the Boston Celtics although I'm not a true blue Celtic fan. I was rooting for the Denver Nuggets earlier this year because I'm an Allen Iverson fan, but they got knocked out of the playoffs in the first round. I want to see Kevin Garnett win a title, and as hard as Paul Pierce is playing, it'd be nice to see him win a title too. I hope they take it tonight.

In regards to writing, I am writing/creating my sixth novel and editing my fifth novel. I'm almost finished with a second edit. I'll go back again, and keep editing until the scenes are emotionally packed the way I want them to be, then the manuscript will go to my editor out in California. I found that the tighter my manuscript before I send it off to a talented sharp-eyed editor, the more I get for my money. If I send a weak manuscript, the editor makes excellent notes that let me know I need to go back and give the book a once once over before it's really ready for an editor's eye, unless I want to spend the money going back and forth and back and forth with the editor until the story's tight. As a writer, my inner guide is spot on, so I keep editing on my own until I feel it's time to release the book to a pro editor.

I haven't done a lot of traveling as far as writing goes this year. I was in Philly (center city) near Temple University a few weeks ago. It was a nice event sponsored by the Arts Sanctuary. I'm in Collingswood in October. I went to the Collingswood Book Festival last year and enjoyed it so much I knew I'd go back again this year. It is the best organized book event I have been to so far. And I definitely plan to be in Burlington later this year at their Arts Festival. I love that Arts Festival! It's people who make things so absolutely wonderful!

I went home late last month. Visiting family in Dayton and Tennessee. I love to go home! I'm ready to go back already! We went to the NHRA's at Bristol, Tennessee's Thunder Valley! Phew! I love the drag races! I had a blast, an absolute blast! Went into Cincinnati with my son, my sister and her daughters. It's always a blessing hanging out with them. I wanted to stay longer. I'll get back home again soon.

I'm gonna run. I wanted to stop in and say 'hello' and THANK YOU for your support! You all are fabulous! Enjoy the summer!

Denise

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Saturday, April 19, 2008


The last time I wrote in my online journal it was snowing. Well, today it's sunny and warm. What a gorgeous-gorgeous day!!! I have the fan on as I type this at my computer. The NBA playoffs are on the television. I'm watching the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards Game 1 of their playoff series. I want the Denver Nuggets to do extremely well in the playoffs this year. They play the Lakers tomorrow. This is one of the most exciting NBA playoffs I have seen in years. The last few were a bit boring, but they're exciting this year from the very start. Trades some teams did earlier in the year have a lot to do with that, I think. The teams are more evenly balanced now which makes for great playoffs!

This morning I got up and went to the track with my son. He's a great runner! Reminds me of myself when I was younger. I ran from grade school through high school. He's actually getting into track at a time when I started to lose interest in the sport because I started to think about how I was going to earn a living after I graduated from high school and I didn't see track being able to allow me to do that. I still like being around the sport, although at times I feel nostalgic watching track and field meets.

Next month I'm heading home to Ohio to visit with my family, then I'm heading to Bristol for the NHRA's with my sister, her daughters and my son. Looking forward to iit! We'll be at the NHRA's with our father and brothers. It's been years since I went to the drag races. I loved going when I was a kid! I've watched them on TV, but I'm looking forward to going in person again.

I'm still writing on my fifth novel which is a love story. I don't tend to write love stories, but this is the way this story unfolded. I like it. It's not a romance novel. It's a love story between a couple who meet at UPenn in the 1980s. I continue to freelance when I land assignments which I appreciate.

Flowers I planted several years ago are pushing above the ground. I love to watch the trees and flowers bloom! When I was driving to the grocery store earlier today, I saw a gorgeous tree with pink blooms and tulips circling it. What a beautiful sight! Some folks do wonderful things with land, flowers, trees and plants that everyone passing by gets to enjoy! Thank you to those folks!

I'm gonna run. Want to get some walking in and get my April newsletter ready to send tomorrow after I come home from church.

Have a wonderful, blessed, happy, love-filled day! And as always THANK YOU VERY MUCH for supporting my books: Portia, Love Has Many Faces, Spiral and my new book - Long Walk Up! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Peace and Love,

Denise

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Thursday, December 27, 2007


I trust that each of you had a wonderful holiday! I had a fabulous Christmas! As always, it was nice to call and chat with family, those I got a hold of. My cousin called from California. It was nice to talk with her. She's my 3rd cousin and my grandfather's first cousin. She reminds me of an aunt of mine who transitioned several years ago. I'm telling you time passes so quickly. When I look back, I'm surprised at how long ago some events took place.

My son got the new XBox game system and lots of video games. He got a lot of gifts as usual. There's a game that came with the XBox system that I like. I tried to turn on the game while my son's away at a basketball game, but nothing came up on the screen. There's this one game I like to play and wanted to play it while he was at the games in Trenton. I'll play it later after my son comes back and shows me how to get the game to come up. I thought it was just a push of a button.

Hope you all got what you wanted during the holidays and gave gifts that made you feel good and especially gave and received/accepted love!

Believe it or not I still haven't opened my Christmas gifts. Mainly I got gift cards which I appreciate. I didn't cook this year. I went to Boston Market and picked up food for Christmas this year. I've cooked a big Christmas dinner before, but when I did much of the food went to waste. I didn't want to do that again this year. The chocolate cake I got from Boston Market is YUMMY! Soft and delicious! I also like their baked chicken.

I couldn't believe how tired I was. I slept a lot yesterday. I had stayed up until about 6 a.m. one day this week, so my body must have wanted to catch up on the rest. I got out and enjoyed the balmy weather here in Philly today. It's been raining here. I do like the rain, but hope I look out the window one day soon and see several inches of snow on the ground.

This is a writing week for me. I wrote and edited my seventh novel today. I want to sell the children's stories I wrote late this year before the close of the year. I'm also going to get some book reviews written and out this week. I finished a book I told an editor I'd get a review out on. I finished it in a few hours yesterday evening. I like not having anything on my "to do" list (smile).

A car dealer commericial just went off on television. They tickle me -- the local car commercials. They sound a lot like local attorney commercials to me. Folks talk at the top of their lungs and smile all the way through the commercial. You gotta love 'em!

I'm gonna go. Isn't it wonderful the feeling of "newness" that each new year brings? I love it! I did a lot of things this year I hadn't done before, and I'm happy and appreciative about that. I appreciate the fact that I took action on ideas, etc. I'm really happy about that. I encourage you to do the same on good ideas. I'm rooting for you as you pursue good dreams! You can do it! Go! Go! Go! Go!

Much love and a wonderful 2008!!! Cheers! And, of course, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! to each of you who support me, my writing and my books!

Love ya!

Denise

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Wednesday, December 5, 2007


It's snowing! It's snowing! I appreciate all weather. I got out in the snow today. We're expected to get 1-2 inches. I don't think we're going to get that much. It's snowing very lightly outside just now here in the Philly area. It's early in December, so I think that's a good sign for someone who likes snow (me!). Any of you love the snow? Isn't it gorgeous when it falls out of the sky and then when it's newly landed on the ground? You get up, pull back the curtains and look out the window early in the morning and take in a deep breath. On the other side of the window before you are miles and miles of newly fallen snow! What a treat!

I'm listening to Hay House Radio. It's one of my favorite - well, it is my favorite talk radio show. I like Sonia Choquette "Trust Your Vibes" and Dr. Wayne Dyer. There's a guy who used to be on the show who works with horses that I absolutely love! I love his show! The archives are still there, but he's not on the show anymore. His name is Wyatt Webb. I also like Michael Neil's show. He host "You Can Have What You Want".

I was thinking about going into the city tomorrow to a vending event. It'll be good for me to go to do something different. If I go, I'm gonna head out from Jersey about 4PM tomorrow, so I can get there in time. It just might be great, because there's a holiday get together where I work tomorrow. I can go to that, leave a little early and then head for Center City. Sunday I'm back in the city for a book event at Robin's Bookstore, Philadelphia's oldest independent bookstore. Go Robin's! Go! Go! Go! I love watching us do what makes our heart sing! It puts beautiful music into the universe!

I'm writing on a children's book that I'm digging (smile). I'm also editing a novel I started about a year ago. Today I had the blessing of sending copies of Long Walk Up to Lady Pitts High School in Milwaukee. It's a blessing to encourage others and to see others walk in their destiny! This has been more a writing focused year for me. It's probably been about 10 or more years since I have been this involved in a variety of different writing/creative projects. I even took writing courses this year. And I know it's been a minute since I've devoted time to doing that. Gotta go after what you love if you love to be joyous! Trust you all are doing just that!

Interest in our 8th annual writing contest (it's been 8 years already!!!) is excellent! We always get lots of interest and response regarding the contest, moreso in January and especially in February as we near the contest deadline date. Thanks to each of you who supports the contest and who supports and expands literacy. Many, many THANKS!

I'm gonna run. As always, thank you very much for your support! I appreciate you! I value you! I'm grateful for you! Enjoy Portia, Love Has Many Faces, Spiral and Long Walk Up!

Cheers!

Denise

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Saturday, November 17, 2007


Wow! Nearly two months passed since I last wrote in my online diary. Phew! That time got by! Well. Here I am now and glad to be updating this page at my web site. Thanks to all of you who visit. I appreciate you and your support!

I'm sitting here watching "Let's Do It Again" with Bill Cosby, Denise Nichols, Sidney Poitier, Ossie Davis, John Amos, Calvin Lockhart, and Jimmie Walker. I laughed when I first saw this movie years ago. It's still funny. Earlier I watched a DVD I hadn't seen since I was a kid. I was at my grandparents' house when I watched this other movie on television. It was like a Hallmark Movie, a special feature. It's called "The House Without A Christmas Tree". It's a true story. The daughter (after she became a grown woman) wrote the story. It tugs on my heart, maybe moreso because I didn't have a mom when I was a kid. I love the girl's spunk and the holiday vibe in the movie.

Got all of my Thanksgiving grocery shopping done today. I love to cook for Thanksgiving! I'm glad I finished shopping and got everything in one stop. Next Saturday I'm going into New York City to hang out with a friend. I want to do some holiday shopping and, of course, go to a bookstore while I'm there. My friend and I were going to catch a play a few weeks ago, but we decided to get together near the holidays instead. I'm looking forward to it.

The first weekend in November I was in Milwaukee at the Write to Read Book Fair which was sponsored by Triumph Enterprises (http://www.lassidministries.org/triumph.htm). It was a blessed event! I had a good-good time! I partnered with Kevin Johnson of Give God the Glory Ministries (www.writingforthelord.com) and spoke to the 8th graders at Burbank Elementary School. I mean - I flat out had fun connecting with the students! That evening we went to a banquet. Very well done, Debbie! Then on Saturday we went to a book fair. I met a woman at the event named Bertha Davis who is the author of the book Growing Up In Mississippi. We rode back to the airport together. She's a hoot! She's a doll! I love her spirit! She was interviewed on C-SPAN about her book, Growing Up In Mississippi. I bought two copies - one for myself and another for twins who attend the same church I attend who grew up in Prentiss, Mississippi.

I went in and out of those airports for that trip. I had connecting flights. When I was on home my home and stopped in Atlanta, I lugged my bag (it was heavy!) all the way to the Gate only to look up and see they changed the Gate. Do you know how big the Atlanta airport is???? I caught the train to the other side of the airport. Then, thank God, I got off right where an indoor cabby was and caught that to the new/changed gate. I was so happy to get home. I slept like a baby that night. Phew! I was tired! I had a blast, but it wore me out! LOL!

December 1 I'm at The Literate Mind Book Fair in East Orange, New Jersey. I'm looking forward to it! Oh, and my son got his driver's license today! He's happy and so am I. He's been driving for awhile. He's 17. In Pennsylvania you get a Jr. Driver's License until you turn 21 and have to wait 6 months to take the driving test if you're younger than 18, but he did great! I knew he would, because he has been very comfortable driving for so long.

I'm gonna run. Happy Holidays to everyone! Fill you life with love, forgiveness, goodness, happiness, laughter, joy, peace and fun! Thank you again and again and again for your support this year and over the years!

Denise


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Wednesday, September 5, 2007


School has begun again here in Philly. I let my son drive my car to school today and yesterday (his first day back was yesterday). Of course, he loved it! I've said it so many times, but he has grown up so quickly! Children do grow up fast! Yesterday I turned 45. I had a wonderful birthday. Thanks to Ruth Lockett from church for singing "Happy Birthday" to me over the phone (smile) and for the gorgeous business bag. I like it. I had thought about getting myself a bag, and now I don't have to (smile).

Yesterday I interviewed with Africa News to discuss Long Walk Up. The editor, Olivier, sent some very intriguing questions. He did his homework. I loved the interview. Last week I interviewed with Capitol News out of Africa. Another enjoyable interview. I like when the editor asks well-researched questions. I try to do the same when I interview folks. I like to do good research first. It helps to make for an interesting interview for the guest and the listeners, viewers or readers (whichever form of media the interview takes place in).

Over the weekend I watched a movie titled "The Shop Girl". I watched it on DVD. Steven Martin wrote and I think he also produced the movie. I like that movie. It came out awhile ago. I find that I don't even hear about a lot of movies until I'm browsing through the DVDs at the store. That comes from not watching a lot of TV where the movie ads and trailers come on. I might catch the new Jodi Foster movie. I'm not sure. She's very talented. I like to watch her work. She's good! If I go see, I'll go to watch Jodi Foster do her thing. The storyline doesn't really pull me in.

Earlier this week I finished "Snitch Craft", the book by Edrea Davis. It's good! I wrote Edrea and let her know how much I enjoyed the book. I did a lot of reading this past weekend. It's been awhile since I've read as much as I did this past weekend. I read Karen White's "Pieces of the Heart". She goes deep inside her characters the way most masters I've read from do. Another book I got into and enjoyed. I liked how she showed the process of pain, struggle and recovery the characters in the book went through. And I finished Pearl S. Buck's "The Rainbow". I plan to go back to the Pearl S. Buck International House and get more of her books. Wow! What talent!

For those of you who have started back to school - have a good year of learning! Have fun cracking those books! Summer's wrapping up, y'all. Enjoy the cooling temperatures, leaves changing colors and the last days of this summer!

Cheers!

Denise
 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

_REMEMBER: Our books Inspire, motivate, encourage, teach and entertain! All of our books come with FREE *Priority* Shipping and Handling!

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Friday, August 17, 2007


You know what I realize as I update my online journal? What once had a large influence upon me just two months ago, has no impact upon me whatsoever today. In my last post I started by writing about allergies. I have no had allergies in nearly as much time. God is good! There may be an event, thought, behavior or situation in your life that seems like it's too much or like it won't change. I'm telling you that it can and will change if you want it to passionately enough. Keep a journal and see how much in your life changes from day to day, week to week and month to month. In fact, I'm coming to think that time is a tool akin to a ruler or a hammer. It's a learning tool and once we learn fully time for us will end and we'll step right into eternity. I do know that when I do what I love and become "caught up" in what I'm doing time seems to not exist at all (smile).

I interviewed on The Bev Smith Show (formerly of BET) earlier this week. Bev has a nationally syndicated nighttime talk show. She airs from 7-10PM in Chicago, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Sacramento. She's online at www.waok.com. She is a pro! I have a radio show and have done radio for five years. Bev is smooth! What a gem! I thank her and her assistant producer, Amber Farr! They are winners! Thank you, Bev and Amber! It was a blessed experience! Then later I got an email from Roland Martin who appears on CNN and who recently landed a column in Essence Magazine! Congratulations, Roland! I interviewed him on my radio show "Off The Shelf" a few years ago. He is a cool man! I'm happy for him and his expanding success!

