FB Post About Being A "Published" Author and the Way You Make It to That Point Emotionally

We had been discussing having the "strength", wear-with-all, tenacity and actually having the "nerve" to publish your work and put it out there for all the world to see. That can be a very scary thing to do. It is okay for friends, family, and spouses to see it, but to have the entire globe out there to "critique" your work is something that you must be willing to stand up to, and know inside what you write is good. It may not be awesome to some people, but for others it may touch them deeply. So, this was a post from this morning about my feelings of finally becoming published...

I have written for many, many years, as the information said, since I was 13 actually. Yet, I was in fear of being rejected for a long while, thus I did not have anything published. About 6 years ago, I bought a book with all of the publishers in it, and how to send your poetry to them, and details of just what they wanted, when, how and so forth. It has not been that long ago that even "self-publishing" was extremely expensive. Just to get a book published in that way may cost upwards of $800.00 and possibly much more, then you had to buy a certain number of books to even be able to get through all of the process. Things are so much easier now (there is still lots to go through, especially if you design it all yourself), but you can do the majority of the work yourself, and the costs have went down so they have made it more affordable for those that may not have found it that way just a few years back. When I went through the entire process of mailing my poetry off to different publishers, that was a nightmare honestly. Many of them of course were rejected, for one reason or the other, others I never heard from, but I did have one publisher, that even though he rejected a poem I sent in, he took the time to actually in his own hand writing, give me some suggestions, and told me to resubmit my poetry at a certain date. He was very interested in it, and would consider publishing me the next time around they took poems in. that process really is for someone that can stand rejection and not take it personally. Kind of like Tom Clancy, whose first 3 books were rejected when he submitted them. Then someone lied his 4th book, and what happened? Not only did it get published, but so did those other 3, that previously were rejected. So, it takes a great deal of tenacity, and the ability to know your work is good, but it may just not be what they are looking for at the moment. I finally got some poetry published online through a gentleman that still does a monthly newsletter. He posted several of my poems monthly, along with some of my other writing. After that, I became ill with the Lupus (or was finally diagnosed with it the RA, possibly FM, and went into 7 surgeries in a year, along with several more after that). I was not able to sit at the computer for very long. So, I had to put off the publishing portion, but I still tried to write daily. Many of my pieces are current, and then others are some from a few years ago that are my favorites in this first book, "Ramblings of A Seasoned Soul" - Brush Strokes of Life in Words. I think I relate writing in many ways that I do trying to have the stamina, the strength, the internal power, with out eyes on the "goal", of living! We must fight these illnesses from moment to moment, kind of like writing is a daily process that takes a great deal of the same things... you have to find that inner part of you that just will not give into the nightmare of pain and chronic illness. So, we have days that we find ourselves riddled with all kinds of doubt and dismay. So, we have to find our way out of that black hole, and into the light again. Same way in writing, days it feels awesome, and other days you feel like you cannot write a word. But, we do it, live, write, whatever we do, we pull out that part of us that in i the very core of our being. I hope all of you ow just how strong you are, that you are fighting the "good fight" as the saying goes, and you are truly worth it. May you be blessed during this holiday season, and find all of the pure and true reasons you are thankful for.

Those That Can Give "Until Our Cup Runneth Over"

"Rhia, congratulations on this special compilation of your poetry. I write poetry as well & know your work has rendered me 'to do something' for self-publishing as well. My story is a bit different but has to do with pain as well. Your brushstroke of words are appealing, raw, and true. You will be reaching many who need the encouragement to feel, keep moving forward, and to enjoy life as fully as possible. You are gifted & I will pray for your success with this project. You are already successful as a poet. Not everyone can be a poet & so much of what we write is for our own journey and healing--it's a deep, deep place to go. I'm glad you are sharing & I'm really praying for God to give me the GO and the HOW to get my poetry out there as well. God bless you..."

The beautiful and thought provocative words above come from a dear lady on a group that I belong to on FB. I was so touched by her sincere and heart felt post about my poetry and my 1st book, that I cried tears of joy when I read this last night. I had to share her words with all of you also. This is what my writing is truly about. If I have reached out and "painted" a brush stroke of encouragement to one person, then I feel my "job" in life is complete. I shall leave her name off for now, but I will ask if I can put her name in. She is also a writer and poet. I would love for her to share with me, if she would like some of her work. :)


Rhia

This Makes me totally Ashamed to be from my Own Home State!

http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Texans-petition-to-secede-from-U-S-4035480.php

