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Mary-Lisa's blog:
Excerpts from my wandering mind |
 It's February- the month of love and I am feeling all gushy and mushy! I am always ready to find an excuse to celebrate love! The feelings are euphoric and like nothing else on earth. As an avid reader in my adolescent years, I enjoyed reading poetry from romantic poets such as Byron and Keats and Shelley. I did not experience love firsthand but the pure emotions that emanated from their works spoke to me and found a home within my own heart. I wanted to grow up and feel that magic in my own life. I wanted to love and be loved... genuinely, humbly, with all the fire a human soul can put forth. But, I was young, too young and so I dove into my first love...writing... and that is what I did- write about love. These are the special powers of words... they make you feel and trigger your emotions. Here is a poem I wrote in my pre-teens which was featured in an anthology:  It was not perfect by any means but it was real... it was my heart spilled across the paper. The fire, the drive to write was already there and it was the power of love that fueled my adoration of the written word. Make no mistake, love does not live only in romantic relationships. Love lives everywhere. We experience it with our families, our friends, pets- even strangers we meet as we go about our day. Every single day is Valentine's Day- well at least it is for me. And I cherish everyone in my life. Genuine relationships and support are truly priceless. That is the power of love. Have a fantastic February- keep reading, keep writing and keep the love flowing! Cheers! Mary-Lisa Russo www.marylisarusso.ca  Blog AuthorYou have stumbled into the writing world of Mary-Lisa Russo, an avid storyteller observing the universe around her and her humble place amongst the stars. “Excerpts From The Wandering Mind” is Mary-Lisa’s first collection of poems and she is currently working on her next book, a compilation of romantic poetry. She is a university graduate having majored in English Literature and continues to nurture her ongoing writing education at a local college and other educational avenues. She is a member of the Ontario Poetry Society and various writers’ groups. She enjoys reading and giving a voice to fellow authors. CategoriesArchives January 2022
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 Positivity- Combined With Hope- Is a Vaccine For The SoulThere is no doubt... 2021 has been another anxious year wherein we lived under the veil of an ongoing pandemic. And not only that- the veil has layers and layers affecting our daily lives, our mobility, our social sphere. Above all, our mental health is tested under the weight of the pandemic brush, painting bold strokes that attempt to dwindle our hope and inspiration. Humanity vs. the virus- so long... so very long.  To be honest, I never thought I would ever experience a world dominating virus in my lifetime. I mean, sure, I've seen countless Sci-Fi movies and read books about zombie apocalypses, alien invasions and deadly global viruses... but that was all make-believe. Fantasy. Imagination gone wild. Looking back a few years, I never saw this coming but movies and books made me question: "what if this happened in real life?" I always told myself that I was silly- a girl with an overactive imagination, that my time on earth would be an easy, boring one. Well, so much for personal pep talks... Hmmm... pep talks... we can use this to our advantage. We can guide our thoughts... think positive at this trying time and find happiness in the little things in life that bring us comfort and pleasure, the things we are grateful for, the things that make our hearts smile. This past year I have drowned myself in books- countless books- to take away the pandemic blues, finding solace and entertainment and new knowledge, where applicable. I immersed myself in fairytales, thrillers, ghost stories, romantic stories, poetry books, recipe books, non-fiction, fiction, biographies, magazines; et al. I did what made me happy and 'happy' is what is keeping me afloat during this pandemic. I wrote... consistently, keeping up with book reviews, beta readings and ARC readings. I just threw myself into it and peace and calm prevailed- not the fluctuating Coronavirus numbers dictating my reactions or how to live my life. This year I am publishing my romantic poetry book and although I scheduled for it to be released in 2021, I had to push the timeline into 2022. I was not hard on myself. The last thing I believe anyone must do is berate oneself. Our current climate does not allow room for this as being gentle with ourselves and doing our best is the greatest gift we can give ourselves. The world is rough enough with us already so adding to it is just not beneficial to our well-being. This past year I learned how to breathe... freely- without stress or guilt, without making a sound as it was so deep and full of life there was no hardship in inhaling and exhaling. The word "positivity" emblazed itself upon my mind and stayed there, coaxing me to keep setting goals and wake up with a purpose. It is my own personal beacon. Positivity combined with hope... it's a vaccine for the soul. Nothing else man-made in the universe will get you through the chaos life throws your way. Nothing. I hope 2022 will be an outstanding year of resilience and growth