Hello,

I am so pleased to have your subscription to A-Muse Letter! I hope you are enjoying receiving it.

As you know, each month I offer coaching tips, ideas and inspiration to support you in your writing, creativity and personal growth. Please send your comments and questions and I'll write back personally or respond in a future edition of A-Muse Letter.

NEWS:

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25th, 2009 - VIRTUAL WRITING CIRCLE

Don't miss this great opportunity to receive group coaching at a fraction of the cost of individual coaching!

If you are:

A writer or aspiring writer, wanting to connect with other writers Looking for support and gentle feedback on your writing An experienced writer, wanting to jumpstart a writing project Needing to brush up writing basics and improve your writing habits

Then a Virtual Writing Circle may be for you!

You'll receive:

Two one-hour sessions per month of a professionally coached group writing experience A facilitator who is a licensed and experienced psychotherapist, as well as an experienced writer, coach and teacher A supportive community of other writers you can connect to virtually An opportunity to meet with Susan 1:1 by phone for monthly mini-sessions, as needed

Only $65 per month.

For more information: Click Here for a Q & A (pdf) document or contact Susan Borkin at susan@susanborkin.com or call 1.800.552.WRITE.

To register: Click here to register!

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2009 COMPLIMENTARY TELESEMINAR

"Opt-in for Optimism - Write Now!"

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 - 12:00 noon (Pacific)

Continuing with our 2009 Teleseminar Series, “Write, Creativity & the Pursuit of Happiness,” you will learn how science has determined that you have absolute control over your level of happiness at least 40% of the time. You will discover three specific ways to automatically experience a brighter outcome. Finally, you’ll learn a way to introduce yourself and feel better in minutes.

Between the economy and global warming you can find plenty of reasons to be pessimistic. In this hour-long teleseminar you’ll explore ways to feel happier and more optimistic in spite of what goes on in the world around you

In this teleseminar we will look at practical strategies to:

• Increase your level of optimism
  
  
• Write a Best Self introduction that gets results
  
  
• Keep a journal that will absolutely increase positive feelings
  
  And much more!

Never been to a teleseminar? A teleseminar is a virtual classroom. Accessible by telephone, you simply sign-up beforehand then dial in at the appointed time. No travel, no hassle. Listen or be part of a class from anywhere in the world!

Can't make the sessions? No worries. Sign-up anyway and we'll send you the recording.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT, NOW!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19th - VIRTUAL WRITING CIRCLE "OPEN HOUSE" - NO COST

If you've been thinking about joining the Virtual Writing Circle, but still have some questions, join us for a free Open House Question & Answer Session. This will give you an opportunity to experience a mini-session of the Virtual Writing Circle and get answers to any questions you might have.

Wednesday, AUGUST 19th, 9:00 am (PDT). Please R.S.V.P.

Can't make the Open House? That's OK. RSVP anyway and we'll send you the recording.

(Note: This is a complimentary session and when you checkout in the cart, your credit card will not be charged.)

RSVP HERE

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2009 Sangre de Cristo Center. Susan will present a 3-part workshop at Sangre de Cristo Center, an international Sabbatical center near Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Private Event).

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009 - 3rd Annual Wellness & Writing Connection Conference. Susan will present a workshop entitled "Me, Myself & I: Self-Dialogue as Healer" at the conference in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information or to register for the conference, please go to www.WellnessAndWritingConnections.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2009 - BEYOND DEAR DIARY Full-day workshop: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, De Anza College, Cupertino, California.

Feeling stuck, out-of-focus or confused in your life direction? Think there is something more for you but not sure what it is or how to find it? Bring a blank journal and a pen and be ready for some surprises!

Beyond diary type writing to record daily events, personal growth writing holds the potential for deep self-reflection, growth & personal transformation. Although often simple in methodology, it is a rich and powerful resource for contemplation, discovery and change. We will explore a variety of writing methods including Free Form, Inner Dialogues, Mind Maps and "Pen-Visioning." Be prepared for an experience that will transform, challenge and delight you!

For more information and to register, contact shortcourses@fhda.edu

If you are interested in finding out more about Susan Borkin’s availability to speak to your group or organization, click here or contact Susan at 408.973.7877

COMING SOON! - Available soon on Exceptional Wisdom Radio - Susan is interviewed by Kay Adams, Founder & Director of the Center for Journal Therapy

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BOOKS TO STIMULATE YOUR WRITING AND CREATIVITY By Susan Borkin

Writing From the Inside Out: Using a Journal for Personal Growth and Transformation When Your Heart Speaks, Take Good Notes: The Healing Power of Writing

Both books are available for previewing and ordering at www.susanborkin.com. Sample chapters are only available to preview.

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GRATIS CORNER

Find out! Just contact me for a Complimentary Coaching Consultation and we'll talk about it. Phone (800) 552-WRITE, that's (800) 552-9748 or write to me at susan@susanborkin.com to find out more.

• Need some journaling tips? Send for your GRATIS BONUS ARTICLE "JUMPSTART YOUR JOURNALING" Send an e-mail to susan@susanborkin.com, requesting the article by name.
  

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HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION

Remember the beginning of every school year when you were a child and asked to write a theme on "How I spent my summer vacation?" Even if you no longer have to write that paper for school, this is a great time to think about what you would write.

With daylight lasting longer and a few more weeks of summer left, what do you want to say about this summer? Did you take the vacation or time off you had planned? Did you get your summer projects done? Did you get to the reading or writing you were going to do by last month?

Here are a few ideas to help you focus on the remaining days of summer:

MORE IS NOT NECESSAIRLY BETTER

If there is a big project you find yourself avoiding like cleaning out the garage, your attic or office files, try breaking it down into small steps. Do just one shelf a day for several days in a row. Clear out files beginning with the letter "A" and complete one letter a day. In less than a month you will have gotten through the whole alphabet!

MAKE IT INTO A GAME

If you are sorting a pile of old clothes and want to get through it faster, take out a small kitchen timer or clock and set it for the amount of time you think the task will take. Now get back to the task and see if you can win the "Beat the Clock" game by going faster than the amount of time you scheduled. You will most likely get the job done faster than you had expected and may even enjoy the process more.

GET OUTDOORS

If you can, take your project outside. Sip a cold glass of lemonade, put your feet up and do your reading outdoors. You will still get it done, but it will feel like you are on vacation. Or take a quick break and lie on your back and watch the clouds roll by. See if you can see people and objects in the clouds.

PLAY WITH A CHILD

Try joining your child, grandchild or the child next door playing catch, riding your bike or playing hide and go seek. Get out of your head and go for a walk looking for "treasures." Notice how much better you feel afterward.

Even if you have no specific travel plans or are just enjoying a staycation this summer, remember to break up big jobs into smaller ones, create a game out of everyday tasks, get outdoors, and spend some time playing with children. Even if you no longer have to write about "How I spent my summer vacation," you will have had a much better time!

Have fun and take care,

If you find yourself needing help managing your creative process contact me and request a GRATIS SESSION via phone or in person. Phone (800) 552-WRITE, that's (800) 552-9748 or write to me at susan@susanborkin.com to find out more.

ABOUT SUSAN BORKIN

Susan Borkin, M.A. is a licensed psychotherapist, coach and writer. She is the founder of Write Now! a professional practice specializing in the use of writing for personal and professional growth. Susan specializes in helping people overcome creative blocks and achieve deep personal transformation through the use of writing. A personal growth writing teacher for more than twenty-five years, she is the author of When Your Heart Speaks, Take Good Notes: The Healing Power of Writing and Writing From the Inside Out: Using a Journal for Personal Growth & Transformation.

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