Costa Women Blogs

Are you a beginner writer, burning to ask an experienced creative writing tutor a question? Or an avid reader of crime, who’d love to meet a published author in the genre? Want to find out what’s going to be the next big thing in children’s novels? Now’s your chance to do all three in one visit! Lorraine Mace, children’s author, columnist, editor and creative writing tutor (who also writes crime as Frances di Plino) will be at Sabinillas Bookshop (952 891 545) on Friday 29th November and Saturday 30th November from 10:00 to 2:30 to answer questions and chat about writing. No question is too trivial or outlandish: you can ask how to structure an article, pen a short story or discover the most effective ways to kill people (in words, not deeds). With two non-fiction books to her credit, Lorraine is as comfortable advising writers how to structure a non-fiction book proposal to submit to publishers as she is giving help to potential authors struggling to get started on (or finish) their first novel. Whether you are a reader or a writer, this is an excellent opportunity to meet up with an industry insider. Lorraine is the author of the following titles. The Writer’s ABC Checklist (Accent Press) – Lorraine Mace and Maureen Vincent-Northam “There is advice on every possible question you might ask.” Richard Bell – Writing Magazine Bad Moon Rising (Crooked Cat Publishing) – Frances di Plino “tense, fast-paced… gripping. A brilliant debut.” Amanda Hodgkinson, New York Times Bestselling author of 22 Britannia Road Someday Never Comes (Crooked Cat Publishing) – Frances di Plino “dark and uncomfortably believable.” JJ Marsh, author of the Beatrice Stubbs Series Don’t miss out on this unique occasion – Sabinillas Bookshop, Friday 29th November and Saturday 30th November 2013, from 10:00 to 2:30. For more information, call Steve on: 952 891 545 Author background Lorraine Mace is the humour columnist for Writing Magazine and a competition judge for Writers’ Forum. She is a tutor for the Writers Bureau, and is the author of the Writers Bureau course, Marketing Your Book. She is also co-author, with Maureen Vincent-Northam of The Writer’s ABC Checklist (Accent Press). Her debut novel for children will be published in America in April 2014. Lorraine runs a private critique and mentoring service for writers. She is the founder of the Flash 500 competitions, covering flash fiction, humour verse and novel openings. Writing as Frances di Plino, she is the author of crime/thriller, Bad Moon Rising, featuring Detective Inspector Paolo Storey. The second in the series, Someday Never Comes, was released on 16th August 2013.   Lorraine is available for interviews Tel: +34 951 278 729 Email: lorraine@lorrainemace.com Web: www.lorrainemace.com

Just been to see The Butler, what a good film and it made me realise that It happened in my life time. The USA was so backward in human relations In those years. It must seem to some that life has always...

business bullying? Posted by Eileen Myers on November 17, 2013 at 13:57 in FAQS View Discussions Hi all, I am a new member and live in the Southern part part of the Costa Blanca. A friend recently organised a fashion show marketing her own dresses, those of a dress shop, our local hotel and the hairdressing service of a business in an adjoining ciudad. A local charity was going to benefit from the sale of the tickets. Many have been sold, paperwork printed and circulated and entertainment booked on a payment with no return arrangement. She has had to cancel, however, due to threats from a nearby business woman who objects to such marketing on her ‘patch’. Lots of threats have been made to the businesses involved in the planned event. So these reletively smaller businesses feel too intimidated to continue with the venture. My friend and I are not that familiar with such practice, coming from the UK fairly recently. Are any other members familiar with such practice? Isn’t it just open competition? Or are things different in this respect over here? Many thanks for any thoughts on this matter, Eileen Myers of Algorfa

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT As we approach Thanksgiving in the United States, I ran out of fingers and toes in counting my many blessings, and to boot, I am also having a birthday on November 29th!!!  And…..I LOVE Birthdays!!! Therefore, until midnight on the 29th of November, if you’re looking to purchase one or more of my VISION CHATS, be advised that I’m taking off $29.00 of the total $149.00 per unit price, as my gift back to you on what promises to be an extraordinary birthday.  Offer good through midnight.  Just send payment via PAYPAL account to: Ali@VisionForSuccess.biz If you are looking to purchase Coaching Programs, I am taking off $129.00 of each program.  However, let me know via email, so that I can adjust it for you.  Remember, this is effective until midnight, November 29th.  So anytime between now and then, you’re good to go.   You can check current programs, both, short-term and long-term at http://AliRodriguez.com/programs With 2014 right around the corner, this is the time of the year when many clients want some serious business building strategic planning to kick-start their new year with a bang.  I am happy to say, that I still have a few open spots for new coaching clients; however, act now as time is of the essence.  And if you want to know more how to work with me, simply send an email to Ali@VisionForSuccess.biz with your name and “discovery session” typed in the subject line, and we’ll arrange for a time to discuss your options. Much love and success! Ali R. Rodriguez International Business coach and Passionista Leader http://AliRodriguez.com Ali@VisionForSuccess.biz

