So you've been told you have Tinnitus

I'm putting this blog out there again I hope it helps someone

There are 4 Installments in this series the links will be below. 
 
Part 1
Tinnitus: Been there done that!

This article is important and so that I don't rush this topic it will be posted over a three day period. If you suffer from Tinnitus please check back and read all three articles. Especially if you are new to this difficult obstacle.

Diagnosis
You’re sitting in the doctor’s chair looking around at all the fancy degrees hanging on the wall. You’ve been examined, possibly had a hearing test, and you’re waiting for the doctor to come in and tell you in what great way he’s going to fix your problem.

The door opens, he sits down and looks you in the eye. He smiles, shrugs, and says there’s nothing he can do to help you. He tells you that your best option is to turn the radio up loud enough to cover up the sounds in your head.

You go home, irritated, and disappointed, after paying the good doctor, and for what? You wrote him out a check so he could tell you; he can’t do anything for you.


Causes of Tinnitus
I'm not a doctor, but I have learned that Tinnitus is more than likely caused from being exposed to loud sounds for over a period of time. I spent 18 years in an 18-wheeler. I sure wish I'd known that I should have been protecting my ears. Wearing ear plugs could have kept me from this obstacle called Tinnitus. I shake my head when I see young kids at NASCAR events, or riding with that pounding music and pity them for what they are doing to their hearing. If they could just understand what it can do to you; they would stop abusing their hearing. I will discuss causes more in the second article.


Moving on!
I'm sure you are wondering. What happens now. First of all, if you don’t believe in God and prayer you should. The only way I know to truly overcome this problem, long term, is a good dose of the following.
God
Prayer
Fasting &
A general belief that … through God …all things are possible!!!

Everyone may not have the same effects. Everyone may not battle for two years to adjust to this new way of living. Some people may not even notice or care. I did.
I had a huge problem learning to live in my body as it was now. I overcame this with God's help. Through many tears and fasting. Now I'm able to discuss it with you. I'm able to help you.

I don't talk about Tinnitus a lot. I don't focus on it. I forget it with God's help most of the time I don't even think about it. If someone would have told me that was possible two years ago I would have laughed at them. But it is possible. I wish someone had been around to tell me the things I'm about to tell you.

My Story
Here’s a brief glimpse into my story. I traveled cross-country with my husband for over 18 years. One day I was minding my own business walking home and I hear this sharp whistle in my ear. I think WOW what’s that. It faded but in a few weeks it came back. It came and went for a while, then came and stayed for a long time.

I went to the doctor. I got the usual; I’m sorry smile, and pat on the back and was sent home with the idea of turning up my radio. Well I did that. I turned up the radio, the TV, sat outside depressed letting the sounds of summer cover up the whistle in my head. A few crickets can be very helpful, at least they were for me. I fought with this problem for over two years, learning to deal with this new me. Things had definitely changed.

Hope & Faith
I’m writing this to give you guys out there some hope. It does take time, it does take faith and prayer, but you can learn with God’s help to live with Tinnitus. With my advice and Gods help it may not take you two years to adjust.

With God’s help you will learn to tune it out, learn to get busy and pay it no mind. The best thing is to learn that you are STILL YOU! You can still hear the rain; you can still watch your favorite TV show. Know that you are not alone, there are many others just like you learning and praying and enjoying life.

While you are learning to adjust here are some key points.
Remember, You are not alone. You can do this. Don’t think about your Tinnitus. Don’t concentrate on it. Turn on the TV, or the radio. Get you a white noise machine. Read, Sing, or talk on the phone, and pray. Take your mind off your problem.

Just learn to forget it. Don’t talk about it. Tell your family to stop asking you are you okay, and treat you as if there was nothing wrong. Don’t focus on it. Move on and let God give you his peace and his love to overcome this new obstacle.

While you’re adjusting try these tips. Get you a fish tank, a water fountain, or something that is on all the time that will make some background noise. I personally have 3 tanks, and one white noise machine that makes a rain sound.

Each person must work this out a day at a time. I can’t stress enough to quit thinking about it. The longer you focus on it the louder it will seem. The more you can stay busy the easier it will fade into the background.

My Tinnitus seems to come and go, but I wonder. Did it really go or did I, with the help of God just forget it.

Part one is this page
Part 2 Tinnitus: Causes and Measuring sounds
Part 3 Tinnitus: Final Installment
Part 4 Years later


Please, come back and read part two tomorrow.

Samantha Fury
Questions are welcomed.
God bless.