My oldest brother, his wife, my niece, aunt, cousin and Rest Haven Baptist Church from Alcoa, Tennessee came to visit and fellowship with the church I attend (Norton Avenue First Baptist Church in Bristol, Pennsylvania where Reverend James G. Evans III is the pastor) the first week of August. What a blessing! I love my family! It was so good to see them again and I had a blast with the members of Rest Haven! We caught the train to New York City. You gotta understand. I love going to New York City. We went to Times Square and other parts of the city. My ex-husband was the tour guide. He knows New York City like the back of his hand although he's from New Jersey. We had so much fun. I was wiped out when we got back. They stayed in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. I had never been to Mount Laurel before. It's a nice quiet town close to Cherry Hill and Philadelphia. The folks at the Super 8 where they stayed were super cool and so very helpful! My son and I kept driving around to find Papa John's where we got Rest Haven pizza the Friday night they came in on the vans they drove up in. Finally, we went back to the hotel and walla! My son says, "There's someone from Papa Johns!" We followed the guy back to the restaurant. I'm telling you - GOD IS GOOD! The thing is to never give up. Your options are gone when you quit. As long as you keep going, your options remain open.

What a blessed summer. What have you all been doing this summer? Trust you're enjoying the warm weather and getting out and having fun and experiencing joy! Joy! Joy!

Me. I gave my flowers out front some TLC today. They looked like they needed it. I'm gonna write and maybe catch a movie this weekend. The thought to go to the theatre just popped into my head so I might catch a live stage play this weekend, something I haven't done in a long time. One thing I have experienced is that live stage plays are more impactful or powerful for me than watching a movie. That said, I did see Bourne Ultimatum last weekend. Wow! Now that's a good movie! I like the plot and the action! I think it's the best action movie I've seen. And Matt Damon is that guy! He seems so much like that character when he's playing that role. He fits that role to a T!

I'm gonna run. Have fun-fun-fun! Thank you so very very very much for your support! I appreciate you more than you will know! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You help to make writing sweet!

Go after your dreams! They are yours to have. That's the reason they are YOUR dreams!

Much love,

Denise


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Friday, June 11, 2007


Phew! I have not had allergies like this in about 8-9 years. I took some allergy medicine this morning but it seems to have done absolutely nothing. Tonight I am going to take Benadryl. I trust that it will work.

I'm sitting here listening to music from the 60s, 70s, 80s on a Denver, Colorado Internet radio station. I love this music! It was the music I listened to when I was a kid. The station is on Tower Radio on the Internet. The station is KXKLFM out of Denver. Listening to this station brings back memories.

Last night my son's good friends graduated from high school. They looked so nice and grown in their black and white cap and gowns! The school was packed where they held the graduation ceremony. Next year it'll be my son in his cap and gown. I got emotional just thinking that he'll be graduating next year. People told me to enjoy the time I had with my son when he was young because, they said, children grow up so fast. They were absolutely right! I'd tell anyone to truly enjoy the time you have with your children, because before you know it you're children will be grown. It might seem like a long time at times, but when they are grown you'll wonder where the time went. I encourage you to Love Love Love Love Love Love Love your children. It's the best preventive medicine there is! We all need nonstop love. Give it to yourself! Give it to everyone you meet in thought, a smile, a kind word and deed. Give it to our Creator! Just keep LOVE going around and around and around.

I don't have a lot planned for this weekend. I am going to write. I'm trying to land a contract which will allow me to publish more books but this time with a large publisher. I'll also continue to publish independently. I love to write and I really love to hear from and connect with readers! That is one of the best rewards I get from writing! Connecting with readers! Thank you again and again and again for your ongoing support! I appreciate you!

I didn't get to the BEA (Book Expo America) earlier this month. I'm sure it was wonderful as I've always heard that it is. It's a great place for publishers and writers and librarians (book lovers!) to connect and create and strengthen relationships. It's a huge event!

The Spurs took care of their basketball business last night. I hope Cleveland wins a few games, but I think the Spurs are going to win the title this year. However, Cleveland stepping forward is good for the East. Now the East has Cleveland, Detroit and Miami as good team across the league. I don't think the East is as good as the West yet, but the East is improving and I think that's good. I didn't watch the game last night with the Spurs and the Cavaliers. I saw the score this morning. I wasn't surprised. The Spurs have so much experience, CONFIDENCE and talent.

I'm going to run. Enjoy the weekend! Do something you truly enjoy! Have fun!

Denise

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Friday, March 23, 2007


Hello, my friends! Trust that you are continuing to evolve and bite into the sweet nectar of life! I wish you love, warmth and happiness!

Life is great! I am at a time of transition. Right now as I type this for me it's one of those Thank God it's Friday times for me (LOL!) Outside the sky is overcast. Rain is like a natural soother for me when it comes to sleep. I sleep well regularly. However, when it rains - wow! I sleep like a dream when it rains! This weekend I am promoting the birth of my brand new book, Long Walk Up! I am excited! Requests for Long Walk Up came in well in advance of the book being finished and for that I am truly grateful!!

Where I work we are moving. This is truly a time of transition for me in my life. In some aspects I am moving through the transition with ease. In some ways I can feel where I am resisting, because I feel out of alignment with our source (love, God, whatever name you refer to our source by).

Last Saturday I had a wonderful interview with a wonderful woman named Judy LeBlanc. A link to her site is on my radio interviews page here. I'm looking forward to reading her book titled Many Faces To Many Places. Reminds me of my book Love Has Many Faces by the title (smile). One of the blessings in my life has been to host the radio show "Off The Shelf" at www.blakeradio.com on the Rainbow Soul Channel. Wow! Hosting the show has brought me in contact with PHENOMENAL spirits! I tell you, I have met absolutely FABULOUS people while I have hosted "Off The Shelf"! And our listeners are equally as FABULOUS and PHENOMENAL - a treasure! I encourage you to tune in to "Off The Shelf" Monday through Friday from 10-11AM (New York City time) and at various times throughout the wekeend. I truly believe that you will be glad that you did!

Last week I was at home on bereavement leave as my beloved grandfather transitioned. I think it's important to take the time to remember people we love who have transitioned. We are eternal spirits. However, when someone transitions we never see them in the form we were accustomed to seeing them in again and that may take time to adjust to. It's a major shift or change and we need to love ourselves and gives ourselves time to adjust to change. I love you, PaPa! He rejoined my grandmother and his wife of nearly 60 years when he transitioned. It served as another reminder to love myself, enjoy those around me and truly do what brings me joy! I encourage you to do the same!

To everyone who supports my writing, my books and me - THANK YOU! Thank you! Thank you! Thank YOU! I truly appreciate your support and your care! Be good to yourself! Hey! You deserve it! You're phenomenal - more than you may ever realize!

Have fun! Cheers!

Denise

P.S.: Please support my new book Long Walk Up by requesting a copy from your library or bookstore or ordering a copy right here at our web site! Thank you!

 

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Monday, February 5, 2007


Happy Monday! Here's to wishing you a wonderful week of learning, fun, love, joy, exploring, trust and evolution as you come to know how truly blessed and loved you are!

I had a wonderful interview with Kenda Bell, author of the new book For Every Love There Is A Reason on Saturday. Kenda's book will be in stores on Valentine's Day (February 14). I had the honor of reading her new book before it was released. I like the way Kenda develops her characters to reveal what motivates them to do what they do throughout the story. It made me feel closer to the characters.

The sun is shinning here on the East Coast, and the temperatures are cool and brisk (smile). I almost jogged into the building this morning, but it is a GORGEOUS day! I'm sitting here listening to Hay House Radio which I listen to frequently. I had a wonderful weekend. I watched a tad of the Super Bowl yesterday, but not a lot of it. I'm happy for the winner. I didn't have a favorite team, so whoever won, I would have been happy for them.

EXCITING NEWS! My new book Long Walk Up is with the printer, so it should be out the end of this month or early next month!!!! And I do thank Yahweh! Already people are setting up space to promote and announce to the world the arrive of Long Walk Up for which I am truly grateful! Currently I am writing on two stories. One I completed last year, so I 'm in the editing stages on that book. The other I am currently writing in first draft. I am learning a lot about myself as I write this book (smile). I also wrote and submitted a short story to a local magazine which I haven't done in years. I encourage you to realize YOUR AMAZING VALUE and create and express yourself in a myriad of ways also!

Saturday while I was out, I picked up the first season of the Martin Lawrence Show. Oh! I love that show! Man! You talk about laughing! I wish that show was still on the air, but since it isn't, I got the DVD!!! Martin is too funny on that show!

Our annual Chistell Writing Contest is in its last month for this year. We always get the bulk of requests and entries during the last month (February). And they are coming in again (smile). I'm grateful. The time has flown! The contest is in its 7th year! Wow! Seems like I just started that contest sometimes. And it's now in its 7th year! Thanks for all the entries and interest in our contest. Keep writing, reading and encouraging strong literary skills and appreciation for exercising imagination and creative expression in yourselves, children and everyone around the globe! A special thanks for bookstores, particularly local independent bookstores! I love books, and thank you for providing so many books to read!

I wanted to stop in and write something (smile) and to once again THANK YOU for supporting me and my books! I am truly, truly, truly grateful for your ongoing support. Have a blessed, JOY-FILLED, LOVE-FILLED week!!! Hugs!!

Denise

 

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Saturday, January 6, 2007


Happy Saturday! I had a wonderful interview with actress and author Bern Nadette Stanis. She played the role of Thelma on the hit TV sitcom "Good Times", a show my siblings and I watched time and again when we were kids. My brothers thought Thelma was a "looker" and I told her so when I interviewed her to which she chuckled. She is truly a remarkable woman. We all are absolutely amazing! I think when we wake up and realize just how amazing we are, that's when we'll be the most shocked! For real! We are truly amazing. I don't think a mind can hold how amazing we are! We are truly limitless when connected fully to our source. Amazing! Please begin to see yourself the way you really are. If you wanted to see God and you looked in the mirror and said, "Now I see a part of God" - that's a start to how wonderfully we are made by God! Just a start!

Back to the interview. I'm so blessed to have chatted with Bern Nadette. She transitions through life with grace. She had much to share that I know will benefit teens and men and women across the globe. Her vast experiences provide her much to share. She has a beautiful spirit! I encourage you to tune into the feature interview at www.blakeradio.com on the Rainbow Soul Channel so you can meet this remarkable woman! If you want to visit Bern Nadette online, you can at www.thelmaofgoodtimes.com. Please tell her Denise Turney from "Off The Shelf" sent you her way! She may very well smile! She and I enjoyed our shared time.

I saw the new Will Smith movie, The Pursuit of Happyness. Wow! I loved it! It's one of the best movies I have seen in awhile. I found it to be inspirational and encouraging and honest. The scene of the people standing in line to get a room at the shelter was eye-opening. I'm glad the producers and directors left those scenes in the movie. Then I bought the movie The Devil Wears Prada on DVD while I was out holiday shopping last month. Those of you who read my online journal regularly already know how much I appreciate Meryl Streep's work! She is absolutely fantastic in this movie! She truly respects her craft and does it ever show!

This month my new book Long Walk Up goes to the printer. I am still reading over the book one last time. My editor finished her work last year, several months ago (smile). But I tell you, as an author, I keep going over and over and over and over and over and over my work. I take writing seriously. I want to give readers the very best, the very best! If you knew how many hours I put into a book, you'd be amazed. Phew! I don't even know. I know it's in the hundreds of hours per book if not more. I think when you truly put your best into your work that money can never pay you for what you have given and shared of yourself. And I want to continue to evolve as a writer, so I am focused even more on writing every day. I'm working on a new story that reflects on my childhood, but it's a novel. Just writing it reminds me of things I did as a child or thought and I see where patterns in my life formed. We don't just show up and we don't just become who we are. It's a process, and if you look back at your own life, you'll see much of how you were made after you entered your body. And at any point, we can break patterns and create new ones and change. Just-like-that!

I'm thinking about going on a cruise with friends this year. I was happy to see that I can get a passport at the library. I noticed that today when I went to drop off some movies and get two new movies and an audio tape by Deepak Chopra. I have a book titled Be Unstoppable in my bathroom. Lately whenever I looked at the book, I kept seeing the name "Deepak Chopra" but when I looked at the book, his name was no where on the book. I've read his work before. Anyhow, I picked up an audio tape by him when I was in the library today on coincidences (there are no accidents in the universe). It wasn't until I was listening to the audiotape that it occured to me that I'd seen his name when I looked at the book Be Unstoppable . Perhaps I was being guided to get the tape. I don't know. But I have the audio tape (smile).

A similar event happened during the holidays. I was in the bookstore at the mall and I was drawn to a book by Nicholas Sparks. I've read his work before and enjoyed it, especially the movie version of his book The Notebook. Anyhow, I was drawn to buy the book for the department manager's wife where I work. I thought, "I don't even know if she likes Nicholas Sparks' work. I don't know if she already has this book." So I debated within myself on whether to get the book, but I'd learned to follow inner guidance, so I got the book. When I returned to Princeton after vacation, I gave the manager gifts for his family. His wife called for him and I picked up the phone. She said "thanks for the gifts. You didn't have to do that." Then she told me, "Nicholas Sparks is my favorite author. I didn't have this book of his." Then she said that a name of one of the character's in the book is the same as her mother's maiden name (her mother recently departed the world). There was nothing else I could say. These things happen to me when I'm not thinking. It's an unconscious happening. That's been my experience.

I'm gonna get ready to run. I'm excited for the new year. Trust that you are also. Go into each moment with pizzazz! Have fun and as always, THANKS for your support of my writing, my radio show "Off The Shelf", my newsletter "The Book Lover's Haven", my web site and my books! Cheers, Amigoes!

Denise


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Saturday, December 9, 2006
 


Wow! It's the last month in 2006! I'm telling you, time is passing so quickly, I'm starting to wonder if time exists at all and that, like Einstein said, it's all relative. It's as long as we make it and as short as we make it. For me, these days have passed with an amazing swiftness. For others, the very same days may seem to have dragged and dragged. Somehow, we make it what it is.

I have holiday TV shows on right now. I was out shopping earlier and picked up another DVD (smile). I think watching new DVDs is my payment to myself for working hard (LOL!) I started watching DVDs about a year ago. This time I got a movie titled "The River Wild". Meryl Streep is in the movie which is why I got it. I love her work! Last week I checked movies out from the library and watched "The Muse" with Sharon Stone - hiliarious! As a writer, I especially enjoyed the movie. I laughed outright while I watched it. I also checked out and watched "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" - the movie about pieces of Maya Angelou's childhood. It was moving. I'm glad I saw it. I like Ms. Angelou's style with her oral and her written delivery. She seems especially strong when she shares her life experiences, a thing that finds many people blessed!

I interviewed a wonderfully unique artist on my radio program "Off The Shelf" this morning. His name is Darryl McCullough. He's the author of the book Perfectly Sane which is available at www.authorhouse.com. He's working on a new book. His work is different. I like it when an artist uses enough courage to create from their soul. I think he does that.

In two weeks I'll knock out all my holiday shopping. I shop on one day. I think I got that from my dad. He did that. It's worked wonderfully for me and it keeps me from spending a lot more money than I would want. Last year for the holidays (and I think I told you all this), I got a wonderful jazz collection as part of a gift exchange I do with an Internet discussion list I'm on. Phew! What sweet music! I love jazz, child!

