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What does a writer do when she runs out of words? She borrows an intelligent article from her friend, Rosalinda, who talks sense and politeness in spite of some people's rudeness and ignorance.
July 2016
Summer is a great time to dine outdoors, take a walk around the neighborhood, or take a day off. Whatever you do, I hope you're enjoying it. BOSS'S BEHAVIOR SPAWNS BAD BLOOD IN THE WORKPLACE We've all heard it; management sets the tone for behavior, productivity, and morale. Well then, why are there so many bad bosses out there? Why do they get away with bad behavior? Send me a note about a boss's bad behavior. In the meantime, here are the top three transgressions that are sure to cause bad blood among employees: 1) Gossip. When the boss has a loose tongue, tosses about his/her personal opinions, talks about other managers, or divulges confidential information, it is a recipe for distress, mistrust, and an easy way to create employee cliques. You can bet that no one will be running to him/her to discuss anything of a personal nature! 2) Favoritism. When the boss favors one of his/her staff members, it will place all others on alert. Whether it's meeting with them behind closed doors, whispering in the hall, or meeting outside work hours, you can bet the others are wondering if they're missing out. Will they receive the same consideration for a promotion? Additionally, this can create bad blood between the favored employee and coworkers. 3) Misuse of position is when the boss is chronically late or takes extra long lunches, expects staff to handle personal matters, uses intimidation to "motivate" employees, asks staff to lie or falsify information for him/her. HR might begin to wonder why the mad rush on "transfer requests."  RESPONDING TO CRITICISM If the criticism is coming from your boss, take it easy before responding. Think about it. Request to meet privately. Listen. Remain open and objective. Blatant: You don't really think you have what it takes to get that job, do you? Response: You might be right, but I've decided to go for it anyway - or - I guess I'll find out. (You just took the ornery wind out of their sail.) Subtle: I guess you haven't started that diet yet. Response: No, but thanks for your interest. - or - What do you mean? (A bit cheeky; they'll back-peddle so fast. And it could be fun to watch.) The best response to criticism is a calm response.
*** *** ***
Note: My
advice is general and may not suit your particular situation. In addition,
there is usually more than one way to handle a dilemma.
If
you enjoyed reading this, please pass it on to your colleagues and
friends.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
 Rosalinda Randall Civility & Etiquette Speaker, Trainer, Media Source, Author E: rosalinda@rosalindarandall.com T: 650.871.6200 |
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Responding to Criticism......by Rosalinda Randall
Friday, May 6, 2016
Animals and Alligators........by Joyce Oroz
Animals have it made. Their people make the rules, but if
a rule is broken—such as a puddle on the floor, claw marks on the drapes or a
chewed-up slipper—all is soon forgiven. After all, how much does a little dog
or cat understand about the great big world?
As up-right, up-tight thumb-toting creatures, people are
the only ones capable of figuring out how to survive in a complex world,
and we have gobs of electronic apps to prove it. We motorize, harmonize,
polarize, synchronize and subsidize. We fuss, stress and overreact on a regular
basis while our pets keep a cool head.
Ironically, it’s our pets who make us smile, bring our
blood pressure down and teach us the real laws of nature—respect, thankfulness,
joy and peace. They have it, we want it. Just by being around our pets, we
learn how to be better people. Writing them into our stories makes us all
happy.
I love to write about animals. My latest book, Scent of a
Swindle deals with a menagerie of animals living on the white carpets of
Prunedale.
If you don’t have a pet to love, just contact your local
SPCA. They have a variety of dogs and cats (skip the alligators) who are willing and able to give you
their respect, gratitude and unconditional love.
Friday, April 29, 2016
Words from Rosalinda.............Joyce Oroz
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Thursday, April 7, 2016
AHA at Open Studios
2016 Open Studios Art Tour!
Dear friends, this is a reminder for you. Please mark your calendar and come to San
Benito County Arts Council’s annual Open Studios Art Tour Saturday &
Sunday, April 23rd- 24th from 10 am- 4 pm. Along
with Hollister and San Juan Bautista, Aromas provides many fabulous artists and
studios because the little town has one foot in Monterey County and the other foot
in San Benito County and because the Aromas Hills Artisans love to be involved.
