Category Archives: Writing

What to do While I’m Away!

Posted on by

 

See you all after 12 Sunrises and Sunsets! 

In Search of Waterfalls is taking her first official vacation! For 12 Days. To seek out new waterfalls, of course. But don’t panic. I’m coming back! And when I return, I hope to bring all you lovely readers fresh stories, fun pics, and maybe even a VLog or two.

So if you’re one of my faithful divers, swimmers, and the like, here’s three things you can do while I’m away… no pressure! 🙂

1.  Catch up on some previous Blog Posts you might have missed. There’s 100+ stories up, so peruse through at your leisure.

2.  Shoot me an email at rkpaulus@gmail.com about some topic you’d love to see me write on. Can’t make any promises, but I’m definitely open to suggestions.

3.  Share my crazy Bloggity blog with ten friends/family members who are looking for something to read during the heat of the summer. HUGS coming atcha!! Thank you Thank you Thank you! & If you haven’t had a chance to “like” my writer page on FB, take a second to pop by and click on “LIKE.” Thank you again!!

I can’t lie. I’m a little nervous to leave the cyber world for fear that I’ll miss something. Yes, I was the kids who wet her pants cuz she didn’t want to miss the fun! But even Michael Hyatt turned off for a vacation, and writes about the hows and whys and benefits now that he’s plugged in again.

I’ll see you all soon at the top of the next waterfall.

In two weeks.

Hasta Hasta!

Grace, Grace,

Rajdeep “Call me Raj” Paulus, AKA Masala Mama ♡♡♡

My Masala-Marinated Agent

Posted on by

Drag hubs into the city for dinner to meet up with Chip MacGregor, my Lit Agent, who’s here among the masses attending BEA 2012 at the Javits Center this week.

“Are you nervous?” Sun asks me as we begin our battle with NYC traffic into Manhattan. 

“Not really. Just want to look professional. Ask good questions. Pick his brain about the industry. And learn what else I can do on my part to become a better writer.”

“Okay. Sounds good. Did you call to make a reservation at the restaurant?”

“No.” It’s a weeknight. Surely the city that never sleeps doesn’t go out to eat on Wednesdays.

“You better call. Just in case.”  Continue reading →

But I Didn’t Win…

Posted on by
To hear Sarah sing… 
My grandma, who we called Biji, loved buying lottery tickets. I kid you not. When a woman asks for lottery tickets instead of flowers for her funeral service, you know the love runs deep. So my mom handed out scratch-offs to each of us grand kids when we arrived back home after saying our farewells. I think one ticket out of twenty won $50. But the remainder of the $200 worth of tickets were duds.

According to my husband who did a little research for his Facing Fear Talk, a person is more likely to be hit by lightening than win the lottery. Hmmmm? So what makes a person walk into the convenience store, slap down his or her cash, and lose. But come again, day after day, and do it again.

I’m not talking about addiction today. I have no intention of commenting on the morality of gambling. I’m simply addressing the human innate desire to win. If we’re honest with ourselves, we all have it. We all like to win. Continue reading →

Cobb Salad, the Soweto Gospel Choir, and my Writer Mom

Posted on by
“Is there an oil that starts with the letter ‘C’?” My mother-in-law asks me the other day during a visit.
“Huh?” I’m not following.
“I’m writing a story, and I can’t recall the oil that starts with a ‘c’”
“Canola.” That was easy.

My second mom, hubby’s mom, is a woman I love dearly. We call her Amma. 
She wears white Reeboks year round, layers like there’s no tomorrow, and drinks hot water when she’s thirsty. 
And the funny thing is, she’s a writer.  Continue reading →

Wait for it…Wait for it…

Posted on by
“How long is the wait?” I ask the two guys behind the desk after I pummel my way through the crowds at Famous Dave’s on Saturday night. 
“How many in your party?”
“Six.”

“At least an hour and fifteen minutes. Name please?”
“What? Sheesh. Okay. Raj. Party of six. But if there’s any way you can get us in sooner…?”

“Not likely. But we’ll try.” Standard response. Standard lie if you ask me—unless… Continue reading →

In Search of the Seat that Takes You There!

Posted on by
When I wake up on a writing day, I ask myself the one question that will determine the fate of the day! Where will I write? 

I often write at home.
This is a great choice if I’m thinking purely economically. Once the hubby is off to work and the kiddos are in school, I have the house to myself and the fridge and coffee maker are a hop, skip and an arm’s reach away. Literally. If I sit at my kitchen table, I simple stretch out my right arm, and the coffee pot handle collides with my fingers. No rising necessary. Continue reading →

When Life throws You in a Pot…It’s Bound to Get Hot!

Posted on by

 

Learn More About Bonnie Calhoun
I first met Bonnie Calhoun on line. And the woman I “met” possessed equal parts passion, humor and professionalism. And she seemed to be awake all hours of the day, because no one has ever answered my emails faster. So when I went to the ACFW conference in St. Louis, I just had to find her, and meet her face to face. I didn’t catch up with her until shortly after she won the Mentor of the Year award at the Saturday night Award’s Gala. Now was probably the worst time to approach her. Celebrity status made her a hot commodity, and I’d be lucky to get two words in. Fortunately, Bonnie made room for me, and I’m so glad she did.I spotted her in the lounge of the hotel late Saturday night sharing laughs with fellow writers, and I decided to say hello and identify myself as the girl from the email loop. Not only did she recognize my name, she greeted me with a hug and a “Sit down!” gusto. So I sat. And it didn’t take long to understand why this woman swept the Mentor award that evening.

A month later, when she gave me the opportunity to review her debut novel Cooking The Books, I felt humbled and honored. But the best part was reading it! Continue reading →

That Letter I said I Wasn’t Going to Write…

Posted on by

Copyright: http://www.stockfreeimages.com/

Happy Holidays all you Beautiful Waterfall Seekers! 

Wanted to let you know that you are all recipients of my first official Year End Reflections Letter! [After a ten year break.] If successful, I might just have to make this a tradition! Next to my annual leaf pile picture which I have yet to apologize for. My neighbor is never home! I swear! But one creative reader did suggest I take a copy of the leaf picture and place it inside a thank you card and simply say, “Thank you for the leaves. Sorry I didn’t ask first.” Not a bad idea. So once I get this lovely letter out, I need to get on it. 

As I was saying… Continue reading →

Writer’s Block

Posted on by
The End. 
Just kidding. 

Woke up this morning with first lines instead of ‘Good Morning’ rolling off my tongue. Went to the docta and the docta said, “No more sleepin’ with books in yur head!” When you live with a physician, he’s always trying to diagnose you. 

“I’ve seen this before. Classic case of Writer’s Block,” Dr. Hubby says.
“Is it bad? Can it be cured? Will I have to be quarantined?” Continue reading →