I've been busy working on three new books. No kidding. I added a few pages to Long Walk Up, this after my editor has already looked it over (smile). I added about 5-6 pages as I wanted to add details to the main character's life away from the great work she does as a modern day Harriet Tubman or Joan of Arc. She is an amazing character! I admire her! This may be the first time I wrote a book about a character I have a great amount of admiration for. I've certainly been very fond of other characters in books I authored. But the character in Long Walk Up (a book that came to me in February of this year while I was driving into Princeton) is someone I have a tremendous amount of admiration for. I wonder how she got where she ends up as she has hard-hard-hard obstacles to overcome, but she does! She does! And what she goes on to do! Wow!

Earlier today, I pulled up the flowers out front. The frost had gotten to them, but it's time for that (smile). The entire neighborhood enjoyed the flowers for about 6 months. They bloomed so tall, big and gorgeous!!! They went up like small trees. I have some Dahliahs out front and an Oriental flower which I forget the name of. It looks like an orchard. I also planted other flowers, but they came up late. I'm looking forward to seeing what they look like next year. I also want to get new carpet and new bathroom and kitchen floors and get my apartment painted next year. I put it off because I don't like moving furniture, but I'm going to go ahead and do it.

To everyone who subscribes to my hit literary newsletter The Book Lover's Haven and to everyone who listens to my premiere radio show "Off The Shelf" at www.blakeradio.com on the Rainbow Soul channel a HUGE THANKS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! If you all knew how special you all are to me! If you only knew! Thanks and thanks and thanks! For those who haven't tuned in, "Off The Shelf" comes on www.blakeradio.com on the Rainbow Soul channel Monday - Friday from 10-11 AM (EST) and throughout the weekend. We have had wonderful, awesome guests and talked about a myriad of thought provoking and, at times, funny topics. I have a blast creating my newsletter The Book Lover's Haven and doing "Off The Shelf" - a blast! Thanks again to each of our listeners! I am so very grateful for each of you! You are so blessed! You are such a blessing! And you are so loved!

I want to watch "The Polar Express" tonight. It's on ABC Family. I have wanted to see that movie for awhile. I like shows that stretch my imagination in positive ways. I also like old-timey shows.

I'm going to run. Please purchase my new book Long Walk Up right here at www.chistell.com or in bookstores early 2007 - about March. If you'd like me to send you a quick email when Long Walk Up comes out, just click Long Walk Up Release to send me an email with Long Walk Up Release in the subject line. Thanks!

Have wonderful, blessed holidays! If you are spending the holidays alone, my friend, don't despair. I have done that before myself. Watch TV shows you enjoy. Connect with friends and loved ones over the phone, visit, write letters, send cards, and GIVE and RECEIVE love from those around you who smile your way, let you in front of them when you're out driving, wave at you while you go to and from your home, place of worship, etc. There are always a MULTITUDE of blessings and miracles right around us, right around you (a bird singing outside your window, a butterfly that lands on your shoulder, a good nights sleep, a joke that makes you blossom with laughter - so much to be grateful for!). Look for the blessings and the miracles and watch them grow! Blessings and miracles abound even if you choose not to celebrate holidays. I've spent holidays alone and holidays around crowds of people and enjoyed both experiences to the brim! No lie. I have. You could spend the day chilling and listening to your favorite music and truly enjoy it without comparing how you are spending the day to how you think others are or to how you think you should be spending the day. Some people going from house to house would LOVE to be in your shoes! Trust me! I've been in both situations and both become what you make it. I encourage you to make it GREAT (just like you are!) ENJOY! ENJOY! ENJOY! ENJOY YOUR LIFE, YOUR WONDERFUL LIFE!!!! And if you forget, let me tell you again, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!

Have a good one and thanks for supporting me and my books!

Cheers, Amigoes!

Denise


One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Friday, October 7, 2006
 


Earlier today I conducted another interview for "Off The Shelf", the literary radio program that airs from 10-11AM (New York City time) Monday through Friday. The show also airs over the weekend, but at different times. I always enjoy connecting with the awesome guests! Today I chatted with Ellyn Spragins, author of the impactful book, What I Know Now. Ellyn doesn't live too far from where I live. I truly enjoyed connecting with her, and highly recommend the book she edited, <>What I Know Now. Extraordinary women write letters to their younger selves in the book, encouraging their younger self and lending valuable insight. It's a joy to watch other people's lives transition and evolve. Sometimes we don't see the changes in our own lives right while they are happening, but nothing alive is still. Life moves, so we continue to move and evolve also. To me, it's one of the key things that makes life fun and interesting!

Today I am going to do more work on Long Walk Up. I heard from a friend who is from Africa and she suggested a few changes to the book. The writing she loved and thinks is great, which, of course, makes me SMILE! She wanted a tad more intimate details about the main character. Long Walk Up is about a young girl from Africa, and I want to create an honest story (howbeit, fiction) that does not reinforce stereotypes and that creates a full character. Long Walk Up is short, but everyone who has read it tells me it packs one heck of a punch, and that's what I want! Long Walk Up will be out early next year, and I'm EXCITED!

My newer PC crashed on me a few weeks ago. Not sure if I wrote that in an earlier journal entry or not. So I'm using my old PC. Looking forward to getting my newer one up and running. I'm buying a new monitor as the resolution on the monitor I have now is not compatible with a newer PC. I'm also getting a new printer, because I am going to do a lot of media, etc. work at home. Best Buy, here I come! (smile!)

Earlier this week, I saw a show on the Dr. Phil show about Internet scams. One of the ones that I have seen a lot is the Nigerian or international request for help, money, etc. scams. Don't fall for it. Folks tell you what you want to hear, make you feel like something good is coming your way and then they get personal information from you or request money. Each human is created with wisdom. We know better. Use what the good Lord gave each of us - good sense! There are many ways to get what you want. Falling for a trick is not the way.

It was cool here in Philly last night. I hope we get lots and lots and lots of snow this year. I do love the snow! Next week I interview Bernadette Stanis, the actress who performed on the hit television series "Good Times". Please tune into "Off The Shelf" at blakeradio.com from 10-11AM (EST)! I'd love to have you there!

Gonna run.

You're blessed! You are! You are! You are!

Look for and support Long Walk Up in 2007!!!! You're gonna love it!

Denise
 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Friday, September 15, 2006
 


I am so excited! A few weeks ago I had a dream where I saw three football players sitting in an annex type place at the place of worship I attend in Bristol, Pennsylvania. One guy had 619 under his eyes. One guy I never figured out who he was as I don't recall seeing him well, but knew he was there. The third guy went to the same place of worship I attend. When I had the dream, I thought it was odd.

Fast forward.

Last night I turned to ESPN and on TV was the West Virginia and Maryland football game. West Virginia's talented running back, Steve Slater, was on. His family attends the same place of worship I do! Then I understood the dream. The guy with the 619 under his eyes in my dream I think is Reggie Bush, because he did that when he played college football. He may have been in the dream to represent the position Steve played and that Steve would be very good at running back as Reggie Bush was in college. Not sure of the role the third mysterious guy played in the dream as I never saw him in the dream, but felt a third guy there.

I'm happy for Steve and his mom and dad who continue to attend the place of worship (or church) in Bristol. His parents are such humble, wonderful, loving people. All those years and I would have never known Steve to have been a standout athlete. He just does not carry himself that way. He is VERY humble and every-day-people. When someone spends years around you and doesn't know you're a standout, you're carrying yourself with a lot of balance I think. I heard people at church mention him being in a paper or something once, but I didn't know he was as good as he is. I wish him the very best!

Now to cook up some dreams about my great writing career! I actually came on just to write that. Not sure how many of you are football fans. I grew up watching the sport. I was HUGE into sports when I was a kid. I still enjoy watching sports, but no where near as much as I used to.

Anyhow, it's good to see the dream I had ended up revealing a connection to awake-life. And what a wonderful connection it was! I've been told that all characters in a dream represent the dreamer, but I don't agree with that. Some dreams are prophetic and reveal events that may happen in the future. Other dreams guide and offer practical advice and insight. Others are symbolic and about the dreamer and their deeper-inner life. I don't think there's a lot of one size fits all in the universe. As my dad says, God gave each human their own brain. Every animal has its own brain, etc. That's why it's best to think for yourself rather than feel you have to think like the most dominant personalities in a racial, cultural, age, gender, social, etc. group. The Good Lord gave us our very own brains and with good reason!

I'm gonna run. It's raining here in Philly!! I LOVE the rain! I love the way it feels! I love the sound of it! I love rain! I sleep like a baby when it's raining. This is a TREAT!

Enjoy the weekend, amigos!

Denise

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Friday, September 8, 2006
 


I recently returned from a fabulous vacation! I drove home (something I haven't done in years) to Dayton, Ohio and Knoxville, Tennessee. Normally I fly, but I decided to enjoy the scenery this time. Coming back - wow! That drive from Tennessee to Philly was lloonnngg. LOL! I certainly hope that each of you had a nice summer vacation as Autumn is soon upon us.

This was the longest vacation I have taken in a long time, probably more than 20 years. And I did ENJOY IT! I hung out with my Dad a lot when I went to Knoxville. He took me places I used to go when I lived in the city. I knew to get a guide as Knoxville has changed a lot (the roads, places, etc.). When I lived in Knoxville, the University of Tennessee was the biggest thing in the city, but no more. Knoxville has REALLY grown! We went to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and the Smokey Mountains which I LOVE! In Dayton, I hung out with my family. My sister and her husband have a beautiful home! I was surprised to see that Dayton seems to be fading (to me) while Knoxville is building up. When I was younger, it was just the opposite. The hotel we stayed in when we were in Dayton was in a great area, so we had a blast!

Holding my brother, Clark, and his wife, Nina's, little baby boy was a joy! Oh. He is so precious! I haven't held a baby in awhile. He's adorable! He is so friendly and so sweet. I can still see his cutie-pie face! My nieces are growing up. Two of them play socceer. They are always doing something. On the last night I was in Knoxville, we went to see Alcoa and Maryville High Schools' football teams play a season opener. They are two high schools in different brackets, but they both have won their state football titles several times. It is HUGE when they play each other which they only do once each year. My sister-in-law went to Alcoa and told us it was going to be PACKED. I had no idea how PACKED! A regular high school football game (no championship game - nothing) was so PACKED, people arrived to the game 3 hours before the game started and people bought tickets 7 or more hours before the game started. There wasn't room to sit. It was PACKED!!!!! The stands were JAMMED with people. The fence was surrounded with people. It was HARD to get a parking spot. People were parking in church parking lots, on the grass, blocks away from the stadium, etc. I can only compare it to a large college football game. That's how big it was. It was a GOOD, FUN GAME! Alcoa has a running back (#20) who's good. He can run! What a game! What a game! They take high school football SERIOUS in Tennessee. I had no idea, until I came to Philly. Our sporting events were big when I went to high school in Knoxville, but I thought that was how it was all around the country, until I moved to Philly. Media covers high school sports in Knoxville, the way media covers pro sports in Philly. They don't take high school sports serious in Philly the way they do down South. The game was on the radio. And the high school games come on TV down South the way professional games come on TV in Philly. The next day, the game was on the front page of the newspaper. I've never seen that in Philly. And of course, the king of all in Knoxville are the U.T. vols (where Peyton Manning played college ball) and where the Lady Vols win so often under Pat Summit Head. The U.T. football team won their season opener. I was happy to see that. My oldest brother doesn't like U.T. at all. He's a HUGE Ohio State fan. I hope Ohio State beats Texas this Saturday. That's my home state - Ohio.

I wanted the Miami Dolphins to beat the Steelers last night (did I really say that????) I used to be a HUGE Pittsburgh Steeler fan!!!!!! But when Terry Bradshaw retired, I stopped rooting for the Steelers. I like the team from the 70s. I did the same thing with the Los Angeles Lakers. When Kareem went bye-bye, I stopped rooting for the Lakers. Don't know why I'm loyal like that, but I am. I like Nick Saban. Something about him as a coach I like. I also like Zach Thomas, and hope they have a good season this year. That's one sport I would never-ever play. Reminds me of modern day gladiators (remember when they fed folks to the lions for sport)? Football is the closest thing to that to me today. I like watching it, but hate reading where players talk about the pain after a game. I guess you gotta REALLY love football to play football. One game and I'd be sitting on the sidelines for the rest of the season.

Happy to say I nailed an interview with Ellyn Spragins, formerly of Oxygen Television (similar to Lifetime) and Bernadette Stantis (remember the hit sitcom - Good Times? She played Thelma). I will interview both women on my literary radio program "Off The Shelf" on www.blakeradio.com in October. I'm excited and looking forward to it! This weekend I'm interviewing Valerie Coleman, author and founder of Pen to Paper Literary Symposium which takes place in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio. I've never met Valerie, but glad our paths crossed and happy to hear that, because of her, Dayton has a literary event to attend and enjoy!

A few days ago I turned 44. Wow! It's true - time does fly! 44, my friends. I'm a happy 44. I find myself eating and taking better care of my body. I've exercised since I was 10. I used to run track and cross-country, but now I don't take my body for granted, whereas before I think I kinda did. I'm sure many of you can relate (smile). My life is excellent!

I am editing my fifth novel right now. I'm getting ready to start working on my sixth novel. I have gladly been a writing machine lately. Next month I'm in New York City. Getting around Manhattan is not one of my favorite things to do, but I'll figure it out. The only time I drive to New York City is when I go to Harlem, and then I'm just driving through Manhattan on a Saturday. It's much different than driving in the city during work hours on a weekday. That I want to avoid. I'll work something out.

School has begun again. In two years, my son will be in college. Another - WOW moment (LOL!) He's excited to become a man, and I'm excited to see him do so. I'm feeling no clinging to him at all and haven't pretty much all of his life. I enjoy watching him grow up and want to watch him take flight and soar into his own dreams and future the same as my dad allowed me and my siblings to do.

I'm gonna run. I wanted to stop and write something in my online diary. Keeping in touch with all of you wonderful-wonderful-wonderful-wonderful book lovers!

Have a FABULOUS weekend, and, I know I say it often, but THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR SUPPORTING ME AND MY BOOKS!!!!

Denise

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Tuesday, July 2, 2006
 


Trust each of you is enjoying the day!

Here in Philly - It is clear and hot outside. When I was out earlier at the grocery store, just stepping outside briefly I realized how hot it was. This is going to be one of those indoor days (smile). I'm getting ready to grab me a bite to eat, then I'm going to work on a marketing project.

I am nearly finished with the final edits for my fourth book, Long Walk Up. My editor gave the book her razor-sharp look over. I started working with my editor about two months ago. Yesterday without any forethought I sat down and put together Long Walk Up's book cover. I'm glad it went the way it did. I am VERY PLEASED with the cover!

Last week I finished my sixth novel. I have been in a writing mode lately. I think I wrote three to four novels within the last two years which is quick for me. Normally I work on a book at a time, but rihgt now I have been writing as creative ideas come to me and they have been coming quickly which I am grateful for. The love-source in the universe is so good! And I am grateful!

Tomorrow afternoon I think I'll catch the movie "Click". I want to see that movie. I heard it's good. I also want to see the movie "Little Man". I think they both will be funny, and actually I want to see a third movie "The Devil Wears Prada". Meryl Streep is one of my favorite actresses. I definitely want to catch her latest movie.

With a holiday coming, it feels like I am not going to work tomorrow, but I'm going. Tuesday I'm off, so the week will be short. I'm going to barbecue and chill on Tuesday. Whatever you all decide to do, trust you have fun and surround yourself with good friends, family and much love!

