Meet Our Members

 Today, we meet author and co-founder of Originality by Design, Joanne Jaytanie. Joanne resides in Washington with her husband Ralph and Fur-daughter, Mazie.  To learn more about Joanne, please visit her member page by clicking HERE

Life with Mazie~Part 6~by Joanne Jaytanie

There you are! I’ve been looking for you.

I can’t believe summer is over. I've been really busy.

I got my first job.

I’m the office manager for my mom and dad.

Hey, someone needs to keep them focused, and I’m the best dog for the job.

Mom pulled me out of school this summer. She told me Auntie Noel wasn’t teaching because it wasn’t safe. I’m still not sure I believe her. I stayed busy anyway—there’s not enough playtime in the day.

For catch me if you can.

My favorite,

Hide

and Seek.

Mom says I’ll play until I fall asleep. Who’s she kidding. I never doze off.

And after months of begging, I finally got to go back to school. I’ve been practicing every day. Especially right before bed when Mom puts a little piece of cheese on each stair. She also hides cheese pieces on clear container covers in the bedroom and bathroom. It doesn’t matter where she puts them, I always find them!

This is me working with Auntie Noel. She says I’m doing really good at Nose Work. I love it.

And I did even better the second time.

It’s been another busy day, and I need a nap. But don’t you worry. I’ll be recharged and ready to go before you can even miss me!

Click here to visit Joanne's page to read more from Mazie.

Meet our Members

Author Joanne Jaytanie

To find out more about Originality by Design co-founder and author, Joanne Jaytanie, please visit her member page by clicking HERE

Life with Mazie ~ Part 5~by Joanne Jaytanie

Hello world, it’s me, Mazie.

I’m starting to wonder if there is anything beyond the giant evergreen trees at the edge of my yard. 

Mom thought that putting my blankets in front of the window would keep me from investigating every sound I hear outside, like when the gate opens. 

Silly woman.

Don’t get me wrong, I love it that Mom and Dad are always home, but I miss visiting with friends and meeting new people.

Dad has been working on trim in the office. 

My job is to supervise him. 

It’s cool that his toys make funny noises. 

I figured he brought his toys upstairs so that I could play with them, but he says I’m not allowed to touch them. 

What’s the deal? 

I share all my toys with him.

I try and keep myself busy. There’s so much I have to take care of – like barking at the fireplace when it makes weird sounds.

And keeping tabs on both of my people.

Dinner time is one of my favorite times of the day. 

When Mom makes salads, I make sure to get my greens. 

I like lettuce, but cucumbers are the best!

It was fun to chat with you again, but I have to go. 

Mom is doing something downstairs, and I have to supervise ‘cause that’s my job.

Click here to visit Joanne's page to read more from Mazie.

It’s a Circus Out There! Which social media sites should I try? By Joanne Jaytanie

Are you one of those people on the pulse of the newest social media site? It seems like every day there is something new coming out.  I’ve signed up on sites such as MeWe and Alignable. I’ve looked at the sites – but I’ll likely never use them, especially if they want me to pay for connections. 

And let’s not forget, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Quora, Snapchat, LinkedIn – just to name a few. My gosh, the list goes on and on. WhatsApp – what’s that? Google+- it’s still hanging on? Reddit – I have no idea. You could spend your entire day and night wading through the bottomless depths of the monstrosity known as social media.

What should you do? Ignore it and hope it will all go away? Become an expert on every media app? Not me. I consider myself techie-less. I’ve come a long way from not knowing how to turn on a computer, but I’ll never be an expert. 

Even so, I am an author, and the computer is my workplace. I’ve found my best strategy is to work with a core of social media apps. Meaning I limit myself to a few choices and try to get a handle on just those apps. Some I enjoy spending time on. Others I get on, get what I need done, and get off. Of course, there’s a downside to spending time on the apps I enjoy – I tend to spend too much time. Every bright shiny picture pulls me in. Every new recipe, how-to, repurposing, new releases—call my name. Have you guessed which app – Pinterest! It can suck you in for hours. It can also be a great place to find new followers and sales.

Pinterest is where people go for inspiration, new ideas, and new purchases. Over 70% of Pinterest users are women. Approximately 90% try new things that they discover on the site. Nearly half of all Pinners use the platform for purchases or to plan purchases, both large and small. 

Pinterest is also a great place to do research. I set up a new board for each book I write. I have even used my boards as storyboards for my WIP. 

Things are happening on Pinterest. Over 80% of the users are on a mobile device. Therefore the layout of your pins should accommodate this format. That will get you the most views. I have been testing animated pins and find that they do get more interaction. 

Currently, the top categories for pins in the United States are ~ Art, Art Supplies, and hobbies. Seventy plus percent of weekly Pinners have discovered new products and brands on the site.

One of them could be you!

ORIGINALITY BY DESIGN~Pinterest Board

Until next month...

Joanne

Click here to visit Joanne's page to read her past posts.

Life with Mazie~Part 4~by Joanne Jaytanie

Is anybody out there? 

It’s me, Mazie. 

It feels like years since we last chatted. I miss our conversations. I miss my classmates and visits from my Auntie Ruth. At this point, I’d even get in the Jeep and head over to visit my vet—Nah.

