Monday, September 22, 2014

Have a product idea?

The patent process is not easy, but it is possible to file a Patent Pending for you idea on your own. The fees are reasonable, and instructions are available at the US Patent Office Site, and yes you can even ask questions.
A few years ago I had a suitcase idea and every time we traveled I wished I could use the idea my husband had drawn up on paper. After inquiries to attorneys and get rich quick on your idea sites,  I decided to do it on my own. Asked friends and relatives and found some sites that offered advice, ultimately it came down to us going into the US Patent Office site-not as scary as you might think.
A year ago we did a Patent Pending with the guidance of someone who had done one before and shared expertise without charging us. We did all the work ourselves: typed the idea, made drawings, and explain the product — even gave examples and provided info on how ours differed from existing products. Filed the Provisional Patent, and this year I started to call companies that manufacture similar products and might be interested in our idea, being careful not to give it away.
A year later we have a company that requested documents and is now reviewing our invention but we need to file an extension, because a Patent Pending is only good, for 12 months, so I am back at the US Patent Office site.
It all sounds terribly time-consuming, but not if you take it in steps, and consider using what I called the SCM, swiss-cheese method that I taught at work. Take the project in chunks of tasks and time, and you might end up with a profitable product.
Here are some sites I found interested as I went back into the US Patent site: the AIA Roadshow starting in September-October 2014 http://www.uspto.gov/aia_implementation/roadshow.jspAmerica Invents Act Your guide to the law


Friday, September 12, 2014

Quote for the day

"It takes the hammer of persistence to drive the nail of success." -- John Mason, Writer 

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Soon I will be posting form Europe!

I will not be posting daily as usual; I am busy editing and submitting some writing in addition to preparing for a month in Europe! 
Thanks to the encouragement and support from our kids we will be traveling to Europe in October and returning in November. I will have iPad and iPhone and intend to write about our travels. Some places we will visit we didn't even know existed until writing VIRGINS took us there. 
VIRGINS is an Urban Fantasy and a bit Paranormal Romance. Here I am proud to post the link to a news release about VIRGINS published by the Wildwood Literary Review, and  encourage you to enjoy the wonderful writers featured in the WLR



Friday, September 05, 2014

Screenwriting freebie with the great Robert McKee


I always say, take the useful and run with it. Today on an email from MovieBytes:  was a competition announcement from ISA, International Screenwriters Association, and at ISA I found a free Q & A teleconference with the great Robert McKee. To get on the free telecast class you must register at the ISA site: www.NetworkISA.org  I registered and was not asked to pay anything. The class with McKee is September 13th: http://www.networkisa.org/class.php?id=256

Wednesday, September 03, 2014

Embracing the new

"All life is a chance. So take it! The person who goes furthest is the one who is willing to do and dare."  -- Dale Carnegie, motivational expert.
This quote was posted today by Brian Tracy, on Quote of The Day

Tuesday, September 02, 2014

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Literary-News-from-Willamette-Writers.html?soid=1101414978133&aid=g-SQouw0MlQ

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Literary-News-from-Willamette-Writers.html?soid=1101414978133&aid=g-SQouw0MlQ

Make your glob a blog.

"Ok don't panic, just keep reading and maybe print a few things, Rome was not built in a day and  your blog mighty be a glob of words now but it might have the potential to serve you and others, so go forward and onward. Remember you learn by sharing and get by giving." This is what I told myself while reading this post on Jeff Bullas' site.
 http://www.jeffbullas.com/2014/09/03/what-is-the-real-secret-to-making-money-from-your-blog/#comment-1571025683


Is grief kicking you subconsciously?

Had some grief counseling and it helped me so I am willing to try this grief webinar and hope it's not just a pocket-picker.
To register to attend the webinar (it's online)  Click Here to access the registration form. "As always, Tributes Grief Recovery Webinars are free."

Unresolved Grief is Cumulative and Cumulatively Negative – Learn to resolve your grief.

Thu, Sep 4th, 2014 at 7:00 pm EDT


Quick and fun tips for selling your book

Promoting your book is a great way to meet people! If not published yet, rethinks self publishing. Learn to love getting your book out-there!
http://m.wikihow.com/Gain-Attention-for-a-Self-Published-Book