THE WAY FORWARD

Whats up?

I just realized that I now have 150 followers yippee I am so excited. Thank you dearies for making my day.

Now back to the topic for today.. Strange if you ask me right?

I honestly didn't know what to post about. I thought: should I post about the uprising in Nigeria? Then I decided no. I guess you all have heard a lot about what is going on. I pray everything gets sorted out.

I thought again: which inspirational or motivational story should I talk about? There wasn't anyone that I had researched on, as I have been a little bit slow on the research...

Then I decided that I will just talk about my random musings....

Since I began writing and I realized how difficult it was for a Nigerian up coming authors or any other upcoming authors to get into the publishing world, I have tried to find out what can be done, to make it better.

What can be done to have more books by Nigerians sold in bookshops all over the world, and translated in different languages...

Then it occurred to me that as an upcoming writer, it would be very good to join a writing association. That's nice, helps your writing. Improves it. Educates you. Keeps you informed in the book world. Boost your confidence. Helps you meet literary agents and publishers etc

This is very good. But where are the writing organizations? I haven't seen anyone. If at all there are I am sure it must be in Lagos or online.

This is just a suggestion and I think writers, should look into IT. If there isn't an organization of writers in your state, or country I think you should take the initiative and start one. Everyone or almost everyone is on facebook. We all have lots of colleagues, classmates, neighbors, church friends, mosque friends, blackberry friends and groups etc. Start with them. Just spread the word about starting a writing association, a forum where writers can be helped, and you would be so surprised how many people have unwritten books and articles stored up in their hearts, anxiously waiting for it to burst out.

Secondly I suggest you get an editor, a book expert, a writer in your group. It's very good to have your works looked at by a writer.

Thirdly make sure your writing group is very effective. Lay the ground rules from the beginning. Everybody should be prompt and meeting should start on time. The basis of this writing group is to developed writers, critique their work, guide them to the path way of good edited, mind blowing novels. So please for whatever reason do not use the time spent talking about personal issues, if they don't have anything to do with the literary works of the members.

Fourthly make sure you have a limit. So if you want to have 20 members or 10 make sure you don't exceed this amount. You have just started something new and very risky, even though it has a lot of potentials, you don't want it to be crowded and you want it to be simple.

Fifthly the issue of location comes into play. If you cannot use a venue, you can choose a restaurant that is affordable and has a nice ambiance. But make sure all your members come with cash to actually have a meal and a drink that day. I am very sure the management of any restaurant would kick 20 people out if they spend 1 to 2 hours sitting down just occupying space. If you decide to use someone's house as the venue, if you can, light refreshment should be offered by you on the very first day of the meeting. But consequent meetings the members should be told to come with refreshments. This would put the strain of entertaining away from you, and also bring in the brotherly love that says: "there is love in sharing". Note that events that do not accompany refreshments, no matter how little leaves a sour taste in the mouths of the invitees.

Anyways a group of friends and I are actually thinking of starting a writers club sometime this year. I hope it works out and I hope it helps. Since I would just be a member, I will see how it goes.

I would like to recommend someone to you'll she is fantastic and a good editor and she is good with turning your stories into mind-blowing novels " Atilola Moronfolu, hattylolla@gmail.com". If you do not know her please you had better check her out. She has been of tremendous help to me.

I almost forgot check out this site www.naijastories.com. Good source for up coming authors.

N.B Do you know about the book "The Help" (it's gotten a lot of publicity I must say).

Do you know that the author Kathryn Stockett, was rejected about a 100 times, before she got published..OMG..

Do have a lovely day.

Ciao

Question: "Ladies Do You Wish You Were Born A Guy?

Hello everyone..

Menn!!!!! I really loved all the comments I got from my last post..

Don't worry all, we would all be a part of the change in Nigeria.

Two days ago I put up a question on my BB profile..:

Question: " Ladies do you which you were born a guy?"

And you would not believe the amount of replies I got.

Some ladies said they which they were born men. When I asked why, they told me cos its a man's world.

One actually went on to tell me that the women do everything in the home. The are subjected to cooking, taking care of the home, forgiven their husbands when he cheats on them, take rubbish from their in laws, suffer the shame of not having kids alone, suffer the fear or mistress or second or third wives etc

Some told me that they wouldn't change being a woman for anything in the world. They talked about the joy of motherhood. The joy of fashion and loving all the numerous options in the fashion world for women. Their strength, their emotions, their ability to stay strong in times of adversaries. The joy and pain of fighting for female equality etc..

hmm strong touching words if you ask me.

For me I am proud to be a women. Yes I love the fashion... hmmm we have the best options in the world.

I love the emotions..

I love the fact that we can be fierce and soft at the same time.

I love the fact that we aren't ashamed to cry when the opportunities permit it.

I love the joy of motherhood, the maternal instinct.

I love the sixth sense that our Maker has given us.

I love everything about a woman and I am proud to be one, no matter what anybody says.

N/B I haven't taken coca cola since Sunday. I am so happy. And guess what the diet stuff is back. I have succeeded in loosing 3kg, 4 more to go. Determination is the key dearies.

Do take care and have a lovely day.

Please check out this site, and help a child with a book.

www.apenandaheart.blogspot.com/2012/01/give-book-save-our-future.html

Ciao

Fuel Subsidy

I had said I wasn't going to talk about the removal of fuel subsidy, but somehow I find myself talking about it: with all the Blackberry messages going on and on on I really need to talk about it.

I asked a friend today, that was lamenting about the removal of the subsidy (bear in mind I am not in support of it), what she had done to make Nigeria better (big or small).

Really we are ready to complain and talk and talk and talk. What have we really done for our communities or own states or Towns... nothing. We just complain. And the sad part is that when given the opportunity we do even worse than our current leaders.

Every Nigerian wants to go to school and become a doctor or a lawyer or an engineer. No one wants to be a carpenter and be the best carpenter Nigeria has ever had.

No one wants to be a plumber and be damn good at it.

No one wants to be a framer and be damn good at it...

How then do we want to grow?

What saddens me is that we don't have farms again. We don't have people farming.

Rice can be grown in Lagos.

Did you know that in Taraba state strawberries and grapes can be grown there?

Do you know that Adamawa state can have one of the largest tea manufacturing company in the world?

Do you know that coal can be mined in Enugu and coal can be used for generating electricity for the whole of Nigeria and beyond?

Do you know that the pulp gotten from the mangroves in Bonny, Bayelsa, Nembe etc, lying fallow disturbing the creeks can be used in the manufacturing of paper? Research has shown that it can actually have one of the largest paper manufacturing company in the world.

Every state is unique and has is good soil and products untapped.

Have we harassed our local government leaders or our governments. What are they doing?

Donala Duke of Calabar took a sleepy town and turned it into a tourist hub. Even after he has left office Calabar still celebrates their festival/carnivals every year. Calabar is one of the cleanest cities in Nigeria cos he also emphasized the importance of being clean.

I ask again including me what have we really done for Nigeria?

Have we looked at our neighbors and found out what affects their lives?

Do we want to get our hands dirty doing the work that no one wants to do?

Are we ready to make a change with our deeds not just our mouths?

What developed countries do that underdeveloped countries fail to do is agriculture. America produces a lot of the food they consume, if not all.

What do we produce in Nigeria?

I am so happy that they are banning the importation of rice. Good for us.

We should go back to our villages and grow rice. At least lets start from there.

There is a saying that goes this way.. "when a man has eaten well, his brain would function properly" ...(translated version)...

Anyways I know one thing though the way forward for me is FASHION & FOOD..LOL

Do have a lovely day and I look forward to your comments.

Ciao

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