Honestly, I am SO ASHAMED of my OWN STATE! I HATE SAYING I AM FROM HEAR!!! And then we find out the Idiot of a Governor we have (thank goodness not PRESIDENT) is responsible for spreading this rumor!!! Here is THE TRUTH! Of course I cannot

fathom Texans would even think about signing this.... give up our Federal Benefits, Social Security, Medicare, help with all kinds of infrastructure, health care for the disabled and elderly, help with our schools, colleges, can you imagine a state on its own trying to "police" itself and pay for everything???? this is total insanity!!!! I am s freaking appauled I could just spit!!! Like I said this just is the kind of mess that causes me to feel totally ashamed of my accent, and my heritage in this state. What happened to PRIDE!!!! What happened to being the "United States?" I feel we can blame that idiot in Austin, and the GOP for this one... 

Believe me I definitely have lots more to say on this one... but I want to get the initial post up and try to save "face" for those of us, that do NOT agree with this madness!!!

Keeping you "up to date" on Ramblings of A Seasoned Soul

First of all, here is a "shorter link in amazon.com to get to my Author page and book, both Kindle and the book versions.

https://www.amazon.com/author/rhiasteele

Secondly, I want to give a huge Thanks out there to all that continue to send praises about my poetry, my very 1st published book, and just how proud they are of me. Even several of my doctors, and others around in our community that know already have given me congrats! cards etc. I am so filled with positive emotions to have people take the time to tell me how they feel! I am still busy trying to get it into our newspaper. We have not had time this week. After doctors visits 3 days in a row, along with everything else, I am hoping to get more done over the next few days and I am really thinking about getting another group of poetry together and go ahead with a 2nd book soon. I am working on writing my 1st "book, book", as I call it. I have several titles in my head, but I am not sure yet, thus I just say "THE BOOK" LOL!!! Again, I am so appreciative of all the wonderful things all are saying... Hugs Rhia

When Your "Gut" Tells you something is wrong, listen!

I just have to tell you very early this morning (my dog actually woke me up, so I just stayed up) . I had a visit to my Rheumy yesterday. I was telling him the entire ordeal about the double vision, and about the "specialist" that I went to, and he had this strange look on his face. Comes to find out, Jim and I were very "hit the nail on the head right" about that entire thing!!! My Rheumy was VERY FAMILIAR with this other doc. He had seen patients before that went to him and they had gotten caught into the same web if crap I did! First, the "HIGH" number of the "blood test" ran that this eye specialist did, was THE WRONG TEST! I had thought so. It tests more about inflammation and what it has to do with the HEART, not the temporal artery! 2nd of all this HIGH was NOT that far from NORMAL! He told me ay number of things could have caused that small of a shift in the inflammatory part, of which I HAVE, Lupus, RA etc. Then the BIOPSY was a total waste of TIME, MONEY and should not have been done unless other things indicated it really needed to be done. It was an invasive procedure, that is safe, BUT it can have its complications like anything else, like paralysis on that side of the face if they cut a nerve! One more thing, usually "eye specialists" do NOT treat Temporal Arteritis! It is an autoimmune disease that Rheumatologists usually treat!!! That other idiot should have sent me to my Rheumy with it. He said it is one of the most wrong diagnosed things, because many doctors often do not do the correct test and do not understand the numbers "that are off" enough to indicate this AI illness. We were both just about ready to fall out of our chairs when he told us all of this. Here we were basically saying the exact thing, I even hesitated twice and cancelled the biopsy, because I felt it was not needed from what all I had read. But this guy has you by the "ba-0s!) he is telling you that you could go blind, etc and making it sound like if you do not go through with the biopsy something bad will happen, and so forth, pressuring you to say you will have it done!!!! And here the guy is with a waiting room FULL OF PATIENTS, many I bet are not needing to be there, or may not be getting the proper treatment and so forth! Any doc that says he "sees" a 100 patients in a DAY something is off! I am starting back on the Humira and stopping the Orencia. He told me often people with chronic pain go through this issue. I had gotten some relief from the Humira, but the daily pain in general makes it harder for us to feel whether a new medication is really helping or not. We may think it is not, and then discover if you switch to something else, the first one WAS making a difference more than the 2nd one. Which is probably what happened in my case. I just thought the Humira was not helping as much as it really was until I tried a different biologic. Now I can tell it was helping me much more than I thought. Now that is not counting the ridiculous unprofessional situation I went through in the OR as I was just waking up from the anesthetic!!!! As we thought, that was over the top, and should not have happened whatsoever. I just felt like I as going through de ja' vue when I heard my Rheumy talking about all of this. We both looked and him and said thank you for verifying that we were not crazy, and all of our instincts and information we went through was correct! I never did really get the correct testing not diagnosis because all that was done was probably wrong. So, if we are well educated, and not stupid people, and it happened to us, can you imagine how much he makes off of those that do not go and research their own medical stuff? Or check out whether what a doctor is telling you sounds reasonable or ridiculous? IF your first "gut" instinct says something is OFF, than some is really more than likely, off.

