I wasn’t feeling very well Sunday, so I spent most of the day reading in bed. It’s been a while since I read an entire nonfiction book in one sitting, as I have many of them scattered around the house, and I often pick one up and read a chapter or two before setting it back down. However, Generational IQ, written by Haydn Shaw, kept my attention, and I enjoyed the information. I learned quite a bit.

This book is about the four living generations: the Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. For the first time in recorded history, we have five generations living together (fifth is too young to name and have much information on). Each generation was raised with different influences, and they’re completely different in their own way.

It’s clear Haydn has done a lot of research and knows his stuff, and his writing held my attention. Void of opinions and repetition, this book contained a lot of statistical data and historical information. It’s not a self-help book (which I often lose interest in quickly due to basic information I already know).

If you enjoy learning new things or reading books about personalities and temperaments (why people act the way they do), you’ll love this one. I highly enjoyed learning about the Baby Boomers and Millennials, and I often found myself nodding and whispering, “Oh, that is so true.” Last night, while listening to my niece (a Millennial) talk about her plans for the future, I couldn’t help but laugh at how accurately the book described her generation. She hates being put in a box and labeled, yet Haydn completely described her and her peers. However, he also went into detail as to why they, and the other generations, act the way they do.

The author does a lot of consulting for businesses about this topic, to help them understand the vast differences that often causes problems in the workplace. (There are major differences in Traditionalists and Millennials, along with a lack of understanding of each other.) His other book, Sticking Points, was written for companies, and after reading the first chapter, I highly recommend it if you’re in the workplace.

He decided to write Generational IQ to help churches in the same way he has helped the corporate world, so this book doesn’t go into detail about the different generations in an office setting. Instead, it holds a lot of statistical and historical data on Christianity in America and the changing beliefs. He not only does consulting for corporations, he also does consulting for churches, and this book has a lot of great information for church staff, as well as curious people like me. I found it helpful and extremely valuable in helping me understand my daughter’s generation, along with my niece. They are very different from the other generations, and this book would greatly benefit parents of Millennials. I give it five stars and highly recommend!

          

Author Becky Monson

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I’ve been a member of Ebates since 2013, and although I didn’t do much online shopping in the beginning, that’s changed over the past year. Shopping online gives me the opportunity to read reviews and find the best deals. It also saves me a lot of time, as I don’t have to drive to a store, get overwhelmed with choices, throw other things in the buggy (cart if you’re from the North) that catch my eye, and I don’t have to wait in lines. Instead, I just do a quick online search and read reviews before looking for the best deal. I often get the purchases within a few days and usually don’t even pay shipping fees. Returns are easy–especially if the store is nearby.

Here’s a screenshot of a recent email I received from Ebates:

And the check is on its way! I bought things I specifically wanted, mostly on sale and with coupons, and I got a rebate back for my purchases.

Ebates is awesome when it comes to pricey items. I decided to get another paddle board on Memorial Day while the stores were having sales, so I went to Ebates and found Backcountry (which usually has great prices). I found a board with a big discount, and then I typed the name of the board into Google and read the reviews and watched a few videos to make sure it was a good one. After adding it to the cart, I searched RetailMeNot and a few other sites to see if I could find a promotional code (for a greater discount). In the end, I got a couple hundred dollars off, and because I went to Ebates first, I got an additional $60 in rebates via a check in the mail. I also got a $100 credit for my next purchase at Backcountry. The board arrived in the mail, and I love it.

Since I do a lot of clothes shopping online at Macys (I can barely find a size 5 shoe in an actual store), I subscribed to their email list to know about their sales. Again, I use Ebates and add a promotional code (always search for promotional codes when shopping–online and in stores). I get the packages within a few days, and if something doesn’t fit, I’ll toss it in the back of my SUV and return it the next time I’m near the mall. Oh, and I’ve linked my Plenti account to Macys, so I get some money back with them, as well.

Do you use Groupon? I get rebates and special discounts through them, just for using Ebates. You’ll see that many stores are listed on Ebates. However, their rebate percentages vary, and the percentages sometimes go up during promotions. Although I get a lot of money back with Macys and Groupon purchases, I don’t receive as much back when I order from Old Navy or Amazon. Each store has their own set percentage.

Oh, and while I’m telling you about ways to save money, I should mention BzzAgent. I’ve been a member with them for years, and although they don’t send me as much as they used to, I still get a few free things in return for honest reviews. They don’t spam. In fact, I rarely hear from them. When I do, it’s to let me know about a campaign I can join.

I highly recommend signing up for Ebates. They even have an app for your phone or iPad to make things even easier. Know of other ways to save online? I’d love to hear in the comments below.

School started yesterday, and that means I’m back at my desk. I love this time of the year, as it’s when I get most of my writing done. I usually began a new novel around this time and have the first draft completed by winter. Then I can slack a little from Thanksgiving to Christmas before I began proofing and editing in January. Reading, rereading, having an editor look at it, rereading and making the suggested changes, and then having beta readers go through the final version takes a few months before its release in the spring. Then I can slack off again over the summer. (Well, it looks like I’m slacking and sleeping by the pool. However, I’m actually plotting and visualizing scenes during those moments.)

You’re probably wondering what happened to that timeline this year, as Unexpected Beginning hasn’t been released yet. That’s because I decided to reread my debut novel, Unexpected Metamorphosis, around this time last year to update it to my current writing style. Although I didn’t expect it to take too long, I ended up making major changes (not to the story, just to the writing), and it turned into a complete rewrite. I quickly learned that my writing style drastically changed throughout the past few years, and I wasn’t happy with it.

That set me back quite a bit, but I still thought I could make the spring deadline if I worked longer hours. However, we all know life can sometimes get in the way of our plans, and that’s exactly what happened. Some family emergencies had me on the phone and traveling quite a bit. I got slammed in more than one direction, with more than one problem. The chaos not only pulled me away from my laptop, but it left me exhausted–physically and emotionally.

The good news is I’m out of the chaos and have recovered from the negativity thrown my way. Unless someone is hospitalized, I don’t plan on packing my bags for the rest of the year. I foresee lots of hot tea, dark chocolate, and writing in complete solitude–the best therapy.

Dark times are golden to writers, as that’s where we get most of our ideas. Alissia’s story came to me during a very dark season in my life, and although I had never written a book, I could not focus on anything else. Unexpected Metamorphosis was never planned. It was forced on me! Within a week of Alissia coming to mind, her story consumed my thoughts, and for my own sanity, I had to start typing it.

With all the chaos this past year, a new story came to mind, and it’s dying to come out. I’m eager to finish Alissia’s adventure so that I can get the new book out of my head. Inspiration is both a curse and a gift. Artists will usually tell you we are slaves to our creativity. I don’t struggle with story ideas. I struggle with the amount of ideas and scenes constantly consuming my thoughts, and I wish I could write faster.

As for Unexpected Beginning, I only have about 15,000 more words before it’s finished. Then I’ll start the dreaded proofing and editing. With this being my most productive time of the year, it shouldn’t take but a few months for a release. I’ll need more beta readers, and if you’re interested in joining the list, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. I haven’t sent anything out in a while, but I always deliver important information through the newsletter.

Alissia and her love both have guarded hearts, and I’ve been listening to this song for the past few years with the two of them in mind. Finally, in Unexpected Beginning, I get to share the scenes I’ve carried in my head for so long. Close your eyes and listen to the words carefully while imagining the walls crashing down from their hearts. This song says it all.

I’m almost finished writing Unexpected Beginning and will soon be in the proofing and editing phases. Hope you’re ready for it!