As I explained in March, I would focus my future efforts to my “brandingjuice.wordpress” blog. I’m happy to report it’s been quite successful.

“Brandingjuice” is (mostly) a marketing effort for my popular BlogTalkRadio show called “Livin’ the Dream! with JBlair Brown.” What began as a half-baked exercise is sheer vanity has become somewhat of a cult class on the BTR network.

I couldn’t be happier. With published authors, filmmakers (including actors, directors and other reps from the entertainment industry), “Livin’ the Dream!…” is fast on its way to making me, Juice, an internet celebrity. (Not that I was looking for fame…but if it happens….)

My point is this: no, I haven’t been updating this blog as I was had; however, I’m not slacking (never that!). I’ve been working even harder at my branding and marketing than I ever have in the past. AND yes, I’m still writing and serving as PR/marketing consultant to some GREAT up-and-coming household names!

And…my “Livin’ the Dream!…” radio show is soaring! Check it out for yourself.

Until the next time ~ Keep writing!

JBlair “Juice” Brown

Who can it be now?

Don’t have long…but I have just enough time to tell you this: early this morning, while watching a popular weekly TV show (now also in syndication), I saw a very successful actor in a guest role and thought, “I wonder if he’d give me an interview?”

Then I set out for the hunt.

After jumping through hoops, I was able to find his management team. They instructed me to email ‘so-and-so’ at ‘such-a-place’ – and in less than two hours, I had a hearty YES!

Say what?!

Seriously, I wanted to say, “Uh, does he realize it’s just ME? Juice?” Then I thought I’d play the ‘cool card’ and was like: “Okay, that’ll be great. Let’s talk and come up with an appropriate date for us to do that.”

This is big, folks. So watch for my upcoming announcement next week on my main blog, following scheduling negotiations.

I think you’ll be impressed…I know I am.

Have a great weekend!

JBlair Brown / aka “Juice”
Life = Not always manageable, but it sure ain’t boring!

I’ve actually been rebranding “Juice.” (That’s me.) You see, I’ve not completely given up on this particular blog, but like in all businesses, there comes a time when you need a change. You need to refocus, to go back to the drawing board.

And that’s what I did. I’m restructuring, re-branding, re-focusing my energies toward my latest goal: radio host. Turns out I’m quite good at it. (You can listen to my show by following this link.)

My BlogTalkRadio show, Livin’ the Dream! with JBlair Brown, is an entertaining, informative talk show that features writers, authors, musicians, filmmakers – basically anyone in the entertainment and writing industries. So you can see how I might have re-directed my focus – for now.

At any rate, I’ll still continue to share my “rants” from time to time, but for now join me at BrandingJuice. Thanks for keeping up.

All the best,

JBlair Brown / my friends call me “Juice”
Still ranting after all these years.

That’s the sound of relief from the ‘birthing’ my new ebook, “YOU Can Become a Freelance Writer in 60 Days,” which was loaded onto Smashwords’ website just yesterday.

It was a grueling task but, like any birth, well worth it.

I’m thrilled with my ebook! I know there are several other books and ebooks on the topic but none of them have my particular story, my wit, my past – and that makes mine unique. It’s one of the things I talk about in the ebook: We all have our own story to tell, our own way of telling it – so in essence that qualified us to become writers in our own right.

I’ve had people ask me how I did it, how I broke through and became a writer (as if it’s some magic bullet). And I tell them the same thing I’m going to tell you: I made up my mind to write. I don’t mean to minimize it, but that’s pretty much how it began.

Sure, there are other things I had to implement: a structured plan, tenacity, determination  and (I think this is the most important part) humility to realize that I didn’t have all the answers (or none at all quite frankly).

To put it simply: it took some doing..but not much more of ‘a doing’ than working for someone else and making their dreams and goals a reality.

So there you have it: how I became a freelance writer – and it took FAR longer than 60 days – and that’s why I was determined to write this ebook…so that others (like you) can dodge the missteps that I took and propel to writing success much quicker than it took me.

If you’d like a glimpse of what my ebook has to offer, just download it here and read how YOU Can Become a Freelance Writer in 60 Days and start making your life over.

I did…and it was well worth it.