Ready to end this Election Season...

I am sure I am not the only one sick and tired of the way we have been inundated with enough election media and information to last us at least another 4 years! It seems when we feel it cannot get any worse as far as media and some of the worst "lies" that ever comes from politicians mouths, the next election brings even more. This whole ordeal with "big corporations" being allowed to "foot the bill" on their favored candidate is a bunch of "Malarky" as VP Biden put it. What ever happened to the people having the say as to whom runs our nation??? Well, when a choice few with the big bucks can have more pull than the everyday people who are the ones that keep this nation running, then this world has turned upside down and inside out! I am so hoping, (and I know it ion the bottom of the totem pole list of things to do) that their is an overhaul of just how the election process is ran by the time another 4 years rolls around. We need some people in a group that are totally non-partisan, to get some road rules of the game set up where everyone is on an even playing field money wise, and this wanting an "id" to vote business, as well as lots of other issues that get swept under the rug after the election is over type thing. You can also probably ask 100 people on the streets about the "electoral vote" stuff, and none of them could tell you exactly how that is ran and what happens, and why it is supposed to work, as far as the election of our President goes. I think it is a totally antiquated system, that for the most part not one person in the everyday world really gets. Plus, I also do not think it is fair for one party to be able to cough up millions of dollars more for ads that should not even be on television, much less to have more pull just because of "monetary" means. OF course we all know the "GOP" loves the fact that the are the rich old cronies, that do have each others backs (even though they also stab each other in them)... and it just leaves an even keel when it comes to people and our voting rights. NOT ONE DIME OF MONEY should be able to influence an election. It should be totally decided by the people, and give them an open without cost (FREE ID'S if you need one to vote), plus if things like this electronic voting is causing longer lines where the elderly, as well as others  that are ill and so forth, the exact same level ground to place their vote, and that their vote counts the same as the person next door. To me, this electoral vote thing is an old and outdated way of allowing the GOP to have their fingers in the cookie jar as they usually do. They have done it since the beginning of time, and it is going to be that way forever unless we stand up and say we have had enough!!! I am also puzzled beyond belief that women would ever stand up and be counted in for Romney. He is a "womanizer" from way back. He would hurt his own Grand Mother if he thought he would benefit from it. He could car less about women's rights, from birth control to rape, and all of the things we, as women are entitled to. He could care less about Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, helping the elderly, or anyone that is in a "minority" situation. That man is for MONEY, GREED and Power!!! (and I am still writing on my "Greed" Post)... As I see it, I vote for who I feel can DO THE JOB as best as possible. I don't care if they are GOP, Democratic, or the neighbor down the street. As long as they can get our country out of debt, our people back to work, get Medicare and Social Security solvent, get us out of the war zones, help get more money in medical research and development, and truly handle what is important to the middle class, the working people... his "political race" does not matter to me. It is how he conducts his business when it comes to going about helping to put our business back in order.
I am sure I am stepping on some toes, but this is my feelings, and I am not going to dismiss yours at all. i just wanted to tell it from my point of view. I am ready for 4 MORE YEARS TO ALLOW PRESIDENT OBAMA, to straighten out more of the stuff in this nation that was screwed up YEARS BEFORE HE BECAME PRESIDENT!!!! As of late I have gotten to the point I feel the media has gotten so greedy also, they tend to stand more on the lines of "not really telling it all like it is". If they can manipulate a story or sensationalize it, then they get the attention, thus more money. I half way do not trust much of what I read or hear from our news media these days. It is just a matter of many of the "big wigs", have well forgotten us everyday folks, that want a home, a job, a car, to be able to take care of us and our families, and not be lied to, taken advantage of, neglected or have the life we work so hard for taken away by those who like reeking havoc around the globe. So, with the elections over tomorrow, my hope is that our President will be able to once again concentrate on what is truly important, jobs, housing, gas prices, food prices, education, our infrastructure, new and alternative energy sources, much more research for so many health problems, help for the elderly, disabled and less fortunate, getting our troops home, keeping our nation safe, keeping open lines across the globe and allies that are true to their word and want to help to make things safer and more peaceful. As we close the process tomorrow may we find a new direction, a new light, and a sense of some kind of peace, looking for a new dawn, and moving..... FORWARD!!!!!

