Sunday, May 24, 2009

Finally

JackaBee Books is a collection of my works and every day thoughts.

I am back in school. I thought that this day would never come. I recently wrote a post about that and week later, I received the phone call I had been waiting for. Finally after about 5 years, I get to pursue my dream. I am very happy and thankful. Now I can feel like a whole person.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Writer's Block?

JackaBee Books is a collection of my works and every day thoughts.

Lately I have been trying to write, but I just can't get my thoughts together. When this first happened to me years ago, I was worried because I thought that I was losing my touch, and that went on for years. Now that I look back, I think that I was just too preoccupied to write. Now, it is happening again, and I am not preoccupied. Could it be writer's block? This can't happened. I have some unfinished works; I have two, no four, no five-I rest my case. This is frustrating!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Life's Path

JackaBee Books is a collection of my works and every day thoughts.

This is something that hit me one day while trying to write a poem. This is so far away from what I was trying to achieve. I am going to have it edited so tell me what you think.Jacqueline Butts
Copyright 2009
Life’s Paths
Maybe life is just a learning tool and we could look at it as being just that. Everyone has a purpose in life, what that purpose is, well, sometimes we just don’t know, that’s the mystery. Then again, maybe life is a path that we follow that takes us in many directions. It consists of a multiple of varieties like people, an array of colors, sunshine, and even darkness. Some people have a smooth path and some have a rocky path with obstacles along the way. Buts that’s okay, because it is up to you, to smooth out that path. Some people will also have a fork in their road but that’s okay too, because, you will endure confusion along the way, but don’t use that confusion as an opposition for you to learn.
Some people fall off their path, and some just keep on going. There are some people who go through life unhappy and not ever fulfilling their dreams. On the other hand, some people go through life fulfilling their dreams and are unhappy. And some people just go through life.
That same path will introduce us to people, some good, and some bad. But from each meeting, try to learn something because they were put there for a reason. Also, there are people that we will encounter that will open our eyes, and maybe blow our minds, and maybe that same encounter will have such a positive impact, that we are willing to change our lives for the better, and then that person is gone; they are gone away to help someone else. So don’t dwell in your sorrow because of their absence. Appreciate that time spent because it was a gift, not a tangible gift, but a gift of knowledge and that is something that no one can take away from you. Just use that knowledge to better yourself and pass it on. Like wisdom. If we live long enough, we will have wisdom and if we are really wise? We share that wisdom to help the next person. It is true, “You haven’t lived until you have something to regret.”
Another path life will take us is greed, jealousy, and arrogance. It won’t hurt to donate your time or maybe some personal belongings, you don’t always have to make a profit. “No good deed goes undone.” I don’t know what constitutes richness or wealth, but don’t think that everybody in a big house and driving a fancy car are rich. They maybe house poor and hungry. And if they are really rich, that doesn’t mean that they are happy. I heard there is a difference between being rich and being wealthy. I never thought about distinguishing the two, but it sure did shed some light on my ignorance. Having an abundance of money, being famous, and education does not define success. Nor does it give you a reason to hold your nose up and look down on people either. Don’t forget where you came from. The same thing goes for status and credentials. Success is what you make it. You could be successful in your own heart for something that you are proud of that goes unknown. Also, never feel slighted because you don’t have what the next person has just because you go to church every Sunday and Wednesday night, and the other person doesn’t go at all. Does that really mean that “their ancestor’s prayed for them” and yours didn’t?
If I didn’t learn anything else in life, I have learned if you stay on the right path and believe in yourself, your dreams will come true. So be careful what you ask for because you will get it, so specify.
By,Raybute

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Doing What Makes Me Happy

JackaBee Books is a collection of my works and every day thoughts.

