Be More Lucky 🍀💎🎲

Published: Wed, 09/18/24

Updated: Thu, 09/19/24

Luck is what you have left over after you give 100 percent.

Langston Coleman

Let me tell you a secret: I find money everywhere quite regularly. No, I'm not out there with a metal detector or scouring the gutters. It just happens. Usually, bills are of varying denominations - the U.K. highest denomination is £50.00. I've found some dead presidents and, in my case, a collection of dead queens at some of the most unlikely of places. It may seem strange, but it's my non-scientific way of saying I'm lucky. But here's the counterintuitive thing – I do believe I'm a lucky person, and that belief translates into my awareness of finding money on the street.
That is the magic ingredient.

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Luck is when opportunity knocks and you answer.

In my supernatural thriller series, "Bad II the Bone," my character Patra is exceptionally lucky, and it's a power that switches on when she's in grave danger. She doesn't just find loose bills fluttering around the street; in combat situations, probability shifts the outcomes of conflict towards her survival. In my books, luck can be a mystical force – but in the real world, it's a mindset, a way of moving through the world that opens your eyes to opportunities others might miss.

🌟 Unleash Your Imagination with the Create-A-Creature Contest.🌟

Do you have what it takes to add a new creature to the annals of speculative fiction? We're calling all dreamers and visionaries to craft a unique creature that could roam the lands of a fantasy realm, stalk the corridors of a spaceship, or haunt the ruins of a post-apocalyptic Earth.

Challenge Details: Design an original creature that could exist in any speculative fiction environment. Describe its habitat, behavior, and how it interacts with other creatures or humans.

How to Participate:

Creature Description: Submit a detailed description of your creature (300 words max). Include the creature's name, appearance, abilities, and any special traits.
Habitat and Lifestyle: Explain where your creature lives, its role in the ecosystem, and any notable habits or survival tactics.
Interactions: Describe how your creature interacts with other species, including humans. Are they friend or foe? Mysterious or well-known?

Judging Criteria:

Originality: How unique and creative is your creature?
Detail: How well-developed and vivid is your creature’s description?
Integration: How well does your creature fit into a speculative fiction world?

Prizes:

🥇 First Place: A feature in our next newsletter, a $100 gift card to a popular bookstore, and a custom illustration of your creature by a professional artist.
🥈 Second Place: Your creature featured in our newsletter and a $50 bookstore gift card.
🥉 Third Place: Mention in our newsletter and a $25 bookstore gift card.

Submission Deadline: [Insert Deadline Here]

Prizes:

🥇 First Place: A feature in our next newsletter, a $50 bookstore gift card, and a chance to write a guest post or interview about how you came up with your First Line Hook.

🥈 Second Place: Your First Line Hook featured in my newsletter and a $15 Amazon gift card.

🥉 Third Place: Your First Line Hook in one of my Facebook posts and a $10 Amazon gift card

Submit Your Creation: Email your creature's description and any optional sketches to [Insert Submission Email Here]. Please format your entry with your contact details and the title "Create-A-Creature Contest Submission".

Dare to invent a creature that could captivate the minds and hearts of our readers. We can't wait to see what unique beings you'll bring into this world!

Submission Deadline: Be sure to submit your submissions by 31st October 2024.

The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Luck

Now, I can almost hear some of you sceptics out there. "Luck isn't real," you might be thinking. "It's all just random chance." Do you really believe that?

Here's the thing: we may not understand the cosmic forces involved in luck, but we believe it exists. And that belief is as real as it gets, and it has the power to reshape your reality. When you believe you're lucky, you start to notice opportunities you might have otherwise overlooked. You take more chances, put yourself out there more often, and guess what? More good things start happening.

It's like training your brain to be a luck magnet. You're not changing the odds; you're just buying more tickets to the lottery of life.

Citizen of Alkebulahn.

Joshua N'Gon: Last Prince of Alkebulahn.

Practical Ways to Cultivate Your Lucky Streak

So, how do we tap into this wellspring of good fortune? Well, it starts with a shift in perspective. Instead of bemoaning your bad luck, try embracing it. Next time something goes wrong, ask yourself, "How is this making me luckier in the long run?" That missed train may lead you to meet someone interesting on the platform. That failed project may have taught you invaluable lessons for your next big win. It's all about reframing your experiences.

Creating your own luck rituals can be powerful, too. As a writer, I create my covers before I start any novel. Is there any mystical power in continuing to do that? Who knows? All I can say for sure is that it feels good when I begin the writing process like that, and that's where the magic happens. Your ritual could be anything – a morning mantra, a lucky charm, or a specific way to start your day.

Another key to cultivating luck is what I call "lucky listening." Instead of waiting for your turn to speak, really tune in to the people around you. You'd be amazed at the lucky breaks that come from simply paying attention to what others are saying. It's in these moments of genuine connection that opportunities often reveal themselves.

Of course, luck favours the bold. Taking calculated risks is part of the game. Lucky people aren't reckless, but they're not paralyzed by fear, either. They take smart risks, knowing that even failure is just another opportunity in disguise. It's about finding that sweet spot between caution and courage.

Lastly, cultivate curiosity. Lucky people are often the most curious. They ask questions, explore new places, and try new things. Each of these is an opportunity for serendipity to strike. So let your curiosity lead you down unexplored paths – you never know what fortuitous encounters await.

The Paradox of Preparedness

Here's a mind-bender for you: the luckiest people are often the most prepared. It seems contradictory, right? If you're prepared, where's the luck?

But think about it. When you're prepared – whether that's having an emergency fund, keeping your skills sharp, or just being mentally ready for change – you're in the best position to take advantage of lucky breaks when they come your way.

It's like Patra in "Bad II the Bone." She seems to have an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time. But she's also the one who's always ready to leap into action, who's honed her skills to a razor's edge, and who keeps her eyes open for any glimmer of opportunity.

The Weekly Luck Challenge

So here's your mission, should you choose to accept it: For the next week, I want you to be a luck detective. Keep a "luck journal" and jot down every bit of good fortune that comes your way, no matter how small. Found a parking spot right in front? Lucky! Did the barista give you an extra shot of espresso for free? You're on a roll!

By the end of the week, I guarantee you'll start seeing patterns. You'll notice how your actions and attitudes are shaping your luck. And who knows? Maybe you'll begin to find twenty-pound notes on the sidewalk.

Remember, in the grand story of your life, you're not just the protagonist – you're the author, too. So why not write yourself a lucky break or two? Believe in your luck, and watch the world conspire to prove you right.

P.S. If you find a £20 or $20 bill on the ground this week - you're welcome, and that's just the beginning.

Peace, love and power.