Keep your blessings in mind! They are always flowing! Just open up to the love-source in the universe and let them flow to and right through you! As always, thank you! Thank you! Thank you for supporting my writing and my books and my radio show "Off The Shelf" at blakeradio.com! We resume taping next month! I'm excited! We'll be bringing you new, awesome talk shows! See you a blakeradio.com!

My new book will be out this year. We're targeting late summer or early autumn. Be sure to get a copy! This is a gripping story you will definitely want to read!

You're blessed! Have fun! Follow your inner soul-guide and enjoy this earth-journey!

Denise

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006
 


What a wonderful walk I enjoyed yesterday! The temperature was warm, but not too warm. I was comfortable walking with a jacket on. Many excellent insights and ideas and nuggets of wisdom come to me while I'm out walking. For each of them I am grateful. Today is showing itself to be as gorgeous weather-wise as yesterday was. Flowers I planted during late fall/winter are coming above ground. I planted Dahlias last year and wondered if they would come up again this year. They are! I LOVE watching things grow!

They haven't had the best pre (post-season), but I'm still rooting for them. I'm glad the Philadelphia 76ers won last night. I didn't watch hardly any of the game, but my son told me when I asked that they won. He loves Allen Iverson's game, but he's not a 76er fan. I am. There is talk about football even though the start of the football season is months away. I think it's the one sport that's covered in some way all year long, and it seems to be more than it was years ago. Basketball and track and field are my favorite sports right now, so....I do hope Ricky Williams wins his appeal and plays next year, because I like watching him run and I honestly think the Miami Dolphins are going to be a contender this year, but it would be nice to see the Eagles do well this year too (this is such a HUGE FOOTBALL town!!!) I cannot imagine any city anywhere in the world more into professional football that Philadelphia. I wouldn't want to be an athlete on a Philadelphia sporting team during a losing season. Ouch!

For the first time ever recently I had catfish. Without tartar sauce, I wasn't crazy about. It's a thicker fish, it's meatier. With tartar sauce, I thought it tasted good. And in the cooking department, I also made beef stew this weekend. I haven't cooked beef stew in years. It was DELICIOUS! My grandmother used to make beef stew. Cooking it reminded me of her (such sugar thoughts).

I'm nearly finished (editing and all) my fourth novel. My fifth is with an editor right now. Next I want to get a cover for my fourth. This time I'm going to have an artist create the cover. I already landed the artist, and I have a strong image of what I want represented on the cover. Creating a book happens in steps. Years ago I thought it was just a matter of writing a story, but there are layers to creating a book. And I love it every step of the way!

Recently I bought Left To Tell. I don't recall the author's name off the top of my head. I heard about her while watching a PBS (Public Broadcast Station) show with Dr. Wayne Dyer on it a few weeks ago. Her story is about surviving the genocide attacks in Rawanda. I also got the DVD "Hotel Rawanda". I haven't watched it yet, but I will. I'm glad she told her story. We are blessed when we extend ourselves, share with and love one another. I think that's when we begin to heal. This weekend I watched "Schindler's List" a movie I thought about watching for years, and just finally sat down and watched. I have been in a DVD buying/watching mode the last few months. I don't recall watching movies like this before. Another movie I watched I really enjoyed was "Love Actually". I heard about it while reading a book about personal change by Marianne Williamson. I really like that movie, and Kelli Clarkson's voice is so STRONG! I love her voice! I gotta get her CD. I was watching and listening to the movie thinking, "Who is that singing?" Then when I saw the credits, I saw who the singer was.

Gonna run. Gonna write. Have a wonderful and blessed day and week!! Happy, Happy, Blessed Hallelujah Easter!!!!!

Denise
 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Monday, February 13, 2006
 


I love the snow as anyone who knows me well knows, and I got awhole lot to enjoy this weekend. We got nearly two feet of snow where I live. At first the school district reported a two-hour delay this morning (that was last night), but when I checked again this morning, the report was updated. School was closed today. I took the day off from work. Went out last night to drive to the store as we were out of some things. I had already shoveled earlier for about an hour and thought I had my car out. Went back out to head to the store and got stuck. Took an hour of shoveling to get out. I decided the store would wait until morning. I was surprised when the pizza shop close to where I live delivered last night, but GLAD. That was dinner. This morning I went to the store. The roads weren't as clear as I thought they might be. Tomorrow it's back up I-95 (which is usually good after a storm) and up to work. It's the side streets that take awhile to clear off after a heavy snow storm.

On the drive home from the store an idea for another book came to me. I don't often follow through on those types of ideas but lately I have been. I'm finishing my fifth novel which came to me during my drive to work over the summer. It's a short work. Today I started on my sixth. An editor will soon have my fourth novel as I've worked and worked on it over the months. It's ready for an editor's sharp eye at this stage. Then off to be published.

Over the weekend I got some DVDs. Two of them were good: Two For The Money with Al Pacino and Matthew (I forget his last name, but he's good in the movie) and I finally watched Boys Don't Cry. I found the ending disturbing especially being that the movie is based on real-life events. It was sad to me. One of my favorite movies I watched in the last few weeks was "When Harry Met Sally". I know the movie came out years ago, but I just go around to watching it. I loved it!! I thought the ending was a tad bit corny (probably because I couldn't see a man doing that), but overall I loved-loved the movie! I laughed and nodded watching that movie. It was good.

If you're looking for a good audiotape, I recommend Bernie Mac's Maybe You Never Cry Again. I listened to it while driving to and from work this week (a first for me). I was laughing outright listening to that audiotape.

Trust those of you on the East Coast enjoy the snow while it's here. After all, it won't be long before spring fills the earth on the East Coast. Wish the 76ers were winning more games, but I'm not gonna stop rooting for them. A few weeks ago I went to my first acupressure session. A friend at work told me about going to a chiropractor and how good it felt, so I figured I'd give acupressure a try. It hurt and didn't hurt - both. I'm glad they started me off with acupressure instead of acupuncture. I plan to go back this weekend. The weekend after that I'm in North Jersey at a film/literary event.

I'm gonna go. Enjoy the start of a brand spanking new week. Happy Valentine's Day to those who celebrate the holiday. And, as always, thank you very, very much to each of you who support me, my books, books in general, learning and literacy.

Be Blessed,

Denise
 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Thursday, December 29, 2005
 


Phew! This year went by! In a few days I'll sit down and review the year from a personal standpoint: monitor my growth (much of it I'm sure I won't become fully aware of until later on my life's journey when I see how I respond to different situations, etc.). Reviewing each year has thus far been a bitter-sweet experience for me as I find areas I thought I was making progress in only to discover I'm still in the same spot I was in this time last year. I also find areas of progress and growth and some areas where I need to make clear and obvious choices about where I truly want to be. It's funny. Throughout a year so much happens that I can go forward a few days or weeks and then back and then forward and back and forth and back and forth in an area and think I've grown-grown-grown until the end of the year when 1+1+1-5 is not adding up to a plus. LOL! That's when I see the total sum of my efforts, choices, etc.

It's cloudy outside right now. I enjoy all types of weather. I like the rain because I find that I sleep exceptionally well and wake feeling unusually refreshed and hopeful when it's raining outside. I also recall my dreams well when it's raining.

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday again! It's always a blessing to connect with family and friends. I cooked a big dinner but have pretty much only been eating the collard greens I made (they are off the hook!). My son tells me, "Mom, you can really cook when you want to." Smile. I'm a quick cook. I am not one for staying in the kitchen a long time except on major holidays. One thing I've had a taste for lately is flounder. I love the taste of fried flounder.

New Years I'm gonna do what I've done for years - relax. I have not been to a New Years party or event in years - since I was in my early 20s. I don't miss it either. I'm coming to a point where time means less to me and I'm starting to look at my life in patterns and cycles and growth (lessons learned) more than what day, week, month or year it is. I broke one pattern this year and await the outcome. This year with Yahweh I broke a pattern in my life that came to my attention this same time last year. Like many lessons I've learned I realized something wasn't flowing when I became frustrated, angry and hurt. Feelings or emotions are excellent teachers! They make it impossible to lie even when we try hard to. What's there is there whether we acknowledge it or not. Often when the hurt grows large enough, I find myself becoming passionate and adamant to deal with what's REALLY there -- right in front of me. Another blessing!

Recently I finished the first full edit of my fourth novel. I plan to get two books out next year, a first for me as I tend to bring a book out every 2.5 - 3 years. You know I didn't see that pattern until recently? Amazing how we do things a certain time of year, when we feel a certain way, etc. and not even realize the pattern until a lot of time has passed. I never intended to bring out a book every 2.5 - 3 years. In fact, I wanted to bring out a book a year (LOL). If I really want to get a book out each year, I gotta change something. So my start is two books out next year. I am getting into the heart of my fourth novel as I edit it. That's a very good sign for me when I go deep into a story, so deep I don't want to come out. That's where I am right now with my fourth novel.

I'm gonna run. Want to wish you all a most blessed 2006! Accept the lessons the year brings. When you notice things in your life you don't want, ask God to help you break the right patterns. Be gentle, kind and loving with yourself and all living things - God's in it; God's in you! Love yourself and enjoy being you! Thanks for everyone who supported my writings!!! Thank you so very, very, very, very much! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Cheers, Amigo!

Denise

 

One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Thursday, November 10, 2005
 
I should put "One Month out of This Writer's Life" at the top of this page as I have only been updating my online journal about once a month this year. Time is flying! I'm telling you! Time is getting by!

Trust you all are enjoying Autumn and surrounding yourselves with people you love and who love you right back! To me - that's good living! I have found with the measure I love myself so too do those around me. A good way to guarantee you're always surrounded by love is to love yourself! My experience has been that people treat me the way I treat, think about and view myself. Last weekend I was at an annual Bucks County NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner. It was a nice event. It's pleasing to know Bucks County NAACP is becoming active in the area again. A woman from the church I attend, Martha Miller, was honored and deservedly so. She is a loving woman who has positively impacted the lives of countless folk in the Bucks County area. Martha's a dynamo for sure! For sure! She's one of the those people I am truly grateful to Yahweh for having met! She's memorable - impossible to meet and ever forget!

I was at the event selling and signing two of my books. I didn't take Love Has Many Faces as it has almost completely sold out. Actually, Spiral is nearly sold out also. The books I took to the event sold very well. I'm grateful. As always, I met wonderful-wonderful people while I was there. That's one of the key benefits of going on the road to me --> the people (like you) that I meet! The governor of Pennsylvania, Governor Ed Rendell, mayor of Bensalem and mayor of Bristol Township along with other public officials were there.

It's a nice balmy Autumn day here in the Philly area. I love all the seasons! I love rain, snow, leaves, the whole nine! I enjoy all weather. It's a blessing to experience all types of weather. Truly it is! The trees are absolutely gorgeous! Gorgeous! When I would go for a mid-day walk in the summer, the leaves were beautiful green. Yesterday I noticed how those very same trees are gorgeous golden-yellow and burgundy-wine colors! What a treat to observe! When I was a kid I'd rake the back yard with my brothers and sister. We'd rake the leaves into a tall pile then dive into them before we stuffed them in large plastic garbage bags. I hope we get snow before the end of this month and get lots and lots of snow this winter. I was driving last night and a flash of lightning literally blanketed the sky. Scared me for a second. Then I realized how magnificent it was just to see. As I neared home, I saw a streak of light in the darkened sky. We do live in a world of wonder!

I'm happy about basketball season starting! I'm a Philadelphia 76er fan. I like the way Allen Iverson plays. For me the way he plays basketball is inspiring. Sometimes we may think only certain types of vocations serve a good, but that is very wrong. I have been inspired by athletes, singers, poets, preachers, prophets, healers, etc. etc. It's impossible to box God and say - God only heals or loves us or guides us through CERTAIN people or CERTAIN vocations. My life has proven that to be totally false. Anyhow, I am inspired when I watch Allen Iverson play basketball. I'm inspired to continue advancing my own life, to go after the good I desire with a feverish passion and focus, to never quit, to move beyond giants with relentless effort, to peservere with a "I am doing this! I am winning!" attitude - just from watching Allen Iverson play basketball.

I didn't watch the entire game, but I'm glad the 76ers won last night. They played the Dallas Mavericks. I was surprised when they beat the Indiana Pacers but GLAD they did! I like Indiana too, but I'm a 76er fan. The 76ers started their first three games playing like they hardly wanted to be on the court. I'm glad they shook that mess off! Keep it off too! Just keep it off and you'll be winning!

I'm glad Ricky Williams of the Miami Dolphins is playing well. I like the way he performs as a running back although I don't see the Miami Dolphins games in Philly. It's Eagles territory full speed ahead up here! I sometimes wonder if other cities cover football the way Philadelphia covers the Eagles! Phew! You have no idea if you don't live in Philly how the Eagles are covered here! No idea! You would think they are the air Philadelphians breath sometimes and the Terrell Owens situation... I don't even watch TV sometimes just to avoid hearing about it. I wish everyone involved in that the best - Terrell, the Eagles, everyone. I've learned lessons the hard way myself, so I wish everyone the best. Life is like a spiral. It just keeps going around and around. Terrell may have been stubborn before, but if the Eagles now become equally or more stubborn, somewhere down the line, they will reap the reward (maybe in a totally different situation) for their stubbornness. Life is ALWAYS AWARE OF EVERY SINGLE THING WE THINK, SAY, DO, ETC. EVERYTHING! We reap JUST what we sow whether we sow with our thoughts, desires, fears, faith or actions. We get back just what we asked for. If you don't want something, don't plant it in your life!

So if the Eagles have a desire to serve Terrell what he served them, somewhere it will come back to them as it's coming to Terrell. No way around it! Life is BALANCED AND FAIR! No one escapes having to eat what they plant. Nobody! It's a reason forgiveness brings tremendous blessing! It's a law and it's simple and it cannot be broken. That's the reason people who love the creator, themselves and everyone (people who live, think, act, desire, encourage, etc. love) - people who let their light shine are so incredibly blessed! In fact, I have found that people who walk in love not only reap heaps of blessings themselves, the love they put forth blesses their family and countless other people! Try it! Live in love! See what happens!

Gonna get the oil changed in my car this weekend (that has always been a big to-do with me; don't know why. I don't like doing it. I'm gonna have to do something fun while I wait this time, so I can get the sour taste out of my mouth about something so simple as getting the oil in my car changed). Right now, I'm gonna get a bite to eat. Have a love-filled, fun-fun, love yourself/love somebody else day!

To those who support my writings - THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Smiles and Hugs!

Denise


 
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Saturday, October 1, 2005
 
I feel better. I have been battling a virus since Tuesday afternoon. I felt groggy and ill this morning while I was still in bed but told myself to get up. I find that staying in bed only makes me feel heavier and sicker, so I get up and take things at a slower pace. While I went out earlier I got two DVDs - "Final Cut" and "Patch Adams" (both starring Robin Williams). I admire his work, but it's the storyline that pulled me to the DVDs. About a week ago I watched "The Bridges of Madison County" on DVD. It was the first time I saw the movie. I loved it!! It is excellent! I haven't read the book, but I might after watching the movie. I believe in things like what happened in "The Bridges of Madison County". I wonder if the author based the story on real-life events from his own life. The story rings that true. I cried hard at the end of the movie, a very, very, very rare thing for me to do.

This movie "Final Cut" is starting off with a twist. Odd how we plan so much of our lives and yet things happen to us, totally unexpected, that send our plans into oblivion (smile). Then we tend to start planning all over again. Some folk just let go and accept life for what it is. I think those folk are wise. I'm becoming one of those folk (smile).