By the age of three I knew I wanted to be a nurse, and at the age of seven, I wanted to become a Price is Right Model/actress. So by the age of twelve, I wanted to write. My father only agreed to nursing. At age nineteen, I walked across the stage to receive my nursing certificate. Unfortunately, I never past my boards and till this day I am still chasing a dream that I really don't want anymore. Now, I know that it is in me to care for people, but deep down inside, I would rather write. Over the years, I resented all nurses because I wasn't one of them and I felt like a failure, and I still do at times, I'm slowly getting over that feeling. Although I recently had my first book published, It's hard for me to get over that empty feeling. I used to feel empty because I don't have any credentials behind my name. More than half of the people that I know, especially in my family, have college degrees, rather it's a BS or Masters; I don't have that, all I have is a nursing certificate, BONET certificate, and a driver's license. I have always day dreamed about writing such as at work, in school as I was taking my prerequisites for RN and before I went to bed and when I woke up, I thought about writing. I'm beginning to see that no matter how many degrees you have or what your title is, if you are not happy doing what you want to do, then you are not going to be able to fully concentrate on your job, and chances are, you are going to be very unhappy eventually and you definately cannot give it your all. ( you will eventually get depressed and crack). I learned that the hard way. The only time I was happy at work was when I lived in L.A. and I was working for Central Casting part- time. I was an extra, and every time I went to different sets, I felt at ease, I knew that I was set out to be an actress. I regret letting that go, but you haven't lived unless you have something to regret. I have been out of work a year next month and I have been so happy, actually I was at my happiest last month because I have recently accepted the fact that, although I can't quit my day job, ( I will be returning next month)I can escape to my land of writing when I get off work and be happy. For years I couldn't make that balance, but now I can because I believe in myself. My life is complete now because I wrote my first book and to see it in a book form,I think that is every writer's dream. I just can't explain how over joyed I was. Now, I'm not saying that it was the best, because it wasn't. I will say that the illustrations are awesome,but it had so many grammatical errors and that is why they are being corrected at this moment.That experience made me become more determined and it made me overcome that self- shame that I had for many years and I now have self-worth. I am now looking forward to taking more writing classes and attending conferences. I am glad to say that I am finally doing what makes me happy and I can do it all day long with a smile.

Just a Thought

JackaBee Books is a collection of my works and every day thoughts.

Before I write what I intended, I thought I would post what I shared with my son last night. I was telling him about the time when I went to read my book at an elementary school. In the front row was a little girl. I sensed a vibe from this girl before I started reading. I sensed that she would be the inquisitive one and sure enough I was right. She just had this look on her face that I cannot explain and would you belive, that little six year old made me nervous for the entire time. She was cute as she could be and very, very, very, smart; I got to give that to her. She's going a long way in life. Let me tell you what she asked. Question # 1: "If you wrote the book, how come you don't know the words? Why can't you just read it without looking at it?" Question # 2: If Old Man Farmer is so sad, then why is he looking so happy?" Now, what six year old is going to ask such questions? She is definately precouisious. But do you know what? The next time I go for a reading, you better believe I will know my, material and I had that picture corrected with Old Man Farmer. Well, if you want some honest feed back, just ask a child. that is about as honest as you can get.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Having Confidence

JackaBee Books is a collection of my works and every day thoughts.


While suffering with my allergies for a week, I stumbled across an idea that I pondered for two months, and just like that, it hit me while I was in the bed with the sniffles, and the sneezes. I popped up, and reached for my pen and paper, and there; a masterpiece was born. At least, a masterpiece for me. In all of twenty-two minutes, I wrote the cutest little children's story that teaches a lesson of morals and values.I am thrilled to be so creative, and on that note, I am going to send it to a publisher. I can wait 3-6 months for an answer, and if not, I am so confident, I will publish it myself. That is how good it is. I have decided to send one story to a publisher and one poem to a magazine. I have written my query letters and I am not even nervous, in fact I am full of confidence. Well, enough of my basking, I have to get to the post office.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Time To think

I have been sick all week with allergies. I admit, I failed to take my Claritin like I've been told and that is the price to pay for a hard head. I feel much better, at least, while I am sitting. I 'm hoping that I will feel better by tomorrow. As I was lying around this week, I had time on my hands to finish a story; A story that I pondered for two months. That is really short for me. Normally I ponder for two years or more. The thing about it is that, I wrote the story in twenty-two minutes.Now, that's a first. I am so proud of myself because it is a story of values and a lesson learned for a child. I can't wait to get it out there and I tell you what inspired me. I was going through my scbwi (Society of Children's Book Writer's & Illustrators) packet and I came across a magazine that was looking for stories for lessons learned and I said to myself I think that I can do that, and I did. Now I am proud and I need to post it on the site to get feed back.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Under the Weather

Hello, I have been under the weather all week. I am starting to feel better so I will be back next week.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Ending The Week With A Smile

I am feeling very confident because of two reasons. one, the correction process with my book is almost over and I can receive faxes. Two, I can be proud when I do my summer reading and promoting my book. Also, although I have donated two books to my church's educational program, my pastor wants to buy a few copies for the littles ones graduation. I'm so thrilled.