2018 Resolutions vs. Goals...make this your year!

It's New Years Eve and I can not allow this year to go by without posting my annual "Resolutions vs. Goals" post. I always find it encouraging and I hope you do to! I am all about offering encouragement as I appreciate when encouragement is offered to me. 

2018 Is your year to move forward with creating your perfect life. Leave the past behind and move forward into a happy, healthy new year.

Resolution: A promise we make to ourselves and declare to others that we are going to make a positive change for the new year.

Goals: A plan we put into place to move forward towards a better life.

Do you see the difference? A resolution is a promise, but a goal is a plan. Let’s set goals for ourselves this year. Make a plan, write a list of steps to get you to where you want to be: financially, physically, emotionally, relationally. Set reasonable goals. Take baby steps towards your new future, your new life.

Let’s turn our dreams into reality for 2018!

Meditate on your goals and the changes you want to make, see yourself living the life that you desire. Talk about your dreams and goals with people who will build you up and encourage you. Make your plan and work towards it each day, little by little, taking baby steps. 

They say, "Rome wasn't built in a day". How true that is! Let's make the changes within ourselves to become the people we want to be this year. It can be done and WE are the only ones who can make it happen; join a gym, write a book, change the things we don't like about ourselves/our lives. Let's make this our year! 

A great first read of 2018!

Blog Tour for: Hot Cocoa, Green Tea and the Man Who Sweetened My Heart

Happy December everyone! I am thrilled to announce that my new novel was released on December 1, 2017!

I am in the midst of a blog tour and would like to share it with you.

Deanna Martinez-Bey: Blog Tour For, Hot Cocoa, Green Tea and the Man Who Sweetened My Heart

The schedule is as follows:

December 1st: Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading

December 3rd: Promo Post @ Lisa Queen of Random

December 5^th: Author Interview @ Cassidy Crimson’s Blog

December 7^th: Promo Post @ Nesie’s Place

December 8^th: Promo Post @ Indy Book Fairy

Here is the book trailer that is loaded with information about the book...

Ready to purchase your copy of my book...

Check out the book trailer for our domestic violence survivor in: Hot Cocoa, Green Tea and The Man Who Sweetened My Heart...

Let me preface the following book trailer by stating that my publisher must live within my head! She hit the nail SQUARE on its head with this one! I LOVE the way it has turned out.

Please take a brief look at what Stephanie's story (our domestic violence survivor) has to tell...

_______________________________________________________________________

“That day, I decided that a battered and bruised physical body, damaged emotions, and

what felt like a broken ankle was not going to keep me from finding happiness.

The hunt was on!” -Stephanie

Pre-Order your copy on Amazon today!

Book release: December 1, 2017!

New book release! Stephanie is a domestic violence survivor...

How Cocoa Green Tea And The Man Who Sweetened My Heart is due to be released on December 1, 2017!

Take a look at the book trailer:

Pre-order your Kindle copy here:

Hot Cocoa, Green Tea And The Man Who Sweetened My Heart

Stephanie had been held hostage in an abusive marriage for nearly twelve years. She was manipulated, controlled and abused by her mentally unstable husband. The last physical altercation drove Stephanie to begin a new life, alone, just her and her ten-year-old son, Ray.

Stephanie made an exit plan. She would find a new school for Ray, a full-time job and a place to live and just when she thought that life would be calm and peaceful, her monster of a husband, soon to be ex-husband would rear his ugly head.

Stephanie winds up meeting a new friend through work. As time passes, they find that they are developing feelings for one another. After the divorce is final her ex-husband stirs up trouble yet again.

Would Stephanie and her new friend become an item or would all the trouble from her ex-monster have him packing his bags and running? Would Stephanie finally be awarded full custody of her son or would her ex sabotage that from ever happening?

Hot Cocoa, Green Tea, And the Man Who Sweetened My Heart, is a compelling story of love, fear, hatred and self-transformation with a touch of humor, intimacy and a hint of the paranormal. 

Deanna has always aspired to be a writer. She started writing poetry and short stories and the young age of seven.

Born in New Jersey, Deanna currently lives in a suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina. She says. “I will always be a Jersey girl at heart.” Which is why she came up with her own recipe for, New Jersey coffee cake, that she shares at the end of this book. She has had several of her original recipes published over the years. They have been featured in publications such as: Taste of Home Magazine, Taste of Home “Best Of” cookbooks, Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, local magazines and Women’s Day online, to name a few.

Deanna’s other published works:

Twinkle, Twinkle Christmas Star

When Life Gives You Lemons, Drink Coffee!