I am going to put excerpts from my two latest novels on my website today. They are rough drafts, but I want to get new material up, so I'm going to post the excerpts. I'm also working on a large non-fiction article for a magazine. I did one of the interviews for the article last Friday. I plan to knock some more out this week. Then I've got to do the research. I want the piece to be balanced and very thorough, so I gotta put in the time and the effort to achieve that.

Our 6th Annual Chistell Writing Contest starts today. Wow! It's been six years already. Doesn't seem that long to me. It's a pleasure and an honor to be a part of a an effort to encourage literacy, a love of books and writing! Literature impacts our lives in so many powerful ways!

I'm gonna run. Want to update the rest of the website, work on my fourth novel and possibly do some research for the article I told you about. Trust you enjoy the day!

Wishing you love and happiness!

Denise http://www.chistell.com


 
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Friday, June 17, 2005
 
Life is wonderful! A few weeks ago I planted flowers out front of my home. They are coming up now! I'm so excited! It is a blessing to plant something and then watch it grow! I marvel at the fact that seeds don't look anything like the finished product. From humans, to animals to fish to plants to trees, to our dreams, relationships, etc. the seed looks so incredibly different from the final product. This may be most difficult to fully grasp and understand when it comes to our dreams. We apply for a position we are passionate about, we try out for a sporting team, we keep knocking on doors in effort to become successful in the Arts -- and for a long time it can appear that absolutely nothing we are doing (none of the seeds we are planting) are growing.
 
A funny thing about this came to me when I planted flowers into the earth a few weeks ago. Within days of planting the flowers some of the seeds were dug up. I didn't know who did it, but thought it hard-hearted that someone would do such a thing. After all they were only flowers. It wasn't as thought I planted a product that would yield a negative result. I even wasted time guessing at who the culprit was. Then one day after sitting in the park reading a book I returned home to find a neighborhood squirrel (this squirrel is like a part of everyone's family; folks feed it and enjoy it's company). Anyhow, the squirrel was digging holes in the earth. I thought, "It was you." Fortunately most of the flower seeds survived the squirrel's hunt. I learned how we can move and work toward a goal only to have it uprooted because we haven't taken care to protect what we planted. Some folks put fences and gates up or/and spray the earth around seeds they plant to keep culprits away. When it comes to dreams I have found that I might have keep a dream from negative people, plant enough seeds that will yield multiple streams of income and opportunity so if a few of the seeds I plant don't make it, I am still guaranteed a very large harvest. Repeating positive affirmations works for me. So too does working at my dream every day. Everything I've done toward my goal has not yielded the result I expected, but the total sum of my daily focused efforts have far surpassed some of my dreams.
 
That squirrel taught me a lesson. I'm so glad I planted those flowers! I'm also glad the squirrel came after and dug some of them up, because again it taught me a valuable life-lesson. Now flowers are pushing up above the earth out front. One is still brown but above ground. In a few days it will be green. The flowers will get to be 3-4 feet tall. They are gonna be GORGEOUS! I planted two different types. I also have three plants inside my home and a pet turtle. Life is such a huge blessing (and surrounds all of us)! I don't think we will ever even halfway comprehend where we are and what a wonderful place it is we have been planted in (as we too must produce good fruit).
 
In the last few weeks I caught a few movies. I saw "The Longest Yard", "Monster-In-Law" and "Maga dascar". I enjoyed all three but liked "The Longest Yard" and "Magadascar" best. I saw the word "Magadascar" in a vision one night when I was sleeping, so I went to see the movie. The message in the movie made me realize why I was prompted to go see it.
 
I'm gonna run. Do get out an enjoy the gorgeous weather and have lots of fun this spring and summer!
 
Peace and Love,
 
Denise
 

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Wednesday, April 6, 2005
 
 
I am glad to see spring! It is a gorgeous, sunny day today. This past weekend I received a treat from nature -- rain. I feel very relaxed when it rains. I like the sound of rain falling against the ground and almost always look out the window to watch the rain fall. The ground was so wet here in Philly and in New Jersey that it flooded. Some bridges and roads were closed due to the flooding, so the commute to and from work has been considerably longer than normal. Tuesday night was the thickest traffic I've driven in in all the years I've been driving besides the time I got caught in rush hour traffic in D.C. while on my way to Virginia. This time I had jazz playing on the radio and just told myself to settle in for a lengthy commute home (smile). Years ago I would have pounded the steering wheel, cursed, took in and released deep breaths, had negative thoughts about my fellow passengers on the road and wondered to God why I was stuck in traffic. LOL! Just thinking about it now makes me want to laugh! I have made progress in my life! Lots of it! Thank Yahweh! Thank you, Yahweh! Thank you!
 
Years ago I rushed what seemed every single morning. Rushed myself. Rushed my young son starting when he was about two. One morning I stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom as I prepared to wash up and get dressed. I asked God why I was so angry in the morning. I was guided to "listen" to my thoughts. Amazingly I discovered each morning I got up and invented or replayed a negative scene in my mind. I had no idea I was even doing this until I asked God why I was so angry in the morning. Absolutely no idea! That still amazes me. I'm glad I asked. Ask and you shall receive; it's true.
 
Aware of what was causing me to experience a consistent emotion in the morning, I would immediately stop a negative scene from playing in my mind and replaced it with positive words and images. I am no longer angry in the morning.� Stopped just-like-that. I had no idea those negative thoughts and images were below the surface being played each morning. But they were there and controlling my emotions and how I interacted with others.
 
I also started getting up half an hour to an hour earlier in the morning. Before I thought "no way" could I climb out of bed any earlier than I already was.� I was wrong. I just told myself to get up, and I did. I did it for my son and myself. I don't think it's fair to rush-rush-rush someone else just because I want to stay in bed a little longer (or to put myself thru a hectic sprint each day). Today morning is one of my favorite times of the day! LOL! And this from a woman who SWORE she would never get out of bed before 8AM when she was a teenager. I told my family I would never ever take a job where I had to get up early. Must have forgot saying that, because I went out and joined the Navy years ago and talk about getting up early!
 
I've been years out of the military, but a rising sun is a welcome sight.
 
Later this month I'm at the Queens Book Festival which is sponsored by CB Book Distribution. They do so much to support books, authors and literacy! They're online at www.cbbooksdistribution.com.� I'm grateful for all they and others do to support literacy!
 
With the weather changing, I plan to travel more. I enjoy traveling.� This year (I have said this for several years now) I am committed to traveling out of the country. I want to go to Italy. There are other countries I want to visit, but there's something about Italy I find very attractive.
 
Whatever you all do, trust you get out and enjoy the weather and ENJOY LIFE! I was thinking just the other day how so few of us enjoy life. We rush and hustle and work-work-work and keep family commitments, etc. and so very rarely REALLY ENJOY JUST BEING ALIVE! We miss the boat without realizing it. We allow the demands of business to coach us and direct all areas of our lives. Some don't (I think they're wise), but I have found that so many do. With love, I do encourage you to make the wiser choice and enjoy being alive each day!!! Waiting to retire to enjoy life will find you missing out on awhole lot of joy and goodness! Why wait 65 years to ENJOY LIFE? Really? Why?
 
I'm getting ready to run. Do enjoy the rest of the day, week, weekend, and each and every day! Do something special for yourself and someone else today! The rewards are countless!
 
Wishing you an ENJOYABLE LIFE!
 
Denise
 
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Sunday, February 5, 2005

This month is turning out to be MUCH-MUCH-MUCH better than the end of December and much of last month for me and I am grateful for that! My spirit didn't feel at full strength last month and much of all of last year. I lost many documents late December when my PC went on the blink. After the experience, I encourage you to get Spyware, back up your docs on disks and insure you have a firewall on your PC. I learned that the hard-hard way. Oddly enough I had deleted documents on an older PC to create more space on my hard drive, deleted countless emails (again to create more room on my hard drive). Before I ran the disk to set my new PC back to manufacturer's specs (which removed all my docs as the disk warned) -- anyhow, before I did that, I backed all my files stored on my new PC (remember I had deleted them off the older PC) up on a CD. LOL! I even opened the CD to insure the files saved. I ran the disk restore, got my new PC up and running again, went back to pull the backed-up files off the CD and the CD was BLANK!! I lost many, many, many, many articles, half of my fourth novel which I'm working on, the Word versions of each of my three published books and many, many other files. I lost years of work. Years. All gone. Bye-bye. See ya! I wanted to hang my head and weep. I think I cursed and walked away from my PC. I was hot. A day or so later I started plugging away on book reviews I was scheduled to write and submit to a newspaper I write for. I had a very tight deadline staring me in the face and rather than make excuses, I sat down, started plugging away and met the deadline. I lost my entire newsletter database (thousands of entries - thousands). I thought about ending my newsletter but the subscriptions just keep coming in. You have no idea the impact you have on other people's decisions and lives. It's the subscribers and artists I promised to feature in the newsletter that kept me going on that end. Earlier this week an idea to run an ad in a major catalog that goes to libraries, bookstores, etc. pushed to the front of my thoughts. When I got the guidelines for the ad, I went out searching for Quark Express. The computer store close to where I live doesn't have it, so I searched for it online and found it. However, while I was in the computer store, I came across a software package that allows you to convert PDF and scanned documents into Word, Excel, etc. Amazing how things happen (what many of us consider either "good" or "bad"). The same as I deleted all those files and emails to make room on my hard drive on an older PC and then my newer PC crashed and I lost everything -- I walked into the computer store today in response to the thought to run the ad and came across the software package that converts scanned documents into Word, Excel, etc. That alone will save me hours and hours and hours of re-work (I keep print copies of much of my work). I think one of the major nuggets to life is simply to never quit. Just like I didn't know my PC would crash, I also didn't know I'd come across the software package today. Thoughts, action and never quitting have yielded me astounding results.

Whatever you do, don't quit. I don't know what tomorrow holds, but if I quit, I'll know I can never achieve even one of my dreams. I'd be safe from going into action with my ideas and losing, but I'd also be locked away -- imprisoned from succeeding at any point in the future. I'm never willing to risk that and I hope you aren't either.

On another note, temperatures warmed up here in Philly. It was a nice day and I enjoyed being outdoors. Snow is melting off the ground. I do hope we get 2-3 more major snow falls before winter ends. I like to watch snow fall and I like being out in it. I'm getting ready to order Chinese. I have a taste for Sesame Chicken. I had some at work in December and liked it. I have a taste for more.

I'm gonna bounce. Enjoy the evening and despite how you feel or how it sometimes hurts, stay in the game called life!

To the many people who support my writing and my books -- Thank you, my friends! Thank you!

Peace and Love,

Denise

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Sunday, January 2, 2005

Happy, Blessed and Prosperous New Year! I wish each of you countless blessings and much love! Thanks for your ongoing support!

Denise

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004

Here in the Philadelphia area, the sky has been over cast. It looks as if it could snow, but I have heard nothing about snow on the weather links I've checked. I LOVE snow!!!! I would be tickled if it snowed on Thanksgiving day. Yaw, don't know! Wherever you live this winter, if you hear it's snowing in Philly, you know I'm glad about it. I like driving in it, watching it fall, shoveling it, cleaning it off my car, being out in it -- I like snow. Anyhow, the sky looks different to me. It fascinates me to look at the sky while it looks different. It has a message in it, and it looks like more than rain. Perhaps it's helping to blanket this part of the earth with a mood. I don't know. When I drive from home to work in the morning, I find myself peering through the front windshield of my car at the sky more. It's so pretty. From a distance the trees perched atop hills make me think mountains are ahead of me. Then I keep driving, get closer to the trees and realize they were always trees on hills but the distance (their faraway look) made them appear to be mountains.

This is a marvellous planet we inhabit. Absolutely marvellous!

I have been wrestling off and on throughout the day with myself (juggling a decision back-and-forth and back-and-forth in my head) about whether or not to go to the grocery store and get vegetables for the Thanksgiving meal I plan to prepare this Thursday -- get the veggies tonight or tomorrow night. I've been leaning toward tomorrow. A colleague told me to go tonight so I don't get caught in a rush of late shoppers. I already have about 95% of my Thanksgiving meal (the ingredients) at home. I went early enough to knock it out about a week prior to the holiday. However, I don't have the vegetables I want. I saw Emeril (the cooking dude) on TV over the weekend I think it was. He made a Thanksgiving meal (for those who choose to celebrate the holiday; I like it as a time to connect with family and friends). Anyhow, he made this dish with fresh spinach, stuffing, cheese and some other ingredients. I like fresh spinach, so it caught my eye. I might make the dish with fresh spinach (my son told me he does not like spinach, but as far as I know he's only had it out of a can and fresh spinach -- to me, anyway -- taste A WHOLE LOT BETTER than spinach out of a can!!!). So I might use fresh spinach in the dish or turnip or collard greens. I was gonna cook a pot of collard or turnip greens until I saw Emeril making that dish with fresh spinach. I feel like trying something new this year. If I don't like the dish, I'll like the fact that I gave it a try, so it's a win either way.

I'm off to help someone with something. I came on here to say to all supporters of my writing and books - HAPPY HOLIDAY!!! If you're alone, enjoy the quiet time and do something special for yourself. I don't have family in the state where I live and spent more than a few holidays alone. I'm not going home this holiday either, but I thoroughly enjoy life! I may catch a movie later in the day on Thursday after I finish cooking. I plan to get up early and cook. I want to see the new Tom Hanks movie. I like animated movies. I also would like to see Alexander the Great. I saw a TV program about him on the History Channel and enjoyed it. I also know I'm gonna write. My son's with his dad on Thanksgiving which I have always preferred because his dad takes him with him to his mom's (our son's grandmother) and she has lots of family over. My ex's family lives close to Philly. I stayed here because I wanted our son to grow up with his father. It's a choice that was deeply painful at first, but has it ever reaped a LIMITLESS REWARD! Not financially -- in life and love for our son who LOVES his dad, and he has a very, very good father! I got that part right!! LOL! Anyhow, I went to my grandparents' on holidays as a kid and had a blast! I want the same for my son. So, if you're flying solo this holiday, I encourage you not to allow images of folk being crowded in with others to cause you to forfeit the joy of a day because you are alone. I mean. Who wouldn't enjoy your company! Certainly you can enjoy your own company! Come on, now! Surely you can! I strongly encourage you do something you love and enjoy each day. See the miracle in each moment. For real. Realize that November 25 wasn't always a day called Thanksgiving, nor December 25 Christmas and the millions of years before they were, people were happy, blessed and thoroughly enjoyed each day whether they were with family, friends, foes, at work, at home or alone. You do the same! Have a good one!

Here's to wishing the sky is full of lots of big, wet, cold snow flakes this winter!!!! Denise


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Saturday, November 6, 2004

Time got by. I was surprised to see my last online journal entry was on August 8. I also keep a journal off-line, but that's much more personal. Must be the logging on to create an entry, because I write in my off-line journal nearly every day. I'm glad to write in my online journal again, because I like connecting with each of you.

I don't know about you all, but I have been tired more than usual lately. Seems like every Saturday, I've been feeling like resting more than usual. I think it's the change in the weather. I adjusted to the Daylight Savings Time change well. Normally I get a bit ticked off that I get to enjoy less sunlight when I'm up and about. One way to deal with that is to simply start my day earlier. I'm thinking about taking a day off from work this week -- perhaps Wednesday. There's a meeting I'm scheduled to attend, and I'm thinking to just take the entire day off. I have a lot of vacation days yet to use at work. I doubt I'll use them all, but I do want to take a few more days off here and there. I want to vacation abroad (outside the U.S.) next year. Not sure where I'll go, but I want to travel abroad more and more.