All the best,

JBlair Brown / Freelance Writer, PR/Marketing Consultant
Author, “YOU Can Become a Freelance Writer in 60 Days“

We’re switching gears for this one. This segment will focus on the art of communication – and what better method of communicating than through the lost art of storytelling? Eric James Wolf is a MASTER storyteller. He received the Oracle Award for Distinguished Service to the National Storytelling Community in 2010 – the highest award given to any member of the storytelling community. Learn how this master teller of tales battled dyslexia and today is Livin’ the Dream!

As I open various social networks, I come across a plethora of “Happy Thanksgiving!” messages. I understand that many people celebrate this day as something special (most just want a really heavy meal, but I’m not here to judge).

But then I wonder, “What will everyone do tomorrow?”

To be truly thankful, we must give thanks daily, continuously.

I woke up this morning and greeted my son (who’s visiting from Pittsburgh). He was already up and at his PSP.

“Did you thank God this morning?” I asked him.

“No, not this morning. But I said my prayer before I went to sleep last night,” which I guess was his own way of patting himself on the back.

“So you didn’t thank Him for allowing you to wake up this morning?”

“Uh…” he muttered.

I replied, “When you said your prayer last night it should have been to thank Him for getting you through the day. This morning is another matter. You woke up.

“How would you feel if you gave someone something special all day long and they only said ‘thanks’ once?”

His response: “Okay, I see your point.”

I don’t know if he followed that statement with an actual ‘thanks to God,’ but it makes me think about all the Thanksgiving salutations.

Certainly, giving thanks is always a good idea. But whether you’re thankful for life in general, grandchildren, family, adequate transportation, food or the air we breathe – the true meaning of “thanksgiving” should not be limited to one day a year that’s posted on a calendar.

Every day should be a day of thanksgiving.

Be thankful every day

I read a post where the writer was ranting about ‘someone’ (who was not me) had un-followed him. He was quite vocal about it…almost as if his lifeblood was pouring out as the un-follow was solidified. He was truly upset that he wasn’t ‘notified’ by the person that he was no longer in their ‘line’ (my word, not his).

So I got to thinking, What if I DID un-follow him? What’s it to him? Would he win/lose a distinct amount of brownie points for the un-follow? Is there some kind of tweeting contest that I am not privy to (and there just might be)? But, seriously…is it really that serious? What?! Are we breaking tweet laws by un-following? And quite honestly, why on earth would anyone notify you that they’re un-following you? Wouldn’t that be counterproductive? The very antithesis of the un-follow? Just plain ol’ stupid?

…and when I finished thinking it through, I realized that the jerk who wrote the piece and I had absolutely nothing in common. He wasn’t a vested interest of some kind (as I was not of his)…so I un-followed him.

…and no, I didn’t tell him before I did it.

Tweet on / Tweet off.

We determined that there really aren’t many people we admire for the right reasons. There are too-many-worth-mentioning so-so performers, musical acts, (un-)reality ‘stars’, and just plain ol’ losers that – for whatever reason – people look up to.

I’m not referring to the teachers who taught us how to read; the crossing guard who watched over us daily; the ministers who teach us about the Good Book – all great examples and those whom we should admire. I’m referring to those on the big screen, little screen, or even who might appear on your iPod.

I told my friend that, off-hand, I could find just one person in the industry who is note-worthy of my admiration. In fact, I said, “If I ever met her, I’d blubber like an idiot!”

Hence, I pay homage to the great Ruby Dee.

Class Act

“Ruby Dee? Really?” she asked.

“Absolutely,” I responded. “She represents all that there is [and still can be] of my performing years. Her life made my life possible,” I proudly proclaimed.

Indeed. I cherish Ruby Dee. This isn’t to say that I don’t admire Harry Belafonte, Sydney Poitier, the late Ossie Davis (Ruby’s husband) and all the rest of those who came before me. It’s just that, point-for-point, for me at least Mrs. Davis personifies the struggles, pain, endurance and excelling virtue of many African Americans in the industry. In those early years it was nearly impossible for any one of us to be portrayed as someone other than ‘the help.’ We were slaves, maidservants, menservants and any other occupation associated with servitude. And that was just on the screen.

Off the screen, most Americans didn’t see us for anything other than that. That’s the reality. Just watch any film or TV series prior to the 1970’s. (NOTE: I-Spy and Julia do not count!)

