I have taken a "Raise..." Sabbatical to create and publish "Manley...with horns!"
In December of 2007 my Editor, Judy Bozarth, suggested:"...write something from experience, something you totally believe in."
"...I've been through brain surgery. Hell, I believe I'm lucky, in a sense." I had whispered.
For a brief moment, she and I looked at each other. We exchanged the silent familiar heartaches.
"WRITE about IT." Judy said. "You may have to start over. But write it."
Here is the Prologue to my story, about a 7-year old boy who awakes one day with antlers. It's a story for anybody who is still a kid, and on the inside fears the old game, OPERATION.
------------
PROLOGUE (Atlanta) Under a birch tree during a freak rainstorm I looked-up from my winter cap to see two protruding branches going forward about seventeen feet!
It looked like I had antlers.I wondered what it would be like to wake up and have a pair of horns---like antlers?
I moved my head from side-to-side as if the tree branch antlers above would move with me! Ridiculous.
As I stood there in the rain, under the trunk's protective branches I thought about how one morning I had awaken to antlers, of sort.
That October 2005 morning during a normal visit to my doctor, I learned that I had a brain tumor.
Lucky---mine was the most common non-cancerous tumor, a Pituitary Adenoma. The doctor said it was a mass on my pituitary gland, inhibiting it from producing (important body hormones such as, in my case), testosterone.
As a Blanket Statement my mother always said "...men never go the doctor unless it's about their You-Know-Whats" and in my case, well...that was part of the reason.
I felt like my energy level was very low, and I rarely wanted to work-out at the gym. I just needed testosterone--- yet had a tumor that "wasn't life threatening but WAS libido & vision threatening,".
It was scary.I worked my way through that problem, with the help of many people, including Ron Leathers. THANKS to everyone for that.
So under the limb of that tree I began to create a synopsis for a children's book: Manley---with Horns! ...which would be a metaphor about the entire tumor experience.
Imagine:
Something is identified as being there, and needing to be removed. Surgery would await and all the scary micro seconds that entailed including hours of laying in a hospital bed. Dealing with crying relatives and others who seemed to think the surgery meant certain death!
Recovery, and all the strange dreams that went along with being drugged so one can heal. Actually learning to walk again, and hold your head up without feeling so dizzy your head might fall and burst like an melon on the floor! Reflection, and whether that was even done, or done properly.
The story sounds heavy,but it is told with humor and a light tone.
However unique the experience was to me, the event is not mine to own. ---RR
For a Preview, visit: http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com
Friday, April 4, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Manly---with Horns! by Ray Macon
Imagine waking one day with a pair of antlers!
...You sleep on your back, don't you?
http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com
...You sleep on your back, don't you?
http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com
Friday, January 11, 2008
Synopsis: Manly---with horns!
Under a birch tree during a freak rainstorm I looked-up from my winter cap from my forehead to see two protruding branches going forward about seventeen feet! It looked like I had antlers!
I wonder what it would be like to wake up one morning and have a pair of horns like antlers? I moved my head from side-to-side as if the tree branch antlers would move with me! Ridiculous.
As I stood there in the rain, under the trunk's protective branches I thought about how one morning I had awaken to antlers, of sort. That October 2005 morning during a normal visit to my doctor, I learned that I had a brain tumor.
Lucky---mine was the most common non-cancerous tumor, a Pituitary Adenoma. The doctor said it was a mass on my pituitary gland, inhibiting it from producing (important body hormones such as, in my case), testosterone.
As a Blanket Statement my mother always said "...men never go the doctor unless it's about their You-Know-Whats" and in my case, well...that was part of the reason. I felt like my energy level was very low, and I rarely wanted to work-out at the gym. I just needed testosterone--- yet had a tumor that "wasn't life threatening but WAS libido & vision threatening,". It was scary.
I worked my way through that problem, with the help of many people, including Ron Leathers. THANKS to everyone for that.
So under the limb of that tree I began to create a synopsis for a children's book: Manly---with Horns! ...which would be a metaphor about the entire tumor experience.
