Writing Wednesdays: Three Common Writing Myths - and What to Do About Them

[caption id="attachment_30" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Gazing into the world of words. Where to start?"][/caption]

 

Here's three common writing myths. Call them myths or call them fears, sometimes they stop us dead in our tracks.

 

Some of my favorite writing quotes to keep us inspired during the last few days of Retrograde. Did anyone's computer blow up yet? No? Good. Let's keep creating!

Did you miss my last writing post on how to keep going when you just want to strangle your muse? No? Go here. And that's the thing about writing. As Colette said, "Writing creates more writing." In other words, the more you do, the more you want to do.

Writing is like jogging. You swear you'll run again. You really will.

But at 6 am, things are blurry and the outside world is dark and overrated.

But if you can crawl over the prone body of your dog/cat/partner/husband/wife and pull on your shoes and actually get outside in the first place, you're halfway there. 90% of starting is showing up.

Writing is the same. You swear you're a writer. You are. Really. And can I tell you about my story? It's amazing! But the world will never know it if you have it locked inside your head. Just like you'll never be a jogger if you sit on the couch day in and day out, watching Oprah. (Nothing against Oprah. She does wonders for the soul. Her book clubs are great. But no one ever lost weight watching Oprah. No one ever wrote a book watching her, either.)

Here's the thing.

If you want to write you have to

WRITE.

Period. The End.

Three Common Writer's Excuses

1) "I don't have the time. I have kids. I have a job. I have a family."

You drive your kids to softball games that take hours. You go food shopping for your family. I understand. I know, I know. It's a lot. And it's so easy to look at all those words on all those pages and just whine "But look at all of this! And I bet this writer is famous! That's why they have the time!"

Here's the thing. No one starts out famous. Most writers either have day jobs unless you're Stephen King, and even the famous ones have kids. For them, writing is a job. And one day, we'll be there. But for now, consider this.

* You're worth five minutes a day, right? Five minutes. 300 seconds. In five minutes, write whatever comes into your head. Write it anywhere. On a napkin. Inside a small notebook. Anything. This small act will help you get to know yourself. At the end of a month, you will have about 150 minutes worth of writing. Discover your soul and your mind. Write.

2) I don't know enough grammar. I was terrible in my english classes.

Worry about grammar later after your month of daily, five minute writing sessions is up. For now? Just begin. Please. Some of the most amazing writers I've known have been students I met when I taught college level prep classes. My students knew nothing about grammar but they knew how to express themselves. And that's where you begin. Expression.

3) Every writing teacher I ever had said that I should not write how I talk. That's the only way I know!

Then write like YOU write.I have news. Sometimes, teachers lie a little. Some of the best literature comes from directness. Hemmingway wrote short, direct sentences. ("The dog walked down the street.") That's it.

See above. You sit your butt in the computer chair and you don't move a muscle until you have five minutes worth of writing. Just go. Run. Just begin.

Here's some quotes to get you moving.

And if you're not a writer, these wonderful quotes apply to any creative project. We look to others to learn, to follow, to understand. To see how to move along on our own path. To learn how to let go. Here are some of the most inspiring quotes I know. Enjoy, friends.

First, let's start with the Man. Ray Bradbury is currently pushing 100. He's still a one-man powerhouse who started writing in the 50s and never stopped. Best known for Fahrenheit 451, about a totalitarian society in which books are burned (and if you're caught with one, you go to jail), he's also known for Something Wicked This Way Comes, about two childhood friends and a haunted carnival. Most of all, Ray has a ZEST and PASSION for writing that makes me want to sing, dance, and scribble long into the night. All of his below quotes are from the fabulous Zen in the Art of Writing.

The Ray Bradbury Quotes

When honest love speaks, when true admiration begins, when excitement rises, when hate curls like smoke, you need never doubt that creativity will stay with you for a lifetime - Ray Bradbury from Zen in the Art of Writing

Time is there. Love is there. Story is there.

