Hi,

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.

DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS?

In the late 60's the band Chicago had a hit song entitled "Does Anybody Really Know What Time it is?" I'm going to borrow a few lines decidedly out of context from lyricist and lead singer Robert Lamm. The second line continues with "Does Anybody Really Care?"

In our teleseminar earlier this month, we discussed how to start writing and keep going. The first item on the agenda was the simple household tool that can get you started writing, no matter what. If you haven't already guessed, it is of course a timer.

The truth is if you have a tendency to put things off, a timer is an essential tool to help you break the procrastination habit.

Here's how it works. You know the feeling when you are really focused on your writing, creative work or even cleaning out a drawer and it feels as though time is flying by? At that point you don't know what time it is and you really don't care.

But how do you get to that focused, flow state in the first place?

If you have the ability to stick to a task for ten minutes, you are getting close. Find a time when you will not be disturbed. Turn off phones, e-mail, pagers or anything else that might interrupt you.

Here's where the timer comes in. Set your timer for ten minutes and begin writing (or cleaning, or having your children clean their rooms.) Notice what happens.

If you know you only have ten minutes, what happens to your focus? If you are writing for ONLY ten minutes, notice how much you are able to get done.

Ten is not a magic number by any means, but it does seem to be just about the right amount of time necessary to get started and keep going.

By the way, you can always keep writing for more than ten minutes.

Try this over the next several days and let me know what happens and if you have any questions.

Does anybody really know what time it is? You too may not care once you learn to use this simple trick to get started and keep going!

Take good care,

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UPCOMING EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS:

TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2008 - NEW! FREE MONTHLY TELESEMINARS

Join us the second Tuesday of each month for live teleseminars on support and 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).

TOPIC: THE SECRET TO GETTING GREAT ANSWERS TO ALL YOUR QUESTIONS

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

Never been on 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 seminar from anywhere in the world!

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT, NOW!

SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2008 - Live, In-Person Workshop
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

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.

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

• Sign up for free monthly teleseminars!

• if you find yourself needing some writing inspiration, contact Susan and request a GRATIS SESSION via phone or in person.

• Need some journaling tips? Send for your GRATIS BONUS ARTICLE, 'Jumpstart Your Journaling'. Send an e-mail requesting the article by name.

• Have a question about writing or creativity? E-mail your question to Susan. She may use your questions in future issues of ' WRITE NOW! A-Muse Letter by Susan Borkin '.

Phone (800) 552-WRITE, that's (800) 552-9748 or write to Susan at susan@susanborkin.com to find out more.

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