Volume II, Issue 40 November 13, 2013 |
Word of the Week: turtle
Dear ,
Have you been failing at fulfilling your writing goals and dreams? No worries, you are not alone. And... help is at hand in the advice of Martha Beck, that savvy, sassy coach whose column graces The Oprah Magazine.
All you need to do is take turtle steps. I mean, who wants to take baby steps? Babies fall down. Turtles, on the other hand, are already on the ground -- they can't possibly fall. And we all know they have a reputation for winning the races they run. They may not be fast, but they are steadfast. Just like these writers in last weekend's "Project: Book!" Coastal Writing Retreat will do, now that they are clear why they're writing their books, what their readers will gain from reading them, and which small step they're taking on this week.
Can you feel the happiness radiating off these wonderful women? Yes, we did have a lot of fun along the way, including a reading, lots of writing, much-needed rest, long walks on the beach, and even a sunset from the Sunset Beach pier. But what made them all happiest was charting their course toward completing their books and publishing them, and getting clear on the path that will lead them there, one turtle step at a time.
If you've finished a memoir and want to know about publishing it, then look below for details on the publishing workshop happening this Saturday in Cornelius, NC. And if you'd like to get started on your own turtle steps, scroll on down to this week's prompt.
Love, light, and steadfastness, Maureen Upcoming WordPlay
EVERY PICTURE HOLDS A STORY (Writing Inspired by Visual Images)
Would you enjoy using pictures, post cards, and other visual art as writing inspiration? Are you interested in preserving the stories your photographs could tell, for yourself or future generations? Come explore the use of visual images as a means to create powerful fiction, non-fiction, and/or poetry and learn foolproof methods for capturing treasured family stories. Participants are encouraged to bring images of their own they would like to work with, especailly photographs. A wide variety of images will be provided as well. Also needed: a notebook and pen. All levels welcome. $49 /1 session.
WHERE:
Queens University Sports Complex, Tyvola Road
WHEN: Monday, November 18, 9:30am-12:30pm
TO REGISTER: http://lifelong.queens.edu/CourseStatus.awp?&course=13FPEPHS
COASTAL WRITING RETREATS IN February 2014: Connect with Your Creativity at the Sunset Inn (February 21st through 23rd) and/or Learn How to Bring a Book into Being (February 28th through March 2)
Come renew yourself, whether you are a practicing writer, closet writer, or as-yet-to-pick-up-the-pen writer.
The tools you'll learn will spur your imagination, and can be used to create nonfiction, fiction, and/or poetry -- the choice is yours. There will be ample free time to savor your private room with king-sized bed, private bath and balcony, the large porches with rocking chairs and swings, and the coastal setting. The Sunset Inn is a five-minute walk from Sunset Beach and is next to a peaceful marsh where herons and cranes live. You'll have your choice of rooms, each with its own distinctive style and color scheme. You'll return home refreshed, with new ideas and energy for your writing. $438 includes writing sessions, two nights' lodging, two breakfasts and Saturday lunch (hotel tax and Saturday dinner at a local restaurant not included). Check out more details on the Sunset Inn's website
. WHERE: The Sunset Inn, 9 North Shore Dr., Sunset Beach, NC 28468
TO REGISTER: Contact the Sunset Inn at 888.575.1001 or 910.575.1000 (if you would like to handpick your room, view your choices here first, then call).
Because the Inn is holding rooms for you, our participants, they are blocked off as unavailable online. Register soon by phone -- this is a popular event and there are only 8 spaces available each weekend. The Inn will hold your reservation with a credit card.
See http://wordplaynow.com/current.htm
for more WordPlay opportunities.
WordPlay Now! Writing Prompt
This is WordPlay -- so why not revel in the power and potential of one good word after another? This week, it's "turtle." 1. First, open up a notebook or journal or Word document. Then set a timer for ten minutes (I like this online one that applauds when the time's up: http://www.online-stopwatch.com/eggtimer-countdown/full-screen/?ns=../../s/3.mp3 ) and
and write about everything good that you can think of that will come out of having your book finished until the timer goes off. How will you feel? What will you get out of the experience of having it written and out of the world? What will it provide for other people, especially readers? Imagine holding your book in your hands. What's that like? What will your fans write you about your book? Have fun with this. 2. Now, set your time for another ten minutes.
This time, make a list of turtle steps (small actions) that you can take toward getting there. (none of them should take more than two or three hours, tops. Be sure to write down a number of them that take fifteen minutes or less: fifteen minutes putting scenes into a timeline, for example. Here's one to try
. Or writing a short email to a fellow writer to suggest meeting to write together, or read each other a chapter. Fifteen minutes of writing or revising a scene. Fifteen minutes of looking through an excellent book in your genre to see how that author moves her character from one room to another, balances dialogue and narration, etc. You can and will, of course, spend longer than fifteen minutes at a time on your book. But if you start with fifteen minutes, it's so doable, you're ever so much more likely to do it. 3. Lastly, choose which one of these turtle steps to do first and enter it in your calendar as an official, unbreakable appointment.
Some tasks need to be done before other tasks. Take that into consideration. Is there one to do first so that you can then do another? If not, then keep in mind that there isn't a right or wrong order. Which task makes you feel most energized? And if it doesn't really make a difference, just pick one for no reason other than the fact that you will then be on your way. Each time you complete one turtle step, pick something else off your list and schedule a time to do that. Keep adding to the list every time you think of another turtle step action that will move you closer to your goal. Happy travels!
|
Selling Your Story: A Publishing Workshop
Led by co-partners Jodi Helmer & Gilda Morina Syverson
After years of writing and rewriting, you're thinking about publishing your memoir. Not sure where to start? We're here to help! In this workshop, you'll learn the difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing (and how to choose which path is right for you), how to research publishers and agents and what it takes to get your book on bookstore shelves. Date: Saturday, November 16th, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Where: The Warehouse Performing Arts Center, Cornelius, NC Cost: $50
To register: Pay online at this link: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=NNCU22QJDTTXC or mail a check, along with your contact information, to
Gilda Morina Syverson, P.O. Box 1307, Cornelius, NC 28031
For more information, contact: gmsyverson@bellsouth.net |
MAUREEN RYAN GRIFFIN, an award-winning poetry and nonfiction writer, is the author of Spinning Words into Gold, a Hands-On Guide to the Craft of Writing, a grief workbook entitled I Will Never Forget You
, and two collections of poetry, This Scatter of Blossoms and When the Leaves Are in the Water. She believes, as author Julia Cameron says, "We are meant to midwife dreams for one another."
Maureen also believes that serious "word work" requires serious WordPlay, as play is how we humans best learn -- and perform. What she loves best is witnessing all the other dreams that come true for her clients along the way. Language, when used with intentionality and focus, is, after all, serious fuel for joy. Here's to yours! |
|
|