Deanna’s contact information:

Website:         www.deannamartinezbey.com

Facebook:       Author: Deanna Martinez-Bey @deannamartinezbey

Instagram:      writer_deanna

Twitter:            Cookrunwrite

Blog:                https://bookwriterdeanna.blogspot.com/

YouTube:         Author Deanna Martinez-Bey

There are many great Domestic Violence organizations that help people every day. 

Interact helped me when I was in need.

http://www.interactofwake.org 24 hour crisis line 919-828-7740

Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence is where I am currently a volunteer.

http://www.breakthesilencedv.org Survivor Helpline 855-287-1777

Photo shoot for back cover of, "Hot Cocoa, Green Tea and the Man Who Sweetened My Heart"

We are officially in October now and the leaves are starting to fall. Cool mornings are a welcome treat as are the pumpkin spice offerings being sold in stores.

I decided to host my photo shoot for the back cover of my new book, OUTSIDE this time. I do not regret this decision!
Check out what I have to say about the photo shoot and a few added bits about the next book in the making...

PS...the picture you see is one of the photos taken during the photo shoot! (But, not the one chosen for the back cover.)

New book release and domestic violence volunteering

Happy Autumn! I am excited about cool weather and changing leaves! I am also excited to share that novel number three will be released before Christmas this year.

I have created a new video with more information...

Please take a few minutes to listen to me share about the new book and domestic violence. I have decided to share a piece of my heart with the world!

Thank you for your support :)

Let me help you create the perfect personal planner / organizer...

I am the Queen of organization. Often times it is helpful, like when I need to find something and at work, but to those who are not organized, I look like a freak of nature. I don't care though...I can find my stuff and they can't.


I mentioned in my previous post that I started a YouTube channel about life as an author. Well, you better believe I created a post about crafting your own, specialized personal planner.

Check out my video where I show and tell about planner I have tried before and why they didn't work for me...

Check out my snazzy socks...don't you love them? I have a new fascination with Instagram. I found a company called:  HAPPY SOCKS and I am head over heals for their socks. I will share my pictures after I make my purchase!  

In the mean time, enjoy my socks and my video.

My new YouTube Channel...Featured on the website of Diane Morasco, Best Selling Author!

Diane apparently loved the welcome video I posted on my new YouTube channel, so she featured it on her website!

I am beyond thankful for this opportunity! Diane, I appreciate you so much! Thank you for taking your time to share my life with your audience.

Please check out her website and her work as an author: Author Deanna Martinez-Bey Shares Her Writing Life...

As I mentioned, you can see my welcome video by following the link I posted to Diane's website. Here, I will share my second video about creating your own writing space as my new YouTube channel is about writing and life as an author...

 I hope you enjoy what I have to share! Please like and subscribe to my channel so I know you are there! Thank you for your time and support...I appreciate each and every one who supports me and what I love.

My newest feature at the Writer's Corner and Page158 Books

Hello, all! Check this out... Jencey, author of Writer's Corner has featured me on her blog!

Start Your Spring Right With Deanna Martinez-Bey! 
Thank you Jencey! I appreciate your time and your investment in me, as an author.


In addition to this fantastic news, my book, "When Life Gives You Lemons, Drink Coffee!", is also for sale at a local bookstore! Page158 Books is located in downtown Wake Forest, NC!

Lots of good things going on!

I have recently began my own YouTube channel about writing books. I will be posting about that very soon!

Follow your heart...even if the world doesn't think of you as "normal"

For many years I often thought that because I enjoyed many different things, that made me different and not normal. What is normal, anyway? That question is loaded and sounds like an entirely different blog post.

I have been thinking and have come to the conclusion that if I am not what this world considers, "normal" then I am one step ahead of the game when it comes to being happy and reaching my goals. Let me explain...

I enjoy writing, baking, cosmetology and personal training as well as being an administrative individual. I have always said, and I quote, "I don't like putting all of my eggs into one basket". I have noticed that so many people place all of their eggs into one basket when it comes to their income. Most people have one job that they depend on to pay the bills. Not me! I have three or four different avenues that bring income to our family. Know what? I love it this way!

For so many years I thought that something was wrong with me because I was not conforming to the standard, "normal" in this area. But, I am thankful now, for who I am and what I have chosen to do with my life.

Ultimately, my goal is to be a full time author. I will get there, but in the meantime I am having fun doing ALL of the things that I love.

Follow your heart and do you...no matter what the world may have to say about it.