But I digress. To get back to my point: at a time when we were actually living those days, there were the heroes, the dignified icons (like Ruby Dee, Harry Belafonte, Sydney Poitier and so many others) who waded in it, breathed it in deeply (and daily), had it thrown on them with a shovel – so that those after them (like me) could accomplish my goals, my dreams, my desires of standing before an audience – not merely entertaining (as in minstrel shows) – but to stand proudly for one’s craft; the gifts we were given.

So this is a hearty shout out to Mrs. Ruby Dee Davis, my hero and mentor. While I never met you, I certainly have admired you…and you are worthy of (at least) that much.

With sincerest regards,

Judith Blair Brown, Harrisburg, PA

Ms. Brown is a freelance writer, PR and marketing consultant. Learn more about her rants at www.ajuicebreak.workpress.com and at her Web site at www.thejblairbrown.com.

NOT dead!

THAT’s what I think of the rumor mill today, especially when it comes to falsehoods like the latest “Bill Cosby death” rumor. (For the record: BILL COSBY IS NOT DEAD!)

Who starts a rumor like that – and for what? Is there some understated benefit to reporting Cosby’s death that I don’t know about? I mean for most of us who never knew him? I understand his family and friends benefiting (the man’s loaded!) – But the rest of us? What’s in it for us?

It puts me in mind of Mark Twain’s statement, “The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” Indeed, sir.

Cosby is the latest in a long line of celebrity victims who were pre-deceased

...a hot mess!

before their actual time. I remember the Whitney Houston death rumor. Now in defense of the rumor mill, Houston’s behavior (and her appearance) gave more credence to the rumors than they general do…they just never came to fruition. Thankfully. There was also Paul McCartney’s reported death back in the 60’s (no doubt girls in the U.S. and abroad were fainting out of hysterics over that one!); Eminem’s deadly car crash in 2000; Paris Hilton’s unfortunate demise is 2007; John Goodman’s 2005 “fatal heart attack,” which was even accompanied by an obituary; and too many more to mention.

Gone too soon

I don’t know which is worse: reporting a false death – or not allowing the (truly) dead to rest in peace. I remember my daughter trying to convince me that Tupac was still alive…he’d only left the country to start a new life.

There are the extremely devoted Elvis fanatics – rivaled only by the “it-cannot-be-true!” fanatics of Michael Jackson. Remember the endless rumor that President John F. Kennedy was really hidden away for several years following the Texas shooting (as in the film “Dave” starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver)? This one left me bewildered as a kid, but proves the theory that the rumor mill was in effect long before the Internet.

But that’s the danger of rumors…people tend to believe in them. But again, what value is there in creating these falsehoods and does anyone ever give thought to what such rumors do to the family and friends of the so-called “deceased”?

In short, I’ve concluded that folks who have nothing better to do than to start a rumor of someone else’s death, AND their counterparts (those who refuse to let the dead rest in peace) should all GET A LIFE! (And yes, the pun is intended.)

Plenty of folks simply “wing it” each day, but that won’t give you the impetus to ride the long haul. I’m talking about endurance, sweat, hard work - all that good stuff. In today’s economy, you better be “in it to win it,” meaning “Perish even the thought of failure!”

For certain, just saying it doesn’t make it so. If you’re not willing to expend yourself, work double duty, and trade your dignity for humility – you’re not ready. If you’re not keen on the idea of additional training, networking with others and educating yourself - you won’t succeed.

I know plenty of folks who have brilliant ideas…always coming up with that next Big Thing. And that’s as far as it goes: a though process and nothing else. They’re clearly not “in it to win it.” They’re just winging it. Doing whatever comes next…going with the flow, so long as the flow doesn’t include a challenge.

But when you’re “in it to win it” you welcome the challenge. You thrive off the challenge. Because you KNOW what’s waiting on the other side of the struggle. And you won’t rest until you stare it down face-to-face.

So are you “in it to win it?”

Are you ready? Really ready?

Then get on your mark…

And GO!

I had none...until...

You never know where you’ll get your inspiration, your motivation, your drive to move forward in this world.

