Stacey Gustafson's Blog

This Is Not A Sleepy Bear Book by Brian Gehrlein

Looking for a humorous picture book for the kiddos? Brian Gehrlein’s done it again. Coming Nov. 11, 2025, This is Not a Sleepy Bear Book will keep kids entertained, day and night. I love the humorous interactions between the main characters, Owl and Bear. Jennifer Harney’s illustrations paint a playful contract between a chaotic and quiet environment. This humorous picture book is pure fun. Kids will beg you to read it night after night.

The classic “bear hibernation” story is turned on its head in this hilarious read-aloud full of surprises, perfect for a cozy winter read and story time year-round!

This was supposed to be a sleepy bear book—a gentle, quiet story.  Until Bear opened his cozy, quiet den, only to find—A DJ and a disco ball? Guitar riffs and a booming bass? A random jazz flute?Stop all these shenanigans! THIS ISN’T WHAT HAPPENS IN A SLEEPY BEAR BOOK!

Plus, things only get noisier and more chaotic with every turn of the page. Winking at storytime conventions in a way that’ll crack kids up, This Is Not a Sleepy Bear Book combines classic bedtime story tropes with visual, giggle-worthy surprises that offer a memorable twist and a great read-aloud.

Sure to be another blockbuster hit!

The Book of Rules – Brian Gehrlein’s First Humorous Picture Book

In addition, don’t forget buy Brian’s first humorous picture book, The Book of Rules. He does his best to follow the rules and has (so far) avoided being eaten.

An interactive, fun-filled picture book with dynamic illustrations, in which readers must follow the rules or risk a run-in with a monster—with a gentle approach to mindfulness along the way.

Beware! This book has rules. You must follow all the rules. If you break the rules . . . Dennis the monster will eat you. And you don’t want to be Dennis-food—do you?

With a laugh-out-loud, interactive style, The Book of Rules invites you to get your sillies out before it’s time to focus and listen to directions—making it the perfect storytime read-aloud for rambunctious kids in the classroom, at the library, or at home. And you better get started, because Dennis can’t wait to eat—or, um—meet you!

GoodReads Review for This Is Not a Sleepy Bear Book by Stacey Gustafson

“Above all, this humorous picture book will charm both kids and parents. Whether you’re Team Bear, the fun-loving, go-with-the flow type, or Team Owl, the-easily-flustered planner who likes things just so, you’ll see yourself in these bedtime battles. The playful contrast between chaos and calm keeps the pages turning. Humor, excellent pacing, and the surprise ending make this a bedtime winner.”

#ThisIsNotASleepyBearBook @BrianGehrlein

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Brian Gehrlein’s Bio

Brian Gehrlein is a high school English teacher living in Liberty, Missouri with his family. The Book of Rules is his first picture book. Brian does his best to follow the rules and has (so far) avoided being eaten. He hopes this trend continues. Brian invites you to follow the rules by following him on Twitter (@BrianGehrlein), and avoid being eaten by visiting pbspotlight.com.

Other Professional workPicture Book Spotlight: Gehrlein created and manages this website, which features interviews with authors, agents, and other industry professionals. He also offers picture book critique and mentorship services through the platform. https://www.pbspotlight.com/about#PBCritiqueFest: He is the creator of #PBCritiqueFest, an online event for picture book writers. 

Wondering how to pronounce “Gehrlein?” It’s like “airline” with a “G.”

#ThisIsNotASleepyBearBook @BrianGehrlein

The post This Is Not A Sleepy Bear Book Coming Nov. 11, 2025 appeared first on Stacey Gustafson.

Hey Kitlit Authors and Illustrators!

Are you a Kidlit Author or Illustrator? Have you heard of #PBCritiqueFest? Check it out! Amazing prizes!

This massive one-time critique giveaway will give 32 kidlit creators an opportunity to have their work critiqued by published authors, illustrators, and literary agents. Go to https://www.pbspotlight.com

HURRY AND JOIN NOW!

The good news is, if you’re familiar with #PBCritiqueFest, this year will mostly feel very similar to the previous three years. If you’re new to the festival, winners are selected randomly, raffle-style, but you can increase your odds by earning additional entries when you help promote the festival and participants’ books. The vast majority of last year’s winners had significant multiple entries–it really does make a difference! To register, you have to subscribe to Picture Book Spotlight, and fill out the initial Registration Form (going live October 21st). That puts you in the running and could get you a win by itself.