for you and your loved ones. I hope you keep feeding your dreams and continue to be inspired by the hidden, little joys in life we often absently overlook. It's there... but you have to open your heart to see it. Keep searching. Don't stop dreaming. You are the master of your own destiny. May everything beautiful happen to you in 2022! © Mary-Lisa Russo  AuthorYou have stumbled into the writing world of Mary-Lisa Russo, an avid storyteller observing the universe around her and her humble place amongst the stars. “Excerpts From The Wandering Mind” is Mary-Lisa’s first collection of poems and she is currently working on her next book, a compilation of romantic poetry. She is a university graduate having majored in English Literature and continues to nurture her ongoing writing education at a local college and other educational avenues. She is a member of the Ontario Poetry Society and various writers’ groups. She enjoys reading and giving a voice to fellow authors. CategoriesArchives January 2022  And so we are here... upon the threshold of a new year and looking back upon the year that was through a highly polished looking glass. A pandemic continues to linger- sticky, clingy... like honey- but not nearly as sweet. We have each experienced many changes these past few years... many... some good, some bad and some we have had to adapt to just to ensure we experience inner peace. Despite everything, we made it thus far. December is the undisputed month wherein we hunker down and nest with our loved ones and unleash the holiday festivities and by golly- we deserve it! I am diving into it like an Olympian swimmer this year! 'Tis the season to deck the halls, bake chocolate chip cookies for Santa and load that tree with enough ornaments and lights they signal E.T. to want to 'come home' on our own planet. So... what did I decide to do in preparation for my holiday celebrations... being a nerdy writer who is book obsessed...? Drum roll...please! I purchased a mini arsenal of Christmas books and magazines and stored them in a fancy box, ready to unleash today!!! There... I said it! Books! I am one of the HUGEST fans of Hoffman Media - Women's interest and lifestyle publisher. Scroll below and you will see why...  Look at the November/December 2021 issue of Victoria Magazine! It is gorgeous! It reminds me of a Jane Austen novel. I adore the glamorous, vintage vibe portrayed on the cover and embedded in every page. There is something about celebrating an old fashioned Christmas that calls to the writer in me.  I am always browsing everything Hoffman Media has to offer under their umbrella and so I also took advantage of purchasing past magazines and books regarding all things Christmas. The books are exquisite and keepers I will add to my treasure chest of books.  I took this photo above with one of the ornaments on my tree! Could not help it!  The above-noted books came in volumes 1 and 2 - both featuring stunning covers. (Check out my snazzy ornaments!)  These magazines will be a part of my yearly reads!  This stunning, hard covered cookbook will come in handy for executing holiday recipes in style! These are only books and magazines... but they catapult me into a happy zone. Staying positive is very important as it is the basis for everything we successfully do in our lives. It is what gets us through anything negative that may come our way. So no matter how big or small, those little things that make you content are essential in your life. Hope is essential in your life. Attainable goals are essential too. So never stop shining and being the amazing star that you are today, and for every day that has yet to come. I hope that your own holiday is filled with the magic of the season and that everything beautiful happens to you in the near year! © Mary-Lisa Russo  AuthorYou have stumbled into the writing world of Mary-Lisa Russo, an avid storyteller observing the universe around her and her humble place amongst the stars. “Excerpts From The Wandering Mind” is Mary-Lisa’s first collection of poems and she is currently working on her next book to be released in 2022. She recently created an e-book, namely, "Voices From the Universe," for her subscribers which is available for download via BookFunnel. She is a university graduate having majored in English Literature and continues to nurture her ongoing writing education at a local college. She is a member of the Ontario Poetry Society and various writers’ groups. CategoriesArchives December 2021 Did someone say... books?!!! There is no point in hiding my reading addiction to the rest of the world. The doorbell rang today and I was presented with a huge box which I gingerly brought into the house as if it contained a newly acquired, pirates' priceless treasure. My heart skipped a few beats when I had guessed the contents within right after viewing the stickers emblazed across the box... it was a my Book Outlet haul containing my recently ordered books! I brought the box into the kitchen and with my heart beating in wild anticipation, started opening the box with shaking hands... and then voila... there they were all gloriously staring up at me and I could swear, in my book haul delirium, the people pictured on the book covers winked back at my excitement! (Well, they actually didn't, but you know, I am a writer so we tend to embellish things a tiny bit).  