Once again, the end of month is upon me, but this time I am ready. I had a goal and I achieved it. So unusual, especially in these last few months. I have to be honest though and say I can’t take the credit. The floor goes to Mission statements and goals.
Inspiration came from a blog I follow, and it entailed understanding the differences between mission statements and goals. Or rather goal setting and goal accomplishment as vital to any success. Please don’t assume I don’t know the difference(s). I do. What I don’t know is why having written them, I have forgotten to act. Consequently, I went in and looked at what I had written. All seemed good in writing but this brain of mine forgot that goals should support our mission statement and the best way to do that is to not forget that writing is a business.
Forgive the paraphrasing from the post I read. Briefly it says a goal is specific and has a definite time frame. A mission statement on the other hand, is a broader statement that defines an individual or organization’s purpose, values, and overall objectives.
I thought I had specific, believed I had a time frame but somehow they (yes, more than one) ran away from me. Then again, where was my specific plan outlining my steps? Did I dream it all because airy fairy enters the conversation at this point. Goals achieved are things done. Things done keep your business afloat. True, I have done things, but the order is skewered. Consequently, I am moving along very slowly.
Bachir Bastien, life coach and blogger and I suspect a lot more, has defined the mission statement as such:
“A mission defines the fundamental reason for the existence of an individual or organization. Your mission permeates every aspect of your life and represents the bedrock of your goals and activities. In summary, while your mission statement provides a framework for decision-making, your goals give you direction and provide you with a way of measuring your progress.”
At this stage I could show you my mission statement. I won’t but if you are interested go to my website and my About me page. There is no point in my showing you something I am only doing half-heartedly. It’s time to plan, small steps but plan. Who knows I might actually get my third book publishing ready and start on the fourth. Thanks, Bachir, I need a reminder.
Laura Kinch
Meantime, please meet delightful and quirky Indie author/Lego queen who writes young adult literature and is super good at getting things done.
I started writing fanfiction in my teens, and you know what it’s like, the plot bunnies kept multiplying until I created my own characters and worlds. My name is Laura Kinch, and I write young adult, sci-fi and fantasy
As a mechanical engineer, a far cry from writing fiction so I thought until I realised both involve a level of creativity. My novels have a bit of tech, at least one engineer, and a smattering of technobabble. It’s also a heap of fun to put my problem-solving skills to work, particularity figuring out how to get my characters out of the messes they (okay, really me as the author!) have got themselves into.
Away from writing I play a fair bit of video games. I also collect pop vinyls and Lego, and space for them and me, in my house is getting harder to find.
My latest novel is Pink Punch, which is a young adult novel with superheroes. I wanted to write something fun, with the feel of Saturday morning cartoons. But I also like my characters to have depth and for there to be some level of realism to both the world and the consequences of a character’s choices and actions, without getting downright gritty. For me, this means a protagonist who isn’t just along for the ride, but who drives the plot.
Kris Mahrone finds out her mother is the infamous superhero, Pink Punch, when she witnesses an explosion that lands her mother in a coma. With Mum out of action Kris quickly realises she may be the only one who can stop TechCorp’s plans. Who exactly is TechCorp? What have powersuits got to do with anything? Will Kris’s father, a detective on the Vigilante Crime Unit, be in more danger than normal? Kris and her journey to find a solution to these questions lead her to a completely new and exciting and hazardous life.
Pink Punch is full of quirky characters, mutants, and a crazy range of powers, and all are fighting for their place in a world very like our own, and where (again like our own world) people are not so tolerant of differences.
For a small taste: Read a sample of Pink Punch
Currently, I am working on my next novel in this series, focusing on one of the secondary characters, Zero K, as he finds out more about his full complement of powers, gets involved with the darker side of the city, finds out about mutants with more terrifying powers, and uncovers aspects of police force treatment and more about the city at large.
Come find me on Facebook and Instagram as @authorlaurakinch
Website Blog (linked to website) Goodreads Amazon
Barb’s News
My own books
The good news is that the third novel is finished but the bad news is that it is still mostly in my head. I am hoping that the arrival of my cover will give me the push to get typing. I know the characters so well in my mind but this time I need the visual of the cover to prompt me into action. So much for all my talk about planning. Wait, I do have a plan as soon as my art arrives. I need to remind myself without achieving my goals I won’t achieve my greater purpose.
The world around me
Books I’ve read and Films/Television series I watched
Films
Well, I got so lucky this month with a plethora. I have always wanted to use that word. Yes they are old films, repeats I fully admit and yes, chances are you have also seen them a million times, but they are worth it. The first was Steel Magnolias, and the years have not dulled the beauty of both the film and the women who shine so beautifully in this film. What a wonderful friendship, heart warming when times are good but most essential to survival when times are bad.
Who is your favourite? The ex-Flying Nun and Gidget star Sally Field? An incredibly versatile Shirley MacLaine or Olympia Dukakis? Or is it Splash’s Daryl Hannah or the one-of-a-kind Dolly Parton? Choices, choices, and choices.
This was followed by Sister Act, staring the hilarious Whoopi Goldberg and the indomitable Maggie Smith.
Well, that was it for the month and then I was side swiped by What’s eating Gilbert Grape with no less than Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio. Poignant, heartfelt, and so beautifully portrayed by Depp and DiCaprio I have seen this film many times and still enjoy it. Also, high fiving a beautiful performance by Juliette Lewis, someone I think has been highly underrated by Hollywood.
Books
When Our Stars Aligned – Tracy McJames
As the title implies, sometime the stars are aligned, and they were in this super lovely romance. It left such a good feeling and sometimes that is enough.
The Lost Husband – Katherine Center
Love this author and I have been going back to read some of her earlier books. So worth my time with this early book which grabbed at the emotions. Loving Katherine Center.
Waiting for Tom Hanks – Kerry Winfrey
Slow burn, dreamer female lead and such a lovely male character. Long live Tom Hanks and clever use of his name and stature.
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape – Peter Hedges
A very interesting read. Almost poetic, the narrative missed the heart that the film delivers but all the same there is that feel of the classics that holds your attention. This is a book about truths even if the prose doesn’t always appeal. That is the nature of books.
Happy reading everything and see you next time or as the Italians say,
Thanks to : Ian Schneider, Sable Flow on Unsplash
Alla prossima,
Barb
If you are feeling kindly disposed, please feel free to check out my books
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Agree with you totally about “Steel Magnolias.” I’ve watched it several times. The friendships between the women are fascinating.
Thanks for the feature. 😊