The Next Stage

I'm sitting at my new desk - the table of my motor home whom I've called Lucinda.
I'm watching cockatoo and crow fossick through the un-mown grass searching for any food droppings from other campers.
Much loved crystals glisten in the sun beside me.

No coffee at the Red Door today.  Instead a plunger brew of Gloria Jean's and two spoons of an exotically spiced sugar, made by a friend, to chai it along.

I haven't been able to write until now.  I needed to get back in touch with the earth, her energy and that sense of oneness which somehow evades me in city and town life - even in a village as beautiful as Leura.

From my last blog until I moved out of the house I was renting, life was frantic. Packing up a household and moving it into storage is never easy.  Cleaning, clearing and organising is stressful and exhausting.

Then getting photographic gear to Adrian in Vietnam after his camera was stolen, and solving internet communication problems in China only added to the pressure.

Finally there were the farewells with friends ... one possibly forever.

Yes a frantic and turbulent period.  As I drove off in my new 'snail' home for a test run - a one week trip to Sydney and Camden, I heaved a sigh of relief.

In Sydney I saw two people who may assist with promotional ventures for Downloading Spirit later in the year.  After this I briefly returned to Blackheath before leaving for Dubbo to see my horse Orlando.

Orlando is from an earlier time in my life; my time as a farmer and horse breeder. He's a beautiful straight Egyptian stallion I imported from Germany.  About six months ago he had an accident and severed the extensor tendon in his left leg. This was then complicated by a stress founder in his right hoof, his pedal bone rotating through the sole of his foot.  Both conditions are life threatening, but together ... ?

It's been a long haul.  He's not completely out of the woods yet ... the healing and recovery will take another 8-12 months, but he will make it barring any further complications.

I wanted to be near him again.  No, I needed to be near him again.

I also want to see parts of Australia I've never seen, and see where I'd like to live and buy my next home.  Possibly a few acres where I can be with Orlando and my dogs, in touch with the earth again.  Lucinda, my motor home was the ideal solution.

So here I am, parked at Terramagamine Reserve, just out of Dubbo, on the Macquarie River,
only a few kilometres up the road from Orlando.  I'm looking out onto the Macquarie River whose banks are lined with majestic gums and Silky Oaks.










I slip easily into that numinous space of oneness, wrapped in the warmth of the sun and rainbow crystal light dancing around me.

I'm looking at ways of promoting Downloading Spirit here in Dubbo.  Promoting a book is not an easy thing.  It's another lesson in life that re-enforces the reality that nothing is simple or easy.  You always have to go through an immense learning curve.

To keep Downloading Spirit and my travels as separate (though linked) parts of my life, I've started a travel blog called Raven's Road.

My next Downloading Spirit entries will give excerpts from the book, which may lead to comments and discussion.  It's now in print and available to purchase.  It can be ordered through bookstores and is available on line or through either of my websites.

Producing it has taken seven years of my life - time now for the next stage, to promote and sell it, and complete the writing of Book Two, Downloading Spirit, Gaia and Galactica.

Goodnight after a busy day.

Again it's been a busy day ... going to Sydney to set up events to promote Downloading Spirit and learn even more about the business of being a writer.

This weekend, I'm attending a workshop on this subject.  Writing a book is one thing ... publishing, marketing, promoting and distributing it is another thing altogether.  

The only thing I know for sure is ... I'm learning.  So, here it is, time for bed.  

This morning I saw on Facebook another version of this video I've uploaded.  It was posted by a friend.  I was not able to upload it to my blog; due no doubt to my lack of knowledge.  However, I persevered.  Whilst this version is a little different, it is also very beautiful; a key to unlock the door to meditation.

A wonderful way to end the day.

No one goes throughout life without suffering.  The great gift we receive from this is expanding and developing our ability to be compassionate, and not judge.

Peace and sleep well.  I know I shall ... I'm very tired.

Off - into the wild blue yonder.

It's now after 9.00 pm.  This is definitely the last blog for the day.
I'll probably have a few days off after this.
But check in regularly, the updates will be more frequent.

So what is it that's likely to happen, that I hinted at in my 2nd blog of the day?

I've bought myself a motor home.

I'm about to become a grey nomad and head off into the wild blue yonder.

Downloading Spirit is ready for launch.  August 12th is the date.
You know it seems a good idea, not only to keep on blogging,
but to spread the message as I travel around this vast land of Australia.
Maybe even have talks about Downloading Spirit in the many places
I visit.

I'll also get to finish the final three chapters of 

Downloading Spirit - 

Book 11 - Gaia and Galactica.

