Dear <$firstname$>,

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.

WRITING WHILE ON THE ROAD

Last month I wrote about mini-vacations, the art of taking quick trips and getting away without actually having to go anywhere. This month, I’m addressing how to enjoy writing while traveling and how to make it a creative part of your travels. Keeping a travel journal doesn’t have to be a drag. It can actually enhance your trip. Below are ten tips to integrate writing into your travel adventures!.

1. Just having an intention to be making notes while traveling will help you pay more attention to what you’re doing, seeing and experiencing.


2. Don’t just write about where you’ve been, what you ate for dinner, etc., write about how you feel about your travel adventures.


3. Save ticket stubs, maps and other mementos so your travel journal becomes more of a scrapbook. (For some great ideas see collage artist Erin Perry’s website, www.alteredbythesea.com)


4. Incorporate photos into your travel journal. Go beyond tourist sites. Take pictures of what is meaningful and beautiful to you.


5. Describe new smells, tastes and sounds. Use your senses and be descriptive. Here’s an example: The smell of early morning rain delighted me. I love the fresh, wet dirt, perfect for digging with discarded Popsicle sticks and the ticklish feeling of a worm in the palm of my hand.


6. Let yourself fantasize and imagine possibilities. Make up stories about what it would be like to live in a different place and have a different lifestyle. One of the joys of travel is getting a new perspective


7. Pay attention to details of new surroundings. Note specifics you may want to use in a book or article at a later time. Listen for new words and dialects.


8. As you would do if you were at home, don’t write when you’re too tired. Write when you have a few minutes, in-between things. You’re entries or notes don’t have to be perfect, just get it down!


9. Learn to make notes in your own shorthand. Abbreviate, write in phrases, quickly jot down main points or make sketches to help you remember.


10. Be curious and open. Ask questions when you meet new people. Find out from local folks what’s unique or different about their home.

Have fun and happy traveling!

Write to me at susan@susanborkin.com and let me know about your travel adventures!

If you find you could use some some help integrating your writing and creative projects this summer, schedule a GRATIS SAMPLE COACHING SESSION, via phone or in person, to find out if writing & creativity coaching is for you.

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

Take good care,

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UPCOMING EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS:

VIRTUAL WRITING CIRCLE - UPDATE!

This Writing Circle is completely virtual. We’ll meet twice a month via telephone bridge line and stay in touch via e-mail, so you can stay connected from any place in the world. Join a group of writers and aspiring writers from all over the globe to get encouragement, support and positive feedback. Join us and become part of a virtual community of writers!

Sound interesting? For more information on Writing Circles, write to me at susan@susanborkin.com or call 800-55-2-WRITE (that’s 800-552-9748)
and request “Writing Circles – Questions & Answers.”

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE INDICATED AN INTEREST IN THE VIRTUAL WRITING CIRCLE. I’VE SENT EACH OF YOU “WRITING CIRCLES – QUESTIONS & ANSWERS.”

I'LL BE CONTACTING YOU AGAIN IN AUGUST WITH MORE DETAILS!

CLASSES COMING THIS FALL!

• BEYOND “DEAR DIARY” – PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR NEW & VETERAN JOURNAL KEEPERS

This full-day survey course is a perfect introduction to the versatile personal journal for both the novice journal keeper and the veteran wishing to jumpstart their journal writing practice. Workshop emphasis is on practical application of the personal journal as a tool for organization, clarity, and personal growth. Ten basic writing techniques easily incorporated into a personal journal will be taught. Additionally, you will learn:

• How to use a journal to get unstuck in all areas of your life
• How to specifically use a journal to lose weight
• How to use a journal to get organized
• Journaling logistics – where and when to write
• How to jumpstart a stalled journaling practice

Date: Saturday, October 6th at University of California - Extension, Silicon Valley campus in Cupertino, California

PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR NEW & WOULD-BE WRITERS

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

This highly experiential class is appropriate for both beginning and experienced writers. While remarkable writing can occur, emphasis is placed on writing as a healing and transformational process.

Date: Saturday, October 20, De Anza College, Cupertino, California

WHEN YOUR HEART SPEAKS, TAKE GOOD NOTES: THE HEALING POWER OF WRITING

Studies now prove what writers have long known---personal writing can heal and transform. Through this dynamic daylong workshop you will learn more than a dozen practical approaches to healing mind, body, heart and soul. Learn to:

• Move from surviving to thriving
• Complete old unfinished business
• Heal from the loss of a loved one
• Write your way through the Twelve Steps
• Dialogue with food cravings and physical symptoms
• Take Dictation from your Higher Self
• Incorporate writing as a spiritual practice

This highly experiential class is appropriate for both beginning and experienced writers. While remarkable writing can occur, emphasis is placed on writing as a healing and transformational process.

Date: Saturday, November 17th, at University of California - Extension, Silicon Valley campus in Cupertino, California

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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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

• If you find you could use some help getting back on track, schedule a GRATIS SAMPLE COACHING SESSION via phone or in person to find out if writing & creativity coaching is for you. Write to susan@susanborkin.com or call 800-55-2-WRITE.

• 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. She may use your questions in future issues of 'WRITE NOW! A-Muse Letter by Susan Borkin'.

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