In the Wake of A Monster Storm - More signs of the times...

It so so difficult to even think about the unfathomable amount of loss over the East Coast. As the stories continued to unfold, the loss of life, homes, everything for so many people, cities, entire towns, and our economic situation, we try to find reasons for why this has to happen. I know it has to be a question that runs through all of those in the wake of this "massive monster storm", as to why our country endures such a loss that is too big for words. Yesterday, as I went to run some errands, I happened to have to run to get my dogs some medication. There is a woman there I know, and she was in the process of getting the channel on the TV there to watch what was happening as far as the storm. We got to talking, and her comment was "She felt this was a "sign" of the times", which I feel the same in many ways about. These types of "Monster Storms", along with all types of unthinkable natural disasters are so difficult to view any other way. Then you take all of the other issues through out our nation and our entire world. From those who run through streets of entire towns killing innocent people, to those who march against all of us as terrorists to harm not only the USA but so many other countries around the globe. When you see a young person who is ready to strap a massive amount of material that will blow up or put it in a vehicle and know they will take their own lives "in the name of whatever" to hurt, maim, and do untold harm all around, those people are another sign of the times. We have untold amounts of people without jobs. Our water, our ground, our oceans, our air.... our food, everything we "intake" into our bodies is basically full of one type of contamination or another, whether it be "hormones" to make them grow quicker, or antibiotics, or preservatives, all of it in one way or the other must harm humans. We see massive forests disappearing, while more and more concrete takes over. Our air is so polluted, we see more children, and record numbers of adults that never had asthma now developing breathing and lung issues because our air is so full of contaminants. Our economic situation has not been this bad since the "Great Depression" and in my opinion it is "worse" in many ways that the depression of the 30's. We have so much GREED, corruption, negligence, and other types of those who choose to be more for themselves, than to help their fellow neighbor, that jobs for the "everyday" people are gone, We have "technologically" damaged our selves out of jobs. We have changed "main street" America into huge amount of businesses that offer more "title loans", pawn shops", "cash loans, gold buying places" rather than shoe stores and clothing shops. It is SAD when I drive through my small home town, and it seems every month yet another "Payday" loan, "title" loan, or pawn shop opens up, in what used to be places we bought items from local shop owners. I can count more than 10 to 12 of these types of businesses, and more coming in by the numbers. It almost makes me sick to see them. Thus, I feel the same as what she and I talked about, it is truly, a sign of what is coming very soon. We are headed for the end of times. We are headed for utter destruction; those that do not have their "business" in order(and I mean their "heart" and "soul" right with their Higher Power") should be truly thinking about that business, because in my heart, I feel ready. I added as I left from talking to her as she said what I felt.. we have taken "Higher Power" (I won't say God" since I feel everyone thinks of that entity in different ways), out of everything... out of our homes, schools (kids cannot even say a devotional as we did in my elementary school), and yes businesses and yes our government! I realize the separation of "church" and "state" BUT that does NOT mean to IGNORE WHO is the very essence of all people. Let's face it, we were a much better place, when we had our priorities straight in lives... putting the most important things first, saying grace, attending church, giving our children a solid foundation of morality to stand on... and I say morality, because that means how to treat others, how to run their lives right, without harm to others... teaching them RIGHT FROM WRONG, and parents these days just DON"T for the most part, look around... at all of the things that are just "wrong". yesterday, we went out to eat to celebrate my "1st book" being published...there were only a handful of people in this local buffet, and 3 of the women there honestly were so obese, to the point of not just obesity, but it was "morose" to even watch them fill plate after plate! with more food.... and GLUTTONY is the only word for it... these women did NOT have medical issues, or other things that were beyond their control making them that huge... they were all relatively young, well below the age of 40, some probably in their late 20's.  IT was to the point of being "repulsive" to think about eating, when we saw them continue to walk by with full sized plates, one after the other FULL and overflowing with food. I don't mean to be offensive at all. I am NOT talking about those who have weight issues that truly cannot help it. Those with medical issues, and other reasons that they are overweight have nothing to do with what we saw yesterday evening. Even I worry about my own weight due to the medication of Prednisone I take. It is a small dose, but it is daily, and it can cause weight issues if I don't keep a daily watch on my diet and exercise. But, these types of issues, look around at our young people, they I would say 60 percent of them overweight or obese in our society now days. These are just a few things that all point to there is a short time left here. I am NO PROPHET!! I don't "foresee" the future and I am not some fanatic... I am merely giving out what I see, hear, and feel in my own heart and mind.... things are out of control and we should stand back and really survey our lives, and decide what truly is important today, tomorrow, and the days we have left...none of us know that day, that moment... but for us that believe we do know it is all unfolding...