And now…the 2022 #PBCritiqueFest participants!

For more information, go the organizers site at https://www.pbspotlight.com

 

 

The post Write KidLit? You Need #PBCritiqueFest! appeared first on Stacey Gustafson.

I’m so excited to share my author interview with Tracy Beckerman on her latest humorous book, Barking at the Moon. Prepare to fall in love with Riley, her incredibly loveable pup and her very relatable family.

Remember that warm, fuzzy feeling you get the first time a new puppy moves in? A tail-wagging-face-licking-bundle-of-joy makes us happy. Did you know that 93% of folks believe our canine friends make us better people? Who else makes you feel loved from the moment you wake up until you fall asleep?

During the pandemic, our sweet Stanley, a 20-lb white furball, kept me company. A friend to snuggle with and help with the loneliness during quarantine. He followed me everywhere, showing affection by resting his paw on my thigh or wagging his tail whenever I walked by. I laughed at the way he’d dive across the room for Cheerios and bark at the television whenever a dog made an appearance.

Tracy Beckerman’s newest book, Barking At the Moon, is the perfect reminder that laughter is good for the soul and dogs make everything better!

Enjoy my interview with Tracy Beckerman. Discover more about her book, raising kids and burping.

Tracy Beckerman Interview – Barking at the Moon

Stacey: When did you know you had to write Barking at the Moon?

Tracy: At the beginning of the pandemic when we were all isolating, I realized how great it was to have a dog around to keep me company (the dog spent significantly less time in the bathroom than my husband did). I also realized how important it was to find things to laugh at every day. One day I just had the epiphany that I should write about raising my kids and our dog and all the funny things that happened during those years. Not only did it make me laugh writing it, it also brought a lot of laughter to those who read it.

Stacey: What’s the funniest part about raising a puppy?

Tracy: Puppies are just inherently funny. Even when they do something they shouldn’t, you have to laugh because they are the most innocent looking criminals. I think they actually make puppies so cute so you don’t immediately give them back when they chew the moldings off your walls, shred your pillows, eat your socks… well you get the idea.

When our dog Riley was a puppy, I barred him from the kitchen where I was laying a new cement subfloor. He decided I must be lonely because he jumped the gate, ran through the wet cement, rolled in the wet cement, jumped back over the gate, through the house, across the new rug, up the stairs, and across the new duvet cover on my bed. I have to admit, it wasn’t so funny at the time. But years later, I still laugh at the image of him streaking though the house like a cement-covered dog missile.

The Beckerman Boys

Stacey: Your family had lots of pets. What did Riley think of the chinchilla? Bearded dragon?

Tracy: Riley never noticed the bearded dragon because he was in a tank and moved pretty slowly. However, I’m pretty sure the first time he saw the chinchilla the first thing that ran though his mind was, “SQUIRREL!”  There was a whole lot of barking (Riley) and hissing (the chinchilla) for a long time until they reached some kind of pet détente. I’m pretty sure they realized there was power in numbers and if the time came when they wanted to overthrow the kitchen, two pets were better than one.

Stacey: If someone offered you a million dollars, would you trade the kids or Riley?

Tracy: Could I trade both?

Stacey: What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?

Tracy: The ending. I can’t say why, because, you know, spoiler alert, so I’ll just leave it at that.

Stacey: Why will people want to read your book?

Tracy: If you have a dog, you will love this book. If you have kids, you will love this book. If you have kids and a dog, well, you definitely need a good distraction from having kids and a dog. Readers tell me they could completely relate to the antics that went on in our house, even if they didn’t have a Dogzilla, like we did. Cat owners, maybe not as much… Although they could certainly read this book and then feel superior for choosing to get a cat instead of a dog.

Tracy Beckerman and her latest pup.

Stacey: Can you give us a sneak peek of what you’re writing next?

Tracy: I’ve written a syndicated humor column called, “Lost in Suburbia” for twenty years. It was the basis for my previous book, “Lost in Suburbia: A Momoir.” The column and the book were all about being a young mom, in the suburbs, and all the ridiculous, funny things that happen every day that other young moms could relate to… like being stopped by a cop while you’re driving in your bathrobe, and having your three-year old daughter inform an entire supermarket that you have cellulite.

Eventually the kids grew up, and moved out and I became an empty-nester, so now I am Lost in Midlife, which is the title of my next book. It’s all about adjusting to the indignities of aging – like how the hair stops growing on your legs and starts growing out of your chin – and facing those changes with laughter.

