New Year. New You. Let Shelley Wilson help you keep to your New Year Resolutions Week 1 – Reviewing 2016 and looking forward to 2017 http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-9BO Week 2: Power words for 2017 http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-9BX Week 3: Setting 2017 Goals http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-9C0 Week … Continue reading
New Year. New You. Let Shelley Wilson help you keep to your New Year’s Resolutions Week 1 – Reviewing 2016 and looking forward to 2017 http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-9BO Week 2: Power words for 2017 http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-9BX Week Three: Motivational Guest Post – Setting … Continue reading
New Year. New You. Let Shelley Wilson help you stick to your New Year’s Resolutions. Week 1 – Reviewing 2016 and looking forward to 2017 http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-9BO Week Two: Motivational Guest Post – What’s Your Power Word of the Year? Last … Continue reading
New Year. New You. Let Shelley Wilson motivate you with resolutions worth sticking to. Week One: Motivational Guest Post – How to Review the Last Twelve Months. After How I Changed My Life in a Year came out, a memoir/self-help … Continue reading
Interviewed by Douglas McPherson for the June 2016 issue of Writer’s Forum, Shelley is the first to admit that when she is nervous or excited she will babble away none stop, we love the enthusiastic babble. In the article Shelley tells us about how a blogging idea lead to her book. Today I want to remind readers about one of Shelley’s books and share with you Shelley’s experience.
“How I Changed My Life In A Year”
I read Shelley’s book in September 2014 and posted my review which Shelley talks about in the interview;
Book Description
Straight-talking, honest and with touches of humour, Shelley Wilson shares her journey as she sets out to prove that being a 40-something, single mum with back fat and grey hairs isn’t the end of life as we know it.
From fighting flab to writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days, Shelley covers a wide variety of themes as she tackles twelve challenges in twelve months.
Packed with affirmations, tips, steps and links, How I Changed My Life in a Year will keep you motivated for the year to come and beyond.
Based on the popular Resolution Challenge blog, Shelley shows how one year can change your life
My Review of her book;
This book was my September treat, after the long school holidays I always deserve a treat and I do love a book that motivates me. The book title appealed to me straight away and I loved the cover with the post-it notes.
Shelley writes in a fun and amusing way and the book goes through her 12 resolutions to change her life for the better with some great lessons along the way. Shelley set herself monthly challenges and within those weekly smaller conquests. I liked the idea of a visions board of things you want to do, I know the idea isn’t new but I’ve only ever tried it once and I lost the enthusiasm.
Month 6, “Adopt better habits”, was one of my favourites, I already do a lot of re-cycling, but I had a bag of items for the charity shop which had been sitting by the back door and not actually going anywhere. After reading about Shelley’s month 6 I got off my backside, filled another bag with books and put both in my car. Then I planned my next day with a slot to visit the charity shop to drop off my bags. Coming home to empty spaces felt good.
I also enjoyed the challenge to wear bright clothes and not anything black. I took one look at the clothes I was getting ready for the cooler months and realised they were mostly black. Feeling incredibly brave I took to the shops to find some colourful new clothes, I bought jumpers and shirts, but trying to find trousers I like which aren’t jeans, skinny or black is proving harder.
This book brought a smile to my face and a list of ways I want to improve my own life, I’ll finish with a quote from the book “Dream it, Live it, Become it.”
If you already subscribe to Writer’s Forum, you can read the full article about how Shelley went “From Blog to Best Seller” with her self-help book. I was lucky and got permission from Douglas and Shelley to give you a few tempting snippets from the article.
Shelley said; “I’ve never sent the book off to be reviewed, but an online reviewer called Rosie Amber found the book on Twitter and wrote the review. Everything exploded around that, because she was a proper book reviewer”
“Customer reviewers are another sales driver on Amazon”
She also said that when her book hits the first page of the Amazon Best seller chart she sees a spike in sales.
Last year Amazon paid her a bonus when she sold 194 books in one day.
Shelley is a very enthusiastic author, blogger, book reviewer and more.
Congratulations on your article in Writer’s Forum. I’m sure we’ll all be hearing much more from Shelley in the future.
Article printed by kind permission from Douglas McPherson.
Find Shelley here:
http://shelleywilsonauthor.com/
or http://www.myresolutionchallenge.blogspot.co.uk
Here are a list of books I’ve had featured in my local magazines for the month of December 2014, with links to the magazine on-line versions and Goodreads links to all the books.
http://www.fleetlife.org.uk click on the online directory and once loaded, find my reviews on page 36.