So what is this Book Outlet that has me acting like Dorothy about to meet the Wizard of Oz? It's a reader's playground offering heavily discounted books that'll get you reaching for your glasses to confirm you read the prices right! I purchased these books you see in the photos I provided and take a wild guess how much I paid for them (which included 3 hardcopies)? A ridiculously low total of $34.05 for eight books! Yes, adjust those glasses and squint your pretty eyes! You read that right! They were near perfect with a few small dents in one book cover... something I could totally live with at that amazing price! If you are an avid ready, you know how pricey your book addiction can be... truly expensive, indeed! I'm still hardcore about my Kindle Paperwhite too, but sometimes, depending on my mood, I like the smell and feel of solid books held in my hands. If you can live with a few possible dents and nicks then this is your book paradise! It is affordable for a reader looking for a bargain.  You may be asking... "where does Book Outlet get their books from?" This answer is sourced directly from their website: "Our product is purchased from many different publishers at amazing prices and we pass along these savings by selling them to our customers for deeply discounted prices. We offer two types of products: Bargain books are excess inventory and store returns that we purchased directly from various publishers." There are physical outlets spread out at various vicinities but I prefer to shop online from the comfort of my home. I received a coupon for $5.00 off my first purchase when I signed up and just today I received another coupon for 15% off sitewide and $5.00 off my next entire purchase. The advantages just keep on rolling! There is even a clearance section with sweet deals as well as categories for new arrivals and bestsellers! Whatever it is you may be looking for, they've likely got it! How am I going to explain myself when new books are constantly being stuffed everywhere all over the house? Well, I think THAT is best explained in another future blog post. In the meantime, if you love to read and are looking for book bargains, check out Book Outlet. Special Notes: I have an upcoming Romantic Poetry book I will be unveiling within the next few months. You can join me in my journey and receive first hand news by subscribing to my mailing list. You can view my website by clicking HERE. As always, wishing you and your loved ones the best! I am always happy to hear from you at [email protected]. © Mary-Lisa Russo AuthorYou have stumbled into the writing world of Mary-Lisa Russo, an avid storyteller observing the universe around her and her humble place amongst the stars. “Excerpts From The Wandering Mind” is Mary-Lisa’s first collection of poems and she is currently working on her next book, a compilation of romantic poetry. She is a university graduate having majored in English Literature and continues to nurture her ongoing writing education at a local college and other educational avenues. She is a member of the Ontario Poetry Society and various writers’ groups. She enjoys reading and giving a voice to fellow authors. CategoriesArchivesSeptember is Basic Education & Literacy Month at Rotary International so let's focus on the topic of reading in this short blog. I have always been an avid reader since I was a young child. It was always me, cookies and books. I even told my family the titles of a few books I would like buried with me someday. Needless to say, they are not amused. They often shake their heads at me, baffled at the words that spill out of my mouth. Quirky, girl, I know... but this gives you an example of my feelings when it comes to reading. Serious stuff, indeed. Okay, so I went all out and treated myself well... very well! I finally decided to come out of the dark ages and delve into the electronic side of reading! This past month I picked up the Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle which includes the Kindle Paperwhite 32GB with wifi, a leather cover in lush merlot, and power adapter. Oh my goodness! It is so ultra thin and lightweight, I can slip it in my purse with no worries of it cramming my other goodies or breaking my arm trying to lug it around. It's waterproof so I don't have to stress about it in case it falls in the tub while I'm reading. In other words, it's Mary-Lisa goof-proof! I love the adjustable light I am able to manipulate when I'm all cozied up in bed ready to read into the wee hours. It is equipped with a flush-front design and 300 ppi glare-free display. It feels like you are reading on real paper! As I discovered all this, I inwardly screamed: "What magic is this?!!!" I loaded it with numerous books- and I mean loaded it- I've already read a plethora of books on it and the great thing is, I connected mine to Goodreads and enjoy updating my progress to my other reading peeps! Splendid! I have so many hardcovers and paperbacks and this is going to greatly reduce my need to add more bookshelves to accommodate my reading obsession. Bonus for myself and everyone else living with me.   Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle including Kindle Paperwhite 32GB - Wifi, Amazon Leather Cover - Merlot, and Power Adapter I would like to emphasis...I abhor change...big time! I'm a self-professed turtle finding comfort in the familiar. But, I made this leap and I am happy I did so. I cannot say enough about my new Kindle. It is a gem and I treat it as such. Even has its own special spot near my bed. There are different version of the Kindle reader out there and if you are hankering to pick one up, just do a little googling first to find the best one for your needs. Mine was around $200.00. As 2021 is evolving, I, too, am making an effort to evolve from my comfort zone and experience new things. Read and read some more! Cheers! Special Notes: I have an upcoming Romantic Poetry book I will be unveiling within the next few months. You can join me in my journey and receive first hand news by subscribing to my mailing list. You can view my website by clicking HERE. As always, wishing you and your loved ones the best! I am always happy to hear from you at [email protected]. © Mary-Lisa Russo AuthorYou have stumbled into the writing world of Mary-Lisa Russo, an avid storyteller observing the universe around her and her humble place amongst the stars. “Excerpts From The Wandering Mind” is Mary-Lisa’s first collection of poems and she is currently working on her next book, a compilation of romantic poetry. She is a university graduate having majored in English Literature and continues to nurture her ongoing writing education at a local college and other educational avenues. She is a member of the Ontario Poetry Society and various writers’ groups. She enjoys reading and giving a voice to fellow authors. CategoriesArchivesBeautiful are a writer's words as they flow from their mind and make their way into the universe, creating moving pictures within the reader's mind. Words are endowed with a plethora of actions to influence, to educate, to entertain, and especially in poetry and fiction books, to feed the imagination and take the reader away from their life and into an alternate, fictional world. They set our thoughts on a new trajectory, opening our minds to new perceptions. And who wouldn't want that? We only have one lifetime and only have an allotted fraction of time to be able to travel and meet new people and learn and experience new things around the globe. Books are a surefire way to give you a taste of another world, even if it is through a brief few hours of reading. I have always been deeply enamored of books since I was a very young child. I am one of those children who read with a flashlight and came home from the library with two huge canvas bags full of books. Shakespeare, Byron, Shelley and Keats were my literary friends, albeit they were very much dead! I devoured everything I could get my hands on and that hunger has not abated through time...if anything, it has gotten stronger and much more powerful. I am giving into my "quiet time" more and more, happy to step back from the white noise offered by the buzzing world. A happy introvert...? I guess so. This is where I belong. My heart told me this somewhere in the garden of my ever blooming mind. Like reading, I have been a writer all my life. Born with that particular fever, I guess. And, I say "fever" because that is what it is like, this intense need to write. Many crumpled napkins have been etched with my words, cradling my handwriting when paper was not readily at hand. I have rows and rows of notebooks containing stories and poetry I weaved out into the world. In my writing world, it is poetry that moves me. It places fingers softly upon my heart. Catches my breath. Floods my thoughts with possibilities and wonder. Love poems are my Achilles' heel. I feel EVERYTHING as a poet. I see EVERYTHING as a poet. No stone is left unturned. I watch your face, the lines that magically appear when you are laughing, the flash of your eyes when I am speaking to you, the tone of your voice, the way the sunlight casts a golden aura to your hair. I take it all in like a sponge. I am breathless... always breathless about the world around me. Here are a few examples of me, lost in my poetic moments:   Are we every going to feel these moments ever again? These moments and thoughts that slice through our skin in any given moment and make a home there? Writing encapsulates our thoughts and once they are on paper, they are added to our timeline and capture a specific time period in our lives. Time fades on...but the words of a writer lives on...and therefore, we are immortal. We live forever... Thank you, Byron, Shelley and Keats and Shakespeare...the whole lot of you and those left unmentioned for molding me into the ravenous reader/writer I am today. Special Notes: I have an upcoming Romantic Poetry book I will be unveiling within the next few months. You can join me in my journey and receive first hand news by subscribing to my mailing list. You can view my website by clicking HERE. As always, wishing you and your loved ones the best! I am always happy to hear from you at [email protected]. © Mary-Lisa Russo AuthorYou have stumbled into the writing world of Mary-Lisa Russo, an avid storyteller observing the universe around her and her humble place amongst the stars. “Excerpts From The Wandering Mind” is Mary-Lisa’s first collection of poems and she is currently working on her next book, a compilation of romantic poetry. She is a university graduate having majored in English Literature and continues to nurture her ongoing writing education at a local college and other educational avenues. She is a member of the Ontario Poetry Society and various writers’ groups. She enjoys reading and giving a voice to fellow