AUTHOR OF THE HARRY PORTER SERIES

Hello everyone once again I'm wishing you a happy new year.

Like I told you in my last post I am sticking to what I call the goals of secretlilies..which are motivation, investments a little bit of fashion, musings about my personal experiences etc.

Today I start with the writing industry:

we all know that all over the world it is very difficult as an upcoming author to break into the writing industry. The market is very hard I must say. The market is even harder in Nigeria as there aren't a lot of publishing house and a lot of the citizens haven't been beaten by the reading culture bug.

So how do we as upcoming writers break into the market?: I would like to draw a few points for J.K. Rowling's story.

J.K. Rowling was a single mother, living on welfare in a rat infested house, while she was writing her Harry Porter series. Everyone must know how difficult it is to keep on following one's dreams with an empty stomach or the fear of not knowing where your next meal would come, how to pay your bills, the fear of being kicked out of your house cos you can't afford to pay the rent, but she continued. After she completed her book she was being rejected by many publishers. Some publishers and agents told her that children's book wouldn't sell. She also didn't help matters cos she didn't even know what age group she was writing for. She just wrote her story simple!!!LOL.

We all know the story after she got accepted and her book was published. J. K. Rowling (who had to pick this name cos her publishers thought that she wouldn't get a lot of boys reading her book if they found out that it was a female author), became a success. She was the first person to become a billionaire through writing.

What is so amazing is that her last book of the Harry Porter series which was released 21 July 2007 sold 11 million copies in the first 24 hours. Breaking down to 2.7million copies in the UK and 8.3 million in the US.

Now who would have thought that a book rejected several times over would get this much publicity. Don't also forget that the Harry Porter brand brings in millions daily.

Now why all this story.. the basic principle about being successful in whatever you do no matter how hard it is, is perseverance, diligence and hard work. If she didn't keep on going despite the rejections she would still be on welfare, and she would still be a struggling single mother living in a rat infested house. You may not like her, you may not like her books but she is a good example of when you are determined you can achieve anything.

This year I want all of you to take out time, find out what you are really good at and develop it. The things you want to do start now. Do not wait for tomorrow. Start now. Find the time. If you have to cut your television time, then you have to do it. If you have to cut your gossip time then just do it.

Life is too short, and as sure as 2012 has begun it would soon be the last day of 2012.

Do have a lovely week and always remember live your dream.

Ciao.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hello everyone. HAPPY NEW YEAR AND PROSPEROUS YEAR AHEAD.

It's still not new year in America just about an hour to midnight. But I know it is already new year in Naija, so I can't wait to start blogging for the new year.

This year has finally come with it lovely surprises and I am sure blessings for everyone.

Now this new year I have decided to do something really different. Originally when I started this blog I didn't really know what I would be posting about. I just thought I would post my random musings but as the time went by I realized that I could do more.

I have a passion for investments, motivational stories and female empowerment. I am of the opinion that females should do more in society especially in Africa. I would spend this year researching about strong women in the world. Women who have made impacts in the world, in their communities and in their families. Women who have conquered their fears and achieved their goals, despite all the obstacles.

I will also drop tips on business. As you all know I just started my handbag line (even though its not out yet I am in the process). This year I would also take you through my handbag making journey.

Yes my random musings would be included in my post, just to spice up the blog. Don't want the blog to be too technical. It should have a little flexibility.

Now said: my goals are numerous..loll... Not so but I have vowed to be a better person. Would post at least 3 times a week. Write as often as I can no matter how little and make sure I am committed to making my life, my family and my surroundings better.

Do take care of yourselves and have a lovey day.

Once again happy new year. I am sure we would all have fun together.

Ciao.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Hello everyone Christmas is finally here. MERRY CHRISTMAS y'all. Looking back, I want to say thank you for your support, your comments, your advises, your strength and just being there for me.THANK YOU.

Okay working on things I will like to accomplish in 2012.. yep I did this, in the beginning of 2011:

On my list I didn't achieve all that I set out to, but I am proud of myself and I will not give up.

I said I was going to have at least one of my books accepted by a publisher and published. Well its 5 more days to the end of this year, doesn't seem that its happening this year...Oh well moving it to 2012.....

I said I was going to learn how to make bags: this I did. Precisely September 29Th I started learning how to make bags (even though I haven't released my collection yet), I am ready to paint the town red next year...loll.

I still have a lot of goals for 2012, by the grace of God I will achieve every bit of it.

Do take care and have a lovely Christmas and a prosperous new year.

N/B: this is the last post for the year dearies. Coming back next year with better stories, stronger motivations, inspiring pictures, lots of laugh etc..

Ciao....

DIET FAILED

Hello guys I have been lazy that's y I haven't posted in a while... loll.

Saying welcome to my new followers. Thank you guys, you made my day.

Anyways my diet has failed: as my sister in law and her son came over and she has just been cooking up some delicious dishes. Even though I have succeeded in loosing one pound, I have learnt that when u are going on a diet, its nicer to be off people who aren't on a diet. Its easier to be motivated with people on the same page.