It's exciting.  A whole new world to explore ... meeting new people ... wow!

Walk through all your difficulties, your fears, hold to love and life, 

and remember,

we create what we think.

I'll be online throughout my travels.
Stay in touch and share your thoughts with me.
Let me know what you think of the book ...what you think of my discoveries.

Well I started the day with a "cuppa" - think it's time to finish the day with one.
I'm tired.  It has been a long day.

Sleep well everyone.  Catch you again soon.

Nama Amida Butsu.

Rest and Recuperation.

Rest and Recuperation.  How good is that?

For the next few weeks, it's time for me to re-gather my thoughts, re-organise everything that has been neglected for so long, and replenish my soul.

I need to do this because I'm about to re-undertake two ventures I'd hoped to complete  about 18 months ago and in April-May of this year.

I've now realised there were things to which I hadn't fully attended. Also, that they were linked in a way I had not seen. Consequently, there have been two false starts.

However, I've survived, and learnt.  I'm still loving, now laughing and so keen to just get on with my life.  I know I'll always learn.

It's almost time to effectively launch my work of the last 8 years.

So I'm perched on a peaceful branch, in a serene place, tidying things up, preparing and resting.

I'm going to get my hair done, who knows, I might even have a facial.  Not that it will do this time and weatherbeaten face much good anymore, BUT, it makes you feel good.  Instead of being frazzled and exhausted, I am excited and eager.

Still full of life, I have reached the age and stage of the Crone. 

The third aspect of the female trinity.  

It's time for Downloading Spirit to go out to the world.  

It tells the story of some of the things I have learnt on this journey we call life.  It is my extrapolation of what Spirit has downloaded to me.

May it fulfill its purpose.  May it prove worthwhile reading for many.

The book will be available as both a paperback and hard back, for sale on Amazon on the 12th August, 2012.  It will be available through my website, and as an e-book for Kindle.

You will be able to order it through bookstores, Ex Libris and other online distributors.

Stay tuned, in keeping with trilogies and trinities, there could well be a third blog this evening.

Nama Amida Butsu ...

Peace at last, I return to my core.

I woke at 5.30 am.  It was dark still, and I went to the kitchen to make a cup of tea to take back to bed with me.  I enjoy being able to contemplate/meditate quietly, sipping a 'cuppa' watching the sun come up.  It hasn't happened for me in a while.

Waiting for the kettle to boil I  went to get my computer to take back to bed with me.  "Maybe I'll feel like writing that pregnant, gestating blog that's been brewing in me", I thought.



I looked out into the garden, through the trees to behold a vibrant sliver crescent moon surrounded by the brightest stars, and I thought: "It's been so long since I have been in touch with the sky and the earth."  A feeling of joy ran through me as I connected again with the Moon and the stars.






Tea made, I put my pugs back to bed.  They thought because I was up it was breakfast time.  But no, it's back to bed time, for all of us.

I turned lights off, drew my bedroom curtains, and sat in bed watching the pink intense glow of morning slowly lighten the sky, and cause those beautiful stars and sliver of moon to fade.  The silhouette of the trees still dominates, but colour is coming into the plants just outside my window.  Greys become green, bricks and clay dirt become a kind of ochre pink.

And so it's day.  And unbelievably, I'm writing a blog again.

I've been wanting to do this since the end of May, when I valiantly, believe me, valiantly, tried to focus my thoughts back on Downloading Spirit.

It wasn't meant to be. Still too many family and personal duties to fulfill.  Now that is done.  I hope.  I have each day a sense of greater freedom to pursue everything I wish to do with Downloading Spirit.

I have a so much news to tell you, but now it's daytime and two pugs are letting me know in no uncertain terms that it's time to go outside, and need I say it, breakfast.

Stay tuned today,  I'll be jotting bits and pieces, when I have a break in what I suspect is going to be a very busy day.

Back soon.

Is as much happening in your world as in mine?

My last blog was at the end of the London Book Fair.  I was tired, but ecstatic.

It was my intention to continue writing two to three times each week as I'd been doing for the previous month or so.

I like doing that because I see the stats rise continually and sharply.  I have the occasional comment, which is like gold, and I feel satisfied that the news of what's happening re Downloading Spirit is getting out there.

So much for my good intentions.

I actually started writing blogs on three occasions after I left London, but somehow with everything that was going on, I didn't get around to doing the editing and tidying up before publishing.  In France I almost did it, but I had internet problems, and my computer crashed.  Communication systems in France seemed to be generally erratic and frustrating ... at least they were for me.

When I got to Germany things seemed to be working again.  Is that weird or what?