authors. CategoriesArchives December 2021 What's The Big Deal About Book Covers?What is that saying...? It goes something like, "you don't get a second chance to make a first impression." Right on. Words to live by. If you are a writer and thinking of skimping out on producing an amazing book cover to match your equally amazing interior within your book... think again! A well designed, eye catching book cover that gives other covers a run for their money is everything. It's a critical part of your book marketing strategy. It's your holy grail. You want your book to stand out. You want readers to browse bookstores online and have their gazes, and simultaneously thereafter their thoughts, riveted by your book cover... enough so that they would want to click on it and want to get to know what your book is all about. It's your first, initial chance to grab a prospective readers' attention. Yes, your content within the cover of your book must be top notch but readers don't peruse that first... they see your cover first as they scroll through hundreds and hundreds of book covers online. And there you are... amongst that sea of covers vying for their attention. A book cover is the critical, power of persuasion that gets your foot in the door, perhaps leading to a much coveted sale. Love at first sight...maybe? It's eye candy... or in this discussion, "book candy." I, myself, have clicked on a book I know nothing about while browsing a specific genre, and in one particular instance, I was so enamored of a book cover I actually placed it in my online "cart" and returned to view it a day later in depth. It caught my eye... stirred my attention. The cover was different and much thought was injected into designing the cover with intricate details and so I instinctively knew that the author would put together fantastic content within the interior... and I was not disappointed. My first impression of the book paned out nicely. It was a highly professional, creative cover... a prelude to the work within. Before I even read the description, a great impression was made with the book cover. The book cover in question is by iconic fashion illustrator, art director, author, Megan Hess.  Elegance The Beauty Of French Fashion by Megan Hess Ms. Hess's book cover, Elegance- The Beauty Of French Fashion, is exquisitely carved in intricate detail. I ordered the hardcover and when I received it I was transfixed over the engraved gold that shimmered back at me and the detailed drawing. The contrast of soft pink flowers creating an archway over the glamourous drawing surrounded by gold illuminated the elegance conveyed in the cover. The cover alone had the power to create a positive connection, before I even opened the book. I read the book with first-impression positivity. This author could do no wrong because my mind was already wanting this book to be a success in every way. The first impression sets the tone... and that... is the power of creative marketing: spot on branding and packaging, carefully catering to the reader's senses, triggering a positive, embracing response. Take your time in creating your perfect cover. Ask yourself... What is the specific niche for my book? Who are my target readers and what kind of persuasive branding would entice them to purchase my book? Being true to yourself and your style is a winning combination. Your authenticity shines through. Effort shines through. Readers get turned off by thoughtless work and once turned off, they will think twice about coming back again. You are a brand and a stunning cover is a huge part of your brand. It took me quite a while to create a cover for my upcoming romantic poetry book and when I finally did, I felt like I accomplished a huge task. It perfectly conveys the romantic tone of my poetry book and my own style which peppers it with authentic sincerity. I am not yet ready to do a full cover reveal but I assure you, I am bursting to share it with everyone. Further details will be revealed in the upcoming months ahead. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter at www.marylisarusso.ca to be part of the first, subscribed recipients to receive the juicy details.  Mary-Lisa Russo's upcoming, romantic poetry book release. Further details revealed in the upcoming months ahead. Special Note: If it pleases you, you can learn more about Megan Hess's style and branding on her website by clicking HERE. As always, wishing you and your loved ones the best! I am always happy to hear from you at [email protected]. © Mary-Lisa Russo www.marylisarusso.ca AuthorYou have stumbled into the writing world of Mary-Lisa Russo, an avid storyteller observing the universe around her and her humble place amongst the stars. “Excerpts From The Wandering Mind” is Mary-Lisa’s first collection of poems and she is currently working on her next book, a compilation of romantic poetry. She is a university graduate having majored in English Literature and continues to nurture her ongoing writing education at a local college and other educational avenues. She is a member of the Ontario Poetry Society and various writers’ groups. She enjoys reading and giving a voice to fellow authors. CategoriesArchives Happy Birthday To MeI just celebrated the coziest birthday ever this past month. I usually designate May my selfish "Me!" month where I continuously treat myself to whatever it is my heart desires because the iconic, L'Oreal