Stacey: What’s your hidden talent?

Tracy: I can burp the alphabet. This is one of the more important things you learn when you grow up with brothers.

Want more excerpts and interviews for Barking at the Moon ? Check out more witty woman!

Who is Tracy Beckerman?

TRACY BECKERMAN is an award-winning author, speaker, and syndicated humor columnist who has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, and Good Day New York. Her numerous honors for writing include the prestigious Writer’s Guild of America award, an Erma Bombeck Writer’s award, and a New York Emmy®.

The post Tracy Beckerman Interview – Barking at the Moon appeared first on Stacey Gustafson.

4794860 © Marcus Miranda | Dreamstime.com

Are there simple lessons learned from 2021? You betcha! I believe that before you can look forward, you need to examine the past. And strange as it may sound, the pandemic has delivered certain blessings as well.

Practice Patience

As COVID-19 continues to spread, and more people remain at home, frustration mounts as we navigate our new normal. Focus on the things you can control. #1 Lesson Learned from 2021…practice patience.

Visit family via Zoom and FaceTime.Yoga and meditation can reduce stress.Accept and endure the circumstances.

I believe that a trusting attitude and a patient attitude go hand in hand. You see, when you let go and learn to trust God, it releases joy in your life. And when you trust God, you’re able to be more patient. Patience is not just about waiting for something… it’s about how you wait, or your attitude while waiting. –Joyce Meyer

We Are All Struggling

For the first time in my life, every single person has been affected by the same thing, Covid-19. May mourn the loss of loved ones. It has affected our physical and mental health, limited activities and created isolation. #2 Lesson Learned from 2021…we are all struggling.

Ways to cope:

Ask for help.Surround yourself with good people.Go shopping for others.Take breaks from the media.Take care of your body.Connect with your community.Slow Down

The pandemic has forced us to re-examine our life. It’s a good time to clear your mind and physical space. #3 Lesson Learned from 2021…slow down.

Be compassionate.Take naps.Purge your homes of worthless junk.Appreciate little things like a movie at home, hugs and smiles.

Eat at Home

Eat heathier meals. Prepare simple food. Explore new recipes. #4 Lesson Learned from 2021…eat at home.

Crockpot

A slow cooker comes in handy with a delicious meal waiting for you at the end of the day.

https://www.thereciperebel.com/easy-crockpot-meals/

One sheet pan meal

Cooking the entire meal on one sheet pan allows simple prep and easy cleanup. One pan, one meal. Dinner’s ready!

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/sheet-pan-recipes

Get Along

If you’re going to spend in exorbitant amount of time in close proximity with your loved ones, you better make an effort to get along. #5 Lesson Learned from 2021…get along.

Overlook the oddities.Forgive bad habits.Don’t be a slob.Share the remote!

Say Prayers

#6 Lesson Learned from 2021…say prayers.

The Apostle Paul gives us this encouragement in Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  And so we shall take his encouragement as we pray:  Heavenly Father, I place before you, in the name of Jesus, my deep concerns about my parents, myself, and my family about getting Covid. Protect us from harm and give to me the assurance of Your Divine Presence in our lives.  Fill my heart with the conviction of the Psalmist during these uncertain times: that the Lord is our Shepherd, that He will lead and guide us in our tomorrows…in the name of Shepherd Jesus, I pray…–Pastor Gerald Kovac

Silver Lining

The knowledge we have gained in 2021 has changed us for the better. Have the freedom to relax in ways not possible before the pandemic. Life has slowed down and brought family and friends closer. We have more to be grateful for than we realize.

Are You Still Kidding Me?

Want more? Are You Still Kidding Me? is available on Amazon in ebook and paperback. What are reviewers saying?

“I love Stacey Gustafson’s voice–her stories and how she shares them! She is entertaining, relevant and relatable, and her new book is for anyone who is a parent, child, spouse, or other.” – Wendy Liebman, stand-up comedian, semi-finalist on American’s Got Talent, Taller on TV 

Buy now at https://amzn.to/2w81huR

The post 6 Simple Lessons Learned From 2021 appeared first on Stacey Gustafson.

Shelter in place leads to stories on stage. Storytelling show co-produced by Pleasanton mom celebrates one year.

