Kittie Howard


Monday, May 14, 2012

"The Power of Positive Thinking"

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993) had it right in his best-selling book, "The Power of Positive Thinking."  It works.  What with your insight into the situation with the book about my family, hub's in-put, and my decision to get out of my funk (for it was self-inflicted, as most are) and think positive, I actually feel stronger, more empowered to get on with the book. Every day can't be opening night; life's like that. So I'm very grateful for your words of wisdom and emotional support and thank you from the heart.

I would also like to thank followers I met through the A-Z Challenge for joining me. I'm purring over new themes to explore and all there is to learn.  Blogville is an amazing, wonderful place that never ceases to delight. However, by now, I should have been by to visit you.  If not, er, there's a slight problem:  I can't link to you.  Please check your avatar to see if it links to your blog.  Sometimes I can find a blog by Googling, but if the photo isn't precise and multiple names pop up, I'm at a loss.  It's very frustrating! *sighs*

And thank you and hugs to Caron Rider, Author (she's a sweetie) for the


Yep, the award brought a smile.  I'm supposed to pass the award on to five people (along with some questions).  I kid you not, this was difficult so decided to go with the last five blogs I opened.  If you've got a sec, please drop by Caron Rider (link above image) and those below.  You won't be disappointed.

Nancy Thompson

Joylene Nowell Butler

Thyra

Vagablonde

Muses and Meringues

Now, I'm supposed to answer some questions:

1. Who are your favorite authors and what is it that strikes you about their work?
There are so many, but Alexander McCall Smith tops the list.  He's a philosopher, actually, who knows how to tell a layered story.  I like a little meat on the bone when I snuggle up with a book.



2. If you were stranded on a deserted island, and were allowed to bring 3 items with you, what would they be? A short wave radio, flares, and an umbrella lined with Diet Pepsi.  (Oh, but I don't like being in the sun!)



3. Where do you see yourself in five (5) years?
Owning a hotel on said island above.


4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Right here in the U.S.A.  Ain't no place like home sweet home.



5. Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?
It depends on where I'll read the book.  I buy all three. 


6. If you could be any character (male or female) from your book who would you pick? And why?
Madeleine. She's got 'it' - whatever 'it' is.


7. Where and/or how did you get your inspiration to write "Remy Broussard's Christmas?"
I'm not going to say where this happened, but not that long ago, I was waiting for a connecting flight near the boarding gate when a very old African-American lady sat next to me and asked if I would tell her when the flight was called (as this was her first time to fly and she was nervous).  Of course, I agreed. The three white women (two across, one to my right) stared at each other, glared at me, and got up and moved to a different section of the seating arrangement. One whispered something ugly to me when I boarded the plane.  I thought, "Oh, no, here we go again" and decided if I ever wrote a book it would involve a certain era in our history. Hence, "Remy Broussard's Christmas" opened the era's door with the unspeakable poverty that existed that led to much. My present WIP involves the KKK. And I'm not mincing words.  (BTW, Remy's available for now (but not forever) for 99 cents as commissions will be donated to the Wounded Warrior's Foundation (but commissions still donated to the Foundation when price goes up). If you can, shake that piggy bank and click Remy's highlighted link!)


8. What were the best parts about writing this book?
Quiet reflections about being a part of a larger whole. 


9. Do you manage to write every day? Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?
Oh, heavens, no -- gotta live to write and not often with writer's block. 


10. What do you do when you’re not writing? Any hobbies or party tricks? :)
Well, I like a tidy house and well-balanced meals so keep busy on that front, but more to the spiritual point, I've got to get out and smell the roses.  Years ago, I read, "If the ball doesn't go round, it won't bounce." That suited me. I like life with a little bounce to it.

21 comments:

Danilo Sergio Pallar Lemos said...

Obrigado por acessar e seguir meu blog.
wwwsabereducar.blogspot.com

Suze said...

An umbrella lined with Diet Pepsi -- now that is a unique answer.

I am happy to read that you are out of a funk. You certainly don't belong in one, bright star.

Lisa said...

Congratulations Kittie. Positive thinking can build hotels! And yes there is no place like home but being stranded on an island can sound like an adventure sometimes.

Beth said...

Thanks for the award, Kittie!

I was so shocked to read what you wrote about the inspiration for Silver Knight. It's appalling that such attitudes still exist, but that's why it's even more important that we shed light on them.

Sarah Ahiers said...

I try to think positive all the time. Sometimes i'm better at it than others. I just don't like to worry if i don't have to, you know?

Out on the prairie said...

Some fun thoughts to share, congrats on the award

Myne said...

I love your answers and they made me reflect on life too. Have a lovely week :)

Caron Rider, Author said...

No problems Kittie! :) It might actually increase sales if people thought you wrote it! lol! You have such loyal followers. :)

Have a Sunshiny week!

Shallee said...

Positive thinking is such a huge help on everything! I'm glad it helped you get back into things!

Liza said...

Love that saying about the ball. That is a keeper!

Rosalind Adam said...

I have a copy of Dr Peale's book on my book shelf and it's helped me through some difficult times but it's not easy being positive.

The A to Z always throws up new ideas for me too. It's well worth the difficult month, isn't it.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Congratulations, Kittie! And thank you. Wow, my head's spinning. It's been an awesome week and it's only Tuesday. I'm very grateful to be mention with these bloggers. Such a treat.

Big huge tight cyberhugs!

Romance Book Haven said...

Congrats on moving forward and positive thinking. Your post today is very insightful!

Vagabonde said...

I thank you very much Kittie for this award. You may not have noticed but on the top side of my blog I have a little bird and it says “This is a blog free award….” I did that a couple of years ago. So I am sincerely pleased that you thought about me, but I cannot accept it because I have refused others and it would not be fair to them. I am getting my suitcase ready for another trip in the morning, but I’ll come back next week to read your posts.

Crack You Whip said...

Congrats! You deserve many awards and glad to hear you not feeling funky anymore!

Hilary said...

I've read The Power of Positive Thinking and it does indeed have a number of tidbits to keep close at hand and in mind. I'm glad you're on an upward swing. Thanks for your recent visit to my blog. :)

lesapeamusings.blogspot said...

Bravo on the award. I was glad to learn more about you.

Lisa x

Angela said...

Congrats on your award! I wish I were good with the well-balanced meals and the tidy house. I think it's great that you are. Maybe, someday, I'll have the same bounce to my step that you do.

Irish Italian Blessings said...

I loved this! I want to come on your island with you, I'll bring the ginger ale and you can have the diet pepsi!

momto8blog said...

a fun post to read...fun to know about fellow bloggers...and so interesting to me to read about a published author...good for you!!
I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

J.L. Campbell said...

Hi, Kittie,
I have to agree that positive thinking helps pull us out of some dark places.

Wonderful inspiration for your book, as mentioned in the things you shared. Congrats on the award.