The Smartest Thing I Ever Did...™

Submit your stories now to be included in the first book of this exciting new series!

Follow Donald Trump's advice and don't keep great knowledge to yourself! You've "been there, solved that" so why not help encourage and guide others who find themselves in the same situations you'vealready experienced?

The deadline for this first book of the series is February 13, 2012. Choose one topic or several: Your Family, Your Career, Your Health, Your Money.  Additional deadlines are listed for single-topic books--stories submitted now may appear in this flagship book as well as later in its single-topic title.

Read the sample stories on this site before crafting your own Smartest Thing experiences in 350 to 1,500 words. Be sure to include your 50-word bio and contact information, and send your submissions to Submissions at RealSolutionsPress.com.

We look forward to reading and publishing your Smartest Thing story soon!

...for My Family

They're the most important people in the world to you. Families large and small are constantly changing and growing--adding babies, children leaving the nest (and returning again), elderly parents to care for, blended families. Share what you’ve discovered that completes the puzzle for you and your family: balancing work and home life; setting goals and priorities; scheduling everyone's activities; home/relocation decisions; blended families; multi-ethnic families; lifestyle choices; vacation challenges; family diet choices; dealing with illness or death; someone will benefit from hearing what works for you.

Share what you've discovered that makes your family tick!

Be sure to see the Writing a Great Story in the right-hand column and Sample Stories in the left-hand column to help you write a terrific story for The Smartest Thing I Ever Did™...for My Family.

...as a Single Parent

Single parenting--it's the toughest but most rewarding job around. Being both mother and father to a child (or children) is tougher than it looks. If you've been handling your family's responsibilities single-handedly, no doubt you've discovered lots of tricks to making it easier...and no doubt that thousands of others would love to make their lives easier, too.

Share what you've learned to make this tough job less stressful and more successful.

Be sure to see the Writing a Great Story in the right-hand column and Sample Stories in the left-hand column to help you write a terrific story for The Smartest Thing I Ever Did™...as a Single Parent.

...as a Brand-New Parent

It doesn't take a village, but brand-new parents sure need a lot of support. Whether you've been a parent for a few months, a few years, or several decades, you're discovering new ways to do things better every day. Brand-new parents awaiting the arrival of their very first bundle of joy, or those who've arrived home with a new blessing and feel helpless, need all the support and advice they can get.

Can you help a new mom with your secret for getting through post-partum depression? Did you find a way to build your husband's confidence as a new father? Have you discovered a way to keep the romance in your marriage despite the demands of a new baby? Do you have a secret for affording all the 'stuff' every baby needs? Or have you figured out how to make going back to work more bearable?

Your tiny tip may seem trivial to you, but could be a priceless golden nugget to another brand-new parent. Share what you've learned!

Be sure to see the Writing a Great Story in the right-hand column and Sample Stories in the left-hand column to help you write a terrific story for The Smartest Thing I Ever Did™...as a Brand-New Parent.

...with/for My Dog

He's Man's Best Friend and loved like every other member of the family. So what have you done for him (or her)? Whether it has to do with improving your dog's health, training issues, a touching adoption story, or just your relationship with Fido, other dog owners want to hear about it.

Share the things you've discovered that have made the relationship with your fur-child a great one!

Be sure to see the Writing a Great Story in the right-hand column and Sample Stories in the left-hand column to help you write a terrific story for The Smartest Thing I Ever Did™...with/for My Dog.

Donations from the sale of this book will be going to
Canine Assistants
(http://www.canineassistants.org/)

and

Greyhound Pets of America
(www.adopt-a-greyhound.org)

...for My Health

We could all use a little help improving our health. Let's face it. We're not the healthiest people in the world and our fast-paced, over-committed lifestyle doesn't make it easy to eat or exercise the way we should. Have you discovered a way to break through your natural resistance to dieting? How have you found the time to exercise on a regular basis? Did you find a way to finally quit smoking? What helped you survive cancer?

Share the stories of what you've done in your life to improve your own personal health picture--they may be just what someone else needs to break through to a healthier lifestyle.

Be sure to see the Writing a Great Story in the right-hand column and Sample Stories in the left-hand column to help you write a terrific story for The Smartest Thing I Ever Did™...for My Health.