Co-producers Regina Stoops and Claire Hennessy

Join us Monday, March 29th at 6:00pm as Six Feet Apart Productions celebrates their first anniversary with a free show, live streamed on YouTube. The show will have interviews with some of the year’s storytellers, highlights from shows and, of course, stories. Access this free show by going to www.sfapshows.com and clicking on the cake. The show is free but attendees are asked to register in order to be sent the YouTube link.

Storytelling Co-Producers

Pleasanton’s own Regina Stoops, along with Claire Hennessy of Novato, started Six Feet Apart Productions (SFAP), an online storytelling show, at the very start of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Armed only with a Zoom account, a sketchy internet connection, and the combined technical knowledge of an eight-year-old, Claire and Regina were determined to turn Shelter-in-Place into Entertainment-in-Place. Some of Six Feet Apart’s favorite storytellers will be interviewed along with clips from performances over the past year.

Storytelling Virtual Stage

Their first show, launched on March 29, 2020, and was streamed live on YouTube. The show brings a mix of stories and storytellers, from the internationally known, to those who have never told a story on stage before. “I had no idea there was such a huge world of storytelling, the variety and the talent is amazing,” according to Regina. “The silver lining in this pandemic has been being able to work with performers whom we would never have had the opportunity, if not for the virtual stage. In an odd way, our world greatly expanded in spite of shelter in place.”

Storytelling Diversity

Throughout the year the show has strived to promote a diverse line-up of storytellers from varied backgrounds with shows highlighting June Pride and Black Lives Matter. Of the show focused on Black History Month, one audience member commented, “It was a gut-punching, powerful show last night…..painful stories that were difficult to hear and process.” Many of these shows also served as fundraisers for a variety of nonprofits.

More information about the show and Six Feet Apart Productions can be found on their website www.sfapshows.com or email questions to www.sixfeetapartproductions@gmail.com

Are You Still Kidding Me?

Want more? Are You Still Kidding Me? is available on Amazon in ebook and paperback. What are reviewers saying?

“I love Stacey Gustafson’s voice–her stories and how she shares them! She is entertaining, relevant and relatable, and her new book is for anyone who is a parent, child, spouse, or other.” – Wendy Liebman, stand-up comedian, semi-finalist on American’s Got Talent, Taller on TV 

Buy now at https://amzn.to/2w81huR

The post Storytelling Show Celebrates One Year appeared first on Stacey Gustafson.

Good news. There are three vaccines available, Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine or the two-dose series made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

Bad news. Who do you have to know to get the shot?

At 56, I was prepared to wait…and wait…and wait. With a population of 39.5M, California is the most populated state in the nation. Heck, if it was a country it’d be the 11th largest. I get it, distribution was going to a nightmare.

But what about my 76-year-old, high risk mother in Missouri? Why can’t I get her signed up?!!

I’ve subscribed her to over seven websites. Made twenty phone calls. Sent text message galore. I’ve become obsessed trying to get her the vaccine from long distance.

OUR LOW TECH SENIORS CAN’T FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE SHOTS THEY NEED. I CAN’T BREAK THROUGH THE SYSTEM LONG-DISTANCE.

See How the Covid Vaccine Rollout Is Going in Your State

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/covid-19-vaccine-doses.html

My conversations sounded like this, “Mom, I think I have a lead. Are you willing to drive three hours to rural Missouri with a 15-minute notice at midnight?”

Things kept getting crazier.

Until an angel offered to help. A relative and nurse from out-of-state was able to get an appointment with an hour to spare for my mother. I just wanted to kiss her straight on the mouth.

I felt like Katniss wining the Hunger Games. Victory!

I wanted to share with you amazing teens using their tech knowledge to help seniors in their community. I salute you!

Amazing Covid Vaccine Stories by Incredible Teens

My mother and her friends couldn’t get coronavirus vaccine appointments. So they turned to a stranger for help. He’s 13.

By Greg Harris

Feb. 12, 2021 at 3:00 a.m. PST

Senior citizens across the country have been wrestling with computer systems to sign up for coronavirus vaccines. My mother, who is 79, is among them. On a recent call from a suburb of Chicago, where she’s been living alone throughout the pandemic, she sounded defeated.

“I’m trying to figure it out! I can’t. None of my friends can, either,” she said. She couldn’t even explain the difficulty, just that it was hard.

Ours is a far-flung family. We speculated on options to help: Could my sister, a software engineer, take over using remote desktop control software?

Then my mother called back to announce: “I got the first shot!”

We were baffled. How did she even get the appointment?

