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The main purpose of our monthly newsletter is to inform, motivate, educate and offer a little humor into our hectic lives.
 
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In SEPTEMBER 2009 Issue
Buglar-Proof Your Home
How F. A. T. Are You?
Grandparents Corner
Find Your Niche...
Have A Nice Day
Most Affordable Dating Cities
America's Constitution - 222 years old

BURGLAR-PROOF YOUR HOME

 
  • Trim away all tall shrubs from the windows
  • Don't advertise a specific alarm systems; use generic signs to indicate alarm, security camera, etc.
  • BIG dogs are less valuable than small yappy dogs as alerts
  • Use timers for targeted lights when away from your home.
  • Leave a radio on a talk station when away for an extended time.
  • Don't leave the house alarm off when "just running to the grocery story."  Set the alarm in all instances when away from home.
  • Ask your neighbors to pick up your mail and/or newspapers rather than stop the delivery through the sources.  Be sure to ask your neighbor to pick up the door notices also.
  • Set the Harris County Constables office in your cell phone speed dial and home phone.
  • Be alert when turning into your driveway for anyone following you. 
 
 
Your comments are always welcome at www.joestiles.com or joe@joestiles.com
 
HOW F.A.T. ARE YOU?
 
In case you missed the 08-19-09 Business over Breakfast meeting that I host for the Houston West Chamber of Commerce (www.hwcoc.org), the link above will take you to an outline of the program.
 
It has received several comments and I value your thoughts.
 
Joe
 

GRANDPARENTS CORNER

 
She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she'd done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, "But Gramma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!" I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye... 
 
My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo and I said, "No, how are we alike?'' "You're both old," he replied.

When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects.  Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, "It's no use Grandpa. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights.
 
"Children's Logic: "Give me a sentence about a public servant," said a teacher. The small boy wrote: "The fireman came down the ladder pregnant."  The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. "Don't you know what pregnant means?" she asked. "Sure," said the young boy confidently. 'It means carrying a child."
  

Do you have a cute grandparent story to share with other readers?
  81/381-1414

FIND YOUR NICHE-creating success in the book industry

 

  1. Surround yourself with your audience. What better way to understand the audience you are writing for than to become a part of their world!  In the Children's Book Industry, it's important not only to create a name for yourself with teachers, parents, and schools, but also with the young creative minds who read your work.  School presentations, reading in the classroom, attending children's activities in your area, and finding every way possible to understand the importance of the children's relationship to a character in your story is imperative to keep your reader's attention.  Stay current and realistic with the times to identify with the youthfulness of your audience.  
 
2.  Make your writing stand for something greater.  When does an author or story become more than a title?  It happens when you ask yourself why you write.  We often learn a lot about ourselves during our own character development process.  There is always so much more to say underneath the fictional idea, yet it goes unwritten.  When we get to know our story, we get to know ourselves.  Acceptance is the key to our continual development, and is extremely important in children's literacy.  So if you have a message, what is your message?  Say it.  Become a creditable source of information as you develop a passion for something greater than the fiction.
 
3. Don't stop with just the book. Think of some of the greatest book and cartoon characters of all time.  One thing they have in common is a visible and recognizable image.  It only makes sense for your character to become a brand in itself.  Why not?  Stuffed animals, Interactive Websites, Actions Figures, Collectors Cards, and Computer Games work hand in hand to make your creation stand out.  There are many companies out there that will work with you to get your characters just right.  Remember to create a brand that stands for something lasting, and is visible and easy to find.
 
4. Allow your readers to get involved.  It is important to promote literacy in your efforts as an author of children's literature.  An author can become alive to the children and become more than a mythical maker of a story when put directly in front of the fans and the readers, allowing the children to participate.  Creative writing contests for kids, writing workshops, kids book reviews, and fun newsletters to keep them involved are only a few ways to connect as a real person on their level, and inspire young minds to use their creativity and follow dreams towards becoming a reality.
 
