In accordance with new FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books I review on my site are provided to me for free by the publisher or author of the book in exchange for an honest review. I am in no way compensated for any reviews on my site.
Gregory Turner and Brian J Henderson Host The Abundant Solutions Hour www.blogtalkradio.com/asemotivation Call In Number (718) 508-9600 Wednesday, September 3, 2008 9:00 PM EST. Special Guest, Actor and Singer, David Mann
For those of you who are subscribers of CFB or know me personally then you know about my new found bachelorette freedom, my unsuccessful summer ManFast, and my capers in single Christian parenting. But you may not know that I am a newly wed. Yeah...I got my business hitched. Yep! I have a work spouse and today--surprisingly--I'm glad I do.
What is a work spouse? A coworker/business partner of the opposite sex that works in the same office or industry and complements your career. My boy, Daren Gayle is CEO of ITG Enterprises, a Christian entertainment artist agency, and I work as a...me.
Oftentimes we share clients, projects, faith and ambition. We escort each other to various events(like I escorted him to the Gospel Music Festival pre-conference dinner two weeks ago and last year he escorted me to the Christys Book Awards Banquet.) And when we don't need each other on the business side we are each others support as brothers and sisters in Christ. Believe this or kick rocks-- our friendship is kinda good. More importantly, our coupling adds value to both are businesses.
Why the opposite sex?
I don' t have a clue. I have BFFs, write-or-die chicks and gal pal counterparts, but this arrangement it works. Could be because I have a twin brother and his best friend is his sister. Perhaps our gender difference gives each other a fresh perspective on what we do. I don't know, but what I know is...what he's good at it I don't want to do, but I know how to help him do it better and vice versa.
But there are pitfalls or things to consider if you are thinking about partnering with a business friend of the opposite sex:
1. Honor the friendship.
Good friends are indeed hard to come by. Friends with business benefits are even harder, so take care of your friend. Be honest in all business arrangements. If that means you won't take a client for conflict of interest, then don't do it. And if you're both brothers and sisters in spirit make sure you place yourself in a position to honor and respect his manhood/her womanhood.
Sometimes I am a bit tomboyish or I get a little too girly with my discussion, but the Daren just ignores or chuckles about my constant slips about mascara and lipgloss, then pulls me back into our world.
2. Sync your calendars.
I owe this tip to Daren. He constantly gets on me about keeping him informed of my calendar and any client's calendars that we share. Schedule a time to sit down and share your work calendar and what needs you may need from each other to be successful on your end.
3. Treat him like family.
Daren is a part of my family. Truth be told I just introduced him to my mom and sister. They thought it was about time and long overdue. I talk to Daren so much I assumed my family had already met him. So make sure you introduce your family and spouse/significant other to your biz bud and become a bridge between the two. Put your family first. Set clear work hour boundaries, so that you two don't run over into family time and respect each other's personal space.
But...which leads to tip #4.
4. Prepare and expect to see the White Elephant in your partnership.
When your best business bud is a single guy and you are a single gal, then expect to deal with the white elephant in the room, "Are you two dating?" the question/the look/the expectation. Believe me. You are not alone there are many work spouses and this relationship continues grow. If this question is an issue for you, then you may need to rethink this partnership. Your biz buddy should make things easier for you not worse. And your real spouse should be comfortable and even welcome the partnership. If not, then I suggest you take a step back and fix the problem.
This relationship should be a burden lifter for you and if you're single like me it sure takes the edge off of having to bring a date at events and it really, truly helps you to remember your self worth. You will choose better men to date, because you're not male companionship and you will see how a man should respectfully treat you and not expect anything less.
Now all this talk has me wondering: How many successful work spouses are out there and are there any writing team spouses? Don't get me wrong I don't want to divorce Daren, but...sh... I would love to collaborate on a book with a guy.
Here are the work couples I found some cornball, but fun(feel free to add to the list:)
Scully and Moulder of the Ex-Files. Right?
2. President George W. Bush & Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice (great insync photo)
3. Queen Latifah and Producer Shakim Compere. White Elephant in the Room on that one.
Happy Thursday! Today I will be sending out short posts through the Labor Day weekend for my Blackberry and smartphone users. It's easier when it's shorter right. Also I have so many things that I can't couple together. Anyway... if you don't have time to read, you can listen to this post by clicking the arrow below.
Author Rhonda McKnight explores my "vertical writing" concept at BWChristian Lit Blog.
Last month our writer’s group had a craft session on “Vertical Writing”. Dee Stewart, the facilitator defined vertical writing as “the process, whereby the author’s writing either moves the reader toward having a centered communication with God or keeps the reader centered.” I don’t know if vertical writing is an actual term or one she coined herself. I do know it was a powerful lesson; one that reminded many of us that in the midst of spinning our stories, not to forget the purpose God has called us to as writers of Christian fiction. - Rhonda McKnight
This summer I asked a question about work and worship on Linkedin and have received 28 responses so far(still open for your answers.)
Since my work is writing about Christian topics, I continually seek God to guide me as I write. I spend time in the morning in prayer for my work. I listen to praise music as I write. I pause and pray as I go through my workday, remembering that God is enthroned and He is the only place I can know truth. - author, Tricia Goyer
So this concept reaches far beyond just our writing, but worship as a way of life. I hope you stop by BWChristian Lit and share your stories with Rhonda. But before you go quick question: How do you incorporate worship in your life?
