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, OCTOBER 21, 2008 - COMPLIMENTARY MONTHLY TELESEMINARS

Join us 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).

Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 12:00 noon (Pacific time)

TOPIC: PenVisioning™ - "If You Can Write it, You Can Do it"

If you would like to get clearer on your goals and move in the direction of your dreams, PenVisioning™ can show you how! PenVisioning™ combines visualization and writing to create unstoppable goals.

In this teleseminar you will learn to use PenVisioning™ to:

• Accomplish more every single day
  
  
• Organize your time and work space
  
  
• Focus & clarify goals
  
  
• Move forward toward your dreams

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

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 seminar from anywhere in the world!

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT, NOW!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25TH - (Private Event) "When Your Heart Speaks, Take Good Notes: The Healing Power of Memoir" in Los Altos, CA. Susan will present a keynote address at The Forum Press Club.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH, 2008 - PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR NEW AND WOULD-BE 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 this link: http://www.shortcourses.fhda.edu/catalog/writing_and_filmmaking/writing.html

If you are interested in finding out more about Susan Borkin's availability to speak to your group or organization, click here (http://www.susanborkin.com/speaking.htm 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

• Sign up for complimentary monthly teleseminars!

• If you have questions about your writing and creativity practice, contact me 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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CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE CREATIVE SOUL

Perhaps when you saw the title of this month's feature article, you thought I would be writing about the phenomenally successful Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Good guess, but no. I'm talking about chicken soup --- real chicken soup --- as in chicken simmering in boiling water with carrots, onions and celery.

So, why would I be talking about real chicken soup? I was reminded last month of something I have known for a long time about writing and the creative process. I had family coming from out-of-town and lots of cooking and preparation to do. I was also working on a new creative project that was taking a lot of time and energy. Early one morning I woke up in a panic, wondering how I was going to get everything done.

A few hours later, I began making chicken soup. I was half way through cutting up a pile of carrots and celery when I noticed my mind wandering. I was paying attention to cutting and chopping but I noticed my thinking had gone into a kind of free form mode. I had actually stopped thinking about my writing project. I was day dreaming, thinking about vacation plans the next month, actually feeling relaxed for the first time in days.

Then I remembered a principle of the creative process. Get completely away from your work for a while and let the project stew (or soup, in this case) on its own. When you return to the work you are likely to have a fresh perspective. Cooking, baking or chopping vegetables is not only productive, but a great way to take a break from your writing.

Here are five more ideas for what to do when taking a break from your creative work.

• Take a walk. Nothing adds to the creative process like simply getting out and taking a walk. Move your body, get some fresh air and look at some new scenery. While you're outside, look closely at what's going on around you. You'll find ideas coming from everywhere in nature.
  
  
• Get near water. If you're lucky enough to be near an ocean, river or stream, go there for your walk. If not, and if it's practical to do so, get in a hot tub or the bathtub. Or, even try drinking a glass of water. This very simple technique will surprise you.
  
  
• Listen to your favorite music. Better yet, get up and dance. If you know how, play a musical instrument. Or, try singing a favorite song. Music is a great way to re-vitalize your energy.
  
  
• Watch a movie, or part of a movie. This is one of my personal favorites. Escape into someone else's life for a little while. When you come back to your writing you'll feel like you've been on a mini-vacation. You may return from your little visit with fresh ideas.
  
  
• Work in the garden. Weed, plant, and water. Get outdoors and get your hands in the soil. Gardening offers a wonderful metaphor for the creative process---just like your writing or other creative work, you're planting seeds, cutting back what's died off, doing regular, ongoing maintenance, and providing loving care!

Try out these ideas for yourself and watch the energy and focus return to your writing or creative project!

Take good 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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