VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

Working online from home seems to be the most picture perfect scenario anyone can imagine. Earning a work from home income obviously offers it advantages but with it comes a certain mental stress that is easily overlooked until you've actually experience it. With the growth and success many are achieving in online marketing, more people are starting a small business in their homes. Although this does allow folks to escape the traditional 'rat race' as we know it, these types of businesses are still fertile grounds for work related stress. No longer 'slaving away' in a 'formal' work environment no doubt, offers its attractions but work is still work. The associated tensions and anxieties still exist and need to be addressed. Due mainly to the solitude or isolation online entrepreneurs typically experience when working at home many stress related issues often go unnoticed. This can set the stage for even greater damaging effects if this stress is left unc...

There is no better way to start your day than to see waiting in your inbox an email like this . . . You have been awarded the Versatile Blogger Award. I was so excited to open my email not because I won this award, but because Lynn A. Davidson had this to say, “You are a true inspiration, I am glad to have discovered your blog.” What an honor it is to not only been given this award by Lynn, but also knowing I have touched someone with the things I am sharing here on The Writing Mama. So now that Lynn has given me this wonderful surprise I feel I need to not only thank Lynn (who’s blog you can visit at: http://lynnadavidson.wordpress.com ), but all of you who come to read my ramblings, articles, and interviews with other writers. If you all believe in me like Lynn does . . . then I will not worry or be intimidated by this award. I will continue to share my writing journey with you all even if I do end up living in a trashcan one day instead of on top of the best-sellers list. Thanks...

Tonight August 16 8 PM CENTRAL - A GOOD STORY IS A GOOD STORY with Host Marsha Casper Cook, April Robins, Freda Roberts, and Virginia S. Grenier. Their guest this week is Carolyn Howard – Johnson. Marketing Matters. Carolyn is going to discuss the importance of marketing . She has a series of book that have won multiple awards. She’s an author, speaker, publishing consultant and book promoting coach. She is a one woman show and a very special woman. She has helped many writers learn how to do the impossible – market their work using techniques that are affordable. Her expertise has helped put writers on the map She was awarded Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment by the California Legislature; her home town's Character and Ethics Commission honored for her work on promoting tolerance and the Pasadena Weekly named her to their list of "San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen" for literary activism. American Women's Business Association (ABWA)...

Children's author and inspirational writer, Donna J. Shepherd, looks at everyday life and finds God's fingerprints everywhere. From bird watching to the Beatitudes, Donna's writing touches the heart with wisdom and humor while feeding the mind with daily portions of God's Word. A columnist for The Dabbling Mum, NABBW, and CWAHM , she has hundreds of articles and devotionals to her credit. Her devotions and stories appear in Daily Grace for Women, Anytime Prayers for Everyday Moms, and The Best Grandma in the World to name a few. Donna's children's books - Topsy Turvy Land, No More Gunk! & OUCH! Sunburn!, Chizzy's Topsy Tale, Dotty's Topsy Tale, Sully's Topsy Tale, Bradybug, and Poodle & Doodle feature short, playful rhymes and humorous illustrations. Future releases include a book of devotions and children's book, Salami. Donna is also a voiceover artist and singer and founded the Greater Harvest Workshops where she and multi-publi...

Boy have I been emailing like crazy today. I don't think I have sent so much time on email in months. Today, I finished formatting the SFC Newsletter for Writers, so must of my emailing was making sure all the subscribers received their newsletter. I'm sure many of them were excited to see it since I took the month of July off. There was a lot of information and tips this month to share with the ever growing subscriber list. The other task that still has me emailing is Stories for Children Magazine. I say still because I'm only taking a break right now to post here on The Writing Mama. I needed a nice change of pace for a short bit before I start my crazy emailing routine yet again. Okay . . . okay, I'll share what I'm up to with Stories for Children Magazine. As many of you know, I put the magazine on hiatus due to the birth of my baby girl and being sick with H1N1 at the end of last year. How I have missed working with all of the talented authors and illustrator...

Okay, one of my FB friends posted this movie trailer and after watching I felt moms everywhere needed to see it. I don't know about you, but I'm going to be taking some 'me' time to watch this movie. From what I saw in this little clip . . . it summed up what my blog is all about. Enjoy!

Write about a brief but scary encounter with one of your old professors. If you don’t have a story from college then use someone you used to work with or old classmate. Try to really set the scene and who knows . . . maybe a great mystery or horror story will come of it.

Back-to-school is here at my house. The kids go back this coming Wednesday. Hard to believe the summer is over already. I’m hoping with a few hours a day with only one child at home, I’ll be able to really tackle my weight lose goal with more exercise. It’s been raining cat and dogs here the last couple of days. This means my trusted old treadmill has been getting as much of a workout as I have. LOL. And that brings me to my tip this week. With colder weather around the corner, it may be harder to get out walking or running. I know where I live there are two times a year where getting outside to get exercise is hard. Late summer and wintertime. It is either too hot or too cold. I’m sure a lot of you know what I mean. That’s when I break out the workout videos or get on my treadmill. What has been a great motivator for me to get on the treadmill is catching up on my favorite shows. I tell myself the only way I can watch the latest episode of Lie To Me or Haven is if I ho...

I just had to share the news. This coming Monday, at 8 pm Central - A GOOD STORY IS A GOOD STORY with Host Marsha Casper Cook, April Robins, Freda Roberts, and Virginia S. Grenier, will be having a very interesting discussion. Author Tess Gerristen is ... going to be our guest on this exciting show. Tess has agreed to a one on one interview with Fran Lewis. Fran’s interview will focus on her latest novel Ice Cold. This book brings to light several major issues that are current in the news today. This book is based on a real life incident that she will discuss with Tess. Tess is a bestselling author and is also a doctor. She brings to her novels first-hand knowledge and experience working in emergency and autopsy rooms. Her interests vary and span a much larger spectrum than just medical topics. As an undergraduate in the anthropology at Stanford University, Tess cataloged centuries-old human remains, and continues to travel the world. Tess is a full-time mom, novelist. Sh...

Kat Michaels lives in Upstate New York with her children and husband and a Morkie named Max. Her passion for children only increased after the premature birth of her son Evan, who weighted two pounds seven ounces at birth. Evan has taught his mother that miracles exist for all of us as long as we are willing to see them. As an advocate for children's causes Kat will help raise money to benefit any organization involved with the welfare of children. Kat writes not only for the child on our lap but also for the child inside each of us and hopes to touch the hearts off all her readers. VS : Kat, I have known you for a while from writing social sites. Actually, I think our paths crossed back when I was starting out. You have been an inspiration to me on my road to publication, so it is a real treat to have you here today on The Writing Mama. Now you are parent, but I don’t know how many children you have or what their ages are. Would you mind sharing a little bit about your...