Anyways hope you'll getting ready for the christmas celebration...

I have decided to wear a green top and a white jeans.. I am also thinking of adding some red shoes to the outfit. Trying the color blocking stuff. I hope I don't look like a clown. Will check it out before I leave the house..loll.

Anyways take care of yourself and merry christmas you'll.

Ciao

DIET BEGINS

Hello dears. Whats up?

Okay like my last post said I was going to go on a diet.

Anyways I have started my diet.

Yesterday in the morning I took Special K with low fat milk for breakfast.

For lunch I got pottage beans cooked with a teaspoon of palm oil. You could have seen the way I looked at the food. It looked disgusting. I had to close my eyes to eat it up, even though it was very nice.

No fizzy drinks water all the way, and I hate water with a passion, but it is good for the body..sighs.

In between snacks was my greatest problem. When I had the cravings I had to either take watermelon, tangerine or oranges: no biscuits..no chocolates, no fizzy drinks, no bread etc..very hard I must confess. I am not a fruit person at all, even though the watermelon was to die for.

I must say its just my first day and I am lamenting.

I hope I will be able to do this for a week or two weeks.

Anyways from my little experience loosing weight ins't easy at all. Thumbs up to my friends who are on a diet.

Also I don't know why all the good food aren't on the top of the food menu.Why???

Anyways in my research I stumbled upon this guy who is a fitness expert. In his quest to find out how easy or hard it is to loose weight he decided to add weight. He took 6 months to add weight. From his pictures, I must say this: it is so easy to put on weight. Its like the thing just creeps in... Check out this website and let me know what you think.

do take care and have a lovely day.

http://whatsthaword.com/2011/10/trainer-gains-70-pounds-to-prove-a-point

DIET

Hello everyone..

Whats up?

Loved the comments and encouragements I got from my last post. Thank you guys you always make my day.

To my new followers WELCOME guys. I promise you...you will love the secretlilies's journey.

Anyways today I thought I should share this with you' ll.

I have been talking a lot about weight gain and weight lose and all.

I used to be 55kg for a very long time. When I mean long time I mean pretty long.

I will drink 5 bottles of coca cola a day and I still didn't add weight.

Anyways in the past 3 years I have slowly gained some extra 5 kilos. Now I am 60kg... sobbing, meaning I have moved from a British size 6 to a British size 8.

anyways I said I wanted to lose weight and they all want to crucify me. Please don't just hear me out....loll..

I have talked to a lot of people and they keep telling me that it's very difficult to loose wight and it can't work. A lot say big girls can't go down to a British size 8 etc.

Because of this I have decided to put myself on a diet and see what it takes. Don't worry I will not starve to death. I will only make sure I loose 5 kilos. So the aim going back to 55.....

I really want to experience a little bit of what people talk about "being on a diet".

I will like to find out if it is very difficult or if it is easy. I also will like to find out how long it will take me to loose just 5 kilos.

I start a diet on Monday and I will follow the diet judiciously by the grace of God.

As I post I will update you guys on my journey and if I can actually stick to the diet or be tempted to eating all the good food in the house. LOL

Another thing: I swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth.

So the day I, maybe make a mistake I will let you all know.

Anyways do have a lovely day and enjoy the weekend.

Ciao

Difficult.. Is it Really?

Hi every one

What's up?

I have been thinking of what to post for the past two days now and I have come up blank.

I am usually one that has something to talk about but it doesn't seem to be coming today.

Anyways I will just start with my thoughts and my feelings:

Anybody that knows me, knows that I am an avid reader: "especially the romance genre". I love reading. I can stay up all night reading a good novel.

One of my favorite authors is Debbie Macomber. I have read a lot of her novels and she is really a very good writer. The catch is that she has been/ is currently #1 NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR.

I have been made to understand that before you get that kind of rating your books must have sold over 1 million copies: that's on a particular book. Now this lady has several of her books that have sold over a million copies. She is making a huge living from writing contrary to what people think. She has even had a lot of her books made into HALLMARK MOVIES...

I am so happy but sad at the same time.

Why is it that African writers almost do not get to the height of their writing careers?

Let me take Nigeria for example: how many of the publishers in Nigeria have actually come out to say that an author's book has sold over 1 million copies world wide?

Is it that we don't that have bestselling materials? No we do I am very sure of that.

I know we have Wole Soyinka and Chinue Achebe etc but we need more. We have a lot more. too numerous to mention....

Is it that they aren't given the same opportunity like their foreign counter parts? One can say so?

So what are our publishers doing to change this situation?

When I think of things like this I am very impressed with MYNE WHITMAN, Abimbola ESSIEN Nelson AND Lara Daniels. I must say I admire their spirit. They have impressed me and given me hope that a time will come where Nigerian writers will be bestselling authors all over the world.

Anyways don't forget that this is just my thoughts. Please let me know yours.

Have a lovely day and do take care of yourselves.. Hopefully I will have something new to post tomorrow..loll..

Thanks again for your comments.

Ciao