ZKQ Blog

Attack of the Writers' Blocks

Had writer's block yesterday. Not a good thing. Two articles needing to be completed, both due on the same day. All I could think about was wanting to be done, but not getting done. I finally just walked away from my desk for awhile, put on a silly, make you laugh and groan at the same time kind of movie starring Owen Wilson and washed dishes. Washing dishes is good for the soul. When you're done, your sense of accomplishment is validated by the stack of clean dishes.

I returned to my desk and wrote until it was time to take my daughter to dance class. While she danced, I headed over to Panera's for coffee and WiFi. I unpacked my laptop and picked up where I had left off. The two hours spent there were so productive that I'm thinking the next time a writer's block hits me in the head, I'll head over to Panera's where the coffee's good, the jazz is slow, and the mood is right for writing.

Also, want to thank Dave Perks (@writegud), senior writer at New City for reminding me that it's pretty normal to feel this way, even on a daily basis. He recommends "Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within" by Natalie Goldberg. I'll give that a try, too.

Harry Potter Rides and Flies Again

After agreeing to take two teenagers and a 10-year old to Busch Gardens, I was filled with trepidation regarding the 4-5 hour car ride to Williamsburg. How much chatter can one driver take? Would there be bickering? Could everyone agree on what music to listen to? In a threesome, who would feel left out?

I secretly dreaded the drive but it all changed just moments after we were belted in and on the road. One of the teens announced she had brought three Harry Potter books and suggested we take turns reading a chapter aloud to pass the time. Everyone in the car cheered, myself included! Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was opened and the reading began before we had even reached I-81.

The readers adapted their voices and accents with each character they personified. And, as if we had been riding on a Nimbus 2000, the time flew by and we arrived in Williamsburg, in about 12 chapters, still wanting more Potter.

The ride back was no different. The readers continued, stopping only to reminisce about Harry Potter's early years at Hogwarts. More than once someone would say thoughtfully, "I wish magic was real."

Magic may not be real, but the trip to Busch Gardens certainly was (including the drive-time). As we all await the release of the next movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the movie trailer came out this week, tempting us to read and watch again. Road trip anyone?

Mark Warner Meets NCTC Award Nominees and Advises on How to Help

On Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at an NCTC event, I had the pleasure of seeing Senator Mark Warner. I had met him several times during his reign as governor of Virginia. Then, and now, what impressed me the most is his ability to listen and respond intelligently with sincerity to questions. Responsive and accessible are other words that often come to mind when I think of the senator.

When Anne Giles Clelland, the founder of Handshake 2.0 and Entrepreneur of the Year award nominee, asked <in essence> "What can we, as an organization of businesses do to help you?" Senator Warner's reply was direct and simple. "Make money, be successful, and hire a lot of folks!"

Exactly. Many of the NCTC member companies are the economic stimulus of our region. At this very moment, the NCTC Job Board lists 47 job openings by companies based here in the southwest region of Virginia. Positions range from software engineer to graphic artist to project manager and more!

As someone who is happy to live in a region rich with tremendous thinkers and doers, I greatly appreciate Senator Warner's comments yesterday and NCTC for bringing him to us.

For other observations on Senator Warner's visit to Roanoke, Va., see below:

A Well Represented Community by Jim Schweitzer

TechNite Award Categories and Nominees by Cory Donovan

TechNite Award Nominees Acknowledged by Senator Mark Warner by Anne Giles Clelland, Handshake 2.0

Spring Break @ Busch Gardens

What kind of mother would let her children drop from a height of 205 ft, at a 90-degree angle, falling at a rate of 75 mph? A mother who understands you can't hold on to your kids forever? One who believes your own fears should not become your children's fears? One who recognizes that kids need to be kids and sometimes that means taking risks? Yep. I'm that kind of mother, most of the time--okay, some of the time. I was definitely that kind of mom last week during Spring Break.

Spring Break. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Va. Roller Coasters. Kids. Friends. Family. Fun. Fun. Fun.

We--make that the kids--came to ride roller coasters. They were on a mission, scoping out the specs by site as we made our approach. The steel blue structure of the Griffon loomed before us, towering above the treetops in the distance.

As we got closer, we could hear the clickity-clack of the coaster cars moving against the steel frame as the they inched their way up the track, then a hushed moment, pregnant with anticipation, followed by blood-chilling screams of fear? Joy?

When we entered the park, the kids weren't sure they'd ride every roller coaster, but after warming up on Da Vinci's Cradle they felt ready. Two days later, with more than a dozen coaster dives under their belts, my seasoned roller coaster riders left Busch Gardens empowered by their own fearlessness, confident and ready to take on the world, and pretty sure they could at least make it through the final nine weeks of school. Knowing our season Fun Card would get us back in throughout the summer didn't hurt either.

And now, the Video:

Mom's Rules of Social Media and More

Yesterday, with encouragement from Anne Clelland, I responded to a Twitter question on social media marketing posted by Mansi Trivedi.

My answer to the Unspoken Rules of Using Social Media Marketing was posted on Handshake 2.0.

Mansi's question made me think about what does guide one in business, in advertising, and even in the use of social media. I realized that if "it" passes the Mom Test, then it must be worthwhile.

I answered:

Does it meet the criteria my mother set for me to be a decent human being?:

Be kind (can the slam), avoid cursing, and don't be a fake.

There have been times in my life when the last thing I wanted to do was be like my mother, but that doesn't mean that the lessons she tried to teach me went unheard. I think about her a lot these days; it's been nine months since her death and the image of her as a business woman is crystal clear in my mind. She never cursed in public and rarely in private. She was always kind, and her kindness was always genuine and her lessons have been good ones to emulate in business and in life.

A Power Week Wrap-Up

It's a rainy, Friday morning. The last day of the work week and the launch of spring break for many kids, mine included. I'm typing away at my laptop while enjoying one my favorite breakfast combos: black coffee and a Balance Bar. I like to think of this as my power breakfast. My week was filled with many powerful experiences, so it's fitting to end the work week with reflection on the balance and power.

Nikki Giovanni. We met for coffee. I was in search of advice. I got this and more. I witnessed the power that comes from her wealth of knowledge and experience. I will write more about this later, but for now I am carried along by her strength and her advice. She was my teacher 20 years ago and will forever be my teacher.

One Entrepreneur. He is so giving in nature that when I asked him how others can help him, he was stumped. "I'm used to helping others" was his reply. Letting others help is a way of sharing power. Equally rewarding, and a lesson I have had to learn myself and sometimes need to relearn.

Five Entrepreneurs. The CVG LiveFire participants stood up before 100 people while really pitching directly to the three venture capital investors who sat in the center. On one hand, the investors seemed to hold the power to impact the future of each of these businesses. On the other hand, the entrepreneurs held tightly to the power of their own convictions. It was both fascinating and humbling to watch.