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.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS:

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13th - Virtual Writing Circle Begins!

Join our Virtual Writing Circle! We'll meet two times a month by telephone bridge line.

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

This is a great opportunity to receive group coaching at a fraction of the cost of individual coaching.

Only $65 per month.

Interested? Write to Susan Borkin at susan@susanborkin.com or call 1.800.552.WRITE.

LOW-COST MONTHLY TELESEMINARS - Join us each month for live teleseminars on support and personal growth tips for writing and creativity. Calls are at 12:00 noon, Pacific (1:00 pm Mountain, 2:00 pm Central and 3:00 pm Eastern.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 12:00 noon (Pacific time)

and

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009, 12:00 noon (Pacific time)

TOPIC: How to Create Your Best Year Ever!

In this 2-part teleseminar you will:

• Identify the goals you really want and are most likely to achieve!
• Create your own personalized 3-Step Success Strategy
• Get into action and create he momentum to keep on going
• Learn 4 easy ways to overcome any obstacle that arises
• And much, much more!

Cost: Special 2 for 1 pricing - Two teleseminars only $27

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

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

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT, NOW!

SATURDAY, MARCH 28th, 2009 - PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR NEW AND BEGINNING WRITERS

Full-day workshop: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, De Anza College, Cupertino, California.

If you want to start writing and don't know how to begin, your writing has stalled, you are feeling out-of-focus or you simply want to bring more writing into your life, this is the seminar for you. Although publishing may be your eventual goal, emphasis will be on the process of writing. All genres and skill levels (including absolute beginners) welcome.

Included:

• Tips and tricks to get started writing and keep going
• Get moving again when your writing has stalled
• Get your writing organized!
• Keep track of your ideas
• Silence your inner critic
• Manage your resistance
• Break through writer's block
• Deal with rejection

To register, click here!

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

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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.
  
  
• Have a question about writing or creativity? E-mail your question to Susan. Write to her at susan@susanborkin.com. She may use your questions in future issues of "WRITE NOW! A-Muse Letter by Susan Borkin."

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KEEP YOUR CREATIVE FIRE BURNING!

How many times have you said, "After the holidays, I'll......" Fill in the blank. Okay. Now stop counting and listen up! Try these tips to keep your creative fire burning straight through the holiday season.

PRACTICE GOOD WRITING HYGIENE. Attach your regular writing practice to a habit you do every day no matter what the season. Think about flossing your teeth or taking your vitamins. You don't stop just because your schedule gets busier.

LEARN CREATIVE CROSS TRAINING. What happens when you miss your morning work out at the gym? You can always walk later in the day, while shopping, running errands or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. If you must skip your morning writing practice, use that creative energy in other ways. Write an especially heartfelt note in a holiday card. Or rather than just slogging through your things to do list, CONSCIOUSLY bring your creativity to the task at hand---whether it's arranging flowers, decorating or baking cookies.

BE SATISFIED WITH LESS PROGRESS, but do something! If you usually write for 20 minutes a day, experiment for a few weeks with a shorter writing practice. Challenge yourself by setting a timer for a very short focused writing session. Even 10 minutes will work. You'll stay more connected to your writing than if you didn't write at all.

CAPTURE IDEAS AS THEY COME. Snag ideas as they come to you even if you're super busy. Don't wait to have a blank page staring you in the face for that writing project due next month. Use Post-its, note cards, a paper file or computer file to drop in ideas, catchy phrases or brilliant insights the moment they occur. It will take you just seconds to capture the thought and you'll have it for use later.

REMEMBER YOUR ARTIST'S DATES. If this season feels like you're giving gifts to everyone but yourself, it's especially important to remember to take time for your own renewal. As you're purchasing that bodywork gift certificate for someone else, schedule your own massage appointment while you're at it. Hitting the bookstore with a shopping list for others? Plan in extra time to relax and browse for yourself.

PLAN YOUR NEXT VACATION. Now? Right in the middle of everything? Yep. It may be the best time to at least block out the dates for your next vacation, get away weekend or personal day off. Just knowing that time is already scheduled will do wonders for your energy level and mood.

KEEP THE BIG PICTURE IN MIND. Slow down. Remember to be a human being, as well as a human doing. Stoke your creative fire by remembering what you value most in your life and what's most important to you. Turn these values into positive affirmations to carry you through the season and into the New Year.

Next year we'll be covering more ways to live a happier, richer, fuller, more creative life. In the meantime, have a healthy, happy and safe holiday season and New Year.

All best to you,

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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