Tag Archives: Paris

How and Why I Self Published a Book

I remember one day sitting at a trade show booth in Las Vegas with my awesomely successful and lovely sister. Clients would come up to us and ask if we had any number of objects from Velco to copies, to faxes to signs.

We’d look at each other with a knowing smile, pretend to bend down and change hats.

One hat said Designer, one said Electrician, on said Copy Girl. Today my hat says Blog Writer.

i shall be calm in this moment. ♡

i shall be calm in this moment. ♡

I think that flexibility in skills in today’s marketplace is absolutely key to being successful.

One day I decided to write a book. It was so easy. I was sitting next to my fire while my family was either watching TV or playing cards and I was surfing the internet for interesting things to read.

Then I thought to myself, hey, if that person can write a blog or publish a book, then what is stopping me. So I did. I opened a blank document up and started to type. Before I knew it I was looking at my guide book called Zero to Blog.

Basically, it explains why I started a blog and how easy it is for you to do the same.

The steps I took to get my book available to the public were so easy. After you type up your book, you just need to design a cover. I had read about lulu.com where you can upload a book and name your price. I think I make half of book sales. I can’t remember exactly.

I designed the cover according to their requirements. They needed the cover to be a certain exact size, so I did that following their directions.

Then, all I had to do was upload it and there you go. I linked it to my blog so anyone who is interested can download it.

You don’t know actually need any authorization or approval from anyone in particular in order to write or sell a book.

You just do it.  Simple, right?

I also like to go the extra mile so I’m sharing some adjectives here you can use to spice up your writing. Have fun and let me know how your projects come along.

Here are 9 rockstar blog words for dummies smart people.

1) Barbra Streisand She’s amazing. She’s everywhere. If you don’t quite get it, neither do I. I am almost sure it’s just playing around. I love people just like to say it. If you know why they do, please tell me. :)

2) Life Hacks I’ve noticed a lot of the seriously smart blogging blogs are using Life Hacks in a positive way. Life Hacks offer simple solutions to every day problems.

3) Wicked As old as this seems I’m still coming across Wicked in in well written headlines. It’s still works. At least on East Coast it was big when I was a wee tot. On the west coast we used a little bit more surf slang. You tell me, do people still use this? I try to use words that I say. I’d never say killer buzz words. It sure looks good in a title though, doesn’t it?

So I heard you been jammin’ down some gnarly tunes on your guitar?

That is just so wrong on so many levels. This gem was offered up last summer at a barbeque.

Be a free thinker.

4) Zen Whether it’s Zen Motorcycles or Zen Journey or Zen Habits people love anything that will make their lives more zen like. It’s an art. It conjurs up images of peace. Oaahhhhhmmmmmmm.

5) Simplicity I like any website that promises a simpler better life. I remember reading one day less is more. Or was it every day one thing less? My goal in my life is to get everything put away before I die. One thing less. Simple Life, Simple Pleasures, Simple simpleness. Simplify your life. It’s simple.

6) Social Media I don’t truly love this term. I bought a book at a garage sale in Pacific Palisades, California from a nice lady. I wanted to keep in touch with her so I asked her if she was on facebook. She said, no I don’t like social media. It was the first time I heard the word. Now it seems to be everywhere and growing. I still can’t use it in a sentence though.

Take the road less travelled.

7) Non Conformity If we are living parallel lives as avatars in another planet, I think we’d all be driving Prius’s and living in solar powered houses. The idea of non conformity offers you the possibility of changing your life for the better by choosing to do what you love.

Be a non conformist. Be a free thinker. Turn off the news. Get informed. Read. Stay informed. Make up your own mind.

~8)  Trending It seems like people say Trending and then whatever new thing is out. I don’t know because I’m not trending anything!

*9) Boomz Thanks to one of my super cool blog writer friends like Tiny Island who shares with us some Singaporean coolness from their beauty girl Ris Low. I love they they just have fun and play with language. I used to do this when I was a little girl. I wonder why I no longer do. That’s just Boomz {hands out}.

It’s time for reader input ~ what are your thoughts?

What do you think? I think these words are on their way out: Dude, Alternative, Rad, Stoked, Factoid, Gnarly, Social Media and SEO. Those are lame in my opinion.

I think these words are up and coming: Blog, Boomz, Fluffy, My Bad, Hiney, Smile and Nod, Shiny, happiness, writing and Talk to the Hand.

♡ Original Painting | | x ♡ o


You might be new here, so please make sure to add a bookmark, follow me on facebook or follow me on twitter at jbuliesblog.

