Monday’s Pen to Paper: A Hot Date
If I were a perfect blogger, I’d plan ahead, write my Monday blog Sunday. My Friday blog Thursday. Just like if I were a perfect writer, I’d get up every morning at 6:00am and write. But I’m not perfect, not at all. But I am working to be more consistent in my writing. I have my Thursday morning’s with my friend Jenny and now my Monday/Friday blogging that I have been good about doing, just not always in a timely manner.
This morning as I was about to sit down and write, I made a couple of quick phone calls to see if I could get enough girls for a Junior Varsity game before our Varsity Summer Basketball Practice game that I would be coaching Thursday night. I had contacted the others teams coach two months ago to schedule the game and reserved our gym. On the phone, a parent told me they would be at the middle school 8th grade promotion Thursday night. I was not happy. Not because their daughter wouldn’t be able to play, but because I know where the 8th grade promotion is, the gym where I’m supposed to be having a game. I now had some more calls and emails to make before I could write.
This is why it’s hard to sit down and write, life gets in the way. After writing this blog, I’m going to do some yard work and then I’ve set a “date” with that writer in me for 11:00am (2 hrs minimum). And that’s how I have to work, a bit at a time, between life; walking the dogs, paying the bills, rushing to a casting and chauffeuring the kids. Tucking away bits of time for my pen to hit the paper.
Set a “date” with yourself to write, sing, play. Take some […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Spreading the Love
Years ago I visualized a PeaceLoveBasketball symbol in my mind. I asked my brother, an artist, if he could draw it for me. I explained what I was thinking. He said, “grab a paint brush and go for it.” So I did. Soon after I started my company Full Court Design. I trademarked my logo and found eco-friendly shirts and sweatshirts to compliment the PeaceLoveBasketball logo. I started the business, giving a portion of the profits from Full Court Design’s PeaceLoveBaskeball products to youth organizations in the Seattle area.
Then a year later, I went back to coaching high school basketball while finishing my memoir Back on the Court, and Full Court Design fell to the back burner. But I am excited to announce that a new PeaceLoveBasketball website is up and running, along with new PeaceLoveBasketball shirts (all environmentally friendly), and some great sales.
One of the biggest requests about some of our shirts, that had only symbols across the chest, was, “We would like the words peace, love, basketball too.” So we’ve done it! Our hoodie now has it and both our black and white long sleeved PeaceLoveBasketball Essential Tees have it! (Seen above on my daughter Charli and on Lee, who bought them for his entire team.)
Thanks so much Lee for spreading the love!
See more PeaceLoveBasketball gear at our newly designed website at www.peacelovebasketball.com.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: A Better View
Last Saturday I had plans. I was going to finish building a rock wall in our front yard, weed the back yard, clean the house, walk the dogs, take my son to his baseball game for a couple of hours and then relax and hang out. Then I checked his baseball schedule…a double-header in Maltby?
“There goes my Saturday,” I grumbled. Then I moped for a long while. That’s a good 7 hours with minimal traffic. I couldn’t let it go. But finally I stepped back for a better view.
I had a book to write and a chapter from a friend’s book in progress, to read.
I was “stuck” in Maltby. No responsibilities, nothing. I grabbed my journal and printed out twenty pages of my book. And then added Jenny’s printed out chapter. I packed a cooler with grapes, cheese sticks and crackers, along with some lemonade. And last, but not least, made sure my beach chair was in the Vanagon, a MUST, so I could plop myself near the outfield, where I would have a better view of the game, but also separate myself from the fans and ensure that I would focus, and take full advantage of my day in Maltby.
Take a moment to re-evaluate your schedule so you can find the time to write, or do what you love, mixed in with life’s adventures.
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Summer Shooting Challenge
When I was a Sophomore in high school I averaged 3 points per game. The next year I was one of the leading scorers in the Greater Spokane League. What changed? I worked on my shot. Download a free PLB Shooting Challenge Goal Sheet & Shot Chart and watch your shot improve this summer. (Coaches and parents suggest it to your players & kids)
Print the PeaceLoveBasketball Summer Shooting Challenge form below and get started:
PLB Summer Shooting Challenge Form – 2 pg
“There is no limit to the goals you can attain, the success you can achieve—your possibilities are as endless as your dreams.”
-D. Crowe
Meet Sonya
Meet Sonya
Sonya Elliott’s memoir, Back on the Court: A Young Woman’s Triumphant Return to Life, Love & Basketball, is her story of finding hope in the wake of tragedy after she and her fiancé were hit by a train. She blogs about writing, basketball, and life and is currently working on a Young Adult Novel and a Non-Fiction Coaching book. Stories of her career as a fashion model are woven through her memoir, as both the Soloflex and Easy Spirit Shoes commercials were filmed during that time period, and this unique and intriguing business continues to be a part of her life.
Sonya played basketball at Eastern Washington University and was a starter for the Big Sky Champion team that went to the 1987 NCAA tournament. She coached for almost 25 years and was voted Seattle Times Coach of the Year, Seattle Officials Women’s Basketball Association Coach of the Year, and twice voted Metro League Coach of the Year. She loves the game of basketball and is thankful, not only for her husband and kids but for her ability to continue to get back on the court.
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Monday’s Pen to Paper: Surround Yourself with Positive
In Friday’s PeaceLoveBasketball blog I wrote about how a person’s energy can affect a group. Our friend’s favorite holiday became our favorite holiday (at least for the day). We donned the parties theme attire – red, white and blue 70’s – and came prepared to celebrate. I related this concept, how one person’s enthusiasm can change or alter the opinions of many, to basketball, but of course it relates to life and writing as well.
Writer’s often work alone. So one person’s input and energy can have a great impact.
Years ago, when I started my book, Back on the Court, a writing coach read through bits and pieces of my first-draft. She was so positive and encouraging I felt inspired to move forward. A couple of years later (yes, a couple of years, that book was a 10 year project), an acquaintance, and fairly accomplished writer, […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: A Fire of Energy
The 4th of July is one of my friend’s favorite holidays. I have alway liked the day well enough, but it’s interesting how one person’s enthusiasm can change or alter the opinions of many. I now have a group of friends that are excited about celebrating the day. Today we will be dressing red, white and blue 70’s style.
This type of energy can do the same thing on the basketball court. If you get one or two players with positive competitive enthusiasm, it will spread like wild-fire. (Of course this can happen with bad energy and that fire needs to be put out quickly.) Whether you are a coach, player or fan, spread positive energy on the court and enjoy the game!
Happy 4th!!!
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Blog Hop
Recently I was asked by friend and blogger, Jenny McGlothern to join her in a Blog Hop. The idea behind a blog hop is to expose readers to new writers and to share information about their writing life. I jumped right in.
I met Jenny seven years ago. A mutual friend realized we were both writing books and said we HAD to meet. We have been writing together on Thursday mornings ever since. Jenny inspires me by keeping me accountable with my writing, but also with her fearless ability to express what needs to be out there. She blogs from the heart in her www.heartwriter.com blog every Monday. And she encourages mothers, and others, to “refill their cup” in her www.mamaneedsarefill.com blog. She is a life coach, retreat leader, writer, teacher at Seattle […]
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