To illustrate, I have a twin sister named June. She’s actually the better of me. I often think of us as Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzeneggar in Twins. Like the part in the movie where the evil scientist is explaining how this fascinating plan went awry. He says they took all the best components and mixed them up in some sort of test tube.

As he looks at Schwarzeneggar, he says (I’m paraphrasing here): ‘All the good stuff went into what stands before you.’ Then he turns to DeVito and says, ‘All the crap left over is what you see in the mirror every day.’

i'm the short one

Between June and me, I’m the crap. But don’t feel sorry for me. Quite frankly, I’m okay with it. I’ve made peace with crap, and crap and I get along just swell.

My twin sister’s beautiful, highly intelligent—just like Arnold, she has all the good qualities of the ‘stuff’ that made us. So her response to one of my stories was met with great delight. It was truly what I needed to move forward in my writing career.

To set the stage, I was sitting at my desk at the ad agency NOT writing, but rather, answering phones and setting meeting schedules—my usual routine even after five years. How did it come to this? I’d even taken two copywriting courses to prove to myself and anyone else who cared that I had a real passion and devotion to the art of writing.

I’d get frustrated in my endless pursuit to do more, be more, and then vent to June. She always responded in kind. “You should really start writing seriously. You’re good at it.” Or, “Juice (her nickname for me), your writing’s da’ bomb. You need to do more.”

That’s just June. Always kind and encouraging. Always the rock. I’d listen to her suggestion…and then go back to work and answer calls.

Of course, all the self-improving techniques, all the writing courses I’d taken made no difference whatsoever to my very intelligent but equally stubborn boss, who believed my only purpose in this world was to answer phones and to care for his schedule. (But we’ll save that for a future, Can You Believe My Life? article.)

Anyway, I’d been struggling with how to make a smooth transition from working full-time at the agency to writing from home full-time. This particular morning was no different.

I just had my article, Outside My Window, published on another Web site. I sent it out to several friends and family members to view, but hadn’t really expected to hear from anyone. Several hours later my phone rings at the front desk. I answer it and hear a stern and familiar voice:

“Get up right now! Get up, get your things and walk out that door and never look back! He [my boss] does NOT appreciate your talent! You are wasting your time at that place! You should NOT be sitting at that front desk …”

I was taken aback. In fact, it took me quite some time to recognize the caller and what she was referring to. I knew that voice, but the ranting and raving was unfamiliar territory.

It was June.

She’d just finished reading my article and felt the need to call me with a “Come to Reality” good talking-to! It worked. After remarkably putting things into perspective for me, on that day and in that very hour I knew it was time for me to take my writing much more seriously, because when June—one of the most intelligent, analytical and reasonable persons I’d ever known—tells you to jump ship, your only response should be, “On which side of the boat?”

I worked vigorously for months to get something suitable to, at least, keep me in the lap of luxury in my extremely small efficiency apartment where I reside (heat included). As it turns out, I now have a national client in the health care industry who actually matched my salary from the agency. On the 28th of December, 2007, I resigned from my full-time position and am now writing full-time from my home office. At the time my “home office” was a four by five extension of the bedroom/kitchen area. Small steps indeed.

Point is, today I have a hopeful outlook for my professional career, and I have June. That’s my girl. She doesn’t say much, but when she does she packs a wallop.

If not for June, I’d likely still be sitting at that same desk, answering that same phone, making those same reservations for that same man. No doubt I’d still be depressed and wondering ‘How my life came to this.’

don't remind me...

It wasn’t some grandiose speech from a soapbox, just a simple, “if-you-don’t-get-off-your-butt-and-do-something-with-your-talent” call that pointed me in the right direction. A simple phone call made all the difference.

Indeed, sometimes it’s the little things.

Whew! I’m exhausted just thinking of this stuff……but my point is this: sometimes you just have to “try anything.” Opportunities are few and far between, and exceptional opportunities are a definite rarity.

So take whatever you have and make something out of that. It doesn’t have to be extravagant or even a lofty goal; it just has to be ‘something.’

In other words: try anything.

I recently picked up two really good clients – both of  which could lead to whole new fields of opportunities for me.

EXCITING TIMES FOR SURE!