Yesterday I discovered that I won an a writing award for my new book Spiral. That was a pleasant surprise. A few days ago I also found out that a school has me on a list of authors for students to write about. That was a total surprise. For me, I think much of my successes in life have come due to the fact that I have this thing inside me that won't let me quit. When I was younger, I thought it was my greatest inner asset; I still believe that. Because it sure hasn't been easy and I still feel I put in more effort than I receive payoffs for my labor for. But something won't let me quit.

I'm going to work on my fourth novel today. I'm finishing up readng a non-fiction book titled The Dark Side of the Game by Tim Green. It's about the NFL. Tim Green is a retired football player who formerly played with the Atlanta Falcons. Reading the book I could tell he was a writer. To me he reads more like a novelist the way he plays with words then he does a non-fiction writer. I wonder if he always wanted to be a writer -- since he was a kid or if it's something he stumbled upon as he became older. I like his writing style. It's refreshing to see a professional athlete do more with their life than just play sports. I know when you're in a sport, you're taught and drilled to focus on sport-sport-sport. However, there's more to all of us than one aspect, and for that reason I think it's a huge blessing to be well rounded and have a myriad of interests.

My friends, it is November. In a few weeks it'll be Thanksgiving -- for those who choose to celebrate the holiday. I think I'll start holiday shopping this week. I am usually Ms. wait until 2-3 days before a major holiday to start shopping, but I might change that just a tad this year (smile). I say that nearly every year. LOL!!!! I do enjoy the holidays. I like the scents and the colors that are found so many places during the holidays. I think I like Autumn colors. When I was a kid orange was my absolute favorite color. Orange. Orange. Orange. My sister LOVED purple. Whatever outfit she got, she wanted purple. Whatever outfit I got, I wanted orange. I'm not nuts about orange the way I used to be (smile). I have enjoyed Autumn for as far back as I remember. We uesd to rake leaves in the yard as kids, move them into a huge pile and then dive into them before we bagged them and took them toward the garbage. We would jump and laugh. We had so much fun diving into a pile of leaves. I also remember feeling more peaceful during Autumn -- again, it could be the colors and scents that seem more in abundance during the season. I've always been a dreamer -- all year long. That hasn't changed. I spend so much time living in my head. I can still see myself gazing out the window in school daydreaming. Don't ask me how, but I managed to make the Honor Roll, write and excel at sports AND dream-dream-dream time and again. LOL! Perhaps it was the dreaming that helped me not to take notice of how much I really was doing. Perhaps I gained strength from it in that regard -- and energy. I love to dream, and I still believe in the impossible. There have been tough-tough-tough-painfully tough times in my life (as I'm sure in some of yours) that have caused me to think about and almost "feel" like quitting --really quitting, but did I tell you ... there's something inside of me that won't let me quit. Whatever it is, I was born with it. It's a part of who I am. If you see me closer to what I dream about, you'll know it was that part of me that wouldn't let me quit that got me there, because by indications I probably should just quit, but I won't. Ever. Not ever.

My son wants me to order Chinese. All this food in the house and he wants me to call for delivery. LOL! I don't feel like cooking, so that's what I'll do. About my son, I think a reason he'll do very well in life is because he knows how to ask for what he wants. I've noticed that about him since he was a kid. He's also generous and grateful. I continue to struggle to ask for what I want. I've improved, but I have good ground yet to make in that area. I can talk myself out of asking for what I want by thinking in my head of the many ways someone, an organization, etc. will react to my request. Observing my son is helping to bring me out of that. I have probably learned as much from him as he has from me. He doesn't know this parent-child arrangement is as balanced as it is. At least I don't think he knows that. I wonder if many children and parents do. I have told my son that I learn from him and am grateful for him (besides the fact I love him dearly!!) -- My dad said we helped keep him young. I know we taught him things too. Every now and then we'd say something that would cause him to really think. Parents learn from their children too; don't let anybody fool you.

The NBA season has started. I want the 76ers to have a good season this year. My favorite player and my favorite athlete is Allen Iverson. If Allen Iverson didn't play I wouldn't watch one single NBA game. He's the one who got me back into sports in the first place. My son was an Allen Iverson nut. I had no choice but to hear the name over and over and over again. Kids talked about him so much. Finally my son pointed him out to me one day when the 76ers were playing on TV about 3 years ago. I've been a huge Allen Iverson fan ever since! I'm glad to see the Toronto Raptors playing well too. I know the season's early. I'd like to see Vince Carter use his Creator-given talents real good this year. I don't think he's played up to his potential yet. I also hope Ray Allen has a good year. In the NFL I'm rooting for the Eagles although I'm not a huge fan of any NFL team. The last time I was a huge NFL fan was when the Pittsburgh Steelers had the Steel Curtain which was awhile ago. I would like to see Duce Staley have a good year. I wanted the Eagles to keep him and Troy Vincent.

I'm gonna run. I want to do some writing. I encourage you all to continue to commit to making yourselves, your family, neighborhood, community and the world a better place. Ain't no sense in praying for a savior if you don't want to commit to being a better person and working to help the world be a better place.

Have a good one!

Denise


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Saturday, August 8, 2004

Yesterday I was at Vernon Park on Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia. I forgot about the cobblestone streets in that area. My car was bump-bumpi-bumpity-bumping down those streets. Some streets in that area are made for trolleys as Philly still has trolleys on some of their streets. Where I grew up in Dayton, Ohio there are cobblestone streets (streets horses used to walk on). Not the smoothest ride for a car (smile), but it brings back memories.

I thoroughly enjoyed the day yesterday. I went to see "Collateral" last night. It was a last minute decision. I really enjoyed the movie and think Tom Cruise was excellent - he sure looked good with grey in his hair! I actually rooted for his character. Not sure why, but I did. Jamie Foxx was good too. Jada Pinkett Smith had a very small role in the movie. They did a good job of showing the transition in Jamie's character. He seemed afraid of going after what he really wanted at the start of the movie, but when pushed-pushed-pushed and slammed against a wall in life, he came out swinging when it counted most. It's hard to know what a person is going to do. I think we often fall into pride and deceive ourselves into thinking and believing we know more than we actually do. We THINK we KNOW who's the real coward in life. We THINK we KNOW who we can REALLY trust. Etc. Etc. Etc. When I see stress go up, often it's connected to having what I THOUGHT I KNEW to be true being confirmed by life to be totally false. Unmet expectations, roadblocks to our dreams, etc. I've decided to truly "let go" and trust God. I have seen things happen in life that I never saw coming. I've seen people who I thought would never be a cornerstone in the community, my family, etc. become just that. I'm sure a lot of parents can say they have a child who they THOUGHT they could always count on who let them down when they felt they needed that child most while at the same time the child who they THOUGHT they would never be able to count on came through at the most desperate time in the parent's life. Although the decisions/choices we make today help to create tomorrow, we truly don't know what tomorrow holds. We don't know what tomorrow holds anymore than we know all the days it's going to rain next year and just when it's going to rain on those days next year. I do know who holds and controls tomorrow. The only way to be sure of victory in the face of any great odd is to remain connected to the source that controls the future -- Yahweh (God). There is no other way, because we truly do not know what tomorrow holds. As much as we are empowered with the gift of choice and decision, we live in a world with nearly 6 billion other people and we do NOT know what they are thinking, because the only mind we're in is our own (and we're also continuing to learn about our own selves). And what each 6 billion person does affects us all. There's no way we can truly know the future. We'd have to have authority and power FAR BEYOND anything we can imagine to begin to know all about tomorrow, so I choose and decide to trust the source that does. And not once have I not been taken care of by that source. Not once. It's the best relationship I've ever known. No other relationship even comes close.

I got there from a movie -- hmmmm.... It reminds me of the value in using our talents and gifts. Sometimes I think only social servants like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi, Malcolm X, Mother Teresa, etc. make a difference, but now I think it all works together. I've been encouraged greatly by a book, a poem, a song, a movie, an athlete's consistent top performance, etc. Keep doing what your heart tells you to do. You don't know everyone you're reaching or touching or how. Someone struggling with the value of their own life may enjoy your work and decide to keep on pushing and you may NEVER hear about it. You don't have to hear about it. It all works together. We don't need to know exactly HOW it all works together. Just know that it does. I also encourage you not to live life on "cruise". Get out in life. You'll get wounded and may get knocked down and more than once, but if you stay connected to the Source of all Life, you'll see how it all works together and see how you'll always be taken care of by that Source. Don't let fear of failing stop you or fear of being laughed at or rejected. I can't count the times those things have happened to me. But something within (and I truly thank God for that something) won't let me stop. And day by day I see the results of keeping on keeping on (I'm not talking about just existing and merely breathing when I say keeping on keeping on - I'm talking about staying in Life, going hard after my dreams, believing in the best even in the face of hard odds, sharing love, etc.).

I'm getting ready to go put clothes in the dryer. I plan on cooking a very quick dinner tonight. I do not feel like cooking much. Last weekend I made a nice dinner, but this weekend - it's good and quick. These weekends pass so quickly. The summers seem to FLY to me. They seem to pass quicker than any other season. I've felt that way since I was a kid. Could be because I wish they'd last longer (smile).

I'm working with an editor I met at The Harlem Book Fair this year. Her name is Tawana. I felt a lot of peace in and around her when she gave me her brochure last month at the Harlem Book Fair. She and her husband have the cutest baby girl. That baby turned so many heads at the Fair. People kept smiling and looking at that baby! She has the prettiest eyes. I don't recall a baby catching so many people's eye. Total strangers "goo-gooed" and "gaa-gaaed" over that baby. The father said it happens all the time.

I was invited to be part of a film, but I passed. Maybe later, but not now. I was also invited to be part of a reality show but passed on that too. I KNOW I would never want to do that. I think those shows are scripted anyway, but that is truly not something I would ever want to do. I value my privacy WAY too much for that.

I'm working on my fourth novel. It's the first book I've written that's in the first person. I've wanted to write a book in first person since I started writing. I'm finally doing it (smile). There are limitations with first person stories, but my fourth novel is perfect to be told in first person. And speaking of books and writing -- I thank each of you who have supported me and my writings again and again and again for your support. Trust me. I fully know that not a single soul has to support me or my work. You'll never know how grateful I am for your support. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

On that note, I'm gonna bounce. Have a blessed day!

Peace,

Denise


Read the 1st 10 pages of our new mystery, Spiral, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Spiral, Click Here
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Saturday, July 31, 2004

Last Saturday I was at the Harlem Book Fair. I had a wonderful time and met thousands of people. It rained only a little last Saturday although weather reports said it might rain all day. You know I prayed the rain would hold off. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who sent in a prayer (smile). I drove up and left home about 9:30 in the morning. It was cloudy when I left. I knew that would make the day cooler and for that I was grateful (still am, because in years past when I attended it sure was HOT-HOT-HOT at the Harlem Book Fair!!!!!) It was the best day I've experienced at the fair weather wise since I started going about 4 years ago. I'm glad I bought a table in my car with me because they ran out of tables and all I had was two chairs although I paid for a table and two chairs. All in all, I had a very good time!! I saw other writers and loads of book readers! On my way to the fair, I took the wrong turn coming off FDR and ended up on Wise Street. When I tried to get back to 134th Street, I ran into a detour. Anyhow, instead of parking on the street by the fair like I have in years past, I parked in a parking garage. I'm not even going to go into that. It was an experience, but thank the Creator it turned out well. At the top of the street where the fair was there's a small bookstore. The owner sells old Jet and Ebony magazines along with current newspapers. Seeing those old (I'm talking from the 70s!!!) Jet and Ebony magazines took me back!!! I stood there just looking at them (smile).

Today I presented with two other writers and one publisher/distributor at the FYOS (Find Your Own Shine) Seminar at the Airport Hilton in Philadelphia. FYOS puts on some of the best writing seminars I've participated in. The only one I've attended that rivals the seminars FYOS puts on is the writing conference The College of New Jersey puts on and that's saying something. FYOS is online and is run by a mother-daughter attorney team. Their website is www.fyos.com. They have an excellent website. I even met a man in the book business I have long admired and thought I'd never meet in person. Funny how life works things out. On top of that I saw a poet I hadn't seen in over a year - actually nearly two years. She let me share a table with her at an event two years ago. When I spoke with her at the seminar today in Philly and she showed me her book of poetry, I had a de ja vu feeling. I turned the book in my hands and told her the book looked familiar. I asked her if she'd attended any events and somehow we came up to the Harlem Book Fair. I asked her if a real tall guy was at the Harlem Book Fair two years ago with her. She smiled and said, "Yes." She let me share a table with her at the fair two years ago when again the fair had too few tables. I was just thinking of her recently and told her it was so good to see her again. After today's seminar during a meet and greet, we got to chat and enjoy good conversation.

Next weekend I plan on being back in Philadelphia again at a festival. The week after that - Yes - I'm back in Philly again but this time I'll be working with a young woman's mentoring organization called Girls, Incorporated. It's volunteer work and I enjoyed working with youth and sharing my mistakes and lessons learned so they can benefit and cut corners and not re-live the same mistakes I've already made. I think that's important - for those who are older to be humble, share their mistakes, not demand that someone else live their life in a certain way but clearly show the results of bad choices and let the other person decide for him/herself which path they want to take. But I do think it's very important to be humble and share our mistakes and lessons learned because doing so could and can and does save others a lot of heartache and self-deception.

Speaking of self-deception - that's something I'm dealing with myself about right now. Hard. I see a cycle in my life I am going to break. Sometimes cycles have such a wide arc it can be tough to see you're going in a circle. But if you're alert, sooner or later, you'll pick up on the cycles in your life. The ones you no longer want, you have to inject change into to get them to go away. So that's what I'm doing with professional assistance. I've tried on my own but end up right back where I started from, so I'm seeking professional guidance and always seek Yahweh (God's) wisdom, love and guidance first and throughout.

This week I got a letter in the mail from my son's school. He's in HIGH SCHOOL in September! WOW! I really feel like - WOW! Seems like he was just a kid. The school was sending me my son's schedule (the classes he'll be taking) next year. When I was younger and my grandparents and aunts said that, I thought they were being silly, but now I clearly see where they were coming from. I can still hear them saying, "You kids sure have grown up. Look how big you're getting," when we'd visit Ohio from Tennessee.

I forgot about going on vacation to Miami this year. A colleague asked me if I'd checked into vacation spots in Miami. I told her I'd totally forgotten. I had been so doggone busy at work I started feeling stress. I do NOT like to feel out-of-balance. I know some effective things I can do to relieve stress naturally, but those things weren't working the way they normally do (i.e. soaking in a warm, bubble bath, taking a walk in nature, getting an additional hour of sleep, drinking more water to flush out my system). I expressed how I was feeling to those who could influence change, made a point to change my work load however I could on my end while still meeting the requirements of my job and the stress went away. Don't just stand there if you feel out-of-balance. Seek God's guidance, make a decision and act. If necessary have a talk with others who can influence the situation you feel out-of-balance about. Keep trusting God and things will change for the better. That's been my life experience. You're at the website of a woman who MUCH-MUCH-MUCH PREFERS to live life in-BALANCE. And I have a full schedule, but I don't like being out-of-balance and VERY RARELY am.