Imagine: Something is identified as being there, and needing to be removed. Surgery would await and all the scary micro seconds that entailed including hours of laying in a hospital bed. Dealing with crying relatives and others who seemed to think the surgery meant certain death! Recovery, and all the strange dreams that went along with being drugged so one can heal. Actually learning to walk again, and hold your head up without feeling so dizzy your head might fall and burst like an melon on the floor! Reflection, and whether that was even done, or done properly.
The story sounds heavy,but it is told with humor and a light tone. However unique the experience was to me, the event is not mine to own. ---RR
---(for complete story go to http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com/
It Begins
One warm spring morning Joseph Manly awoke with a pounding in his head! The pain was mainly on his forehead. "Momma," he called "...I need an aspirin."
He upped from the bed and ran into the bathroom. For several minutes, he ruled the family- sized mirror.
The image showed a boy.
A normal boy in pajamas.
A normal boy except that he had HORNS!
They were small antlers, but horns nonetheless.
Manly's mother, a woman who never missed the small moments in Life, came into the bathroom. When she saw Manly, she screamed! "Darling, what has happened?"
"I dunno!" Manly shrugged and ran back to his bed in a flutter of socks and blankets.
(continued: http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com/ )
I wonder what it would be like to wake up one morning and have a pair of horns like antlers? I moved my head from side-to-side as if the tree branch antlers would move with me! Ridiculous.
As I stood there in the rain, under the trunk's protective branches I thought about how one morning I had awaken to antlers, of sort. That October 2005 morning during a normal visit to my doctor, I learned that I had a brain tumor.
Lucky---mine was the most common non-cancerous tumor, a Pituitary Adenoma. The doctor said it was a mass on my pituitary gland, inhibiting it from producing (important body hormones such as, in my case), testosterone.
As a Blanket Statement my mother always said "...men never go the doctor unless it's about their You-Know-Whats" and in my case, well...that was part of the reason. I felt like my energy level was very low, and I rarely wanted to work-out at the gym. I just needed testosterone--- yet had a tumor that "wasn't life threatening but WAS libido & vision threatening,". It was scary.
I worked my way through that problem, with the help of many people, including Ron Leathers. THANKS to everyone for that.
So under the limb of that tree I began to create a synopsis for a children's book: Manly---with Horns! ...which would be a metaphor about the entire tumor experience.
Imagine: Something is identified as being there, and needing to be removed. Surgery would await and all the scary micro seconds that entailed including hours of laying in a hospital bed. Dealing with crying relatives and others who seemed to think the surgery meant certain death! Recovery, and all the strange dreams that went along with being drugged so one can heal. Actually learning to walk again, and hold your head up without feeling so dizzy your head might fall and burst like an melon on the floor! Reflection, and whether that was even done, or done properly.
The story sounds heavy,but it is told with humor and a light tone. However unique the experience was to me, the event is not mine to own. ---RR
---(for complete story go to http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com/
It Begins
One warm spring morning Joseph Manly awoke with a pounding in his head! The pain was mainly on his forehead. "Momma," he called "...I need an aspirin."
He upped from the bed and ran into the bathroom. For several minutes, he ruled the family- sized mirror.
The image showed a boy.
A normal boy in pajamas.
A normal boy except that he had HORNS!
They were small antlers, but horns nonetheless.
Manly's mother, a woman who never missed the small moments in Life, came into the bathroom. When she saw Manly, she screamed! "Darling, what has happened?"
"I dunno!" Manly shrugged and ran back to his bed in a flutter of socks and blankets.
(continued: http://www.raymacon.blogspot.com/ )
The Page Family Influence
Those of use without vast resources for college must circumvent the Masters degree and MBA by finding a real "winner" to model. One can learn a lot by truly listening to the minute-by-minute conversations from a person we see or observe as "truly successful".
Some families breed success. One such family are the Pages, with four sons.
I work for one of the Page brothers, David Page, owner of Page Enterprises Printing Solutions. At 36 and 200 pounds of bodybuilding muscle, he is a good person.
According to him, he has no enemies. Who really says that?
I have seen him "...take the high road" too many times before to know less!-- David Page has great character.
