A Recent Review

In June 2013, I received this message from a popular author.  Earlier this year, I met a friend of hers who bought a copy of my 2nd novel, Beyond Church Doors.

"Hi, Sylvia Brown-Roberts! One of my friends received a copy from you at the Women's Expo, and she told me how much she loved the story. She felt like the Lord was confirming His love through it. Thank you!"
Carrie T.

This is one of the main reasons I write: to tell about the Lord in a way that touches hearts.

www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Keep the faith...
Sylvia

Approximations

Early in my teacher/staff trainer years, I worked in a program that involved Behavior Analysis techniques. One of them was about shaping desired behaviors in students, and stressed that approximations of  a desired behavior should be observed. Those approximations pointed to the student's success at reaching the desired end behavior. The small improvements were noted and praised. The student was encouraged.
Similarly, when I get too down on myself for not totally meeting a goal, it's helpful to recognize whatever progress I have made toward the end goal. I remind myself to keep going forward. I pray, of course.
I also have a magnet posted in my work room. The words are from an artist/writer named Jodi Hills. I discovered her work by checking out her website after I purchased a magnet that has one of her messages:
She wasn't where she had been.
She wasn't where she was going,
but she was on her way.
jodi hills
Nice...
Take care,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Heritage Days, June 2013

I had a table at the Heritage Days Festival on Sat., June 29, 2013. It was held outdoors in downtown Trenton on a sunny, humid, clear day. I carted my 2 novels (Behind Church Doors and Beyond Church Doors) and set up in my spot. It was good to talk to the people who stopped by. Many of them I knew, many of them I met that day. There was great music, lots of food, exciting activities for the many children, and  useful information available. The other vendors were friendly and helpful. The cultural flavor was varied and warm. People purchased my novels and a couple of young people had me share information about the writing life with them. They want to be authors one day. Good vibrations...
Here are 2 pictures of my table.
Peace,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Encouragement

My primary source of encouragement and direction is scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16-17- these are two verses that many of us church children memorized back in the day when our elder church teachers stressed the memorization of Bible verses.
From  time to time, I come across the words of some

writers that offer positive points to consider. I saw the piece above in a newspaper named Mercer County Woman, a group that sponsors the annual Women's Expo. I've been a featured author in their Book Nook for a few years now. Thought I'd pass it along to you.
Take care,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Coffee, Again

I like coffee. I have one cup a day, usually in the morning, and I don't drink any in the afternoon or later in the day. I usually brew my own at home. I'm not a coffee expert, so the rare times I do go to a specialty coffee shop, I have a hard time ordering. It has become so complicated. I've been to a popular coffee chain about 3 times lately, because I was out early and didn't want to take the time to brew coffee when I got home. My plan was to buy a cup of coffee, take it home, and add my own sweetener and flavored creamer. All I wanted was a regular sized cup with nothing but the coffee in the cup. It went something like this:
"May I have a regular coffee, please?"
"What size do you want, Miss? Large?"
"I want a regular size, like 8 ounces."
"Oh, you want a medium. And what do you want in your coffee?"
"I want it plain, with no sugar or cream, please."
The worker looked at  me like I was quite special. "Oh, you mean you want it black."
I thought plain coffee meant black coffee, but I was wrong. I know that because the worker wouldn't go off script-plain didn't mean black. Black meant coffee with nothing in it. I think she said that regular means coffee with sugar and cream.  You'd think I'd get this by now, but it's one of those things my brain doesn't want to learn.
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Oh, you may notice I've changed the website name. It works better for me.

Some Tasks Can Wait

I'm behind schedule in my writing today because I made what I thought was going to be a quick run to the store. There was only one roll of bathroom tissue left in our storage closet, and there are 3 commodes in this house. One roll left is not a good plan. While at the store, I noticed an older man who seemed to move to the opposite end of each aisle I was in. My personal radar didn't indicate danger, and there were others in the store, so I grabbed the bathroom tissue and looked for the other few items on my list. (BTW- we used to call bathroom tissue toilet paper long ago).
The older man caught up with me near the  fruit drinks. I greeted him in a friendly, respectful manner- and the flood gates opened. He walked near me and talked to me about everything from his childhood in Harlem, the value of buying a used car, a fair-minded mechanic in the township, safe and unsafe parts of our city, his lovely wife, the stores in the area with the nicest restrooms, the taxes on the house he and his wife own, and so on. I couldn't get a word in.  After about 5 minutes of smiling and nodding politely in response to his nonstop chatter, I grew a little impatient-this was supposed to be a quick stop for me. My writing task was waiting!
Then, my impatience was checked. This man just wanted someone to talk to while he  did his shopping. This was a social outlet for him. He was harmless, he needed my ear for a little while.  A few minutes more, and he wound down enough for me to say,"Okay, sir. You have a nice day." Then I moved away from him. He smiled warmly.
He's probably somebody's parent, and I wouldn't want someone to be impatient with my elderly parent. Who knows?  I might be in this man's position one day.
Anyway, I'm glad I listened to him.
Smiles,
Sylvia Brown-Roberts
www.nikkimacproductions.com

Do You Remember?

My short term memory situation is becoming amusing to me. I can remember the black and white crinoline dress with the black sash that I wore in my kindergarten class photo. However, I can't remember the details of the conversation I had this morning at 8:15.
 I can remember so many details about my sister and brothers as we were growing up in the family home, but I can't remember what I came upstairs to fetch an hour ago.
I can remember practically all the lyrics to the songs from my teen years, but I have to think hard to recall what I ate for dinner the other night.
The good thing is, when I get quiet and settle down for bed tonight, those elusive thought snippets will find their way to the front of my brain. I'll remember this morning's conversation, why I went upstairs, and also the dinner meal. But then, I have to be prepared for the same memory dance tomorrow. Same dance, different details.
Is it just me? I think not.
Smiles,
Sylvia Brown-Roberts
www.nikkimacproductions.com