advertising slogan, "because I am worth it," convinced me I deserved it. It emboldened me. Made me fierce and fearless. It told me it was okay for me to follow my whims, even if it was for that month only! And, it was not like I was breaking the bank...I was purchasing stuff like books, jewelery, bath products, my favorite makeup and creams from Estee Lauder. My little arsenal of feel goods for my body and mind brought me a lot of comfort. Treating myself well has always been important to me because I always believed you must take care of yourself, treat your mind and body like a temple for if you cannot be good to yourself... how can you possibly be good to others? This past May birthday, my whimsical traditions became watered down. During a global pandemic, I was simply grateful to see another birthday. I was grateful for my family and friends remaining untouched by Covid-19. I just wanted a humble birthday and that is what I happily received. The world has changed for everyone and all I want is to see humanity stand up again and flourish without fear. I did not want to receive any birthday presents but I did receive one from my parents which touched my heart and made it cry. It's a beautiful solar light with a young lady resembling me purchased atop a tree house. Her hair is long, like mine, and she is wearing my favorite color- pink. I instantly connected with it. It means so much to me. It became a part of my 'cozy comforts' and more times than not, I put it near me when I write as it inspires me. When my eyes take a break and wander away from the computer, there it is, keeping me grounded and calm, representing how much I am loved. Yes, it may be whimsical, but it feeds my need for 'cozy comforts.'  The Soothing Power Of Coloring BooksNothing screams relaxation like adult coloring books. When my mind has been raked over the coals trying to find the right words to formulate the perfect sentence, I step away from my desk, pick up my box of pencil crayons, grab a coloring book (yes, I have an arsenal), and get ready to bring a picture to life. It is very soothing and takes me away from the mental grind. My favorite coloring book in my arsenal is the Disney Dreams Collection featuring Thomas Kinkade Studios. One page is pre-colored and the other one next to it requires coloring. You get to see this wonderful, colorful picture you can aspire to as you are coloring. You can purchase this coloring book by clicking HERE.     The Power Of Music & WritingI usually play some music in the background and lose myself in the moment when I write. I listen to such poetic tunes like La Vie En Rose . Edith Piaf's rendition is exquisite, her voice full of poetry, taking the listener on an emotional ride straight into the realm of imagination. The walls around me fall away when I listen to this song and my fingers come alive, flowing upon my keyboard, my mind and heart soaring. I am currently writing romantic poetry so of course, one of the vocalists who makes my heart soar is singer, songwriter, musician and record producer, Damian Rice. Since the first time I heard Damian sing, I was instantly captivated, every part of my senses alive, electrical, floating on a rush of emotions. Have you ever listened to his hauntingly beautiful songs The Blower's Daughter and Elephant? These are prime examples how music and poetry merge together to create moving art. I had the opportunity to see him life at The Danforth Music Hall in Toronto, Canada and his performance brought me to tears. The music he creates inspires me to write and in doing so, places me in a comfort zone, paving the way for my imagination to take the lead. For me, music and writing go hand-in-hand, a winning combination.  It is my opinion that the best writing is born when your mind and body are ensconced in a setting that brings out the best in your thought process. What fuels your imagination and opens your mind matters... greatly. As always, wishing you and your loved ones the best! I am always happy to hear from you at [email protected]. Mary-Lisa Russo www.marylisarusso.ca AuthorYou have stumbled into the writing world of Mary-Lisa Russo, an avid storyteller observing the universe around her and her humble place amongst the stars. “Excerpts From The Wandering Mind” is Mary-Lisa’s first collection of poems and she is currently working on her next book, a compilation of romantic poetry. She is a university graduate having majored in English Literature and continues to nurture her ongoing writing education at a local college and other educational avenues. She is a member of the Ontario Poetry Society and various writers’ groups. CategoriesArchivesIT STARTS HERE... My very first blog post! Yes... you read that right! This is my very first blog post and I am enthusiastic about it! Heck... I'm thrilled! If I look a little like I wear my heart on my sleeve and you find that appealing, well, that's wonderful! And... if you decide you wish to come back and read my future blog posts and see what I am up to after reading this one... that is even better! I also send a newsletter out to my e-mail list once a month (I am being very careful not to inundate you as your time is precious). If you are contemplating to sign up to receive my newsletter, you can do so by clicking HERE. Please know you would be delightfully welcomed! SELF-PUBLISHING & CONTINUOUS SELF-LEARNING: What I Have Learned Thus Far Despite