The first client is in the fashion industry. Now I’m no fashion plate – but I’m not too old to learn (darn it!). Anyway, I’m simply delighted. I was getting desperate – and had in fact thrown my name into a “whatever comes along” jar to get a gig. (Hey, any work these days is better than none.)

But here’s what’s really weird about this:  I tried several times to break into the fashion industry…they simply weren’t having it. This last time I finally decided to just go hard and (in the vernacular), lay my thang down! But here’s the thing: the precise point I wanted to “Wow!” them with is precisely what didn’t – and the thing I thought was “ho-hum” was the thing that “Wowed!” them. Go figure.

The second client found me through a social network, one on which I rarely post. It’s quite an undertaking, but I’m eager to get things rolling and lick this puppy.

So yeah, you could say I’m floating on air these days, which is a good thing…

…since I’m also suddenly exhausted.

I’m not going to pretend to know all there is to know about writer’s block. It’s a subject like most others: there’s always more to it than meets the eye and it generally varies from person to person. That said, I can only tell you what’s worked for me and others in ‘my circle’ to alleviate writer’s block – or at the very least minimize the often frustrating tendency.

Writer’s block happens for various reasons. For instance, when my Father died I didn’t want to write anything for several weeks. I wasn’t exactly experiencing writer’s block so much so as it just seemed wrong to “dive back into the pool” as if a great man hadn’t just met his demise.

Then there’s the writer’s block that comes with ambient disturbances. I have neighbors that live above me. Directly above me. Loudly! I like them as human beings, but as neighbors go they are lousy people. (I’m so conflicted.) Anyway, to minimize my writer’s block in this instance I changed my whole office setting around. Now I can close my French doors and have a little less noise and actually get some work done.

But I (and I think most people) have writer’s block simply because of being unprepared. Truth is there’s always something to write. You may have to tweak it here or there, or “borrow” from someone else, but there’s always something to put down on paper.

I’m not even so sure writer’s block is a bad thing, it’s just so inconvenient. Because writer’s block always seems to come at a bad time – usually when that client is waiting by the phone for that last-minute revision, or on that new project that I fought so hard to get and yet just can’t seem to grasp hold of.

So I jotted down a few methods that have helped me overcome the dilemma. Why not give them a try the next time you’re faced with writer’s block? You’ve got nothing to lose and a whole batch of writing assignments to gain.

1) Always be prepared: Keep a pen and paper handy, or even a recorder. On several occasions I actually sabotaged my own career by not having something to write with, something to write on, etc. I mistakenly thought I could depend on my overworked, overwrought, overused brain cells to keep that perfect thought in my head until I drove two miles home – by way of shopping for groceries – through torrential storms, settled into my pajamas, and sat down at my laptop to pound out that perfect phrase. Who was I kidding?

2) Jot (or record) anything you hear that might pique your interest. Now. Whether you’re walking through the supermarket, or standing in line at the bank, you’re going to hear something: a statement, a poem, a single word, an expression – be prepared to jot it down to build upon later. Keep in mind that it doesn’t even have to make sense; it’s only going to be used as a starting point.

3) Check out your surroundings. Really notice them – and make your words “pop.” What color is the bug on your patio, and what kind of insect is it? Is the flower red, or is it crimson? Was the old tire worn or was the newness obvious because of the ½ inch tread? Was her hair dyed blonde, or strawberry blonde? Was the blazer pink or was it fuschia? Did you hear a loud thud or an alarming crash? Did the wooded chest smell of aged oak or was the aroma similar to a fresh pine? Did he walk along the beach, or did he limp as he casually strolled next to the calm, still waters of the ocean? If you truly pay attention to smaller details, and put those details in writing, you’re bound to build on your story and make the entire piece more interesting to read. That alone will help to beat the writer’s block blues.

4) Just write. Sounds simple, but sometimes simple works. Sometimes I start typing out any ol’ thing that pops in my head. It could be something like, “and he said to her, ‘Don’t just stand over the body! Cover it over with a paper towel!’” – or even, “The baby ran down the street carrying a halibut, wearing only a checkerboard, while the tadpole flapped in the breeze and the carburetor sang Joy to the World,” – which of course makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, but it works. The point is to get the words – any words – on paper and build on something.