The Immortal Greek by Monica La Porta
Britannia Part 1: The Wall by Richard Denham
We That Are Left by Juliet Greenwood
Romancing My Love by Melissa Foster
BackPacks and Bra Straps by Savannah Grace
Books that made it in to my reviews in the Elvatham Heath Directory http://www.ehd.org.uk. Click on the online directory and once loaded go to page 13
How I Changed My Life In A Year by Shelley Wilson
Echoes In The Darkness by Jane Godman
Friday Challenge – Week 4
Welcome to week 4 of our motivational posts written by Shelley Wilson author of How I Changed My Life In A Year.
Shelley has been helping us with ideas about how to make our lives better places to live in with easy to follow fun challenges, if you have missed any here are links to the previous weekly posts. Week 1 http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5MH
Week 2 http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5MJ
Week 3 http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5MO
Over to Shelley…
Conquering Your Fears
As a writer, there is nothing as pleasurable as sitting at your laptop and letting the words flow. Writing has been a favourite past-time of mine for over thirty years. So why did the prospect of taking part in one of the largest writing competitions fill me with such fear?
It is often the thing we want so much that we dread the most, the reason for this is a simple fear of failure. Every year over 350,000 writers sign up to NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), all dedicated to producing a 50,000 word manuscript in just 30 days.
When I started writing my blog, which would eventually lead to my book How I Changed My Life in a Year, I knew that if I publicly announced my intent to take part, I wouldn’t be able to back out. I pushed myself to face my fears, and I began to research how other NaNoers had accomplished this heady feat. Outlining, plotting and research seemed to be the answer.
Organisation was key. I created a Pinterest board for my character inspiration and filled a notebook with my ideas for plot and scenes. Taking part in NaNoWriMo taught me the value of outlining and full character profiles. I was as ready as I could be when the 1st November arrived.
Nine days later I hit 50,296 words.
The beauty of this event is how, even if you don’t make the 50,000 word count, you can get involved in the community. You can post in the forums and learn a great deal from experts in every imaginable field and ‘meet’ new people. Writing is a solitary affair, but I’ve never felt more supported than when I was a NaNoer.
With all doubts firmly squashed I realised, fears are never as bad as you thought they would be, or as I tell my personal development students, FEAR is simply False Evidence Appearing Real.
I learnt a great deal taking part in this challenge. You are not alone; you can do anything you set your mind to, and you can enjoy writing and the beauty of a deadline to hone your skills. Finally I learnt it was possible to ask a question, ‘If I stab someone in the heart with a sword will they die instantly?’ and not get arrested. I do love a good writers’ forum.
Challenge accepted and achieved. I am happy to confirm that my original NaNo manuscript has been re-worked, edited and is in the final stages ready for publication, only made possible because I faced my fears. I extend my challenge to you – do one thing today that scares you.
‘How I Changed My Life in a Year’ – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KAAUE88
Also on Amazon.com
Find Shelley on Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/ShelleyWilson72
I’m really lucky in that I have another outlet for my book reviews where I can help spread the word to others about some of the books I’ve read.
I get a page in each of these monthly local magazines, which benefit from on-line versions to reach a world wide audience.
This month’s Fleet Life books were;
The Soul and The Seed – Arie Farnam
Stranger at Sunset – Eden Baylee
Seaside Dreams – Melissa Foster
How I Changed My Life In A Year – Shelley Wilson
View the online version http://www.fleetlife.org.uk. Click on the online directory tab and load the magazine. Find my reviews on page 27
This month’s EHD books were;
Spirit Warriors: The Scarring D.E.L. Connor
The Landland Chronicles – Dallad Sutherland
Bend With The Wind – Suraya Dewing
View the online version http://www.ehd.org.uk. Click on the online directory tab and load the magazine. Find my reviews on page 6
Please note this is a voluntary task I get no monetary rewards for my reviews and the editors decision about which books we use is final.
Friday Challenge – Week 3
Welcome to week 3 of the Friday Challenge where we are joined Shelley Wilson, author of How I Changed My Life In A Year.
Shelley is sharing with us easy ideas about how we can make our lives better and also the lives of those around us.
Here are links to the previous weeks. Week 1, http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5MH
Week 2 http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5MJ
Over to Shelley…
Could You Adopt Better Habits?
We could all benefit from changing our routines once in a while. Simply choosing to drive a different route to work can do wonders for your well-being. For my book How I Changed My Life in a Year, I spent month six adopting better habits by growing vegetables, eating a vegetarian diet and de-cluttering.