I saw this short (article) on AOL about the Blue Moon we're supposed to have today. It's a full moon. It's actually the second full moon this month. Speaking of cycles (remember I said I've sought professional help to break a cycle in my life) - full moons mark cycles. I had been thinking about full moons after reading the Old Testament and seeing mention of full moons in parts of the Bible. I don't put un-due significance on a full moon. I do know they mark cycles. Odd that I'm thinking about them and about breaking a cycle in my life and then I saw the Blue Moon short on AOL when I signed online today. Struck me as (de ja vu).

Next weekend the church I attend is also having a gospel concertl. A university choir will be singing at the gospel concert. I'm gonna do some juggling to attend the gospel concert and the festival in Philly (smile). These days get by so fast. Sometimes I think I have more time before an event comes than I actually have. I turn around and the event is here.

Football season is about to start. I know the Eagles fans are gonna be excited this year with Terrell Owens being on the team. I do want to see how McNabb and Terrell elevate the team this year.

More of my friends are getting out there and starting multiple-streams of income. Not to be wealthy, but to open more doors to greater opportunity to follow their creative dreams. Every time I'm around them I get ideas and see my own creativity bubble in a new way. One thing I can say - God gave us minds and imaginations that can open doors WAY BEYOND what we think!! WAY BEYOND!!! Don't lock yourself in with small, faithless thinking. Use what you've got (and it's MORE than you think it is - BY FAR!!!) and SOAR!!!!! Also, remember to love somebody today starting with YOU!

To each of you who have purchased and supported my books - HUGE THANKS!!! I appreciate your support more than you will ever know and that's for real!!! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Love, warmth and hugs,

Denise


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Saturday, June 26, 2004

I had a busy-busy day today. Got up about 6AM. Left for Philly to attend an annual community festival. Drove back home and interviewed Sophfronia Scott on my literary radio program "Off The Shelf" which airs on www.blakeradio.com on the Rainbow Soul Channel. Then I turned right back around and drove back to Philly to sell and sign books at the festival. I'm tired. It's after 7:30PM as I type this. The day started cloudy. Thank the Creator it didn't rain. The festival was a success. I'm glad I went.

I decided to go about a week ago. That's why I ran around so much this morning to and from Philly. Last week I was in Horsham, PA. The week before I was in Carlstadt, New Jersey (up by the Meadowlands -- where the NY Giants play football games). I've been to New York several times but don't recall ever going by the Meadowlands. Saw signs on the road (billboards) advertising season tickets for the Nets (none for the Giants) on my way to the business meeting I went to Carlstadt to attend. Next weekend I think I'm either going to Penns Landing (to watch fireworks and enjoy the water) or I'm heading to the shore to hang out at the beach.

Did you all see the NBA Draft on Thursday? I was surprised that Jameer Nelson didn't get picked sooner than he did. So many high school players got picked in the first round I think it's starting a trend. I truly hope those guys have enough education and other interests and honed skills to do well if they are injured and their career is shortened or after their playing days are over. I don't expect all those guys to be stars even though I'm sure they all may think they will be. Life has a way of demanding so much from us that only those hungry-hungry-hungry for a thing will rise about the pack. It takes more than talent and intelligence. A person has to have drive which is rooted in their love for something. Without that (and coupled with life's most certain hard times and challenges -- growing periods) it's easy to say, "I'll be as good as everyone else. I've been blessed. It hurts too bad to keep sacrificing and giving so much of myself over and over and over again to only see myself 2 inches ahead of the crowd or running right next to or even a little behind the crowd. Only love for something will fuel a person long enough to keep them driving hard (even when there is no sign that their efforts will ever pay off!!!) until the seeds of tremendous and awesome success manifest! I've learned this first hand.

I trust you all have been enjoying the young summer. It rained here in Philly last night. I've been turning the air on at night. Before that when I was trying to sleep with just a fan on I found myself waking up a lot and struggling to fall into a long, deep sleep. Then I turned on the central air and WALA! Sleeping like a baby again!

Next month I'm at the Harlem Book Fair in Harlem and the FYOS Literary Workshop in Philly. I may go to Miami later in the year. Something's pulling me down there. I've never been there before.

I'm gonna go watch Spiderman on DVD with my son. I consider it a huge blessing that at 14 he still likes watching TV and hanging out sometimes with his mom (smile).

I'm gonna get ready to bounce. Happy Belated Father's Day to all the fathers who visit my website who are active in their children's lives. What you do and your love for your children means more than you may ever-ever-ever realize. Happy Belated Father's Day!!!!

Thanks again to every single one of you who has supported my books and my writing efforts. I sincerely and truly appreciate it! I appreciate you!

Have a blessed evening! Enjoy the sunshine!

Peace and Love,

Denise


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Saturday, May 8, 2004

Have you ever had a morning, afternoon or evening (doesn't matter the time of day, but I find morning pattern-breakers are toughest to deal with) that went away (just a tad) from what you'd consider the "norm" for you? Well, that was my morning today. I got a call from someone (not an emergency) just different, and sometimes I just don�’t fully understand other's motives. Then after my son left for school I saw he left a school paper on the computer desk we share. I was just gonna leave it there but that damn "guilt" drove a stake through my conscience and before I knew it, I was rushing into a pair of clogs then out the door to his school. They lock the front doors to the school until 8:30, so no one can get inside the school through the front doors until the kids are in their homerooms, so I was stuck outside (after 8:30 all parents have to sign in before they can get to any office or classroom in the school). I ended up coming back home (a few curse words slipping out here and there) and then finally cursing the guilty feeling that sent me springing out the door to start with. Then I just let the whole thing go.

Last night I got a notice in the mail that I had $50 more to pay on an event I'm attending. I obviously misunderstood the written correspondence I received from the event organizer that I'd only have to pay $75. I sat and thought about the note (about the $50 remaining to be paid) until I saw that I had "misunderstood" what was written to me, so I have taken it upon myself to meet the deadline with the additional $50. Last night (I didn't find this out until this morning as I didn't check my voice mail messages until this morning) I got a call from a business partner that pissed me off. Then I stopped. Told myself to be creative (think a different or new way) and see the good in the call if I acted differently in handling the situation and didn't stay "course as usual". Sometimes we have to change. If you want to know how cool you are with change, "watch" how you react when something takes you out of your routine. "Watch" yourself and see the patterns in your life. Even "nomads" have patterns. Even so-called "free spirited and care-free" folk have patterns. I pride myself on being extremely open-minded, creative and loving, yet I see the patterns in my life and, let me tell you, if I'm thrown off a pattern too abruptly or too much my first reaction is to get pissed off or to feel sorry for myself. No joke. As I get older I watch myself more and I see the patterns and how I react to certain situations and am consciously becoming the woman/spirit being I desire.

So I thank the universe for the pattern-breakers. They might piss me off for a second, but I'm spiritually mature enough (thank God!) to change (move) my thoughts and work with the Creator to have the pattern-breaker change me into a better woman!

God must want me to stretch and grow - and so stretch and grow I will! I must want it too because I have found that it's what's already in us that comes out through our desires (be they positive or negative). If it's something negative then I change my thoughts and actions until I remove the negative seed --> just drown it with good, loving thoughts, words and actions. It always works!!!!

Yesterday I dropped off a movie I'd rented from Hollywood Video. It was a movie about a cartoonist. It was part funny - part insightful. Anyhow, I enjoyed it. I forget the name of the guy who played the major role. I think he was on the TV series "Taxi" (the series that came on years ago with Danny DeVito). Anyhow, I was just gonna drop the tape in the outside drop-box, but something pulled me inside (you know how you just get a feeling and numb or distinct, the feeling finds you moving in certain directions). So, I went inside and was gonna drop the tape in the box inside (wondering why I didn't just drop it in the outside box if this is all I was gonna do). Then I was compelled to walk through the store and search for another tape. So, I dropped the tape in the inside drop-box and started looking along the recent titles on the wall for another tape that would interest me. Now, let me tell you I am no big movie tape renter because I am NOTORIOUS for bringing rented tapes back late!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I usually get them when my son is looking for a sports video game to play; that's what got me in the store over the weekend and to get the cartoonist tape to start with. I did drop THAT tape off on time!!! 3 stars for me!!!!

I didn't see anything on the wall I wanted, so I decided to look in the "Comedy" and "Drama" sections. Didn't see any "Comedy" tape I wanted. Turned the corner to the "Drama" section and a movie caught my eye. I picked it up. It was "Somewhere In Time" with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. I saw this movie YEARS ago, and it touched me very deeply. When I first saw the movie I had an odd feeling that something like what happened in the movie would happen to me in real life. Anyhow, I put it down (I am not a big romance/love story type of person) and looked all through the "Drama" section, but doggone if I didn't come back to that movie. You got it! I rented it! I also bought "Seabiscuit". I LOVE horses!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't want to rent that movie. I wanted it forever and ever. I haven't read the book or seen the movie "Seabiscuit" before. I plan to watch and it and watch it and watch it just to see the horses over and over again. I love animals and think horses have such BEAUTIFUL, POWERFUL, CLEAR, DEEP eyes.

So, I watched "Somewhere In Time" last night. Of course, I didn�’t just sit down and watch it. Who me? I was busy at the computer while I watched it. Back-and-forth, back-and-forth my head went from the TV to the computer screen. LOL! Tonight I told myself to sit my butt down and just watch the doggone movie without doing something else at the same time. Can I do that? LOL! Can I just do one thing at a time? We'll see.

I used to go into this antique shop next to a track and field I practiced at when I was in school. I loved going in there! I felt so much peace and so at home around those antiques. My grandmother took some antiques and furniture from her mom's house (my paternal great-grandmother) when she crossed over. As a kid I'd go in the basement and look at that furniture and touch it and feel "at home". I grew up thinking I was "different" when I was a kid. Things that seemed so important to others meant next to nothing (if not downright nothing) to me. Things others had no interest in, I gravitated toward. I love listening to old songs that were popular in the 30s and 40s and watching old black and white movies. I like being around furniture and clothes from the late 1800s and very early 1900s. I also like modern entertainment and definitely enjoy the benefits for modern technology (would I be writing this now if I didn�’t), but feel a strong sense of "peace" when I listen to old songs and watch old movies. I've not figured this out and don't think I need to. I just enjoy it. It's a wonderful feeling of "peace" and I simply enjoy it. I gave up trying to analyze and figure out everything. I prefer to simply enjoy many things that come my way on this earth-journey. If it's inside God's will; I just prefer to enjoy it rather than analyze and try to figure out why I feel the way I do, etc. about everything.

Anyhow, a few weeks ago (it might not have even been that long ago) something from my childhood came back to me. Something I had totally forgotten or maybe I should say something I had not thought about since I was a kid. Everything that has ever happened to us, everything we have seen or heard is with us - always. Even if a person experiences Alzheimers - it's all still with them.

I have had some powerful intuitive thoughts that came true exactly as I saw them. And I've heard powerful visions that manifested. I think we all have that ability, but that some are connected better than others. I was sitting in church one day. A minister at the church I attend walked by and just-like-that something told me I would date a relative of hers. I'm sitting there thinking, "I don't even want to date anyone related to her�” (not that I knew). Then I'm trying to guess who it was. I kid you not!!!! About 3-4 months later I meet this guy. We start dating. As he starts telling me about his family and his marriage (he was divorced), you better believe it turned out 100% he was related to the minister through his first marriage. There was nothing I could say.

My advice to people is always - no worries, Amigo - just put yourself in God's hands. WHATEVER happens to you will be for your good if you stay in the Master's hands (if you keep letting God work on you to make you over and over and over again until you get better and better and better and shine brighter and brighter and brighter)!!!

On another note, this week at work a colleague from Jacksonville, Florida surprised me with a GOREGEOUS vase of daisies. I was coming back from the café at work when another colleague (I work at an office in New Jersey) started jumping and shouted something about flowers. I pointed to myself and asked her, "Are you talking to me?" She said - yes. She had this big, fat, juicy grin on her face. I said, "For what?" She said, "I don't know." And there I went (trying to figure it all out; trying to put all the pieces together). Why couldn't I just go get the flowers! I ended up doing just that. I got upstairs to my desk and opened that card. Man was I surprised! Pleasantly surprised! I called and emailed and thanked her. WHAT A WONDERFUL SURPRISE! Oh, I was surprised! We worked on a big project together and she sent me flowers to say, "Thanks!" as the project was a success, and what a loving, thoughtful thing to do. It pays to let folks know how you feel about them �– ESPECIALLY when you love them!!!!!

I am still struggling with thinking people are up to something when they are real nice to me. She's just nice. I still have work to do on my inner woman and I'll get it done! As long as I'm in this body they'll be work to do because I plan to improve with each passing day. Last weekend I heard from so many folk about my writings (wonderful things) I thought some kinda vibe had gone out into the universe with my name on it. Smile! Have you ever had so many nice, TOTALLY UNEXPECTED things happen to you that you start to wonder, "Hey! What's going on?" That's how I felt. I'm learning to just enjoy the ride, Baby! Just enjoy the ride!

And speaking of riding. Do you know I've had this thought to just get in my car and start driving. I think I'm gonna take a week and head toward Canada, but something's pulling me toward Miami, Florida. I've been to Florida before. I want to go someplace I've never been, but something's telling me to Miami, Florida. We'll see which side wins out. Just a few days or a week and YES - I'm coming back! I'm not gonna do a Thelma and Louise and just ride off into the middle of what looks like nowhere.

I'm glad the Lakers lost! Sorry to all the Lakers fans. I used to be a HUGE Lakers fan (back when Magic, Kareem, Cooper, etc. played for the team), but the team they have now seems cocky to me (although I think some air has been let out of them this season). Now faith I LOVE and ADORE and have, but cockiness - nah - I don�’t like that. The Spurs don't come off as cocky to me and they've won their share of NBA Championships. I would like to see Indiana take it all and think they could do just that. You know if they do I'll be back on here saying - Nah-na-na-na-nah-na! LOL! Say it�’s not time for the East to take it all again!!! It is! It is! It is!

Tonight I'm getting Prince's new CD. Heard a cut from it on WDAS two days ago and WOW! I know that joint is slamming! If he comes to Philly, I gotta take myself there. Usher's CD sounds good too. I like the song "Burn" on the CD. Patti LaBelle has a new CD out in June I think. Being that she lives in Philly I'm sure WDAS will play cuts from the CD. I can listen to a few of the songs and see if I want to get the whole CD. The best CD I've bought to date was by Alicia Keyes. I didn't buy her first CD. I did buy her second and really like it.

Well, my friends, that's enough! See you when I get back here. I know this says one week out of a writer's life, but I think it's obvious I don�’t update my Pen Pal page every week. I do enjoy when I do get in here connect with you all! Thanks for your ongoing support! Much love and peace to all of you! Thanks for supporting Spiral, Portia and Love Has Many Faces! If you go to a bookstore and they tell you Spiral is sold out, that's not true. We did sell out at Amazon.com and in many bookstores but there are copies with the major distributors and the bookstores can order them. Thanks again!

Do something wonderfully good for yourself right now!

Denise


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Sunday, April 18, 2004

What is going on with the New Orleans Hornets? I'm watching the Hornets play Miami in the first round of the playoffs. This does not look like Hornets of a year ago. Miami is winning right now 71 to 63. My son wants to watch Carmello Anthony. I'm rooting for Kevin Garnett from start to finish although I don't plan to watch much of the playoffs at all. The 76ers didn't even earn a spot on the floor and they are the team I root for. Even though they had a jacked up season, I'm still in their corner.