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| stained glass by Linda Bjornson |
This year’s tour features 21 local
artists and artisans and showcases works in painting, photography, pottery
& ceramics, stained-glass, jewelry and more! Open Studios is a great
way for locals and out of town visitors to meet the artists, view and purchase
original works of art, learn more about the processes and materials of
art-making and enjoy a scenic tour throughout San Benito County, including
Hollister, San Juan Bautista and the lovely hills of Aromas.
You may also enjoy a sneak peak of
Open Studios at the Preview Exhibition from April 8- May 26th at
ARTspace at 240 Fifth St. in Hollister with a special Kick-Off Party from 6-8
pm on Friday April 8th! The Kick-Off Party is an opportunity for the community
to view the artwork, enjoy food and drinks and celebrate this year’s group of
talented, dynamic artists. These events are free and open to the public.
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| Christine West, paper arts |
A map of the artists’ studios &
the artist directory can be downloaded online at www.sanbenitoarts.org
Maps are also available at ARTspace at 240 Fifth St. in downtown
Hollister or at the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce. Please call
831.636.2787 or email info@sanbenitoarts.org
for more information.
Here is a full list of the
participating artists: Alia Outrey, Amber Henderson, Andrea McCann, Clay Peer,
Eric Tapley, Frank Haseloff, Gayle Sleznick, Georgesse Gomez, Gloria Sipes,
Jane
Rekedal, Kathleen Sheridan, Kent Child, Laurie Tholen, Leslie Holtaway,
Linda Bjornson, Lisa Rivaollon, Louise Roy, Robb Lee, Sally Diggory, SanDee
Adams and Susan Shirley.
Open Studios is made possible by
the California Arts Council, Community Foundation for San Benito County, Rotary
of San Juan Bautista, San Juan Oaks, Aromas Hills Artisans, Sally Street
Studios, Jane Rekedal Pottery, Gayle Sleznick and Andrea McCann.
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| copper jewelry by Laurie Tholen |
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Author Joyce Oroz: Don't Give Up..........Joyce Oroz
Author Joyce Oroz: Don't Give Up..........Joyce Oroz: Best-Sellers Initially Rejected Mural from previous life Add caption I recently came across this information and want to share ...
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Don't Give Up..........Joyce Oroz
Best-Sellers Initially
Rejected
 | |
| Mural from previous life | Add caption |
I recently came across this information and want to share it with my reader and writer friends.
Some writers continually submit
the same manuscript until it is accepted. Others chose to do a more
polished draft before sending it out again. A select few learn from the
lessons of submissions, to write a completely new book.
What they all have in common is a persistence to never give up on their dream; a dream that has elevated them from writer, to best-selling author.
They have written some of the most critically praised and commercially successful books of all time. In some cases their enormous sales were so consistent that they even kept their publishers afloat.
Yet in spite of this phenomenal success, every single one of these best-selling authors was initially rejected. Literary agents and publishers informed them in an endless stream of rejection letters that nobody would be interested in reading their book.
Here is an extenstive collection of the some of the biggest errors of judgement in publishing history.
After 5 years of continual rejection, the writer finally lands a publishing deal: Agatha Christie. Her book sales are now in excess of $2 billion. Only William Shakespeare has sold more.
The Christopher Little Literary Agency receives 12 publishing rejections in a row for their new client, until the eight-year-old daughter of a Bloomsbury editor demands to read the rest of the book. The editor agrees to publish but advises the writer to get a day job since she has little chance of making money in children’s books. Yet Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling spawns a series where the last four novels consecutively set records as the fastest-selling books in history, on both sides of the Atlantic, with combined sales of 450 million.
Louis L’Amour received 200 rejections before Bantam took a chance on him. He is now their best ever selling author with 330 million sales.
“Too different from other juveniles on the market to warrant its selling.” A rejection letter sent to Dr Seuss. 300 million sales and the 9th best-selling fiction author of all time.
“You have no business being a writer and should give up.” Zane Grey ignores the advice. There are believed to be over 250 million copies of his books in print.
140 rejections stating “Anthologies don’t sell” until the Chicken Soup for the Soul series by Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen sells 125 million copies.
The years of rejection do not break his spirit. He only becomes more determined to succeed. When he eventually lands a publishing deal, such is the demand for his fiction that it is translated into over 47 languages, as The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis goes on to sell over 100 million copies.
“It is so badly written.” The author tries Doubleday instead and his little book makes an impression. The Da Vinci Code sells 80 million.