When I teach my personal development workshops I inevitably touch on the topic of de-cluttering as it is one of the simplest ways to feel lighter and brighter. Clearing your personal space can have a profound effect on body and mind. A clear canvas is the perfect starting point for any new venture, creative idea or period of recovery.
Using my simple four-step process, you can quench your craving for a little inner peace and maybe find the odd fiver tucked away in an old coat pocket!
Challenge accepted and achieved. A clutter-free home makes for a clutter-free mind and can help you feel better about yourself and your environment. With the clean slate you are ready to tackle anything that comes your way, so I extend my challenge to you – adopt a better habit, change an overused routine or tidy up your writing desk.
‘How I Changed My Life in a Year’ – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KAAUE88
Also on Amazon.com
Find Shelley on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/ShelleyWilson72
We’re back next Friday for another challenge.
Friday Challenge – Week 2
Welcome to week 2 of the Friday Challenge, a set of articles written for us by Shelley Wilson as a gift to you the reader. Author of How I Changed My Life In A Year, Shelley is sharing some of her own challenges with us and motivating us to make our own lives better.
If you missed week 1 here is a link to the post http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5MH
Over to Shelley…
Can You Appreciate What You Have By Giving Something Up?
After taking part in this year’s Cancer Research Dryathlon, whereby I refused all alcohol for the month of January, I decided to carry this challenge on and am now tee-total (nine months and counting). Don’t panic readers, we’re not asking you to give up your Friday night glass of vino… well not yet anyway!
In my book How I Changed My Life in a Year, I dedicated an entire chapter to giving up the demon drink. For my month seven challenge, to appreciate what I have by doing without, I had to come up with four other activities to forgo.
With the television, Facebook and my car eliminated from my life for a single week each, I felt much better. More time to write, no incessant stream of notifications and increased exercise were the benefits of my challenge. The fourth week, however, was a very different story. At my twelve-year old daughter’s request, I gave up wearing black clothing. A simple task you may think, but oh no!
Here is an excerpt from my book.
I realised the magnitude of this challenge when, on day one, with bleary eyes and bed hair, I fished around in my underwear drawer for any other colour of pants! (Note to self – pants situation critical.)
Fast forward to the 3 p.m school run and thank goodness for blue denim.
With two minutes to spare I stood in my jeans and bra (white one) looking at 25 black tops. If I turned up at school in just my underwear, my daughter would disown me, then I remembered a multi-coloured T-shirt I’d bought for an eighties fancy dress party – yes, I wore it.
I didn’t think it was possible for an eye roll from a twelve-year old to stop me in my tracks, but hey, this challenge was never going to be easy.
Giving up wearing black clothing may have seemed a trivial goal but it certainly made me appreciate my wardrobe and think about my image. Interestingly, as I opted for a more colourful palette, I noticed a change in my moods and emotions. Leaving the dull, dreary black clothing behind meant I filled my life with reds, pinks and greens and benefited from a little colour therapy along the way.
Challenge accepted and achieved. It can help us to appreciate what we have in our life by giving something up, so I extend my challenge to you – Give something up such as twitter, diet coke or taking the car and embrace the experience.
‘How I Changed My Life in a Year’ – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KAAUE88
Also on Amazon.com
Find Shelley on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/ShelleyWilson72
We’re back next Friday with another challenge.
Book reviewer and garden enthusiast. Updates from my Hampshire garden. Usually talking about books and plants. People do not forget books or flowers that touch them or excite them—they recommend them.
Plants, veg and chickens: a cottage garden on the edge of Brussels
For all who appreciate the beauty of words, flowers and homecooking
Books, Reviews, Recommendations and occasionally Poetry
ruminate vb. to chew (the cud)
There's a book here somewhere.
Organic gardening in the Rogue River Valley
Recording our garden exploits with the help of Bosun the Dog, the Under-Gardener.
Cultivating the art of patience while gardening in a small space
Stories and photos from Scotland
Read, Review, Repeat
.....and nurturing my soul
Gardens, Nature, Pictures, ... discover, learn and share
Gardening in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada
Everything I know about gardening I've learnt from a combination of my mum, Carol Klein and Monty Don. My garden is a tiny 2x3m yard requiring a lot of TLC...
My plant obsession
Books, book reviews and bookish news.
There's always room for one more plant.
Still learning after all these years.....
Rosie Amber 