Kaira Rouda | Kaira Rouda

21 09, 2011

Real You: Time to shine your own light?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:08:38+00:00September 21, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Time to shine your own light?

Sometimes, in the flurry of life, and especially in the business of books (yes, it is mostly a business, I'm afraid), the light, the vision, the creative spirit can be dimmed. Certainly, even extinguished for those bleak periods of time most commonly called "writer's block". For me - and a lot of folks I know - this writing life, full of rejections, and almosts, can be dimming. Trust me, I know of many other businesses where folks are having the light squeezed out of them, too. So what to do? Giving up is not a choice, certainly not when your livelihood and your dreams are dependent upon success. It's time to shine your own light, whatever that means for you. Grab a cup of coffee with a friend who is one step ahead of you and find inspiration. Pick up the telephone and ask for [...]

6 09, 2011

Real You: Getting started, staying motivated

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:08:46+00:00September 6, 2011|attitude|Comments Off on Real You: Getting started, staying motivated

So here I sit. My debut novel Here, Home, Hope has been in the world for four months. It's been going great - but in the marketing and book tour push I've been single-mindedly focused on, I've been neglecting my passion. Writing. So I need to get started. Get back to it. Sure, since the publication of Real You Incorporated, I spend a lot of my time motivating others to pursue their passion and get going. I love working with entrepreneurs and I truly believe we need to be the country where everybody is starting something. That's the magic of our history. Anything is possible if you are a doer. You can never dream too big or set your sights too high. Not here. Not now. The hardest person to get to hear that advice? You guessed it - me. So, today I'm [...]

26 08, 2011

Real You: Thank you!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:08:54+00:00August 26, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Thank you!

Because of the amazing support of friends - new and old; online and off - Here, Home, Hope is in its second printing! To each of you who've read my novel - or my short story A Mother's Day - a sincere, heartfelt thank you for your support. You are making my dreams come true. I hope I've given you some entertainment and inspiration in exchange! Somedays, in this writing life, it gets to be a bit lonely. And then, I'll post something on my Facebook fan page, and several of you will respond. Yippee!! I'm not alone! Thanks for being there. (Oh, and if you aren't following me there, feel free to hop on over to Kaira Rouda Books.) You may not realize it, but it means the world to me that you are there.

7 08, 2011

Real You: Expecting the unexpected

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:09:01+00:00August 7, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Expecting the unexpected

One of the lessons I've learned during the three-plus months I've spent promoting HERE, HOME, HOPE is that you can never predict book events. Sometimes there is a great crowd, other times, it's crickets. Just me, a stack of my books and my trusty signing pen. Those events tend to feel the longest, but looking back, I may have made the best connections. I know I had the most laughs. And ultimately, I hope I've made friends for life. The smaller the crowd, the deeper the potential for connection. Yes, this is the bright side speaking but it's true. As I wrote in Real You Incorporated, you always learn more from the hurdles, once you jump them. In Louisville, at the Anchorage Barnes & Noble, my signing was at 5:30 p.m. When I arrived, posters adorned the doors and walls promoting an event that night, but not mine. [...]

12 07, 2011

Real You: Chronicles of the travelling Wedding Plant

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:09:15+00:00July 12, 2011|book tour, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Chronicles of the travelling Wedding Plant

An added benefit of my recent almost two-week long Here, Home, Hope Book Tour was a stop back "home", in Columbus, Ohio. During a book signing at Loot, a great shop in happening Short North retail and cultural district, I was reunited with my Wedding Plant. One of my best friends, Kathy, had been watching over my precious spider plant for the two years since we'd moved to California. As she wiped a tear and handed over the 22-year-old spider plant, which was flourishing under her care, she said, "It's the last piece of you I have here. I'm really attached to her." (Kathy is on the right with my other friend Molly.) It's easy to grow attached the The Wedding Plant, as countless folks have during the book tour. Here is its story: The wedding plant originated as a tiny spider plant that was part [...]

22 06, 2011

Real You: My daughter, myself

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:09:35+00:00June 22, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: My daughter, myself

My first post for The Huffington Post appeared on the same day as my only daughter's high school graduation. Odd. Wonderful. That's life. Here's an excerpt: "Thirty years ago, this month, I graduated high school. Tomorrow, my only daughter will celebrate her high school commencement. It's a tough time for me, this letting go. Some days, I've been downright mopey." The full post here. Bottom line. It's another one of those transition times. It's not a crisis, although I will be crying. It's a change. A shift. A celebration, for both my daughter, and myself. Just like in my novel HERE, HOME, HOPE, these life events are a perfect opportunity to take a look at life, and the people you hold dear. To make sure you're putting the real you in everything you do.

15 06, 2011

Real You: A post about Huffington Post

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:09:47+00:00June 15, 2011|authors, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: A post about Huffington Post

I don't know about you, but when I have the opportunity to meet someone who is a mentor-from-afar (aka hero) and she turns out to be in person even more wonderful than you imagined, it's powerful. I had that opportunity yesterday when I listened to Arianna Huffington tell her story. She made an appearance at a brown bag luncheon to benefit the Venice Family Clinic. To get things started, an amazing woman came forward and told her story about how the clinic had been there for her family when they lost everything due to a child's illness. Her story brought the crowd to tears, including Huffington who onsite announced to the crowd she'd decided to feature the woman's story of reinvention on a new section of the HuffPost called Breakover. That was cool. Spontaneous. Creative. Loving. After making that announcement, Huffington - who [...]

4 06, 2011

Real You: Book Parties!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:06:02+00:00June 4, 2011|Debba Haupert, girlfriendology, girlfriends, Here Home Hope, Kaira Rouda|Comments Off on Real You: Book Parties!

Don't you just love a party? I do. And I have had a blast this past month at launch parties for HERE, HOME, HOPE at friends' homes and at amazing small businesses across the country. If you're interested in hosting a party - and having me there - please let me know! We have a Book Party Kit and more to help make your event a fun, memorable summer soiree! Please contact me - kaira AT kairarouda.com for more information or send me a message on Facebook or Twitter. Coming up this month are stops in Dallas (June 8 and 9), Los Angeles (June 10-13), Scottsdale (June 14 and 15) - followed closely by Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville, Jacksonville, Orlando, and then a huge swing through the Northeast: Portland, Boston, Cape Cod, Nantucket and more. I would love to join you, your friends, your book [...]

30 05, 2011

Real You: Happy Memorial Day

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:05:48+00:00May 30, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Happy Memorial Day

During book tour leg two, I had an amazing opportunity while stuck on the tarmac in Chicago. Behind me sat Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor winner Ron Rosser. He is a true American hero. Read his story. The impact he has had on history is immeasurable. It was an honor to sit near him. With continued thanks to all of those who risked - and risk - their lives for us on this Memorial Day.

19 05, 2011

Real You: Let’s talk Turkey

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:09:12+00:00May 19, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Let’s talk Turkey

I'm just about two weeks into my whirlwind Book Tour for HERE, HOME, HOPE so I thought it would be a great time to blog about the exciting adventures on the road. So far, stops have included: Malibu, West Hollywood, Capitola, Piedmont, Sacramento - and tonight, San Francisco. Here's what I've learned so far: 1. You can never guage how many people will show up at a book tour stop, nor can you tell if those who show up will buy the book. BUT, you will meet fun, new friends. 2. Turkeys are wild in Sacramento. Yes, in the neighborhoods, gobbling and the like. And they're huge. And they scare me. 3. Bill The Oyster Man from Santa Cruz has a huge heart and more stories about oyster and catfish farming than anyone on the planet. True. 4. It doesn't matter how many announcements the [...]

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