If you are writing without zest, without love, without gusto, you are only half a writer.

-----

Here's some other great ones.

There is more than enough! - Unknown

Magic Happens -- Unknown

Energy rightly applied and directed can accomplish anything - Nellie Bly

Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds. Shine. - Buddha

At times, it is necessary to go over the top. How else can we get to the other side? - Kobi Yamada

I am here to live out loud. - Emile Zola

You can't lead a calvary charge if you think you look funny on a horse. - John Peers

---

Happy writing. Enjoy the time connecting.

Magical Mondays: "Tricking the Goddess" in Poetry on the Vine; The Last Blog

[caption id="attachment_184" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Poetry on the Vine with "Tricking the Goddess"!"][/caption]

Because this is magical. Because women getting together to express their creativity is something to celebrate! Here's some promo posters and write-ups for Poetry on the Vine, a one-night event where I'll be reading selections from my forthcoming book Tricking the Goddess. If you're in the area, come on out!

Poetry On The Vine:   Three Uncommon Varietals

 

Kristin Berkey-Abbott            Shefali Choksi                         Marissa Cohen

Kristin Berkey-Abbott reads from her works: Whistling Past the Graveyard (pudding house – 2004) and I Stand Here Shredding Documents (Forthcoming from Finishing Line Press).

Shefali Choksi reads from her Recently published work, Frontier Literature

Marissa Cohen reads from her forthcoming collection, Tricking the Goddess.

Hollywood Vine

2035 Harrison Street

Hollywood, Florida 33020

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also, here's a local write up.

Kristin Berkey-Abbott, Shefali Choksi, and Marissa Cohen: Dr. Kristin Berkey-Abbott reads from her latest I Stand Here Shredding Documents, Dr. Shefali Choksi shares pieces from Frontier Literature and Marissa Cohen reads from her forthcoming debut collection Tricking the Goddess. Berkey-Abbott and Choksi teach at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Cohen is the founder of HappyGanesh.com. 7 pm. Hollywood Vine, Hollywood. Call 954-922-2910 or visit www.hvine.com.

------------------------------------------

Also, last Friday was my very last co-host gig for Bob's Blazing Tarot Blog. This was a hard decision for me to move on, but its been a wonderful year and a half that I've sat with Bob Decker for ten minutes every Friday, talking about tarot cards and astrology. He's truly one of the best hypnotherapists that I know and a wonderful reader. To learn more about Bob, click here.

All good things must come to an end. Here's our last blog.

 



Photo Credit: Quixote206

Fun Fridays: More like a Full Moon in Libra Friday.

[caption id="attachment_69" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Full Moon in Libra on 4/17"][/caption]

What's a New Moon? What's a Full Moon?

The Full Moon closes out the energy of the month and asks us if we have what it takes, where as New Moon energy (always at the start of the month) opens the energy and give us a chance to manifest.

Right now, the Full Moon will be going into Libra on April 17. Our New Moon opened the month in Aries. Our last New Moon was in Aries, encouraging us to manifest Aries skills: aggression, bravery, independence  (though other factors may have encouraged us to wait on it).

See below. The key words are in black.

ARIES Sun INTENDS to bring bravery and assertiveness to situations.

Aries New Moon (earlier this month) longed to MANIFEST these qualities.

Libra (Full) Moon longs to bring relationship skills and diplomacy to CONCLUDE a situation.

As I wrote in a previous post, “Full Moons provide the template for these wishes and dreams. Full Moons dare us to see if we reaaally have the guts and the power to make good on our manifestations. They give us support.”

Now, the Full Moon in Libra(4/17) asks us if we’re able to balance the scales enough  (Libra traits)  to manifest our strength and independence (Aries Sun traits).