Consequently when I started to write today, I re-discovered three unpublished blogs from the past.
Once I publish this, I'll post them over the next week to ten days.
Hopefully, you'll manage to fit them in to the sequence of my hectically busy life.

In Germany and Holland I was still so busy catching up with family and friends, I barely had time to scratch myself, let alone write.

Before I knew it I was flying back home.

Orlando

No sooner was I off the plane than I had a phone call telling me that Orlando, my beautiful Egyptian stallion, had had an accident and there are life threatening complications.  I'll know the prognosis tomorrow.  Please join me in praying and meditating for his recovery.

A disrupted night's sleep, and I'm on my way again.  This time driving for the next sixteen hours covering a distance equivalent to a road trip from Paris to Poland.


So here I am, shell-shocked, exhausted and wondering when calmness and sanity will return to my life ...  and this is not all that's happening.
Well at least I'm not bored.

These times are extraordinary whether we consider our personal lives or the world at large.  Day to day events are often a wild storm of chaos challenging and changing our lives and our world in so many ways.

This week there is an annular Solar Eclipse in Gemini, followed in two weeks time by the Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius.  Shortly thereafter Venus transits the Sun, also in Gemini.  At this time Venus will move ... as a tiny black spot ... across the face of the Sun.  This is very rare.

I'm a Gemini ... maybe this could have something to do with all that's happening in my life.
One thing is for sure ...

It's a time of change, and it's happening to us all ... endings and new beginnings.

I have a sense that overall, it's good.  Even though it's challenging, if we take the time to calmly assess everything, love and believe in ourselves, the right decisions will be made.

In the meantime we get on with living our lives ... coping with all the extremities and challenges we face.

I have come to view life as the greatest opportunity I've ever been given ... a gift beyond measure, no matter what I encounter.  I always seem to find that moment of oneness and bliss.  That brief moment which makes it all worthwhile.

It doesn't last that long ... but it always returns.

It's the same old thing again.  Walk through the fears of the negatives, see them as lessons, signs that guide us to the right path, and move on with love embracing the positives, creating a new and better life.

Exhilarated, excited, exhausted, ecstatic ... how's that for alliteration.

Here is the update, promised in the last update on the update.  The photos arrived this morning, so I'm a little late in publishing the latest news.  I wanted to include the following image.

Irina Webster (Australian Self Publishing Group) and myself at London Book Fair.

The final day of the Book Fair brought even more joy ... another two requests to submit to publishers.

Amazingly this brings the number of submission requests to five.  Two from US publishers, one from Scotland, and two from England.  One request is very much due to the forewood that John Woodcock was generous and kind enough to write for me after he read Downloading Spirit.

While I've been here I've learnt so much about the publishing, printing, designing and distribution aspects of the book industry.  So many countries are represented at this Book Fair.

You can get quotes from companies from countries all over the world, for printing, designing, distributing both e-books and bound books if you want to self publish.  I'm awaiting quotes in all areas.

It's important that the book is printed in one of three sizes, which are most favoured by the booksellers.  It's important your books have what's known as returnability to whoever does the distribution or publishing.

Publishers want to know if and how you promote yourself, e.g. blogging, networking, workshops, book signings, speaking engagements ...

Agents and publishers usually concentrate on certain genres.

It's so important for a writer trying to get published for the first time, particularly if they are self publishing, to find a group of like minded people who can help you to reach a learning venue such as the London Book Fair.

I was represented here by the Australian Self Publishers Group.  William and Irina Webster were the people who enabled me to gain access to the London Book Fair.  I thank them for the support, positive suggestions and the introductions they assisted me with.

The other amazing and wonderful thing with the LBF, is that often you get to speak with the CEO's of companies like Amazon and leading publishers in the genre covering one's book.

You just have to get up the courage to overcome your fears of rejection, of believing in what you've done sufficiently, to give it a go.  To go up to the person concerned, introduce yourself, and ask questions.

I'll say it again.  Walk through your fear.  Shine your light, for the world to see.


As Molly, my mother taught me back in the days when most parents told their children to be seen and not heard ... Molly my Mum taught me You have a tongue in your head, Jannie, use it.


This is what I've done here in London.  I've walked my talk and promoted Downloading Spirit, grateful that so many heard me.

So here I am, tired, chilling out and getting over the exhaustion of this marketing and learning experience. Getting my book out to the world has been an amazing experience.

It's been an exhilarating and exciting, roller coaster time here in London for me.

Again I've realised so clearly that being true to yourself, and living your life authentically is the only fulfilling and meaningful way to live.

Walk through your fears and live your life with love.