The Amazon.com LInk To Ramblings of a Seasoned Soul "Brush Strokes of Life In Words"

Here is the OFFICIAL AMAZON.COM link to my New Book! I am so totally thrilled!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Ramblings-Seasoned-Soul-Strokes-Volume/dp/1461061946/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351633040&sr=8-1&keywords=Ramblings+of+a+seasoned


It is also listed below in the post from yesterday, but I wanted to make sure it was visible.... Hope all is well with you and yours across the country.... My heart and prayers go out to all on the Eastern Sea Board.... I have had you on my mind since 3:30 am.... Rhia

Ramblings of a Seasoned Soul "Brush Strokes of Life in Words"

                                         Ramblings of A Seasoned Soul
                                 Brush Strokes of Life through Words

 https://www.createspace.com/3587328?ref=1147694&utm_id=6026&fb_action_ids=4425618113428&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582


It is Done!!! Finally after so many years, way more than 30, I have published my very first book! I pray there will be several more to follow! For most of my life, I have written, poetry, journal writing, just writing. I write for all kinds of reasons, through pain, happiness, sadness, strife, chronic illness, love, laughter, and life above all!!! I promised myself that before I take that one last breath, I would get a book published! TODAY October 29th, 2012, is another one of those monumental days of life that make you feel you are standing a top your own mountain and not one soul could ever make you roll down again! But, those rolls down are what gave me all of the words to make this book and the ones to follow reality.
I am excited to share these poems with my family, friends, and all of those that have been an inspiration along the way. My favorite song lyrics (one of many) has always been "when they carve my stone, all they need to write on it, is once lived a girl who got all she ever wanted, tell me something... who could ask for more.... to be living in a moment... you would die for... alas this is one of those shining moments... a day in my own life that is one of infamy! My hopes are that in reading these works of life, love, pain, and all that go into the spaces in between, you are moved to climb to your own mountain top... and stay there, with the sun shining upon your face. To all that continue to inspire me.... I am honored.....

Rhiannon


HERE!!! is the OFFICIAL Amazon.com link to my new book!

Ramblings of a Seasoned Soul - Amazon.com Link

For All in Harm's Way of this Massive Storm of Destruction Please Heed the Warnings... our prayers are with you...

As I scurry to read about this massive possibly deadly and most certainly destructive storm, I like so many thousands and thousands across the nation and world are thinking and praying for all in harm's way. It is so difficult to fathom Mother Nature can decide to throw such a massive natural disaster our way and within moments, take live and turn it upside down. But, it can certainly do that within the blink of an eye. speaking of the "eye" gosh, in looking at the size of this monster, just the cloud cover alone tells you the drama that is about to unfold over the entire Eastern Coast Line.... When it is going to possibly effect the Great Lake's around Chicago, with a storm surge, as I believe I read, the just slowly begins to allow me to understand the horrid amount of damage to possible life, and then to thin of how many lives will be effected in one way or the other by this storm as it comes through on its very slow path. From dumping more than a foot of snow in the mountains of Virginia, to flooding possibly the New York and New Jersey subways, to storm surges that could wipe out entire towns, it tells us we ARE NOT IN CONTROL!!! The only control we have is to make a "smart" choice early enough, and get the heck out of the way of this monstrous and massive Lady Storm... Honestly she is NO LADY but more like a "BIATCH!"... hella, helluva, or however you want to put if, it is one hell-a-cious disaster in the making. I realize just the thought of losing everything... your mementos, your memories, your home, and possibly everything you have acquired in your entire life is a night mare... and it must be hell having to leave so much behind, BUt saving your family and your life is so much more important. SO, PLEASE if they are telling you to get the heck out of this storms way, and evacuate... please heed those warnings and get to where you are safe... your life is so much more important, and memories can remain in your heart, items and things can be replaced... and you can put that back together... even though it is extremely difficult.... I know due to living in "tornado alley" there have been times I was not sure I would have a home or not over the years when the huge Cat 5 and even the smaller tornado's roll in you wonder what will be left within moments after ward... and often it is nothing... but all that are in the path of destruction I hope do truly get to safety.... remember all of you are in our thoughts and prayers over the coming days... and realize even when it passes it can be far from over due to whatever Sandy decides to dump in your area...