Creating a balance between Aries/Libra elements is important in the next 2.5 days. This may mean that fueled by the several major planets in Aries currently, we have a chance to go back into or rebuild an existing relationship, but thanks to all the Aries energy, we're reminded to not give up ourselves. Also, Aries gives us a wonderful new power - a reminder that we are truly recreating from the ground up. Aries is about new growth, so we can maniest new situations in relationships.

As one of my all time favorite astrologers Molly Hall of About.com said:

"The Libra Full Moon in ordinary times might be one to celebrate all things artful and harmonious. It's a peak when the instinct to balance out relationships is strong. But this is also an extraordinary time of choice. We can re-create the old dramas, but with dangerous intensity. Or we can choose to see the blank canvas, and our freedom to draw forth new possibilities."

So well said, Molly.

What a powerful idea - and I think that notion of deciding to recreate or create the old dramas, or allowing yourself to rebuild is a perfect example of the transformative power of our human process. Because of all the Aries energy that is around (Sun, Mercury, Uranus) we're going to want to change and change now. It's raw and it's fast and this energy can leave us aching to go into the New and Unknown. Use the power of this Full Moon in Libra to manifest and move forward, egged on by all the Aries planets. (Also, of course, remember that Mercury in Retro is still in effect, so any communication may be wrinkly until two weeks after April 23, the final date of Retrograde.

ASTRO HINT: If you know your chart, find where Aries falls in your chart. If your rising/ascendent sign is in Gemini, Aries will be in your 11th house of friends. Also find where Libra falls naturally in your chart. If, for example, your rising sign is Gemini, Libra will fall in your 5th house of love and children. How will you be impacted by the Sun in Aries/Full Moon in Libra opposition? Look to your chart.

Want to book a personal reading? Contact me here.

Have a great weekend!

- M

Writing Wednesdays (a day late!): How To Keep Going Once You've Begun

[caption id="attachment_152" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="You get to here (published books) by figuring out how to unblock your pen."][/caption]

We missed our Monday and Wednesday post due to some schedule conflicts (heat exhaustion... and the official creation of the CBS RADIO SPOT!) but no worries. My body temperature is back to normal. I've created a radio spot. The day was a success.

All is fine and we're back. And now on to our regularly scheduled, if somewhat late post.

How to Keep Writing Once You've Begun

You're stuck. There's no getting around it.

Your novel/essay/research paper has jelled into a ball. It was flowing and going. And now? It's stopped. Panic sets in.

Similar to Elizabeth Kubler Ross's grief stages, we've got the writing stages.

Stage One: Excitement: You wake up, your heart pounding. Every idea seems golden and will make you a mint (or give you an A).

Stage Two:  Creative Flow: You've been pounding away at your computer or scribbling away in your notebook. It's all moving at an amazing pace. Ideas are flowing from your pen.

Stage Three: The Roadblock: We all hit it. This is the part where your character or plot just winds down. You planned for Little Jane or Johnny to walk to the right. He or she goes to the left. You try a little harder for your character to do what you want. Your book (or paper) rebels. Everything digs its feet into the mud.

Here's where we come in.

How do you get out of Stage 3?

Here's a list of time honored Writing Block Breakers

1. Step away from the computer screen: Sometimes staring anxiously into the monitor just creates more panic. All those words. You're wasting time. Deadline is approaching! Go for a walk. Take twenty minutes and focus on the feeling of your body moving. Relax. Usually, once you've helped your body to relax, your mind will follow suit and you can return to your desk with a fresh perspective.


2. Stretch: Never underestimate the power of movement. Stand up, plant your bare feet and lift your hands above your head. Breathe. Repeat five times. Sit back down.


3. Believe. There is no substitute for straight-up belief. As we talked about here, no one else will take over your body and believe for you. You must believe all on your own. But, I'm here to help with inspiration (for the post on YAWP and self-belief, go here)

Still blocked? Then contact us and set up a writing consultant appointment.