I heard a discourse once, and was so mesmerized by it that I started writing a poem with the same four words that was the title of the talk. It took several hours of tweaking, changing the entire meaning of the story, altering characters, etc., but in the end it was just so right. I loved it and so did others who read it. Of course, what I ended up writing I would have never come up with on my own. Had it not been for the title of the discourse I wouldn’t have created that piece of poetry in the first place. It was merely “borrowed” to give me a starting point.

Another time I made an inspirational piece out of something that happened in a dream. The dream wasn’t a big deal at all, but what I was able to recall gave me the inspiration to create one of my favorite pieces.

So here’s the thing: writer’s block will happen, but it doesn’t have to defeat you. Fight back with a few simple methods by (1) being prepared with a pen or recorder; (2) jotting down anything that you can build upon later; (3) noticing your surroundings; and above all (4) putting it all down in writing.

And be sure to let me know how it all turns out.

JBlairBrown is a nationally published freelance writer out of Harrisburg, PA. She’s written for the healthcare, profit/non-profit and travel industries. Ms. Brown develops and conducts writing workshops, and provides on-site staff training in matters pertaining to diversity and workplace culture, and serves as a PR/marketing consultant for small business industries.

I was coming out of a meeting with a client, when a most charming and friendly gentleman walked pass.

“Hey, how have you been?” he asked.

“I’m fine, how are you?” I responded, not knowing whether I really knew him, or whether it was that his face was familiar. It must have shown on my face because his next statement was, “I know you. Where do I know you from?”

“Well, you look familiar to me, but you might be getting me confused with my twin sister [I actually HAVE a twin sister].”

“Hmmm. Where have you worked?”

“The House of Representatives,” I responded. He answered quickly: “That could be it,” to which I said, “Okay, that’s my sister. I never worked for The House.” (Frankly, he just SEEMED like a House of Rep type of guy…whatever that means.)

And that’s how my latest endeavor went into full throttle. Turns out “Bill” is an internet marketing guru. Having learned of my new eBook, he wanted to know whether it’d been published.

“Not yet. Still looking for someone to help me load it online.”

“Well, I can do that for you. Have you also…”and Bill began unleashing a series of inquiries the likes I’d never heard.

…and that’s when realized I had absolutely NO CLUE about internet marketing. But the good news was that I now had a real professional to help steer me in the right direction. Since that encounter just two weeks ago, I’ve totally revamped my eBook, hashed out a marketing strategy and feel as if I have a new life just over a most reachable horizon.

And to think it all started with a smile and lite conversation.

Bob was well-mannered, well-groomed, spoke eloquently and always had a bright smile on his face. He also had a penchant for singing Broadway tunes while working. And they weren’t particularly popular Broadway tunes either. For instance, I could really get behind lyrics like “When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet!” from West Side Story. But Bob preferred tunes from The Pirates of Penzance. Seriously.

Until one particular bright, summer afternoon I really didn’t pay much attention to Bob. It wasn’t that I didn’t like him – he was actually a pleasure to work with; it’s just that I could take him or leave him.

He and I were stocking supplies in the freezer one afternoon when he stopped abruptly, looked at me and asked, “What do you want to be after you graduate, Judith?”

I was a bit taken aback. He and I didn’t usually discuss these types of things (or anything at all for that matter). Still, I wanted to be polite.

“Uh, I want to be a singer, Bob!” I said proudly.

“That’s a good goal for you. You’re a good singer,” Bob said as if to validate my dreams.

Out of courtesy I asked, “What do you want to be, Bob?” – clearly expecting some off-the-wall-answer like, “A singing priest,” or something else that no ‘cool’ kid would ever dream of.

“I want to be President of the United States,” he said without skipping a beat.

I chuckled…until I saw the seriousness on his face.

“…Are…you…for real…?”

“Yeah.”

Seeing the look of astonishment on my face, Bob chimed in, “Judith, the higher you aim the higher you reach. I figure if I don’t make President, I’ll at least be a senator.” Then he went even further and said, “And you should say ‘I’m going to win a Grammy!’ that way you’ll at least be a worthy singer! The higher you aim the higher you reach!”

It’s been years since I’ve seen Bob. In fact, I can’t even remember his last name. But I’ll never forget that conversation and the motivation that he gave me to move forward with my own goals. I figured if Bob could proudly tell me that he wanted to be President, I should be proud of my dreams, too.