Evernote part two Templates and More

Part two:   Evernote Templates
See part one Introduction and PC or Online

Evernote the ever growing helper 

Evernote reminds me of a file cabinet with many secret
compartments, that has a camera, a microphone and more. I may have to do a third article because I feel like I'm just reaching the edges of what this app can do. I know it's a bit overwhelming and that's why I didn't jump into Evernote last year but it just has so much to offer that I just have to give it a test drive.

Templates  

I'm sure there are other things that we should talk about before templates but I'm an author and I've been looking for something like this forever so I have to share these great templates that I found. I don't use my phone for a lot of writing but while I'm trying to go to sleep or waiting for the dogs to take their walk I like to world build, or set up Character key-points. What has slowed me down is not having a simple list of shall we say 'fill in the blank templates'. 

I'll list below some of the great templates I've found on line. Here is a image sample of one of them. There are many different templates and you can edit them as you like and I'm sure after studying them you'll figure out how to save them in the form you want. I'm still working on learning how to make my own templates.

These templates that I found on line have some great ideas to get you started writing a great story. I'm grateful for those that share their templates online and now I'm sharing them with you. You will need a Evernote account to view these correctly.

Journal Template

Personal Template

Fitness Template

Template - Story Premise

Template - Character Profile

Template - Story Beats

Template - Worldbuilding Basics

Template - Three-Act Story Plotting
This is my first Template I hope you find it useful Samantha's Character Template

I hope you find these useful and here is an Evernote forum if you want to know more. Also there are hundreds of videos about Evernote on youtube if you need further information.
Evernote Forum  

I'd like to take this time to wish everyone a Happy New Year and if you have some templates you'd like to share please feel free. I hope to have a third post in a week showing you some of the ways my Author friends use Evernote. Book marks us and come back and check them out. 

 

Evernote: Part one What is Evernote

Evernote part one Introduction and PC or Online Version 
Part 2

Evernote:
A year ago when I found Evernote I looked the other way. I thought 'this is too complicated,' I don't have time to learn something this huge. Also, I wasn't sure it would help. Now I've decided it's worth another look. I've found several helpful things about this handy App and want to share what I've learned. Be sure to check out the other upcoming posts to see if there is something you're missing out on with Evernote.

What is Evernote?
Evernote seems to me that it is just about anything but cook, and it won't drive out and get a pizza. All joking aside Evernote does so much that it often scares people off. It will serves many purposes. It can be a digital file cabinet, note-taking, journal, task  and or project system, keep up with your recipes, and more.  It does so much I'll share a couple of useful blogs I've found on the topic.


What is all the Fuss about 
Getting Started with Evernote 
Prefer Video What is Evernote? 


Where does Evernote work?

Evernote syncs from PC to tablets to phones and what I love most is that it works on the PC, a lot of apps don't. This is where I started composing notebooks, and templates.  I found templates a few weeks ago and that pulled me back into looking at Evernote.  If you're into syncing then Evernote is for you. It will sync over any and all devices. They also have a pro-plan but I've not checked into that yet so I'm not sure what you gain by going pro.  Be sure and check out the Templates blog post if you're an author.

SIGN UP or SIGN IN   

If you want a Evernote Account start here and then you can go to your phone, tablet, and download the app from your google play store or apple stores.  Then you can sign in to your account and start syncing

You can use Evernote on line, or you can download to your pc. I found with the online version you can arrange your toolbar, I'm sure there are other perks that I'll learn to having the PC version. To download click here.

PC or On-line choices

Here I will share a couple of screen shots between the online version and the PC version.  Click on the images to see the difference. The PC version is darker and more imaginable.
ON LINE VERSION Notebook screen                          PC Download Notebook screen  

Why download?
I wanted to organize my toolbar here is a screen shot of what you can do with the online version. Here is a short video on how to organize your toolbar Click here
 

Drop down menu's 
This is another advantage of downloading Evernote. I'm sure that a lot of the same functions are in the online version but the fonts look darker and are easier to find and read.  

 
Thanks for joining in check out the next lesson on Evernote LINK HERE in a few days check back.  

Tinnitus Years Later

There are 4 installments in this series links are below 


Part 4
Prayer and Great Faith 
I hope that my blog on Tinnitus has helped in some way. Maybe it helped you to have the faith that you will survive. Maybe it taught you to be careful of your ears and to wear ear plugs to protect your precious hearing. Maybe it helped you to help a loved one or a friend that has had this issue or is still dealing with it as we speak. 