 

 Click here to purchase: When Life Gives You Lemons, Drink Coffee!

Janine's Cool Cats and Reviews: review of my book

I could not be more excited about this book review for: When Life Gives You Lemons, Drink Coffee! 

I absolutely love Janine's thoughts and what she wrote about my book. What a humbling experience it has proven to be to be a published author. My readers make me successful and honest, professional bloggers like this help get the word out about my work.

Not only has Janine written a lovely review about my book, she also gave me a great rating on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Goodreads!

Please take a look at her blog and read her heartfelt review about my latest novel: Janine's Cool Cats and Reviews: When Life Gives You Lemons, Drink Coffee! by Deanna Martinez-Bey - review

2017 Phrase Of Encouragement: Finding True Friendships

I am going to share a piece of my heart with you through this post. This is one area that has for many years been a struggle for me. I often find myself trusting people and then being deeply hurt by them within several years of forming the friendship...or what I thought was a friendship.

This past Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This man knew so much about creating peace in the world. He knew about love and strength, oh, and so much more. This quote gives me a chill every time I read it:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Imagine that. Light and Love can conquer all. Then, why don't we live that way? Why do these so called, "friends" leave us? Aren't friends supposed to be there for us and support us through the difficult times?

I am far from perfect. I make relational mistakes too. But, I can tell you this, if I have an issue with someone I consider a friend, I go to them. We talk about things and move forward. I do not ditch friends when I make new friends. 

I understand that sometimes friendships are for a season, I am not speaking about those. I am referring to those solid friends, who stick with you through some storms of life...then, simply forget you. That. Hurts.

Am I going to hate those people who turned on me when life got tough? No. 

Am I going to speak badly about those who forgot me? No.

Am I going to avoid "organizational" friendships in the future? No.

Am I going to harbor unforgiveness towards those who used me as a friend because it was convenient? No.

I will choose carefully.

Dr. King instructs us to love those who hate. To be the light in a place of darkness. And that is what I choose to do.

My goal is to figure out which friendships are true and nourish and grow them. My goal is to weed out and cut off hurtful, fake friendships. My goal is to continue to trust (although difficult) and make new, lifelong friendships that will stand the test of time in 2017.

Who is with me?

31 Word substitutions for the word, "Very"

The word, “very” does not belong in the vocabulary of a writer. There are other creative words that can be used in the place of this “lazy” word.

The word, “very” is an overused adjective. The word is used to emphasize the word it is describing. Often times, adjectives, such as the word, “very”, can be left out of the sentence. If you are trying to say that someone is “very hungry”, take out the word “very” and your point will still come across to the reader. Or, substitute it the word “very” and the word it is describing with another creative word (See, I could have said “more” creative word right there, but I left out the word “more” and my point still came across properly).

Let’s take a look at some substitutions:

1.Very angry / fuming

2. Very big / gigantic or huge

3. Very clean / spotless, immaculate or spick and span

4. Very cold / freezing or Very cold / icy or hard hearted

5. Very fast / immediate

6. Very fat / large

7. Very good / suitable

8. Very happy / joyful, delighted or ecstatic

9. Very hateful / repulsive

10. Very hot / broiling

11. Very hungry / famished

12. Very loving / affectionate

13. Very mean / nasty or cruel

14. Very nice / lovely

15. Very old / ancient or antiquated

16. Very pretty / beautiful or attractive

17. Very poor / underprivileged

18. Very quiet / silent or peaceful

19. Very rude / offensive

20. Very sad / miserable

21. Very silly / ridiculous

22. Very skinny / lean or malnourished

23. Very small / miniature

24. Very smart / clever

25. Very soft / spineless

26. Very sore/ excruciating, tender or painful

27. Very strong / muscular

28. Very stupid / senseless

29. Very tasty / scrumptious

30. Very tired / exhausted

31. Very ugly / horrid

Ready to start writing that book?

Are you dreaming about writing a book or maybe two? Let me help you make that dream a reality! I have written several articles about writing that I would like to share with you.


As you read these articles, keep in mind that I would not suggest you do something that I do not do myself. These are tips and tricks I have learned along the way. Let's take a look:

Create a special place to write your best seller!

What is a goal and how do I set one?

Set reasonable writing goals specifically for you...

6 easy steps to get you started. Write that book!!!!

Should you follow your heart when writing your book (or ignore it completely)?

These 5 articles will hopefully inspire you and get you going in the right direction...in the direction of writing your book!

Be patient, I'm sure I will have more articles coming soon! Happy writing!