Today's Trailer Park Tuesday spotlight is not a trailer, but Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention. Comments are open today without moderation. Please remember CFB will not tolerate profanity, or any dialogue that is unbecoming, and definitely no personal attacks. I will share my comments about the speech throughout the day.
CFB News for the Week of August 25, 2008 listen to this post by clicking the arrow bar below
Today our Monday Christian Fiction News Format will be replaced so to speak with CFB News, because Christian Fiction Blog will be spotlighted throughout the blogosphere this week. I wanted to bring these dropzones to your attention, so you can follow me there and be a part of the conversation.
Yesterday I was talking to a bookseller friend of mine about books, particularly on the part of the Great Summer Novel. I had picked a few at CFB and I fell in like with a few of them. But this one...this one turns summer afternoons into moments of Selah and gives me a clearer vision for the stories my soul wants me to write. This novel, of course is Uwem Akpan's "Say You're One of Them."
Blog Talk Radio
Abundant Life Solutions and The Black Author's Network
Every Monday night at 8pm EST You will find me either on the radio or in the chat room talking Christian Fiction Blog and book marketing promotion at Ella Curry's Black Author's Network BTR Show.
Around 9pm I will hop on over to my buddies Gregory and Brian's Abundant Life Solutions Hour. I am in the chat room hoping to land a question about something. Their topics are so smart.
All week you can find me at Hope for Women Magazine's Online Community covering the Democratic National Convention. My new friend, Jana la Sorte press manager for the DNC is providing me the faith based coverage of the DNC. Follow me on Twitter or head to the site to stay informed. Tonight we discuss Michelle Obama's keynote speech.
I will be blogging about the Faith and Fiction Retreat all week at Savvy Sista. I will have audioblogs I taped while at the conference and will be talking about the books, the pajama parties, beautiful Destin, Florida, interviews and tips for bookclubs and authors who are plannning to attend book conferences. So check me out there, too.
This week on CFB
Just because I will be everywhere, doesn't mean I won't be here. This week I will be setting up a new contest. interviewing authors, posting Christian Fiction News, The Trailer Park Tuesday, featuring some guest bloggers, uterrz, sharing some new books on my review table. This week I am reviewing Pat Simmon's Talk to Me for Romantic Times Magazine, And Darlene Laney's He Made a Woman for Good Girl Book Club Magazine.
The Christian Fiction Network
Don't forget to join theThe Christian Fiction Network. I think we are about 60 strong. That is 60 Christian authors strong. Sharon Ewell Foster, Marilynn Griffith, Stacy Hawkins Adams,Marita Teague, Pam Perry, Linda Beed, Maurice Gray, Christa Allan and the list goes on and on. Don't miss out on the chance to connect and share with your peers.
So now that CNN's Don King has let the cat out the bag we now know that Senator Biden is the Obama's VP pick.
This weekend The comment box is open for discussion what do you think about Obama's pick, waiting all day yesterday for a text message, the Olympics, whatever. I took off the codes so that more people can comment in real time without all the security hangups. I hope spammers will not take advantage of the situation.
Wednesday Readup for the week ending August 20, 2008
I have been busy with new things and old things and blogging. I have quite a bit of info for this week's read-up. Enjoy. If you don't have time to read. Click the icon below to listen to this post.
Tyler Perry on ET Watch Here
Tyler talks about his mother, Oprah, Senator Barack Obama and his new movie, which looks so great, The House that Preys. Watch now.
Faith and Fiction Retreat recap
Patricia, Ty and Rhonda have written faith and fiction recaps. Next week I will be sharing my notes, pics, and audio interview at Savvy Sistah blog and will host all the authors from the retreat to a live broadcast chat on Blog Talk Radio's Ella Curry's Black Authors Network Show so subscribe to CFB or follow us on twitter to get those details. You don't want to miss talking with Tiffany Warren, Reshonda Tate Billingsley, Victoria Christopher Murray, Michelle Andrea Bowen, Sherri Lewis, Dwan Abrams, Kendra Norman Bellamy, Bonnie Hopkins, Mikesenoja, Ty Moody, Rhonda McKnight, Patricia Woodside and who else and a bag of chips. This will be fun. Mine are available in audio at Utterz. I will create a squeeze/sneeze page to house it all this weekend. Pics are below for you to enjoy.
ACFW-VIP still Cracking Essence Magazine's Bestseller's List
Woohoo! ACFW Visions in Print founder, Kendra Norman Bellamy sprawls on the September 08 Essence Magazine Bestseller's list with two novels: (4)One Prayer Away and (6) A Love so Strong
Fifth Annual Pen to Paper Literary Symposium
Enjoy live music, clean comedy, massages, desserts and authors from across the nation! Learn what it takes to write, publish and promote your book! Find out how to break into the music industry from national recording artists! Understand what it takes to succeed in arts and entertainment at the Fifth Annual Pen to Paper Literary Symposium!
Guest Speakers include: Best-selling author Dr. Vivi Monroe Congress; Attorney, Agent and Author Avalon Betts-Gaston; Best-selling author Kendra Norman-Bellamy and Publicist Pam Perry of Ministry Marketing Solutions.
Also starting next week I will be covering the Democratic National Convention for Hope for Women Magazine. Follow me on twitter to get up to the minute info on the Obama Race to the White House.