Looking Back 

It's been a long road since 2009.  I still remember with ease the doctor looking at me and saying, 'there's nothing we can do just turn the radio up louder.'  Years later there are only days now and then that I even think about my tinnitus. Most days it fades into the background. But I still keep fans running, and fish tanks bubbling to make sure that I don't have a reason to look for that high pitched whistle that so often came into my field of hearing. My dad also has this issue, and his is worse than mine so I still do my best to protect my hearing. I often put in ear plugs when I blow-dry my hair, or when I mow the grass. One could even wear them when sweeping and should. I'm so thankful to God that he's given me the peace and healing so that I can live with this disease. 

Forgetting Tinnitus

If you are a family member or a friend of a person that has Tinnitus please don't ask them how they are doing. Don't say how is your hearing, or do you still hear that high pitched whistle. That is the worst thing you can do. It could have been a good day for them up to that point. They may not have thought about their ringing in days and now you're few words could cause them to focus on their issue. Some people hear a roar, some hear a whistle. I have even known of a few people that hear actual music.   But what ever you do don't ask them how they are!!!  NOW if they are just beginning their trials you can suggest things to them and I'll list a few of them below in the next section. 

Tricks, prayers, and healing

I'm sure it's different for everyone, but for me I've used what some call white noise to help. You can keep fans running, bubbling fish tanks.  Wearing ear plugs in the beginning can only enhance the tinnitus sounds so I suggest wear them only when you need them. For me early on wearing a headset also didn't help so I would just turn on the stereo. For me also sitting on the porch in the spring was helpful the noise of the bugs helped a lot. You can buy cd's with different kinds of sounds, now I guess it would be mp3s for most of us.  Storms, crickets, rain can be a soothing effect.  

Also just in general staying busy. Read or watch a movie if you're having a bad day, the worst thing you can do is to think about your problem or to focus on it. If you have noises in your house that make it worse, or make you think of it, like an old freezer that hums, then get rid of it and get a new one. My Granny used to have a light pole that would hum at night and it would drive me nuts because I would think is that me or that stupid light pole. 

Praying and singing, can be of great help, and call others and ask them to pray for you, or fast, or be anointed with oil. All of these can help your faith grow and help you to understand that God is bigger than anything and that with his help, you will get through this DAY. 

Yes don't think about this as a long term thing because as time goes by you will heal mentally and though the sounds may not leave you will learn to live with them. There will be days too, that the sounds will go away, it will just not be there, and you might not even notice it because in time life gets better. 

But for those bad days, get out of the house, call someone, laugh, or cry, and let life creep into your mind so that you can focus on something other than your own troubles. Blessings to you and know that God is bigger and that you can do this!!!

Thanks and I pray that my words help you in some way. 
Samantha 



Part one is here on this page
Part 2 Tinnitus: Causes and Measuring sounds
Part 3 Tinnitus: Final Installment
Part 4 Years later

Cover Sale Christian Covers Clean Covers

I'm sharing a post from a good from Jen Gentry I hope you can join us

 

Jen Gentry 
Some of the most talented cover designers I have the privilege to know have come together for a great cause. They have donated several glorious pre-made book covers to help create scholarship money to assist aspiring indie authors to attend the upcoming Christian Indie Authors Conference. This is an excellent opportunity for Indie Authors to score a professional book cover at a very good cost and help a fellow Indie Author at the same time. The sale is going on right now and ends on July 4th. The organizer Samantha Fury says they will be adding new covers daily until the sale is over.
 
I personally have enjoyed just looking through the wonderful selection of interesting, breathtaking, and artistic works on display. Anyone who purchases will be working directly with the designer to personalize each piece.

If you are looking for a cover for your own next masterpiece be sure to check out this book cover extravaganza.  Here is the link for the Facebook site.  
Some of the most talented cover designers I have the privilege to know have come together for a great cause. They have donated several glorious pre-made book covers to help create scholarship money to assist aspiring indie authors to attend the upcoming Christian Indie Authors Conference. This is an excellent opportunity for Indie Authors to score a professional book cover at a very good cost and help a fellow Indie Author at the same time.

The sale is going on right now and ends on July 4th. The organizer Samantha Fury says they will be adding new covers daily until the sale is over.
I personally have enjoyed just looking through the wonderful selection of interesting, breathtaking, and artistic works on display. Anyone who purchases will be working directly with the designer to personalize each piece. 