I owe much of what I have become the past 6 months, since the Cotillion, to David Page. I was tired of being a follower. One day last summer, I awoke resolved to be a leader!
David has been very patient with me, and seems to like me "...without borders". My Life is better today because of his friendship. Thanks to David I have learned a whole new industry and am on my way to being a successful businessman as well.
In his Honor---and as a Token of Thanks, I offer the following poem to everyone who is in the middle of a career change:
The Litany Against Fear
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.I will permit it to pass over me and through me, like a reed on the wind.
And when it has gone past I will turn to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer...
(Taken from DUNE by Frank Herbert)
---------------
*=Puck is often thought of as a mischievous nature spirit. However Puck is also a generalized personification of land spirits. Puck is known in throughout some lands and regions by other names and titles such as the Irish animal spirit.
Some families breed success. One such family are the Pages, with four sons.
I work for one of the Page brothers, David Page, owner of Page Enterprises Printing Solutions. At 36 and 200 pounds of bodybuilding muscle, he is a good person.
According to him, he has no enemies. Who really says that?
I have seen him "...take the high road" too many times before to know less!-- David Page has great character.
I owe much of what I have become the past 6 months, since the Cotillion, to David Page. I was tired of being a follower. One day last summer, I awoke resolved to be a leader!
And what a better role model to follow---David was a brave individual, and a self-made man.
David has been very patient with me, and seems to like me "...without borders". My Life is better today because of his friendship. Thanks to David I have learned a whole new industry and am on my way to being a successful businessman as well.
In his Honor---and as a Token of Thanks, I offer the following poem to everyone who is in the middle of a career change:
The Litany Against Fear
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.I will permit it to pass over me and through me, like a reed on the wind.
And when it has gone past I will turn to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer...
(Taken from DUNE by Frank Herbert)
---------------
*=Puck is often thought of as a mischievous nature spirit. However Puck is also a generalized personification of land spirits. Puck is known in throughout some lands and regions by other names and titles such as the Irish animal spirit.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Write a Letter to Your Staff
Perhaps you are challenged by the task of having to write a letter to your staff?
Recently I wrote the following letter to our law firm staff.
TIPS:
Be sincere.
Be Precise: Your written "voice" should be reflected in your words, to get your point across.
Mention the "painfully obvious" even though some staff members will not appreciate
it. Remember, if you don't say "Stop" people will keep going. We had parties in the
past where staffers got drunk, acted crazy, or disappeared during clean-up.
------------------------------------------Letter Follows----------------
Good morning All,
One week from today is the PERSILY & ASSOCIATES HOLIDAY PARTY. It is being held at The Four Seasons Building (Thursday, December 20th at 75 14th Street, from 7:30-9:30pm).
This is not a party for US, but a private function for our shared Client Portfolios. We are expecting 80 guests but it would not surprise me to see between 100-150 guests.
Therefore it is mandatory we help each other that evening as we greet our 2008 Persily Family of Business. This means arriving early for set-up and staying until the party ends to help with clean-up. Working as a team, this short party will be easy.
Every staff member is important. We have worked hard in 2007 to build relationships with our customers, and this night we will put a "face" and a smile to our company's reputation for quality. You are a testament to this.
I have included instructions below on how you can help. Thanks again for your hard work and support for marketing.
RRay
--------------
When you arrive: Please arrive by 6:35pm. The party is being held on the 50th floor.
Valet park your car and bring the ticket up to the party with you.
This gives us 55 minutes to go over last minute details. We will have guests arriving early, we always do.
Guests must check-in at a Persily table as they exit the elevator. There will be food areas, a dessert area, and a bar area. These areas will be catered and manned. So you won't have to do much, but help us keep the area clear of trash.
But you will have to "network". College professors call this "social capitalism" but it's basically "making money with your mouth open".
The time for us to chat with each other will come later. Please speak with our guests and "engage" them. People love to talk about themselves! "How's your company? What about this crazy market? Can we help your business somehow?"
These are all conversations business people have daily. Please show a genuine interest though, or do not engage. Nothing is worse than someone asking a question and then not listening to my answer. It gives a poor impression. We want our clients to trust us more and see how much we care for them. Showing this is easy for all of you, I know this. It just needed to be emphasized. Thank you for this.