It turns out a 13-year-old boy handled it for her.

She didn’t know him — he was the grandson of a friend of a friend of hers — and she didn’t fully understand how he’d done it.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2021/02/12/covid-vaccine-senior-appointment-chicago/

A 14-year-old Chicago kid has connected more than 100 people to COVID-19 vaccines. ‘It’s completely beautiful.’

Benjamin Kagan, 14, spent winter break remotely navigating the COVID-19 vaccine system in Florida, where his grandparents became eligible for their shots in early January. When his grandparents in Arizona became eligible for vaccines, he spent hours scouring that state’s various sites and systems for availability.

He secured shots for those grandparents and his grandparents in Indiana. A few weeks later, when the employees at his parents’ wholesale food company, Good to Go Food, became eligible under Illinois’ group 1b, Kagan started tracking down vaccine appointments for them.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/heidi-stevens/ct-heidi-stevens-14-year-old-helping-find-covid-vaccines-0222-20210222-ruqxl4utczd33muhbqx5l5kkoq-story.html

How one Denver high school kid helped hundreds of older people get the COVID-19 vaccine

An event at St. Cajetan church targeted Latino elders with the goal of vaccinating 1,000 people. It took the help of 30 college and high school students who volunteered to call people and sign them up.

Melanie Asmar, Chalkbeat

6:25 AM MST on Feb 15, 2021

Earlier this month, 16-year-old Melanie Valadez spent 14 hours calling people age 70 or older. In both English and Spanish, the high school junior and other volunteers helped hundreds of older neighbors sign up to get vaccinated this past weekend at a drive-thru clinic in southwest Denver.

“When you do a first-come, first-serve strategy, the gaps are always going to show up along race and ethnic and class lines,” said Denver school board member Angela Cobián, who helped organize the clinic at St. Cajetan Catholic Parish with other elected Latina leaders in Denver.

To close those disparities, the event at St. Cajetan specifically targeted Latino elders with the goal of vaccinating 1,000 people. The event wouldn’t have been possible without the help of about 30 college and high school students who volunteered to phone bank, Cobián said.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/02/15/covid-vaccine-racial-disparity-denver-student-volunteer-church/

Are You Still Kidding Me?

Want more? Are You Still Kidding Me? is available on Amazon in ebook and paperback. What are reviewers saying?

“I love Stacey Gustafson’s voice–her stories and how she shares them! She is entertaining, relevant and relatable, and her new book is for anyone who is a parent, child, spouse, or other.” – Wendy Liebman, stand-up comedian, semi-finalist on American’s Got Talent, Taller on TV 

Buy now at https://amzn.to/2w81huR

The post Covid Vaccine Game Hunters – Who Will Win? appeared first on Stacey Gustafson.

Before the pandemic, my mother and I talked about the latest literary books, my daughter’s upcoming nuptials and the health of various relatives.

But lately, our conversations are mainly Food Talk.

We speak on the phone or FaceTime daily. Conversations run from five minutes to an hour. But through it all, the core of our conversation is food talk.

Lunch Food Talk

I think I’m going to go mad.

If I call in the afternoon, I imagine her sitting on the living room recliner, frantically searching for the portable phone.

It’s time to talk about lunch.

Here’s a little sample.

“Hi mom. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine,” she says. “Did you eat yet?”

“Yep.”

“What’d you make?”

“Empanadas from that place in San Francisco, El Sur.”

Then the Food Talk begins in a feverish frenzy.

“Can you send a picture?” she asks me.

I’ve been sending photos of each meal just on the off chance we can talk about it the next day.

Photos To Accompany Food Talk

The next question she asks is so predictable

“How do you make them?”

“In oven 400 degrees, 30 minutes,” I say.

Soon she launches into her own food talk.

Hey, woman, I didn’t ask. I still don’t care what you had to eat.

“I made delicious, fluffy, scrambled eggs for breakfast. Just add a little milk.

“Sure.”

Dinner Food Talk

“I think I’m going to start a meatloaf for dinner,” Mom says.

It’s only 9:00 AM!

Here comes a blow-by-blow breakdown of each ingredient. Yeah.

“If you use a packet of Lipton Onion Soup mix it’s sooooo much better. I have some potatoes I can use as a side. Oops, forgot to mention I’m going to finely chop up a bunch of onions. That really makes it tasty.”

And on, and on, she drones.

Food Talk.