The Power of Gratitude! Have you noticed lately, the little things that bring positive energy into your life? Like the neighbors, whom you haven’t seen in eons, all of the sudden paths cross at the grocery store and they hug you, as they are genuinely happy to see you? Or the child of a perfect stranger that continues to look at you, smiling all the way as if he’s known you all his life? How about a friend or relative that out of the blue calls you to say hello, and adds:  “I miss you?” And then, there’s this friend that for no apparent reason whatsoever, wants to know how you are, and offers to help you on whatever you’ve got going on, and really means it? How about that $20.00 bill you found in your jean pocket, after it was washed! All these are indicators that you are, or have trained yourself to be, a person of gratitude, a person….. with a grateful heart. It’s so easy to get caught-up in the negativity of life.  In fact, since childhood, most humans have been trained to look at what’s wrong with the world, and not at what all is right within themselves.  It gets us into trouble each and every time. Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew how to turn things around?  Wouldn’t be nice if you knew how to stop judging and start loving?  Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a magic wand that could turn your human frailties into human virtues, and your business into a money-making machine?   Yes, wouldn’t it be nice! The truth of the matter is that you CAN.  It all starts with a small mindset shift: “When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” -Lao Tzu When life gets you down a bit, when money is not flowing to you as it used to, when health is not what it should be, when the love of your life leaves you, maybe for someone else, maybe to be with his maker, but leaves you nonetheless; when your kids are in trouble, when you need to face the music and you feel tired beyond belief and beyond your own reality, when every things seems to go on overwhelm mode, it is time, to seriously start counting your blessings.  Create a Gratitude Diary or Calendar. Commit to write to it every day.  Even if just ONE word! i.e. House, Food, Roof, electricity, friends, pets, love, car, shoes, feet, legs, etc. Anticipate new things you want to be grateful for.  As examples: Upcoming wedding (even if you don’t have a boyfriend or girlfriend yet) or future children, or winter home in some exotic place. The list could be endless, as imagination has no limits. Be grateful for your mistakes and the hard stuff in life.  Without it, you would not be the person you are today. Practice LOVING over JUDGING. Express gratitude to those who serve you.  Hospital workers, grocery store clerks, Starbucks team members, and the like. Write a handwritten letter of gratitude to someone who has made a difference in your life.  Perhaps a teacher, a clergy person, a coach, co-worker, mentor, your doctor or health care provider.  Give yourself extra kudos if you hand-deliver it and read it out-loud to them!  (Bring hankies!) Write a letter to yourself for the awesome person that you are.  Yes, you are! Be very grateful for a force bigger than everything else.  Look up to the sky and thank the Universe for all the beauty around you.  For the full moons, and the early rays of sunshine, for the gentle streams, for the amazing oceans, and for the wild life that teaches us so much. And this is how you begin a small shift of mindset thinking to create a grateful heart.  You will see how things begin to change for you and those around you. When speaking with difficult or unappreciative people, tell them you want to start a conversation by being thankful for just ONE thing, and let it run its course as one good thing will lead to another.  Focus on the loving, not the judging, and by all means, continue to open your heart to bigger and better things to come. No matter what:  Always Be Grateful! Much love and success, Ali R. Rodriguez, International business coach, Passionista Leader and Intuitive activist http://AliRodriguez.com/programs

Why not inviting your relatives or friends to enjoy a warm and sunny holiday this year? Lomas del Marqués, an exclusive residential area between Puerto Banus, San Pedro de Alcántara and Benahavis offers wonderful holiday apartments. Beautiful and peaceful environment and still close to the busier coast life. There are still a few apartments available with 10% discount for december/january. I can recommend!  Find all the details, availability and pictures on: www.lomasdelmarques.com