There's something very empowering about modeling nude, especially at the age of 51. Let's face it, I'm not 20, or even 30 or 40-something anymore, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Even when I can be extremely critical of myself, and judge my body harshly, I view the finished photos and see a mature woman who just doesn't give a fuck any longer about what society says. Where did our beauty standards come from anyway? I don't buy into culture's marketing-brainwashing tactics. This body of mine has delivered me through the joys and pains of this amazing life (so far) and will get me to wherever else I'm destined for. There's beauty in the laugh-lines around my eyes - I laugh A LOT! There's compassion in the stretch-marks on my belly - I birthed 2 incredible children! There's power in every wrinkle on my hands - They have written stories, fed people, grown gardens, changed diapers... There's energy in my curves - (and guys love them!) I am mindful of who I am. I am a well-rounded goddess. I live my life deliberately. Seriously, this isn't about vanity or ego. This is about women encouraging and supporting women. Who says women over 50 can't be sexy? Certainly not this 51-year-old divine being! Empower yourself today. You are a lovely beautiful goddess! - Zushka Biros Photos courtesy of: Jim L.
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Authors are entrepreneurs in their own right, which means we should use the same set of tools any other business would use to move toward the company’s goals. Putting together a mission statement doesn’t take a long time. All you have to do is answer a couple of quick questions, then take your answers and work them into a short paragraph. Question 1: What do you do? Don’t just say “I write” or “I am an author.” NO! What do you DO? What is the BIG picture of what happens when you sit down and write? Do you give life to some incredible characters? Are you the architect of another universe? Do you give a voice to the unheard? Use those creative juices to really describe (in a few words) what it is you do. Question 2: Who do you do it for? It’s time to talk about your readers. Who are they? Don’t use those canned marketing terms like “20 – 30 year olds who like science fiction.” Give dimension to your readers, give them personalities and faces. Say something like, “People who want to escape this world and explore another.” Question 3: Why are you different? What is your most unique attribute? It might be your perspective, your experience, your technique or your characters. Something about your writing is different from every other person who’s ever put pen to paper. That one little attribute is what will connect you with your readers, so it’s critical. Dig deep, find that special streak, and put it in writing. Question 4: Where are you going? What are your goals as an author? Do you want to create one long-running series? Or is your primary objective to create quality artistic pieces? Or maybe your goal is to put write short stories? Whatever your destination is, it needs to go in the mission statement. That way, when you reach the crossroads, you can eliminate any option that doesn’t lead to your ultimate goal. Question 5: How are you going to get there? You’ve got a plan in mind, right? It can be a little general, but you should have an idea of how you’re going to reach your ultimate goal. Whether it’s eventually getting to traditional publishing, or being a resourceful, social media-savvy indie, you need to ask yourself what path or vehicle is going to get you where you want to go. If you’re not sure about the specifics yet, focus on the skills you have that can help you reach your objective. Perseverance, self-discipline and hard work are all valuable tools in any indie tool box. Bringing It All Together Once you’ve answered each of the above questions in a short sentence, you should be able to put all five together into one cohesive paragraph – your new mission statement. Next time you’re unsure about which path to take in your indie author career, you’ll be able to look at your mission statement and find the compass to guide your steps. My Mission Statement
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