Hello friends. New visitors welcome. Just for fun I’ve decided to give away one of my paintings.

To win a free original painting signed by me the artist please:

1. Choose a painting you like, Number 1, 2, 3 or 4.

2. Leave a comment below or click on this text.

3. Share on facebook if you have it.

4. That’s all. Easy, right?

I’ll choose a winner by a random drawing. You may enter more than once but not more than three times.

Painting Number 1 ~ Pastel Flowers

Number 1 | Original painting of soft round flowers in a light jade vase on thick Italian watermark paper. ;) 25x34 cms.

Painting Number 2 ~ Floating Roses

White Washed Bulbs of Big Red Roses and a Blue Tulip

Number 2 | Floating Roses ~ original watercolor painting signed by the artist on Watermark Paper 32x45 cms.

Painting Number 3 ~ Coffee and Flowers for a Friend

Flowers and Hot Coffee for a Friend

Number 3 | Flowers and Hot Coffee for a Friend | Here I like the idea of having coffee and flowers with a friend. This painting is watercolor on thick watermark Italian paper. 32x46 cms.

Painting Number 4 ~ Two Vases of Flowers with fluffly Curtain

Love this one. It's two vases of flowers and some fluffy pink drapes as seen from outside. This is made just to hang as a gift to yourself or a friend. I think it would look nice either over a bedside table, in a restaurant or over a lamp next to a sofa. Also, I would love to look at this painting in my office to cheer my spirit.

Number 4 | It's two vases of flowers and some fluffy pink drapes. This is made just to hang as a gift to yourself or a friend. Original watercolor painting signed by the artist, me. 32x46 cms. on thick Italian watermark paper.

Frequently Asked Questions:

This is what the painting looks like framed.

This is what one of the paintings looks like framed.

Is the painting shipped framed? No, the painting comes in an envelope sent from Italy with cardboard to protect it from bending. If you win this contest you do NOT have to pay for shipping. Shipping is free.

How can I buy one of your paintings? I currently have six paintings for sale that you can see on my side bars.

They are called

My Cup is Overflowing, Russians in Paris, Blue Tulips, California Dreaming, Waves and Coffee and Flowers for a Friend. Prices range from $79 to $1,000.  Write me at jangelos1@gmail.com for pricing.

How do I frame my painting? If you guys know me by now or even if you don’t I am a huge IKEA fan. No, I am not a HUGE SPINNING FAN, I am a fan of Ikea. I am there usually about once a week with my kids.

I’ve also seen beautiful frames at Walmart, and Target. Frames that work well with these paintings are here. I also came across a super cool online frame shop here. Also, you should see how creative my friends have been framing. I love to see what ideas they come up with, like this or this.

If you need help or advice let me know.Most of you contact me on facebook but my email is jangelos1@gmail.com

Close up of flower from Number 1

Close up of flower from Number 1

Julie, I love your paintings, but I don’t know much about art. Me neither! I just like pretty pictures. There’s really not too much of a mystery to it. You just put a nail on a wall then hang the picture and enjoy.

Where do you think your painting would look good? I think these would look cute just about anywhere. You could hang it in your living room, bedroom or even kitchen.

What I would love to do is give one to a friend who isn’t well to cheer her up.

That’s why I particularly like flowers. I think these would look great in a restaurant, lobby, doctor’s office or hallway. Where do you think these pictures could be shown? My mom says in an art gallery or restaurant. She says I need to organize an exhibit.  I agree.

Thank you for visiting and participating. Good luck.

Julie

This contest has been organized by jbulie’s blog and bears no affiliation whatsoever. It is a non profit contest to played just for fun with readers of jbulies blog. Winner will receive his/her painting via mail as long as there is post within a timely manner. If postage exceeds US$10, the winner must pay for additional postage. Winner will be contacted after June 16th to clarify mailing instructions.

You mean you want to see even MORE of my paintings? Okay!

{and}

Pre announcement: I’d just like to tell my loyal blog readers that I’m busy organizing a painting give away. I’ve painted about six paintings and I’m getting them ready for a showing and give away on my blog probably by the end of the week. Wish me luck as it’s a bit confusing to sort out the details. xo Julie

And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ~Friedrich Nietzsche

And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ღ Friedrich Nietzsche

Everything you can imagine is real. ♡ Pablo Picasso ♡

Everything you can imagine is real. ♡ Pablo Picasso ♡

Buy the ticket, take the ride. ॐ

❀ I believe in you. ❀ I do. ❀ I do. ❀

I believe in you. I do. I do.

Buy the ticket, take the ride. ॐ