When guests arrive, Lynn will greet them and make sure they either drop their business card or sign-in with Name, Company, email, & phone. EVERY GUEST SHOULD RECEIVE A GREETING. Folks let's make it different each time. "Hello" "How's it going?" "That's a great coat, welcome" "Long elevator ride to the top, eh?" "How is everybody tonight?" "Did anyone bring me a present?" Make 'em smile. Keep it jovial. All of these comments keep the "general effect" of the party warm from the moment of arrival.
Please dress-up for this event. Consider it a Black Tie Affair. Men are expected to wear suits and ties. Everyone should have their name tag. Bring your own business cards and hand them out. We are a boutique firm and have to work together this night. I would like to see everyone give me a short report the week afterward on who we might pursue for additional business in 2008.
You are my eyes and ears in four rooms next Thursday!
Thanks again for your support.
Ray Macon
Client Relations Manager
Recently I wrote the following letter to our law firm staff.
TIPS:
Be sincere.
Be Precise: Your written "voice" should be reflected in your words, to get your point across.
Mention the "painfully obvious" even though some staff members will not appreciate
it. Remember, if you don't say "Stop" people will keep going. We had parties in the
past where staffers got drunk, acted crazy, or disappeared during clean-up.
------------------------------------------Letter Follows----------------
Good morning All,
One week from today is the PERSILY & ASSOCIATES HOLIDAY PARTY. It is being held at The Four Seasons Building (Thursday, December 20th at 75 14th Street, from 7:30-9:30pm).
This is not a party for US, but a private function for our shared Client Portfolios. We are expecting 80 guests but it would not surprise me to see between 100-150 guests.
Therefore it is mandatory we help each other that evening as we greet our 2008 Persily Family of Business. This means arriving early for set-up and staying until the party ends to help with clean-up. Working as a team, this short party will be easy.
Every staff member is important. We have worked hard in 2007 to build relationships with our customers, and this night we will put a "face" and a smile to our company's reputation for quality. You are a testament to this.
I have included instructions below on how you can help. Thanks again for your hard work and support for marketing.
RRay
--------------
When you arrive: Please arrive by 6:35pm. The party is being held on the 50th floor.
Valet park your car and bring the ticket up to the party with you.
This gives us 55 minutes to go over last minute details. We will have guests arriving early, we always do.
Guests must check-in at a Persily table as they exit the elevator. There will be food areas, a dessert area, and a bar area. These areas will be catered and manned. So you won't have to do much, but help us keep the area clear of trash.
But you will have to "network". College professors call this "social capitalism" but it's basically "making money with your mouth open".
The time for us to chat with each other will come later. Please speak with our guests and "engage" them. People love to talk about themselves! "How's your company? What about this crazy market? Can we help your business somehow?"
These are all conversations business people have daily. Please show a genuine interest though, or do not engage. Nothing is worse than someone asking a question and then not listening to my answer. It gives a poor impression. We want our clients to trust us more and see how much we care for them. Showing this is easy for all of you, I know this. It just needed to be emphasized. Thank you for this.
When guests arrive, Lynn will greet them and make sure they either drop their business card or sign-in with Name, Company, email, & phone. EVERY GUEST SHOULD RECEIVE A GREETING. Folks let's make it different each time. "Hello" "How's it going?" "That's a great coat, welcome" "Long elevator ride to the top, eh?" "How is everybody tonight?" "Did anyone bring me a present?" Make 'em smile. Keep it jovial. All of these comments keep the "general effect" of the party warm from the moment of arrival.
Please dress-up for this event. Consider it a Black Tie Affair. Men are expected to wear suits and ties. Everyone should have their name tag. Bring your own business cards and hand them out. We are a boutique firm and have to work together this night. I would like to see everyone give me a short report the week afterward on who we might pursue for additional business in 2008.
You are my eyes and ears in four rooms next Thursday!
Thanks again for your support.
Ray Macon
Client Relations Manager
Monday, July 16, 2007
Write a Simple Effective Marketing Letter
I recently received a marketing letter from a good friend whose company specializes in computer cable organization. It's something everyone needs, but is hard to explain to the consumer or business owner that they need it.