More and More Food Talk

Now it’s time in the conversation for me to get to my favorite subject, COVID. I’ve become quite the expert. It’s my new hobby during these unprecedented times. I’ve actually been interviewed, err, waiting for my interview from CNN.

“Mom are you being careful?” I ask. “Covid is worse than ever with the new variant.”

What’s with our elders? I swear those over 75 take the biggest risk. In my community, they’re the ones walking around mask less. I think seniors figure, hell, we’ve been through it all at our age. Covid ain’t nothing.

“Yes, I’m following all YOUR RULES,” Mom says.

“Remember to keep hand sanitizer in your car and a box of wet wipes. Avoid public restrooms.”

“I know, I know.”

“And mom,” I say, “do you need help figuring out how to get the vaccine?”

That launches into a help session about how to sign up for alerts from her states’ agency and local hospital websites. Seriously, our seniors can’t use the Internet. Where’s the helpline?

After ten minutes, she can’t handle it anymore and tries to change the subject. How do I know this? Because it’s always the same thing.

“How’s the dog?”

Our 14-year-old dog has been going downhill since the beginning of the pandemic. For a while he was barely eating ½ cup of food.

“He’s better.”

Wait for it.

“What’s he eating?”

Dog Food Talk

Dog Food Talk.

“That gross dog log that looks like bologna.”

“That’s good.”

I scramble to get off the phone but she beats me to it.

“I’ve got to go. Call you tomorrow. I want to hear about what you had for dinner.”

Are You Still Kidding Me?

Want more? Are You Still Kidding Me? is available on Amazon in ebook and paperback. What are reviewers saying?

“I love Stacey Gustafson’s voice–her stories and how she shares them! She is entertaining, relevant and relatable, and her new book is for anyone who is a parent, child, spouse, or other.” – Wendy Liebman, stand-up comedian, semi-finalist on American’s Got Talent, Taller on TV 

Buy now at https://amzn.to/2w81huR

The post Somebody Feed Joan – One Mom’s Food Talk appeared first on Stacey Gustafson.

Every so often, you stumble across a story, saying, or joke that perfectly sums up your feelings at that moment. For me, I was fortunate to open an email from Howard VanEs, President of Let’s Write Books, Inc.

I felt like he read my mind. Like Howard, I’ve experienced setbacks due to procrastination, perfectionism, and lack of confidence sharing my work. He granted me permission to reprint his email. I bet you’ll uncover some of your writing obstacles as well.

A True Publishing Story (Names have been omitted to protect the innocent!)by Howard VanEs, President of Let’s Write Books, Inc.

It took me ten years, two months and seventy-two days to write and publish my first book, but with what I know now, I could have done it in five months. Hell, it only took Tolstoy six years to write 1,225 pages of War and Peace. Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick in eighteen months and used words like “foudroyant” and “milquetoast” in every other sentence. My book, on the other hand, was 125 pages and I still don’t know what “foudroyant” means. Ask yourself, what are the three biggest obstacles preventing you from getting your book published? I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.

A Writer’s Biggest Struggle – Procrastination

My first setback was, of course, procrastination. My job was a great excuse for me not to put pen to paper or finger to keyboard. Instead of following my passion of writing, I began a career in advertising as an account executive for a blue-chip brand. Both of my parents had advertising backgrounds and would wax on about the golden age of the Mad Men days when they’d schmooze with clients on three-hour martini lunches. In stark contrast, I had twenty minute lunches at my desk which were usually frantically interrupted by my boss when she couldn’t find her highlighter. Though I hated the job, I had a wife and two kids, so I made excuses and slogged on.

Getting Fired Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened

I love my family and would do anything for them but over time, the burning cocktail of career unfulfillment and a desire to write my story was festering inside of me. Eventually I was fired from that job, which was simultaneously shattering and was also the best thing that ever happened to me. It shook me out of my malaise and helped me realize I never, ever wanted to go back to advertising. I wanted to write.

It took me five years to get to that point. I include this period in the ten years it took me to write my first book because all of those years wasted in advertising were part of the process. If I could, I would go back in time, remove my younger self’s head from up the ass of his clients and slap some sense into him. But alas, here we are. When I began writing, the years of pent-up frustration and lack of creative expression meant the words poured out of me onto the page. A writer’s Shangri-La, and over the next several months I had finished the first draft of my book.