holding an English Lit Degree under my belt, I recently completed a self-publishing course at a local college which served to educate me in the intricate aspects of maneuvering myself in the publishing arena. I am consistently enrolled in countless webinars and online courses. Publishing is always changing like the ocean tides. I learn one important fact and a few weeks later, it is obsolete and new information is taking its place. One thing I am not is confident enough to think I can just "wing" it at self-publishing, despite having obtained a university Degree. There are many components one must be educated in before even seriously thinking of writing a book and putting it out into the universe. Good writing is only one aspect. Think of self-publishing as a hazelnut: the nut in the center signifies writing and the outer shell encompassing it is -that dreaded word for many authors- marketing. Your book is dead in the water if you do not launch some form of marketing campaign prior to your book release. And no, it is not something that can be done a week or even a month in advance of your book being introduced to the world. Marketing and writing go hand in hand. Unless you employ professionals to do the marketing for you, it is all up to you- you are the mover and shaker, wearing all the hats in your business. The last thing you want to do is throw your book out in the world and hope that a huge number of people will appear out of the woodwork to purchase it... sadly, this is not likely to happen. (I will discuss self-publishing further in upcoming blog posts). Bottom line: the industry evolves and so must you. So clearly, one needs to be on top of all the changes if one wants to get ahead in this industry. This means that my feet will most likely stay wet for a long time in the education pool. Dedication is essential here. Let's just say I am now 'married' to the self-publishing business. BLOGGING 101 FOR BEGINNERS LIKE ME To blog or not to blog...? This question consistently popped in my mind as I was creating my website. This past week I have incorporated fabulous reading material in my publishing studies. I am almost done reading a book about blogging written by author Rebecca Livermore, namely, 'Blogging For Authors: Build An Author Platform and Sell More Books with Your Blog.' This well written book is quickly becoming my go-to personal blogging bible as it is full of information for both beginners and seasoned bloggers written in an engaging, no-nonsense style. She writes about blogging, themes, SEO, plug-ins and other important, author platform essentials. You can find her book by clicking HERE where you will be taken to her Amazon Author Page offering paperback, audiobook or kindle edition formats. I highly recommend it, especially if you are starting out.  Blogging For Authors: Build an Author Platform and Sell More Books with Your Blog by Rebecca Livermore SELF-PUBLISHING: BEING COMFORTABLE IN MY OWN SKIN Let's be honest here: the reason I got this far in creating my website, incorporating a newsletter, a blog and self-publishing my first poetry book, namely, Excerpts From The Wandering Mind, is because of the wonderful support I have received from my readers who have inspired me to commence my writing journey. I would still be writing on crumbled napkins and sticky notes if I wasn't encouraged...well, truth is, gently implored to compile my first book and for that, I am super appreciative! My next book will be distributed to a greater audience. I am doing things in a way that nurtures my comfort level. This is a whole new world for me and I am truly liking it. Thus far, self-publishing and I are a fit. One major plus for me is the full control I have in all aspects of the publishing industry such as book cover design, interior layout, marketing, branding, etc. I am fully immersed in the creative content. Yes, it is a rocky road at times, especially when you are starting out, but it is well worth it for me. I am in charge of my own successes and my own failures. I am learning and I am growing; the mistress of my own destiny. Keeping it real. Always. If you are new to all of this as I am, the best advice I have for you is to create a definite outline of your goals and how you expect to achieve those goals. We all falter at first but being open to working hard and educating yourself in the industry will go a long way in helping you succeed. Be ready to make mistakes. Be willing to learn from them. Be determined to keep moving forward. You can do it! I dedicate this first blog post to my current and future readers/fans. Your support is essential and appreciated. Looking forward to you reading my next blog post in the near future. Stay Safe! Mary-Lisa Russo www.marylisarusso.ca  AuthorYou have stumbled into the writing world of Mary-Lisa Russo, an avid storyteller observing the universe around her and her humble place amongst the stars. “Excerpts From The Wandering Mind” is Mary-Lisa’s first collection of poems and she is currently working on her next book. She is a university graduate having majored in English Literature and continues to nurture her ongoing writing education at a local college and other educational avenues. She is a member of the Ontario Poetry Society and various writers’ groups. Categories |
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February 2022
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