Since we’ve had to stay at home, I keep a close eye on Mom and Dad. We're watching Mom make my dinner. 

It’s my job to make sure they don’t get bored. I’m always up for a game of tug. Here’s my new, really cool toy and it’s my favorite. 

I could play tug for hours.

When my people get tired of playing with one toy, I bring them another, and we start a whole new game. 

The other day Mom put a pair of bunny ears on me, and I got to wish everyone a Happy Easter. It was lots of fun to hear from all the friendly people.
 

And I’ll tell you a secret—I didn’t mind the ears.  

Then she got carried away and put more stuff on me. 

She thought it was funny.

 But I got tired of sitting, so I started a new game...

                                

Catch me if you can!

Guess Mom didn't think that game was very much fun, because she went into the house. 

I gotta go.

My favorite show is on.  

But don't you worry.

I'll be sure to catch up with you soon.

Until then ~ Smooches!

Luv, Mazie

Three words authors dread ~ by Joanne Jaytanie

There are three words that nearly all authors dread—advertising, marketing, and promotion. By nature, most authors are introverts. They want to write their stories and put them out into the world and have readers gobble them up. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful world?

Even with my background in marketing, I’m no different. Promoting my books is a challenge. I have discovered that the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Think of it this way, you have produced a product—I  know it’s not a product to us, it’s hours, weeks, months of pouring our thoughts, feelings, and emotions on to a page and creating a world that is unique and exciting.

Every story you write will feel this way—that’s what makes you an author. However, when you remove the emotional attachment and look at it from an outsider’s perspective, it is a product.  

Indie, hybrid, or traditionally published, you will have to promote to succeed. Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter are all places you can spread the word. Have you done any interviews? Magazines, blog tours, and podcasts are all great venues to use.

I interviewed with InD’tale Magazine. My interview was published in the February issue. Interviews are a great opportunity for readers to get to know you as a person and author.

In truth, the number of authors who release books each year is staggering and is on the rise.

If your goal is to have more than your family and close friends know about your books you must promote. No matter your budget, with research and perseverance, you can find ways to let people know about your book.

For more information about Joanne and read her posts click here.

Until next time~

Joanne

Meet Our Members

Co-Administrator and Author Joanne Jaytanie

Joanne was born and raised in Sherburne, New York, a quaint village surrounded by dairy farms and rolling hills. From the moment she could read she wanted to explore the world. During her college years she slowly crept across the country, stopping along the way in Oklahoma, California, and finally Washington State, which she now proudly calls home. She lives with her husband and Dobermans, in their home located on the Olympic Peninsula with a panoramic view of the Olympic Mountains.

Please take a moment to view Joanne's MEMBER PAGE where you can read her prior blog posts, listen to podcasts, and browse her library of work.

Life with Mazie~Part 3~by Joanne Jaytanie

Pssst…It’s me, Mazie. 

Mom said something about talking with you today, but I have so much to tell you that just I couldn’t wait for my turn! 

I need to be quiet, so she doesn’t know I’m here.

Last time I checked, Mom was upstairs doing something—without me! 

That’ll teach her to leave me.

I’ll get to talk to you before she does.

Remember I told you Mom started me in a training class? 

Well, I just graduated from my first obedience class! 

(Oh yeah, mom was there too.) 

I guess I can’t take the class without her, or so I was told.

I was taking two classes a week for the last two weeks! I just started a trick class and I can’t wait to show you my tricks. 

But what a way to tire a girl out.

I’m doing so well that the teacher, Miss Noel, uses me as her demo. 

Check out this short video of us. 

This was all brand new stuff for me so I was pretty proud of myself.

Anyway, when I’m not busy training, one of my favorite things to do is hang out in the back yard and watch the planes and birds fly over.

They’re really cool. 

Just telling you about all I’ve been doing is making me tired. 

I’m gonna take my blanket and go grab a nap. 

And Mom will never know I was talking with you. 

I’ll check in with you again soon.

Love,

Mazie 

If you'd like to learn more about Mazie and Joanne click here to go to Joanne's personal page.

Life with Mazie~Part 2~by Joanne Jaytanie

 

Hi everybody! 

It’s me, Mazie. I had such a fun time visiting with you the first time I thought I’d stop by again. 

Don’t tell mom. 

She thinks I’m taking a nap.

I was looking through my baby pictures and decided to share some of my early days with you. You know, when I was only a young pup.

My people say I'm a pretty quick learner. 

Dad has been practicing Tai Chi for years. 

I picked it up in less than a week. 

I guess he’s not a quick learner. 

I'm the one that makes sure that everything is in its place. If it's not, I point it out to my people.

And I can already multi-task. I'm not only enjoying
my newest snake, but I am also making sure that Mom is fixing my dinner.

Here I am trying to catch the wet stuff falling from the sky. Mom told me it’s called snow. I love it. But I can’t figure out how to get it to come down again.

And of course, one of my most important duties is keeping track of who's coming and going. Visiting with people is one of my most favorite things to do.

I gotta go. Mom is calling me. 

I'm not supposed to play with her stuff. 

At least that's what she keeps telling me. 

I'll see you around the water bowl.

Love,

Mazie

If you'd like to learn more about Mazie and Joanne click here to go to Joanne's personal page.