I am writing...

I have decided that I will become famous for my ability to write. I don't know why or when or even how, but I believe that unless I try I will never know.

I have the ability to be creative, I daydream often, I have a dynamic imagination and I enjoy writing but, is this enough for being famous or is it coupled with luck, opportunity, right place at the right time with the right story!

Did JK Rowling's planets align at the right moment and she was 'discovered' or was she really a good writer with a turn of phrase that resonated wiht her audience and the fantasy story no other could deliver!

On Jen's blog she pasted several motivational images that show the most amazing quotes, that if followed to the letter and endured would provide the follower of a life that would be worth writing about.

My challenge is to both myself and the people in my circle of those I know, be the best you can be and enjoy the ride.

 Sourced from:http://imbored-really.blogspot.com.au/2010_04_01_archive.html

Politics and PR

This weekend sees one of the biggest and most publicised PR campaigns that will grace the media for some years to come.

The inevitable confrontation between Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard will take over every news station from TV, radio, newspapers and even transcend over to everything social media.

The campaign Kevin is running is based on asking 'the people' to speak with their local MP - members of parliament - in order to get them to push for voting for him in Monday's leadership ballot. Seriously, very clever idea. This as he has not yet fully received all the votes he needs to gain control of the his party.

And...he has openly promised that in the event he wins the leadership role aka Prime Minister, no one who voted for Julia will be moved to another post, or even worse, fired. 

He has also attacked the likes of Tony Abbott, opposition leader and the failings of his party in that the people have a choice of whether to follow Labour or the Liberals, and again in doing so deflecting any open or verbal attack against Julia, which would alienate party members to support her cause.

Wow! quite open and transparent.

Julia's campaign is about...not sure! Well, she stated "I am the current Prime Minister" Hmmm, watch this space.

I am privileged...

I have the privilege so few have the opportunity to experience, that of the growing passion of new people entering the world of public relations and seeing the eyes light up to the possibility of the future.

Word to self "I must not lose my passion and enthusiasm, because if I do...cause and effect"

Today we spoke of many things PR, shared our knowledge and experiences and I believe we came closer together as a group that has the potential for many great things to come. There really are no limits.

Each person has a unique reason and passion for being in the PR class. Some have expressed their inner most thoughts whilst others remain guarded, that is their choosing.

This journey of learning the students embark is complemented by the significant amount of soft skills the students will learn indirectly from self-esteem, presentable, approachable and visibility.

I expect...no, I demand and even challenge my students to be the absolute best they can be.

Resilience ...what is it?

Resilience training is about how quickly you can bounce back from daily pressures of life. That's it. Nothing great, but some need it. Why. Simply because some people have no capability to manage their day, life or circumstances around them. Do I need this, no. I and the group of people I am doing this with are a mature group of people. Some set in their ways, some cynical and others, open to new ideas. There is also a group who couldn't give a toss and are here because their manager/job has expressed this is part of the professional development. The facilitator has now just taken out a Sesame doll, Ernie, and placing it on her shoulder....and it's meant to be a reminder of being aware of what's happening around you, both positive and negative. This ia an interesting workshop for the young and gregarious. We teach this on a daily basis to our students and embed this as part of their learning experiences throughout the semester. This is a key part of everyone learning, age irrelevant. The exhausting aspect of this is it can be quite draining of all emotion, more mental than physical. She's really now preaching to the converted, or should I say the educated... Three hour workshop...2 hours 45 minutes to go.

Writing is an art

I have often been told that unless you write the most creative opening few lines in a book and grab the reader by the throat that they will not read further as you will have failed to capture the readers attention and as importantly, imagination.

There is a great new website I have discovered called http://www.webook.com/911writersblock it follows that if you are stuck for a writing topic, this will give you some ideas and inspiration, here's some examples of opening lines:

• A quiet suburban cul-de-sac. A child's bicycle lies on its side, one wheel slowly turning.
• A wedding chapel in Las Vegas at 8 a.m. on a Sunday. An old man is asleep in the rear pew, a blood-soaked bandage on his left hand.
• A woman stands on the side of the highway, slowly walking, her used-to-be white wedding gown in tatters.

I just love the fact that imagination, creativity and storytelling  are alive and well and that these and many other ideas can capture that imagination from which could stem a compelling new storyline/novel.

However, on asking several avid and prolific readers far great than me on whether they potentially thought they could write a novel, most came back with 'no, I'll leave that to the writers, I just like reading them."

I suppose not everyone is born to write and even to become a successful writer, but then again, unless we try, we'll never know. 

Consider J K Rowlings first Harry Potter novel was taken on by the prestigious Christopher Little agency but still rejected by a dozen publishers, including Penguin, Transworld and HarperCollins. The small London publishers Bloomsbury eventually took it on, apparently on the advice of the CEO’s eight-year-old daughter. She read the book and lent it to her friend who also thought it was fantastic.

And another in Stephen King’s first novel was rejected by Doubleday, prompting him to take a teaching job. He began a short story called Carrie but threw the manuscript in the bin. His wife retrieved it. Doubleday bought the hardback rights for $2,400 (1,200), and New American Library paid $400,000 for the paperback rights.

So I suppose like them and many others before them I am starting my writing career and seeing where it takes me. I have a few ideas and creative stories I want to tell, but my imagination seems to run wild at the most craziest of times when walking the dog, driving or just day-dreaming.

The latter being a school past-time when advised by my teacher on whether I wanted to become a window-cleaner as I spent many hours staring out of the window.

Mentoring young people

The New Year 2012 brings with it so many new possiblities and opportunities. When asked just before midnight what my New Years resolution was I have a few goals whilst leaving others to formulate as the year moves on.
My original and first thoughts are always 'to ensure that I don't waste the year'. Fairly broad in the concept of resolutions, but most of my life I want to feel some sort of personal and professional goal(s) have been acheived, otherwise, what's the point!
This also includes my time in giving back to society in whatever form I can beit volunteering, mentoring or my role as a lecurer in instilling and giving back confidence and self-awareness to young people.
The latter role is one I am very passionate about as I see a number of young people come through my door that have been told they are worthless, disrespectful, have no voice and are not listened to. Having stumbled on this career a few years ago, I now believe my journey has reached its pinnacle in this is what I am meant to do, teach and mentor young people.

The fact is, I enjoy it.

Do we need to build professional relationships?

Public relations practitioners are not the best advocates of building professional relationships within their own industry. Why, I can only guess, but have heard many times, I am too busy, not enough time, on a needs only basis...when I need to contact someone for some advice then I know where to go.
This leads me to wonder whether we have gone passed building personal, yet professional relationships and that such online professional sites like LinkedIn have surpassed just catching up for a coffee.
However, as I am now a board member of the PRIA WA Council, I was surprised to find that the LinkedIn site has 177 members. Wow! on seeing this I thought there was a great opportunity to connect with people who act and think like I do. This also includes the sharing of knowledge, case studies and having more opportunities present themselves.
Well, I was and am still surprised that with so many members there were several entries from one or two people over a two year period. Maybe this isn't the right forum for connecting with like minded people. Then what is the answer.
Another online site if people are busy; actually catching up for a coffee or more industry led presentations. I am not sure, but this is one key area I aim to explore during the period on the WA Council.
I don't have the answers, but if you have any idea as to how we provide a place of connection, let me know.