A Writer’s Biggest Struggle – Perfectionism

Enter the second obstacle: perfectionism. It kind of sounds like a humble brag, but it really jammed me up. One day I’d look at my draft and think wow that’s pretty good. A day later I’d slam my laptop closed and scream, “IT’S ALL CRAP!” This went on for about 3 more years. In retrospect, the tinkering and editing I did over this time period did not really change the overall product. The revisions were not about making the piece better, I just lacked the confidence in my writing at that time to even consider it was remotely finished. It will NEVER be perfect. Eventually I would learn that I didn’t choose the writing, it chose me, and at some point you just have to trust that your piece is ready to be shared.

A Writer’s Biggest Struggle – When to Share Your Work

Enter problem number three: when to share your work? To begin, here’s a word of advice: never show it to your parents. Good God was that a mistake. The most positive feedback I got from them was “I don’t get it” and, “I don’t know if writing is your thing.” I shared it with some other friends and family and the reviews were mixed, causing me to plunge even further into insecurity. What I should have done was trusted myself and the story I wanted to tell. I had fallen into the trap of caring too much about what others thought of my personal work. And so, the second-guessing and self-doubt dragged on. I’d like to call this period: death by a thousand spell checks.

Over the next two years my wife urged me to submit my work to a publisher. I responded with melodramatic outbursts accusing her of “not understanding me as an artist” (whatever that meant). Over the years, her persistence paid off and I submitted my work. Now this story does not have a “my piece was accepted by the first publisher I sent it to, and we lived happily ever after” vibe. I ended up submitting it to several publishers and got a number of letters saying, “Thank you for submitting, but…” So, did I give up? No, I decided to self-publish. Best decision I ever made. I was amazed at the positive outpouring of support and found that there was a real audience who appreciated my work and bought my book. Finally, I found that feeling of creative fulfilment and satisfaction. My outlook on life started to improve and I started waking up every morning excited to see what the new day would bring. Book #2 is on the way.

A Writer’s Biggest Struggle – Procrastination, Perfectionism and Having the Confidence to Share My Work

So, let’s recap. My three obstacles were: procrastination, perfectionism and having the confidence to share my work. It took me ten years to learn these lessons so I hope they can be of help to you. I am happy to say; however, obstacles are only temporary. Today I have learned to trust in myself and just write. When you have that great idea, do yourself a favor and don’t do it tomorrow. Do it today. No matter what is going on in your life, find time. I did. If I had never gotten fired, I might still be working as an account executive and making coffee for higher-ups eighty-four times a day. Now I make coffee for myself before I sit down at my laptop to create. And you can too.

Will 2021 be the year you publish your book? Wherever you are in the process we can help you take it to the next stage. For a free twenty-minute consultation simply email me at Howard@letswritebooks.net and include the words “I’m ready for the next step” in the subject line.

Keep writing!
Howard VanEs

Are You Still Kidding Me?

Want more? Are You Still Kidding Me? is available on Amazon in ebook and paperback. What are reviewers saying?

“I love Stacey Gustafson’s voice–her stories and how she shares them! She is entertaining, relevant and relatable, and her new book is for anyone who is a parent, child, spouse, or other.” – Wendy Liebman, stand-up comedian, semi-finalist on American’s Got Talent, Taller on TV 

Buy now at https://amzn.to/2w81huR

The post A Writer’s Biggest Struggle – Procrastination? Perfectionism? What? appeared first on Stacey Gustafson.

One Christmas gift stands out above all others, Is This Anything? by Jerry Seinfeld. It’s a compilation of 45 years of Jerry Seinfeld’s best jokes arranged by decade up, from the seventies to the Covid-19 era. Like Seinfeld, it’s a collection of jokes about nothing, focusing on the minutia of daily life. It includes 452 pages of jokes we can all relate to like Dad’s thermostat, the men’s room, Pop-Tarts, movie candy, nose hair, and more.

Since his first performance at the legendary New York nightclub “Catch a Rising Star” as a twenty-one-year-old college student in fall of 1975, Jerry Seinfeld has written his own material and saved everything. “Whenever I came up with a funny bit, whether it happened on a stage, in a conversation, or working it out on my preferred canvas, the big yellow legal pad, I kept it in one of those old school accordion folders,” Seinfeld writes. “So I have everything I thought was worth saving from forty-five years of hacking away at this for all I was worth.” 

For this book, Jerry Seinfeld has selected his favorite material, organized decade by decade. In page after hilarious page, one brilliantly crafted observation after another, readers will witness the evolution of one of the great comedians of our time and gain new insights into the thrilling but unforgiving art of writing stand-up comedy.