After two years of rejections stating that her fiction would have no readership, Reilly and Lee agree to publish The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo, launching the career of the best-selling author Judy Blume. Combined sales: 80 million.
Having sold only 800 copies on its limited first release, the author finds a new publisher and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho sells 75 million.
“We feel that we don’t know the central character well enough.” The author does a rewrite and his protagonist becomes an icon for a generation as The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger sells 65 million.
5 publishers reject L.M. Montgomery‘s debut novel. Two years after this rejection, she removes it from a hat box and resubmits. L.C. Page & Company agree to publish Anne of Green Gables and it goes on to sell 50 million copies.
“I recommend that it be buried under a stone for a thousand years.” Shunned by all the major publishers, the author goes to France and lands a deal with Olympia Press. The first 5000 copies quickly sell out. But the author Vladimir Nabokov now sees his novel, Lolita, published by all those that initially turned it down, with combined sales of 50 million.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter was rejected so many times she decided to self-publish 250 copies. It has now sold 45 million.
“Nobody will want to read a book about a seagull.” Richard Bach‘s Jonathan Livingston Seagull goes on to sell 44 million copies.
“Undisciplined, rambling and thoroughly amateurish writer.” But Jacqueline Susann refuses to give up and her book the Valley of the Dolls sells 30 million.
Margaret Mitchell gets 38 rejections from publishers before finding one to publish her novel Gone With The Wind. It sells 30 million copies.
What they all have in common is a persistence to never give up on their dream; a dream that has elevated them from writer, to best-selling author.
They have written some of the most critically praised and commercially successful books of all time. In some cases their enormous sales were so consistent that they even kept their publishers afloat.
Yet in spite of this phenomenal success, every single one of these best-selling authors was initially rejected. Literary agents and publishers informed them in an endless stream of rejection letters that nobody would be interested in reading their book.
Here is an extenstive collection of the some of the biggest errors of judgement in publishing history.
After 5 years of continual rejection, the writer finally lands a publishing deal: Agatha Christie. Her book sales are now in excess of $2 billion. Only William Shakespeare has sold more.
The Christopher Little Literary Agency receives 12 publishing rejections in a row for their new client, until the eight-year-old daughter of a Bloomsbury editor demands to read the rest of the book. The editor agrees to publish but advises the writer to get a day job since she has little chance of making money in children’s books. Yet Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling spawns a series where the last four novels consecutively set records as the fastest-selling books in history, on both sides of the Atlantic, with combined sales of 450 million.
Louis L’Amour received 200 rejections before Bantam took a chance on him. He is now their best ever selling author with 330 million sales.
“Too different from other juveniles on the market to warrant its selling.” A rejection letter sent to Dr Seuss. 300 million sales and the 9th best-selling fiction author of all time.
“You have no business being a writer and should give up.” Zane Grey ignores the advice. There are believed to be over 250 million copies of his books in print.
140 rejections stating “Anthologies don’t sell” until the Chicken Soup for the Soul series by Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen sells 125 million copies.
The years of rejection do not break his spirit. He only becomes more determined to succeed. When he eventually lands a publishing deal, such is the demand for his fiction that it is translated into over 47 languages, as The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis goes on to sell over 100 million copies.
“It is so badly written.” The author tries Doubleday instead and his little book makes an impression. The Da Vinci Code sells 80 million.
After two years of rejections stating that her fiction would have no readership, Reilly and Lee agree to publish The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo, launching the career of the best-selling author Judy Blume. Combined sales: 80 million.
Having sold only 800 copies on its limited first release, the author finds a new publisher and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho sells 75 million.
“We feel that we don’t know the central character well enough.” The author does a rewrite and his protagonist becomes an icon for a generation as The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger sells 65 million.
5 publishers reject L.M. Montgomery‘s debut novel. Two years after this rejection, she removes it from a hat box and resubmits. L.C. Page & Company agree to publish Anne of Green Gables and it goes on to sell 50 million copies.
“I recommend that it be buried under a stone for a thousand years.” Shunned by all the major publishers, the author goes to France and lands a deal with Olympia Press. The first 5000 copies quickly sell out. But the author Vladimir Nabokov now sees his novel, Lolita, published by all those that initially turned it down, with combined sales of 50 million.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter was rejected so many times she decided to self-publish 250 copies. It has now sold 45 million.