If you are looking for a cover for your own next masterpiece be sure to check out this book cover extravaganza.  Here is the link for the facebook site.    To learn more about the #CIAN2015 Conference please visit their website here 

Free Webinar from Christian Indie Authors

FREE WEBINARS FOR AUTHORS

Every month The Christian Indie Author Network will be offering a completely free webinar for Indie authors on indie publishing, writing, marketing, writing tools use or writing life hacks. They will be taught by Christian indie author experts or indie publishing and marketing company experts. These will be first come first serve and to reserve your spot you will need to register for the webinar. This is the page to learn what this months webinar topic is and to register for the webinar.  By doing so you will become part of our email list and will be informed of future webinars.

This Months Webinar. "Making Money while Breaking Through as an Author" June 3rd at 8 pm Eastern Here are the things that kathryn will cover during this webinar: Five Simple Ideas that will help you plot your way to a successful freelance writing career. Setting your freelance goals How to go about finding the jobs How to succeed at getting the jobs Ways to keep getting jobs How to make time to work on your novel while freelancing. There will be a question and answer session at the end.   If this webinar interests you reserve your spot below now. Then, share this page with a Christian writer you think will be interested too.

Hopesmith/Author/Speaker - Kathryn offers a phrase of hope through her columns, articles, books and workshops to shine the Light on the moment. Her personal hope is that every person who encounters her words will feel as if those words were written (or spoken) just for her. She speaks at women’s conferences, professional organizations and schools on finding purpose, being encouraged and growing relationships. Learn more about Kathryn by visiting www.KathrynLang.com or email her at KathrynLang@KathrynLang.com.
You can also see her teaching at the Christian Indie Authors Conference in Davenport this July30-August 2 

 

 

 

 Please Register here at the bottom of the page

Author Central Page: Being a good Author 101

Author Central Page 

Being a good Author 101

About me: Lesson 1

Where do you start with teaching people more about who you are, well lets start with the Author Central Page on Amazon.  It's a great place for people to get the basic information about who you are. Amazon allows us to edit several areas of our AC page so let's start with the basics of, how will people find my AC (author central) page.  

The first place people find you is on your book pages. If they scroll past the description and reviews they will see you're page. I will say that many authors don't upload an image or connect their books and this hurts your chances to reach readers. Here is what it should look like with your smiling face and part of your bio.

Another way is for you to just share and advertise your AC page. There is a link for your Author Central page and it will look like this, with your information of course. amazon.com/author/yourname  just like this no .com or anything. Type it into your browser and it should direct you to your page. If for some reason this does not take you to your AC page sign in. HERE. Once on your Author Central page click on the Amazon Author Page. 

Once on your AC editing page you will find the share buttons in the top right hand corner.  You can copy and paste or share right from this spot. Click on the little pencil and it will show you how to add your AC page to your emails. From this point you can also share on Facebook and Twitter but so far I can't get it to share my image. I changed my image today and that could be the reason.

From this page here you can edit many things. You can edit your bio, add blog feeds, add your twitter account, photos, videos, and events. Today I just added two new blog feeds so I know you can at least add three maybe more.

I will say the most important part about an AC page is to have some good images . Be sure your image are not dark and please don't use a selfie. Find a friend or a cousin to take some pictures of you. Outside images are great. I personally think that if you have a pet that getting a good pro looking image with your pet makes you look friendly. People love pets. Again, this is a business, so think of it that way you don't want a dark image of you inside the house by the Christmas tree. You want the best image you can get. My dogs are a part of my branding so I use them as often as possible.

Just to recap. Good images, add your twitter feed, your blog feed, do you have an Event coming up, do you have a book trailer, or an interview that you can up load. Also at the bottom there is a discussion thread where you can talk about your books.  If you want to work on your AC page start here. https://authorcentral.amazon.com/

I hope that you've found this helpful. This is Samantha Fury the founder of the CIA groups and website, so please if you need a good home group or you need editing, or cover design, or you just want to learn from authors that have been doing this for years come join our groups. Also consdier coming to the first Christian Indie Authors Network conference. It's being hosted by some great authors.

Addition 6/23/2015
I'd like to add that I've noticed of late that many authors don't have their AC connected properly I don't know if this is an issue with Amazon or what, but when you click on your name on any of your book pages it should like to your Author Central page. I've not figured this problem out but if your name does not take your readers to your AC page something is not working right, so please contact amazon. And always make sure that when you release a new book that you sign in and add the new books to your list of books.

Thanks for joining me today and feel free to comment if you've found this helpful or if I missed some key point to making our AC pages the best they can be.

Website 
Facebook Group
Conference Group
Contact Us
Samantha Fury is the author of  the Street Justice Series.  
She's written many articles on book covers, for Indie Authors.
She operates several Indie Groups. Editing Services, Cover
Artist, Helpful Indie Facebook Groups.