His letter follows:
"How would you respond as a buyer to the service of Workstation Cable Organization?
Workstation Cable Organization as a service is the idea that Cable Systems Management, Inc, was founded on.
CSM specializes in the typical mess of cables attached to the PC, or docked laptop, or any other electronic devices creating a maze of cables.
ROI and CBA is spending less with IT professionals tracing cables to the source, creating a more ergonomic workspace by mounting the PC to the underside of the desktop, as well as correct orientation for the user with respect to the workspace."
---------
Now read my response to him:
---------
Hi Pal,
I hope you are well. Again, I apologize for not having my normal schedule flexibility last week so I could meet your beautiful wife.
I want you to succeed. Or I wouldn't give you this piece of light criticism relating to the marketing email from you below:
From a writer's perspective...spell out the acronyms you are presenting. When I read the third paragraph I got lost, and was perplexed at the meanings of the abbreviations because I am outside of your industry (and PC Stupid!).
Like I said I want you to make a lot of money at this, but to most people, it's something they only notice if the computer is NOT working.
Use this formula when sending marketing letters.
1.Present problem---2. offer a testimonial---3.then present your product---4.then your product facts.
Using that order, it's easier to build marketing sentences.
Example: "You innocently put your feet under the desk daily, but where are your toes resting? On the cables? The conduits carrying electricity to your computer are not foot rests. "I shocked myself one day," says Mable Ragsdale of Atlanta, "...my employer had to call the ambulance and check my heart." Then her employer came looking for us---a company which will eliminate the problem and the insurance concerns later. Our company specializes in the typical mess of cables attached to the PC, or docked laptop, or any other electronic devices creating a maze of cables...." etc.
On my blog, I give examples of "How to Write a..." offering advice on everything from Writing a Glowing Reference to how to write a professional letter with a "fuck you" impact (yes, we have to fire the clients who don't pay, right?)
Buddies for Life,
Rayray
Don't fear the Writing Process: http://www.raisemytownmylove.blogspot.com/
His letter follows:
"How would you respond as a buyer to the service of Workstation Cable Organization?
Workstation Cable Organization as a service is the idea that Cable Systems Management, Inc, was founded on.
CSM specializes in the typical mess of cables attached to the PC, or docked laptop, or any other electronic devices creating a maze of cables.
ROI and CBA is spending less with IT professionals tracing cables to the source, creating a more ergonomic workspace by mounting the PC to the underside of the desktop, as well as correct orientation for the user with respect to the workspace."
---------
Now read my response to him:
---------
Hi Pal,
I hope you are well. Again, I apologize for not having my normal schedule flexibility last week so I could meet your beautiful wife.
I want you to succeed. Or I wouldn't give you this piece of light criticism relating to the marketing email from you below:
From a writer's perspective...spell out the acronyms you are presenting. When I read the third paragraph I got lost, and was perplexed at the meanings of the abbreviations because I am outside of your industry (and PC Stupid!).
Like I said I want you to make a lot of money at this, but to most people, it's something they only notice if the computer is NOT working.
Use this formula when sending marketing letters.
1.Present problem---2. offer a testimonial---3.then present your product---4.then your product facts.
Using that order, it's easier to build marketing sentences.
Example: "You innocently put your feet under the desk daily, but where are your toes resting? On the cables? The conduits carrying electricity to your computer are not foot rests. "I shocked myself one day," says Mable Ragsdale of Atlanta, "...my employer had to call the ambulance and check my heart." Then her employer came looking for us---a company which will eliminate the problem and the insurance concerns later. Our company specializes in the typical mess of cables attached to the PC, or docked laptop, or any other electronic devices creating a maze of cables...." etc.
On my blog, I give examples of "How to Write a..." offering advice on everything from Writing a Glowing Reference to how to write a professional letter with a "fuck you" impact (yes, we have to fire the clients who don't pay, right?)
Buddies for Life,
Rayray
Don't fear the Writing Process: http://www.raisemytownmylove.blogspot.com/
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