“Nobody will want to read a book about a seagull.” Richard Bach‘s Jonathan Livingston Seagull goes on to sell 44 million copies.
“Undisciplined, rambling and thoroughly amateurish writer.” But Jacqueline Susann refuses to give up and her book the Valley of the Dolls sells 30 million.
Margaret Mitchell gets 38 rejections from publishers before finding one to publish her novel Gone With The Wind. It sells 30 million copies.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Being "Different"...........by Joyce Oroz
As a
long-time mural artist
and author I have written
articles and interviews
about
fellow artists and
writers. What surprises
me most about these people
is how
many of them are
dyslectic or were dyslectic
as children. I don’t have a PHD
behind my name, but I have
taken my own survey on
the subject because….
you
guessed it, I’m
dyslexic—not so much these
days as a senior adult but very
much growing up. Reading,
writing and arithmetic were the
days as a senior adult but very
much growing up. Reading,
writing and arithmetic were the
scariest things in my preteen world.
I hated school and
the embarrassment of trying to read out loud in class.
My
attention span was minus zero and I couldn’t even
play the kazoo.
In
the second grade I decided, the heck
with school and walked home, one mile
along the edge of the Big Basin Highway.
Mom just about had heart failure when
she saw me. I thought it was cool to be
home and see what she did around the
house while
my brother and sister were at school. I remember
Mom trying to
teach me how to tie my shoes.
I just didn’t get it, so when I was alone I
figured
out a way to get the job done. To this day I have
never seen anyone tie
a bow the way I do.
The
one thing that saved me and kept me in school
was art. I was able to draw and
paint pretty well
at an early age. I won the Smokey the Bear poster
contest in
third and sixth grades. When the three
R’s became too much for me, I would retreat
to my coloring books, clay sculpture and day-dreaming.
Being
dyslexic is tough on young people. One must
think “outside the box” in order
to keep up with
one’s peers. Dyslexic people work twice as hard
to accomplish
half as much. But as we age we
are blessed with a creativity brought on out
of
need. Some of us find happiness and success
in the “Art” world, some in
creative writing
and others invent things. Dyslexia can be a great
gift once a
person makes it through school—then
the learning begins. All the information
thrown at
us in elementary school and high school suddenly
makes sense.
Dyslexic
people often
function very well in
today’s computer world.
They are the
inventors.
Their spelling might be
sub-standard, but there
is no limit to what
their
creative, inventive minds
will come up with next.
I discovered there is a
lot of dyslexia in my
family, many
“late bloomers” such as me,
thankful for the
odd gift
of being different. The gift that keeps on giving—
sorry for the
cliché.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
A Borrowed Poem...........Joyce Oroz
Getting old is relative. You can always find someone younger to envy, but you can always find someone older too. Whatever your age, be happy now, today, we don't know what tomorrow will bring.
Here is "A Little Poem", so true it hurts!
Another year has passed And we're all a little older.
Last summer felt hotter
And winter seems much colder.
There was a time not long ago
When life was quite a blast.
Now I fully understand
About 'Living in the Past'
We used to go to weddings,
Football games and lunches..
Now we go to funeral homes
And after-funeral brunches.
We used to have hangovers,
From parties that were gay.
Now we suffer body aches
And wile the night away.
We used to go out dining,
And couldn't get our fill.
Now we ask for doggie bags,
Come home and take a pill.
We used to often travel
To places near and far.
Now we get sore arses
From riding in the car.
Another year has passed And we're all a little older.
Last summer felt hotter
And winter seems much colder.
There was a time not long ago
When life was quite a blast.
Now I fully understand
About 'Living in the Past'
We used to go to weddings,
Football games and lunches..
Now we go to funeral homes
And after-funeral brunches.
We used to have hangovers,
From parties that were gay.
Now we suffer body aches
And wile the night away.
We used to go out dining,
And couldn't get our fill.
Now we ask for doggie bags,
Come home and take a pill.
We used to often travel
To places near and far.
Now we get sore arses
From riding in the car.
We used to go to nightclubs
And drink a little booze.
Now we stay home at night
And watch the evening news.
That, my friend is how life is,
And now my tale is told.
So, enjoy each day and live it up...
Before you're too darn old!
author unknown
Hope you all have a healthy
& prosperous New Year !!!! (2016)..
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