5. Surround yourself with a team.  Becoming a successful and serious author is a full-time job.  Success cannot be created or sustained alone forever, understanding that success is a daily process.  Surround yourself with mentors, writers, marketers, publicists, and experts in your field.   As you work to build your team, focus on the benefits of bringing together a group of individuals who each share a unique approach towards your vision for your book project.  As the online marketing and networking industry continues to explode, do not solely rely on your Internet posse.  Get out there and remember the importance of face-to-face relationships with others.
 
 
Melissa M. Williams
Founder of LongTale Publishing and Children's Author Melissa@longtalepublishing.com

www.iggytheiguana.com 

 Melissa's website is rorthy of your time to review for your inquisitive kids.

 "HAVE A NICE DAY" 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         
 
Please join me as my personal guest at the
HWCOC's Business Over Breakfast meeting on the
THIRD WEDNESDAY of each month. 
 
Our breakfast meeting is held at:
 
 9990 Richmond Ave.
Norris Conference Center
Houston, TX 77042
 
We begin our netweaving and breakfast meeting at 07:00 A.M. and finish at 08:30 A.M.  
 
Be sure to say THANK YOU to those responsible for sponsoring the fabulous breakfast. 
 
The next meeting is SEPTEMBER 16th
  
The title of this month's program is:
 
"Have A Nice Day"
 
This program highlights our images and its affect on our relationships.
 
IF YOU WANT TO HELP YOUR CLIENTS GROW THEIR BUSINESS, INVITE THEM TO ATTEND WITH YOU.
 
Do you need help with directions?
Please call me at 281/381-1414 for directions OR go to www.hwcoc.org for more information and the monthly calendar of events.
 

THE TOP 10 LIST OF MOST AFFORDABLE DATING CITIES

 
  1. Pittsburgh, PA
  2. Detroit, MI
  3. Sacramento, CA
  4. Phoenix, AZ
  5. Indianapolis, IN
  6. St. Louis, MO
  7. Tampa, FL
  8. Orlando, FL
  9. HOUSTON, TX
  10. Charlotte, NC

   20.  Dallas/Fort Worth

The above list features the top 10 most affordable cities for dating in the United States based on research conducted by Match.com:

America's Constitution - 222 years old

  On September 17, 1787, forty-two of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention held their final meeting. Only one item of business occupied the agenda that day, to sign the Constitution of the United States of America.

Since May 25, 1787, the 55 delegates had gathered almost daily in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. By the middle of June, it became apparent to the delegates that to merely amend the Articles of Confederation would not be sufficient. Instead, they would write an entirely new document designed to clearly define and separate the powers of the central government, the powers of the states, the rights of the people and how the representatives of the people should be elected.

 After being signed in September of 1787, Congress sent printed copies of the Constitution to the state legislatures for ratification. In the months that followed, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay would write the Federalist Papers in support, while  Patrick Henry, Elbridge Gerry, and George Mason would organize the opposition to the new Constitution. By June 21, 1788, nine states had approved the Constitution, finally forming "a more perfect Union."
No matter how much we argue about the details of its meaning today, in the opinion of many, the Constitution signed in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787 represents the greatest expression of statesmanship and compromise ever written. In just four hand-written pages, the Constitution gives us no less than the owners' manual to the greatest form of government the world has ever known.
We have no tribal council, nor can we vote anybody off the island. But, we do live in the land of the free, and as long as the Constitution stands, we always will.

My personal wish is that we all will be thankful and highly guarded of America's Constitution in these politically charged days and months before us.
 
Read more at the above link.
SEPTEMBER 2009
Joe Casual

 I invite you to take a moment to be inspired, motivated, informed and entertained by this month's newsletter.  Please take a moment to share your comments and suggestions for furture articles and/or topics.
America's Veterans
America's military veterans have a very special place in my heart. 
 
With special THANKS  for every veteran who finances their VA or FHA loan through
JOE STILES, 
I am offering a FREE appraisal 
(a value of $400). 
 
I am honored to serve our country's veterans in this small way as my personal gratitude of your service to the United States of America.
 
NO TIME LIMIT
 
Joe Stiles
(USAF Veteran)
 
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