Was this weekend GORGEOUS or what?!!? This was a WOW weekend! We had a few days of rain last week, so when Friday rolled around, it was a blast of sunshine and I truly welcomed it!! I was on vacation Friday and am on vacation tomorrow. I have a radio interview on WZZA out of Alabama. I'm looking forward to it. Gotta set my alarm so I'll have myself up out of bed well ahead of 8AM. I do not like rolling out of bed and doing an interview without giving myself time to wake up.

I got out this weekend and enjoyed the weather. There was no way I was gonna stay indoors or even go to a movie or a store and be indoors with this type of beautiful weather. I thought about catching a movie earlier today, but waved that out of mind. I did hit the mall briefly on Friday. I got the new Will Downing CD. It's the first CD I've bought my him. He has a beautiful voice. I like "Daydreaming" and "Lonely Girl" (both remarks of older songs) on the CD best.

May 23 my oldest brother, his wife and some members of the church my brother pastors are coming up here. My sister-in-law called me a few weeks ago and told me. She said my brother has known since the start of the year and was gonna tell me but kept forgetting or letting it go. Both of my brothers' wives look out for them. He's preaching at a church in Pottstown. I'll be there. I'm going to a conference in Piscataway earlier in the month, but I'll definitely be there to hear my brother break the Bread of Life. They also plan to visit New York City while they're here. They were gonna go with me when they last visited, but didn't want to go unless my ex-husband served as guide. Smile. Being from a small town, they were scared to go alone with me. LOL! I have been to New York City by myself; I always enjoy visiting the city. Anyhow, they're gonna with a group from the church. I know they'll have a good time.

This weekend we announced winners for the 4th Annual Chistell Writing Contest. The entries this year were exceptionally good. I enjoyed reading the poems and short stories! Thanks to everyone who entered.

I'm gonna go. Wanting to stop in and say, "Hi!" As always - THANKS to everyone who supports me and my writings!

Peace, Love and Blessings,

Denise


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Saturday, March 27, 2004

I'm making a few updates to my website, so I decided to stop in and write an entry in my online journal. Before I start I want to send a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the St. Joseph's Hawks for a GREAT season this year!!!! Hold your heads up high! You had an awesome season and you should be pleased!! I know it may take awhile for the sting of tonight's loss to wear off, but you should each hold your heads up high! You did the city of Philly proud! THANKS!!!! Looking forward to hearing about GREAT things about each of you as you graduate and go further into life whether you move on to the pros in basketball or decide to follow another path. I wish you and your families the absolute best!!!

I feel good! I finished four magazine articles today and have them ready to go into the mail in the morning. I also finished a piece I was asked to write for the church I attend for an upcoming event they want to put on the radio. I carried that note around in my jacket pocket all week . I remembered. I knew I would. Finally, today I went into my coat pocket after I finished the magazine articles and pulled that folded note out and knocked out the short piece.

I enjoyed a wonderful interview on my radio program "Off The Shelf" today with Yaba Blay. She's a graduate student at Temple University and a key organizer of Sisters Defining Sisters Conference which was held nationally for the first time in Philly this year. She said they're having it again next year. It was a great conference. One of the greatest blessings about life is meeting and connecting with other people. I'm not a club going, party person at all, but I do love meeting and connecting with people. I learn so much for everyone I meet.

Earlier tonight I was hunting for an editor's address. I found it. I had it on an Excel file. Anyhow, I was hunting through my filing cabinets before I thought to look on the computer for the address. While I was searching for the address, I came across an old journal (offline paper journal) I had from 1994. I had only written in about 4 pages of the journal, but what a surprise to look back and read what was going on in my life then. Nothing drastic, but it was surprising to see the changes that have happened in my life in 10 years. I'm grateful. I was working at a job where I didn't think my managers liked me. I allowed that to cause me a lot of stress. I also had a very low self-esteem back then. I cared WAY TOO MUCH what others thought of me because I didn't think enough of myself. I have truly moved FAR ABOVE that. That you, Creator! I also wrote about this guy I was dating back then. I wrote that I had met this guy and that I was in love with him. LOL! Just reading that blew me away. Oh, how I've changed. I'm grateful for the changes and ESPECIALLY THE INNER GROWTH!!!!!! What a blessing!

I have been asked if I want to take the stage and speak at the Harlem Book Fair. It's in July. I was asked if I wanted to take the stage last year too. I didn't do it last year, but I'm gonna do it this year. Kareem Abdul Jabaar was there last year and read from a book. He has the best sports autobiography I have ever read. I don't recall the new book he read from. His autobiography Giant Steps came out years ago. If you ever want to read an excellent sports autobiography, I highly recommend Giant Steps by Kareem Abdul Jabaar.

I trust you all have had a relaxing weekend so far. I might catch a movie tomorrow. I'm definitely taking myself to the grocery store. Tonight my son let me know what I already knew - we need some more grub. So, it's off to the store I go after church tomorrow. I usually stop by the store after church anyway.

I'm gonna bounce. Have a great weekend and a great start of a new week! Thanks to everyone who has read and supported my books!

Denise


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Wednesday, March 24, 2004

I'm sitting here watching Sanford & Son. I found a DVD of the show's third season when I was at the mall this weekend. Sanford & Son is my all-time favorite sitcom. I don't care how many times I see a show, it's still funny-funny-funny to me! In this episode Fred and Donna were gonna get married, but Lamont stepped in and invited Esther and other relatives who just weren't having it.

Tonight was a Taco Bell night for dinner. I did not feel like cooking after I came home from work today. And talk about gorgeous! The sun was coming through the window early this morning. I hope the weekend is like this. I heard from my grandfather and my dad today. I always enjoy hearing from them. My dad's a Tennessee Titan fan. He's always saying how they're gonna do it this year. LOL! We'll see.

I was at a wonderful conference at Temple last month. I've been invited back to another conference at Temple this summer. I was going to go to BEA in Chicago this year, but decided to go through another author who's going and let her take promotional material for me. I'm grateful that the opportunity opened up. I haven't been to Chicago in more than a minute. Last time I was in Chi Town I was in the Navy. I had a stop in on my way home from a duty station. I'm trying to stay on the East Coast this summer. I like driving up to about 6-7 hours, then I start gettng bored, but I do like to drive when I'm going to events. If it takes me longer than 6 hours to get there, I have always flown.

I'm almost finished with my fourth novel -- the first draft. It'll be about another year before I feel the book's ready to go to market. Writing is hard work. Not hard in the sense of not being enjoyable (I love to write!), but work in that it requires lots of eyes and re-writes before a story is ready. I take my time with a story. I don't know how I would handle having to push a novel out once a year or even having to push out two novels a year as some writers have to do as stated in their contract. It would take an incredible amount of discipline to do that. I have a lot of discipline, but I've never sat down and wrote 6-8 hours every single day. If I didn't work outside my home, I might, but I'm not even sure then. I create a lot of "story" in my head. I could see myself now if I was home all day writing.

I'm gonna get ready to go. I have some things I want to do. I tell myself to sit down and write in my online website journal more frequently, but my schedule is so full and the days just seem to fly by! Just yesterday I told a colleague it seemed like it should have been 11:00 when I looked up and saw it was going on 4:00 in the evening. Six and seven hours pass like two hours to me sometimes. I do want to post about writing events I attend.

To the St. Joseph's fans (my son is crazy about Jameer Nelson all-of-a-sudden), I hope you all get to cheer real loud in a few weeks. They're running "Hangin' With The Hawks" on Comcast Cable Sports right now. I never thought athletes ran so much, but those guys go from one event to another. Hope they like to travel and meet folk, because they sure do a lot of it! I wish them well!

For the writers who visit my website, make sure you take the time to write everyday. To the readers, thanks for supporting writers and books! To everyone -I appreciate you taking the time to visit with me and my site; stop by again!

Peace and Love,

Denise



One Week Out Of This Writer's Life . . .

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Thursday, January 29, 2004

Has this week seemed like a long week to you? For some reason this week seems like two weeks instead of one and it's only Thursday . A colleague said the same thing to me today. I don't know if the weather we had on the East Coast this week contributed to the week seeming long or not. I like the snow, so I was glad to see it snowing this week. I'm not crazy about driving in freezing rain - which I did Tuesday night - but I do like snow! I trust all of you on the East Coast are staying warm.

I'm proud of myself! I stepped out and contacted a very senior executive and asked her to mentor me. She said her schedule is full, but she agreed to meet with me to discuss my approaching another senior executive woman to work with me as a mentor. I have mentored people at different times in my life and enjoy doing it. I make myself available when people ask me questions and advice. I might not get back to the person right away, but I do help. I'm at a stage in my life where I am seeking a woman who is senior executive or very accomplished in the arts to mentor me. A mentor is someone who offers you advice and is available for you to bounce ideas off of. Most are very busy, so it's best to know what you want before you seek a mentor and engage their time. Twenty minutes with an effective mentor can make a world of difference!

I have TV Land on while I'm typing this. A lot of people visit my online journal every day. A piece of advice I'd like to pass along is to see yourself the way the Creator sees you - as more valuable than you'll ever realize, capable, smarter than you'll ever recognize, unique, awesome, wonderfully made, etc. etc. etc. Another piece of advice I'd like to pass along is to take wise risks from time to time. Also celebrate positive change. I want parts of my life to change, so I took steps this weekend to begin celebrating change. It's a very simple thing that I did. I redecorated my home. I hadn't redecorated in awhile. I have one of those schedules where it's get up about 6AM and go to bed about midnight. When I get a spare moment redecorating is not one of the things that pops into my mind. However, I knew I wanted change to come into specific areas of my life, so I welcomed it by redecorating my home. Change your environment and you'll feel differently when you're in that environment.

I was so busy this weekend. Phew! I went and went and went. I think that's another reason this week seems long to me. I didn't have much of a weekend (as far as rest is concerned). February will be a busy month for me. I'm going to several book signings. I'll be in New York in February, then back to Princeton, then I'm at Temple University. I was invited to come to Houston, Texas today in May. I'm going. I also want to go to Chicago to the Book Expo and Memphis in April. Other than that, I plan to stay on the East Coast when traveling this year.

I got a new computer last week. I am VERY HAPPY about that!!! My old computer was about 6 years old and getting slow-slow-slow. I was spending way too much time waiting for things to go thru on my old computer. Now I don't spend time on the PC "waiting". I get things done with the time I spend on the PC now and I'm not on as long as I used to be which I like.

I hope those of you who made New Years Resolutions or set goals are continuing to work toward reaching them. I'm still drinking lots of water. I don't know if I posted this here before or not, but I used to drink a lot of soda - I mean a lot, so I'm proud of myself for drinking water instead of soda. Next month I start taping interviews for my radio show again. I enjoy the interviews. I learn as much from them as the show's listeners do. I so enjoy doing the show!

I'm gonna go. Enjoy the rest of January and have a most rewarding and blessed rest of the year! Make it the best one you have had yet!

Peace,

Denise


 
ORDER NOW!Has this week seemed like a long week to you? For some reason this week seems like two weeks instead of one and it's only Thursday . A colleague said the same thing to me today. I don't know if the weather we had on the East Coast this week contributed to the week seeming long or not. I like the snow, so I was glad to see it snowing this week. I'm not crazy about driving in freezing rain - which I did Tuesday night - but I do like snow! I trust all of you on the East Coast are staying warm.I'm proud of myself! I stepped out and contacted a very senior executive and asked her to mentor me. She said her schedule is full, but she agreed to meet with me to discuss my approaching another senior executive woman to work with me as a mentor. I have mentored people at different times in my life and enjoy doing it. I make myself available when people ask me questions and advice. I might not get back to the person right away, but I do help. I'm at a stage in my life where I am seeking a woman who is senior executive or very accomplished in the arts to mentor me. A mentor is someone who offers you advice and is available for you to bounce ideas off of. Most are very busy, so it's best to know what you want before you seek a mentor and engage their time. Twenty minutes with an effective mentor can make a world of difference!I have TV Land on while I'm typing this. A lot of people visit my online journal every day. A piece of advice I'd like to pass along is to see yourself the way the Creator sees you - as more valuable than you'll ever realize, capable, smarter than you'll ever recognize, unique, awesome, wonderfully made, etc. etc. etc. Another piece of advice I'd like to pass along is to take wise risks from time to time. Also celebrate positive change. I want parts of my life to change, so I took steps this weekend to begin celebrating change. It's a very simple thing that I did. I redecorated my home. I hadn't redecorated in awhile. I have one of those schedules where it's get up about 6AM and go to bed about midnight. When I get a spare moment redecorating is not one of the things that pops into my mind. However, I knew I wanted change to come into specific areas of my life, so I welcomed it by redecorating my home. Change your environment and you'll feel differently when you're in that environment.I was so busy this weekend. Phew! I went and went and went. I think that's another reason this week seems long to me. I didn't have much of a weekend (as far as rest is concerned). February will be a busy month for me. I'm going to several book signings. I'll be in New York in February, then back to Princeton, then I'm at Temple University. I was invited to come to Houston, Texas today in May. I'm going. I also want to go to Chicago to the Book Expo and Memphis in April. Other than that, I plan to stay on the East Coast when traveling this year.I got a new computer last week. I am VERY HAPPY about that!!! My old computer was about 6 years old and getting slow-slow-slow. I was spending way too much time waiting for things to go thru on my old computer. Now I don't spend time on the PC "waiting". I get things done with the time I spend on the PC now and I'm not on as long as I used to be which I like.I hope those of you who made New Years Resolutions or set goals are continuing to work toward reaching them. I'm still drinking lots of water. I don't know if I posted this here before or not, but I used to drink a lot of soda - I mean a lot, so I'm proud of myself for drinking water instead of soda. Next month I start taping interviews for my radio show again. I enjoy the interviews. I learn as much from them as the show's listeners do. I so enjoy doing the show!I'm gonna go. Enjoy the rest of January and have a most rewarding and blessed rest of the year! Make it the best one you have had yet!Peace,Denise _REMEMBER: Our books Inspire, motivate, encourage, teach and entertain! All of our books come with FREE *Priority* Shipping and Handling!

Read the 1st 10 pages of our new mystery, Spiral, for FREE! To get your FREE pages of Spiral, Click Here
ORDER SPIRAL NOW!
ORDER NOW!

Thursday, January 1, 2004

Happy New Year!

It's going to be a great year because I am going to make each moment a great one! I trust you all are rested, home from work for the holiday and expecting the best year yet! Good feelings, peace, love and caring are contagious. The more of us incorporate these and other virtues into our lives, the more the world will take on these traits.

The last few days I got quite a few articles written. One of them was on the benefits of pumping iron to women. A few years ago I lifted weights and did resistance training and noticed the benefits within only a few weeks. I was surprised at the results. Well, when I got out of bed today, put on my headphones and listened to WDAS count down the top 150 songs of the year, I decided to get back into lifting weights. Phew! Child, I lifted a little too much! I did my normal cardiovascular exercise for about an hour after I lifted weights. I felt okay. Then I stopped and phew! - the soreness that set into my shoulder! LOL! I had a tough time just getting dressed. I took some Advil. I'm sticking with it, but will pace myself better when I lift on Friday. I could almost laugh at myself but the soreness was no joke! I feel much better now. I feel for anyone who has ever had a very sore shoulder or injured their shoulder. That is a pain that is no fun! I found that out firsthand this morning. I have been real sore from running and training with intervals when I was in high school, but this was brand new! LOL!

I came on to say - Happy New Year! Do some new things this year, so you will be guaranteed to get different results. We can hit plateaus in our lives if we don't invite and welcome change! Invite good, positive change into your life this year and watch the results!

Thanks for all your support in 2004! Have an awesomely good and blessed 2004!!

Denise

 

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