Can earbuds save lives?

Have you ever thought about my proposed title question? Believe it or not, I have! We have all heard about how people have escaped danger by the skin of their teeth because of these little gadgets... walking down the street with them in and nearly getting side swiped by a moving vehicle or someone driving a car couldn't hear sirens or car horns because of them.

Let's take this to a different level...

Does music calm your nerves? Have you ever put your earbuds in to get yourself through a project? Whether it be to help you concentrate or simply not be disturbed by outside distractions? How about at the gym? Do you plug up in order to get through a workout routine? I can answer yes to all of the above.

Now, let's take it to an even greater level...

Do you work or live with someone who gets on your last known nerve? How about a coworker who won't stop talking or a roommate that feels they have to talk to you every waking second of every single day? Yeah, it doesn't get more annoying than that. Or maybe it does?

Do you have a loud obnoxious spouse or children who thoroughly enjoy using their outdoor voices in the house?

Invest in a good, sound reducing pair of earbuds. They just may spare the lives of those around you!

More from Author: Deanna Martinez

Resolutions Vs. Goals

Lilac Sand book review

Self publishing: yes or no?

Interview with Chef Duff Goldman

Photo credit: Blake Little

August 15, 2009… I was taking a mid-day nap when my cell phone rang. I did not recognize the number but answered anyway. On the other end of the line was Willie Goldman, Duff Goldman’s brother. At the time, Willie was his public relations manager.

I sent an email to Chef Duff asking if he would be willing to answer a few interview questions for me, as I was a food writer at the time. I was expecting an email interview, but to my shock, they gave me a phone interview with Chef Duff.

After speaking to Willie, I was instructed to call Chef Duff on his cell phone in about ten minutes…I did as I was told.

I was nervous and excited at the same time. I was going to get to speak with Duff Goldman…business owner and Food Network star!

When Chef Duff, AKA, “The Bread Guy”, went to culinary school, he was the only male in an all-female class. He had a lot of informal art training prior to starting school.

In 1998, he started working at, “The French Laundry”, but left because he was lonely. He ended up in Colorado that summer, where his friends encouraged him to stay. Chef Duff took a job at, “The Vail Cascade Hotel and Resort” as a pastry chef. There he learned how to carve ice, create chocolate sculptures, and clean fish (particularly salmon). While working there he also learned that he enjoys curing foods and making sauces.

As time went on, Chef Duff began making and decorating the wedding cakes for the guests of the resort. He made ten generic cakes and suggested they sit and have consultations with the guests in order to personalize their cake. After having a consultation, Chef Duff would draw the cakes for the guests. He took these ideas and is currently applying now at, “Charm City Cakes”.

As he continued to work at the resort, Chef Duff learned new cake decorating techniques that he implemented on the cakes. A friend of his, Mary Alice reached out and asked him to make a wedding cake for her brothers wedding. He agreed and made a six-tier cake that included 2000 to 3000 marzipan butterflies and ladybugs.

Fast forward to 3-3-2002. Chef Duff opened “Charm City Cakes” and the rest is history.

Chef Duff is kind, understanding, helpful and down to earth. The man you see on television, is the man he is in real life. He is humble, happy and funny.

Thank you, Chef Duff, for your time and advice. I am honored to have spoke with you and to have the opportunity to write this article, not once, but twice about you!

More articles by me:

My trip to Colorado

New approach to writing a plot

Interview with Chef Duff

Photo taken from Food Network (click pic for link)

I remember it clearly...back in 2009, I spoke with Duff Goldman over the phone for nearly an hour. He was the kindest, most down to earth celebrity!

I wrote an article about him and published it to Examiner.com, where I was writing at the time. The site closed down and gave us very short notice to get our articles saved before they were gone for good.

One of the articles I failed to save was the one I wrote about Chef Duff. How sad, right? So, 2 nights ago, I decided to reach out to him again and ask if I can rewrite the article.

I am happy to announce, I have been given permission to do so! I will be publishing it very soon. Squeeee.... (probably not even a word, but it is my happy emotion)

More articles:

My trip to Colorado

Started novel #4

Self publishing...yey or nah?

My trip to Colorado...lots of writing!

I heard that March was a great month to visit Colorado because they tend to get a lot of snow...This proved true for me.

For four days, I took in the most breathtaking views I have ever laid my eyes upon. Everywhere I looked I saw something beautiful. From snow covered mountains to the bright sunlight bursting through the clouds.

I could easily live in such an amazing state. The clean, crisp, cold air proved good for my health and I felt fantastic while I was there. No daily migraines, no fibromyalgia  pain. Colorado was good to me.

I had two full days to write novel number 4! I was just shy of my 10,000 word goal. But, I am happy with the progress I made. I sat by a warm fireplace with a view of the snow capped mountains. Talk about inspiration!

I have included a couple pictures from my trip. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

More articles:

Started novel number 4

New approach to creating a plot and creating a protagonist 

Baking cookies and writing a plot

Started novel #4

The writing of novel #4 has begun! First, I put together my plot, then my character development, next a bit of research and then my rough outline. 

The camera you see pictured above will be placed on the chapter page for each chapter in the book. The photo may change if needed, but as of now, this is the one.

I hate giving away book details, because they will often change along the way. But I can tell you this, my main character is NOTHING like me! I am excited to write about a character that I do not know. I have to create her from beginning to end. 

I wrote an article entitled: Writing a novel: How to come up with story ideas and plot twists If you are writing your first novel, you may find this helpful. I keep my articles brief and to the point. There is nothing worse than when I click on a post to see a recipe and there is paragraph after paragraph of useless info before the recipe is posted. Well, except people who hold up traffic to back into a parking spot...but, I digress. 

My point is, my blog posts and articles cut to the chase. 

Thank you for visiting my blog! 

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!

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!

Story and plot, YouTube, new website...a jam packed post!

Story and plot...are they the same or different?
The answer is...drum roll please....

They are...DIFFERENT!

I recently wrote an article describing the difference between story and plot. Here is a taste of what was written:

Story and plot are actually two different things when writing fiction. Here is a brief, but simple list of ways they are different. By understanding the differences, you can write a better book.
Story is emotional.
Plot is physical.
For example: story is to a character feeling sad as plot is to describe a character crying.

Simple examples of each:

Click here to read the rest of this informative article about story and plot!

One of my favorite articles is the one I wrote about Creating space to write your book at home.
I have been thinking about creating a YouTube channel to help aspiring writers. In addition to writing tips, I would also include my other loves...baking and running! (It's a good thing I have the running with all of the baking I do!)

I have recently completed my new website! It seems like it took FOREVER, but I wanted to be sure I included everything in order to make it successful.
Author: Deanna Martinez-Bey