I think about that line now and again: When I’ve reached another milestone, when I reflect back to some seemingly small comment someone might have said to change my course. I’ve done so for 30 years. It’s served me well.

Today I don’t know where Bob might be, where he might have landed. But I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he’s the CEO of a Fortune 500 corporation. On the other hand, he could also be a speechwriter on staff at the White House, or even more impressive – the world’s best father.

Whatever it is Bob’s doing, he’s likely a huge success at it since aiming high was his creed.

And the higher you aim the higher you reach.

Mrs. Pigeon was an average-looking, White woman who always had something funny to say … that is, something funny to a ten-year old. And she made us feel like we mattered. In fact, she’s one of the reasons I’m earning a living as a writer today.

Let me set the stage …

I didn’t really know anything about “being” a writer. I knew I enjoyed writing, but in my urban jungle there were government workers and housekeepers and bartenders and school crossing guards. You know, “normal” working people. (I don’t mean to slight anyone, but if you’re a writer, you understand the “normal” comment … Remember the responses you got from family and friends when you told them you wanted to become a writer? “Well, THAT’S different.” “When are you going to get a real job?” But that’s a whole ‘nother article.)

Anyway, I wrote my very first poem in Mrs. Pigeon’s fourth grade class. We were learning how to write poetry and our assignment was to complete the first two lines from the textbook. It read:

“Woodpecker sent a telegram.
I heard that tapping sound.”

I thought real hard about my response. (I was so serious!) I wanted the poem to be both informative and amusing. Naturally, it had to rhyme, because in fourth grade the concept of a poem that doesn’t rhyme is just plain dumb. (I’d like to think I’ve grown since then.)

The poem also had to make sense. It had to rise above the everyday ten-year-old jargon and strike a chord with its reader. (Yeah, I was that deep.) After pondering for the longest time (up to, like, fifteen minutes), EUREKA! I struck gold!

…I remember approaching my teacher’s desk.

“What if she thinks it’s stupid?” I asked myself. “No, she wouldn’t think that. She’s Mrs. Pigeon!”

Yet with a bit of trepidation, I held my head up and continued the long, methodical walk to what was bound to be my new life. With ever step I grew more and more confident! I’d found my calling. After so many struggles: the knee scrapes from hitting the concrete in all those double-dutch jump rope attempts, the repeated paddle ball start-ups…

NOT good for my self-esteem!

…losing (again!) at that stupid game of jacks—all these were things at which I absolutely sucked! But this … ahhh, this one moment unleashed my true passion, the person I was destined to become.

I stood alongside Mrs. Pigeon as she read the poem to herself. I could see her lips moving.

“Come on, get to it, woman! You’re gonna love it!” I remember thinking to myself.

“…I heard that tapping sound.”

At long last. “Here it comes,” I thought. Surely SHE’S going to get it!

“When he stopped, he slipped,
And fell upon the ground.”

(Okay, so it wasn’t Nikki Giovanni, but keep in mind I was only ten.)

Mrs. Pigeon’s response was classic! I still remember her tossing her head back, giving a very audible, enthusiastic wail of a laugh—and I believe there was an angelic chorus in the background.

“I love it, Judith! I love it!” she exclaimed, her hearty laughter causing strife and envy throughout the sea of ten-year-olds.

Yes, finally, I did it! I found my calling! A star was born…and…it…was… ME!

This might sound a bit over the top, but that very brief moment remains with me even today, nearly 40 years later. Mrs. Pigeon has no idea how her response completely changed my introverted world into one of endless possibilities.

She doesn’t know how I often think of her when I’ve reached a professional milestone in my writing career, how she set the tone for my future. She doesn’t know that I’m working from home as a full-time writer, and that I credit her and that one moment in time—however fleeting—with laying a blueprint for who I was to become.

I’ve held all types of jobs: actor, singer, construction worker, corrections officer, executive assistant, etc. But the point I have to make is that I’ve come back home to my roots. To the place I found at ten years old in an unassuming elementary classroom with a teacher named Mrs. Pigeon.

So, Mrs. Pigeon, thank you.

