So, you have an idea for a start up?

Over the past year, I've met with a wide range of entrepreneurs in my geographic area who have great ideas for start ups...but...and there's always a caveat in the way, where do they start? Half of these folk-with-the great-ideas talk to me about Kickstarter as a means to (kickstarting) their dreams into reality and then they wait for my response. I wish that the ideas themselves were enough to turn dreams into realities but that's not true and Kickstarter isn't a magical planet where you put in a picture of your best idea and out comes a check for 10 grand. A lot of hours of planning, thinking, rethinking, researching, talking, losing some sleep and making mistakes are a part of the pre-Kickstarter leg work that must be done. To back up my theory, I'd like to refer to the experience of writers Sean Platt and Johnny Truant, smart, driven creators of Write.Publish.Repeat. Their idea for a live and exposed process of writing a novel was the idea they wanted to make happen - but only if they raised the funds. Fiction Unboxed was fully funded but not without creating a laundry list of 'what not to do' that was learned only from having made it through the experience.  Platt and Truant sought to expose the tedious (dark and sinister? but fun!) world of writing a novel and make it public but their lessons about the process are crucial tidbits of advice when considering your own start up idea and whether its ready for public consumption - or for Kickstarter.

Fundraising 101.

Things are changing around here so look for more words on fundraising and I'll keep you posted on the best blogs to check out if you're looking for info for a non-profit start up.

Stay tuned!

Dealing

December 10th, 2013
What does it feel like to live with a child who has seizures? When our son’s seizures are under control by his meds, there are moments where I can actually forget and can be a “normal” family that worries about “normal” things like when should we move the baby crib out in exchange for a big boy bed or when to start Kindergarten or soccer lessons…or visit Disney? Sometimes, it even feels like I’ve escaped something horrible, unspeakable and that I outsmarted the beast that haunted our lives and I remember that I loved writing and allow myself to create fiction again because reality isn’t drowning me in fear.

Then our son gives me that look and I know what is coming as he walks toward me for a snuggle while the seizure is taking over the moment. Which moment? Maybe that great family moment when everyone is bundled up with scarves and hats and gloves and we find the perfect Christmas tree and help saw it down and say words like, “yay” and “I love that one.” And then.

And then. (And I know those of you who know, know the “then”)  I’m sitting in a snow bank holding our boy and starting to count and note seconds and try to get a glimpse of his face through all that winter gear I forced on him to stay warm that’s now in my god damn way from seeing his face and whether his face is twitching and dropping expressions. And I have to do this now. This job of mine, which went from searching for the perfect Christmas tree in the Deschuttes National Forest and taking in the way the water is frozen along Tumalo Creek in parts and the peace of it all to this moment right now. The one with our son in my arms having another seizure he does not deserve. I force myself to look up to the tree tops and promise I won’t let this be the memory of today. I make a mental promise to our sons (even the one without the seizure disorder) that today is still extraordinary.