Author Archives: Betsy

My “Shining” Moment

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Betsy

[paypal-donation] About 20 years ago I was on the board of directors of a computer software users group. We were planning our annual convention to be held in Orlando, and took a trip down to meet with the hotel and … Continue reading →

Posted in Strange but True | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Overcoming Fear of Heights

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Betsy

Fear of heights can take different forms. One form is Vertigo, a feeling of dizziness triggered by looking from a height. With normal dizziness, a person will feel that their surroundings are spinning or moving. Vertigo is different in that … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-help | Comments Off on Overcoming Fear of Heights

Future of the Book

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Betsy

(notes from panel at Spring 2011 Gaithersburg Book Festival) Participants: Michael Norris, Editor, Book Publishing Report Jed Lyons, President & CEO, Rowman & Littlefield (publishing) Geoff Shandler, Editor-in-Chief,  Little, Brown & Co. (publishing) Mark LaFramboise, Book seller and lead book … Continue reading →

Posted in Nuts and Bolts | Comments Off on Future of the Book

Warning Signs of Unhealthy Relationships

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Betsy

There’s an old tale about cooking a live frog by starting it in a pot of cold water. The frog could easily jump out of the pot, but the water is comfortable so it stays put. The water heats up … Continue reading →

Posted in Plugs, Self-help | Comments Off on Warning Signs of Unhealthy Relationships

Naturopathy

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Betsy

The earth’s cup is overflowing with a healing draught for you there’s a wholeness Nature’s holding in the gray and green and blue Deep in hidden places is the tranquility you need to hear the perfect tapestry in the brush … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy of Life, Poetry | 1 Comment

Father’s Day at the Beach

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Betsy

Flash fiction challenge–genre: humor, theme: Father’s Day at the Beach, Focus: a purple turtle, limit: 715 words (won first place) My folks always seemed very conservative to me, so it was a shock when I hit thirty and they declared … Continue reading →

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Games

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Betsy

This piece was written for a short story contest with the following constraints: max 715 words, genre – Suspense, theme – Family Reunion,  focus – a red scarf. It won first place. Cousin Katy was different from the rest of our … Continue reading →

Posted in Flash Fiction | 4 Comments

Guest Blog: The 10 Commandments for Authors (re: Legitimate Publishers)

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Betsy

Today’s entry is a guest blog by Hank Shrier of GBN publishing, who graciously agreed to allow me to use it for my first guest blog. It was originally posted in the LinkedIn group: Independently Published Author’s Marketing Association. 1. … Continue reading →

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Sidewalks to Nowhere

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Betsy

I first saw them in Kentucky. Near where I grew up is Land Between the Lakes, a wilderness park created by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). It is land that falls between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkely–lakes created by TVA … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy of Life | Comments Off on Sidewalks to Nowhere

PTSD Survivors Speak: We Have To Wake Up!

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Betsy

This post was originally a guest blog I wrote for http://healmyptsd.com   “Heal My PTSD” is a support group for survivors with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). All PTSD is not the same. As survivors, we have different traumas and different experiences before and after … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy of Life, Self-help | Comments Off on PTSD Survivors Speak: We Have To Wake Up!