Judith Brown is a nationally-published freelance writer out of Harrisburg, PA. With nearly 30 years in the work force, her varied background represents county and state governments, non-profit organizations and the advertising industry, among others. A writer and editor for a health care publisher, Ms. Brown also conducts writing workshops, provides on-site staff training in matters pertaining to workplace culture, and serves as a PR/marketing consultant for small business industries. She can be reached via email at jbfreelancewriter@yahoo.com.

Conducting a workshop has its advantages: it generates much-needed revenue, puts your name out there and helps you reach a mass audience. But to maximize your success, you’ll need to follow these seven directives. Don’t worry…they’re (mostly) painless.

1) First things first. Before you do ANYTHING ELSE make an outline of your curriculum. In other words: the hotel, the marketing efforts, the purchases from that office supplies store – should all be put on the back burner – for now. You ‘cannot pass Go!’ until you know for a certainty what you’re presenting, and what, if any, props/added features will be needed to conduct your workshop. NOTE: Make sure your outline includes time frames of how long each portion will be, including your breaks (restroom break(s), lunch, etc.). These will help you to stay focused on your message throughout the course of the workshop.

2) Notify an appropriate meeting venue (hotel) BEFORE promoting your workshop. Nothing is more embarrassing than having to re-email, re-call, and re-iterate to everyone you know just why you have to postpone your much-hyped workshop. This happens frequently when the conductor doesn’t finalize the date with the venue before advertising the event. “Finalizing” includes reading over your contract thoroughly before signing, as well as your meeting set-up (see #3).

3) Meeting set-up. Make sure you have an appropriate setting for your particular topic. For instance, if your workshop topic is “Beading Jewelry,” you’ll likely have a totally different set-up than “Blogging for the Internet.” Meet with the hotel sales team to confirm room set-up, needs (such as audio/visual equipment), refreshments, etc. You don’t want to wait until the morning of to realize that something has gone wrong.

4) Advertise! Whether you use flyers, brochures, word of mouth, TV, radio, the Internet, forums, social networks – or what have you – if you don’t advertise your upcoming workshop, you’re sabotaging the outcome. Any materials should include the date, time, location and cost of the event, as well as what the participants should expect.

This is no time to be humble. SELL YOURSELF AND YOUR SERVICES! And don’t forget to send a friendly reminder, including a link to your Web site, to friends, neighbors, colleagues, frenemies, enemies, and anyone else you can think of – just make sure it’s not in the form of “spam” so that it doesn’t get filtered and go straight to the trash bin. By the way, advertising also includes periodic “teasers” up to the day of the event. So be creative.

5) Practice makes perfect. You might not spend an entire day in the mirror laboring over each word of your upcoming presentation, but it’s a good idea to at least give a general synopsis in private before going public, if for one reason only: Your audience is willing to sit through an hours-long (sometimes days-long) presentation to watch you. The least you can do is to give them something of interest to watch. So go through your outline with a fine-tooth comb. Note where and when you’ll distribute handouts during particular portions of your workshop, when to open the floor for questions, and any other particulars to be noted. This will assure the smooth flow of your presentation and the certainty of hitting all major points of your material.

6) Supplies. Traditional supplies include: pens, tablets and easel/easel board (or Post-It poster board). Always bring additional copies of all handouts (for those last-minute attendees who forgot to RSVP). For an added touch prepare individual packets (or folders), with materials/handouts already enclosed, for each attendee.

7) Evaluations/surveys. For your own personal enrichment, include evaluations or surveys in each participant’s packet. This will allow attendees to provide feedback from which you will benefit. Ask questions that truly will allow you to grow as a presenter and that will help you to improve the structure of your workshop.

Each of the seven points is a tried and true method in conducting an effective workshop. Why not put them to good use by conducting your own workshop? It’s a great way to bring in revenue, present yourself to your peers and is a marvelous way to teach others.

Judith Brown is a nationally published freelance writer out of Harrisburg, PA. With nearly 30 years in the work force, her varied background represents county and state governments, non-profit organizations and the advertising industry, among others. A writer and editor for a health care publisher, Ms. Brown also conducts writing workshops, provides on-site staff training in matters pertaining to workplace culture, and serves as a PR/marketing consultant for small business industries. She can be reached via email at jbfreelancewriter@yahoo.com.