Best Jerry Seinfeld Quotes from Is This Anything?

Comedians seems to hurtle through space and time untethered to anything but the sound of a light. Jerry Seinfeld.
But when I’m in the company of other stand-up comedians I feel like I’m rolling around in a litter of puppies.
I am totally in love with the very clear winning-and-losing outcome that a stand-up set can have.
The real deal of stand-up comedy, of course, is that you must constantly justify why you are the only one talking while a room full of people sit quietly
Getting live laughs is a druggy kind of lifestyle.
Man let me tell you, when you’re on a stage all by yourself under a hot light, with a hot mic, and those laughs are crashing down around you, it’s a strong, pure hit of every addiction you’ve ever wanted.
The biggest comedians you can name still go onstage with a little worry in the back of their head, that whatever they have might not be good enough tonight.
I deeply love the endless, somewhat torturous struggle of never quite feeling that you’ve got your act where you want it.
…When a new bit breaks through and gets a real laugh, that’s when you feel like you’re at the beginning of the journey all over again.
I love hearing a laugh that’s never existed in the world before.

Favorite Stand-Up Joke from Jerry Seinfeld Is This Anything?
Pop-Tarts

Different foods hit you different at different ages.

When I was a kid,

And they invented the Pop-Tart,

The back of my head blew right off.

We couldn’t comprehend it.

It was too advanced.

When we saw the Pop-Tart in the supermarket, it was like an alien spaceship.

And we were just chimps in the dirt playing with stick.

You open the box.

The Pop-Tarts are not even visible,.

They’re sealed.

Inside special packages, too precious and valuable to be exposed to the air.

The packets had this silvery lining.

Some metallic alloy from NASA, in case of a Russian satellite gamma ray attack.

Once there were Pop-Tarts, I did not unserstand why other types of food continued to exist.

I’d see my mother coking in the kitchen.

“What are you doing? We have Pop-Tarts now.”

You’ve got to think back to when the Pop-Tart came out…

It was the ‘60s.

We had TOAST.

We had orange juice,

Frozen decades in advance.

To read the rest, buy the damn book, it’s good, it’s funny, it’s worth it.

Is This Anything? by Jerry Seinfield captures the mind of one of the finest comedians I’ve ever heard.

 

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When I heard about Susanna Leonard Hill’s 10th Annual Holiday Contest for children’s writers, I thought, sign me up!

My first attempt at children’s poetry is below. The contest? A children’s story about a holiday helper for ages 12 and under, 250 words or less. Thanks Susanna for giving me a reason to keep writing!

Upside Down Christmas Tree

In a box in a cupboard under the stairs,

Rested our dusty, old tall Christmas tree.

Instructions claimed “easy assembly, three parts,”

Light work for my goofy Dad, Mom, and me.

Dad looked at me with squinty eyes, as he said,

“Son, before bed, it’s time to put up this beast.”

He dumped the contents about and made a shout,

“We’ll get it up in no time, to say the least.”

He assembled the branches bottom to top.

I made sure the pole was secured in the stand.

How hard could it be, sticking branches in holes?

And everything seemed to be going as planned.

As he worked upward, I averted my eyes.

He looked like a wrestler performing a move.

As sharp as a toilet bowl brush were the needles

Don’t think my pediatrician would approve.

“We got this,” said Dad, with much lackluster cheer.

As I held the pole, he fought with treetop.

Then I plugged in the lights, stood back, held my breath,

And suddenly I heard kaboom and a plop.

We wanted to see its pre-lit branches shine,

But the top half blew out with a fizz and a pop.

Mom said with a gasp, “Good grief. It can’t last!”

Anyone have a good tree my family could swap?

The trunk pointed toward ceiling? Major mistake.

It was so confusing, the point facing the ground?

Our very own Upside Down Christmas tree tale.

Dad mumbled, “We did our best, just ask around.”

 

Are You Still Kidding Me?

Want more? Are You Still Kidding Me? is available on Amazon in ebook and paperback. What are reviewers saying?

“I love Stacey Gustafson’s voice–her stories and how she shares them! She is entertaining, relevant and relatable, and her new book is for anyone who is a parent, child, spouse, or other.” – Wendy Liebman, stand-up comedian, semi-finalist on American’s Got Talent, Taller on TV 

Buy now at https://amzn.to/2w81huR

 

 

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