 

 

Fun Fridays: CBS RADIO and "Tricking the Goddess" Poetry Book

[caption id="attachment_179" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="HG is a Proud Sponsor of The Movement Within Radio on CBS RADIO! Hear the HG Radio Spot on CBS, starting May 2"][/caption]

Happy Ganesh is now a proud sponsor of The Movement Within Radio Show on CBS Radio!

Here's what that means for us: HG is now going to have a radio spot that will be heard during The Movement Within Radio Show, starting May 2, Monday Nights at 6 pm on CBS Radio ...AND will stream live on AOL Radio, Yahoo Radio, and on actual HD radio stations in Seattle, Boston, and Detroit.

Here's what that means for YOU

• more services


• more great seminars and one-on-one classes


• the creation of a Happy Ganesh bookstore


• and much much more!

We're very excited!! And a huge congrats to our good friend April Claxton who has worked her tail off on the creation of this show. We're so proud to be a sponsor.

Tricking the Goddess Hits Shelves in May

Plus, the first of two books is coming out in May 2011! My first poetry collection, Tricking the Goddess, hits stores in May, to correspond with the CBS Radio spots! Several years ago, I lost my mother to cancer and thought my life was over. But life is never over and just when my old life ended, I found myself in the middle of an amazing fresh start, from the darkness and into the light. You'll be able to buy it on amazon.com or right here.

But What About "Creative Astrology"? Wasn't That The First Book?

It's coming. Due to some scheduling changes, it looks like the release of "Creative Astrology" will be pushed back a little bit. No worries, though. It's not going anywhere, and we're in a Retrograde, so all good things will come after that, surely. ;-)

Happy Ganesh's Radio Show

Annnnnd.....we're going to have our own radio show. We'll begin sometime in April on blogtalkradio.com and for free, you'll get a full hour of

• astrological happenings


• writing how tos


• author interviews


• author readings


• what astrology means for you, including call ins


• and much, much more!

THANK YOU!

Thank you for being with us! You're the reason we do this at all - because there are people out there who care about Happy Ganesh's twin passions - astrology and books/literature. Because you have a curious and seeking heart and because you want to learn about your world and your life through intuitive readings. Because you understand that the only way out is through and that honest expression is empowerment.

And we could never do this without you.

In gratitude,

Marissa

 

Happy weekend!

- Marissa

Writing Wednesday: The Universe and You

[caption id="attachment_23" align="alignleft" width="224" caption="Spirituality is an Intensely Personal Road. "][/caption]

 

(Note: This article contains YouTube videos. If you're reading this entry in an email, please click through to the blog to see the videos!)

In honor of this week's Writing Wednesday, let's talk about the eternal divine within. I believe the sacred is in you, and learning how to connect to our deeply personal and individual spiritualities is, I believe, a lifelong and intensely personal process.

1. Do you believe in a Higher Power? If yes, does it have a name? Do you call it God? Goddess? Jesus? Luck? Chance? Fate?

2. What is your personal sacred code?

3. What does talking to a Higher Power mean to you, if you pray to one? Do you call your communication prayer? Does it have another name?

4. Describe the face of your own inner divine being. What does it look like? What is the feeling associated with it?

5. What is your favorite communication or "prayer" with the divine? Some of my favorites are "I'm lost", "Help", "F-- This!", or "Thank You."

Some book recommendations are

The Feminine Face of God by Sherry Ruth Anderson and Patricia Hopkins: Anderson and Hopkins explore women's views of spirituality, including testimony from nuns, Buddists, pagans, female rabbis, and women of all kinds, creeds, and belief systems. From the questioning stay-at-home mom to the woman leaving her relationship after fifty years, the book delves into our eternal questions: If God is me, what am I doing here? What is meaning? What applies to me?

The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie: Self-help household name Melody Beattie wrote this as a daily book of meditations to help us let go, find health, and trust our inner timing. (Melody Beattie also gave the children's book I edited rave reviews. To learn more about April Claxton's wonderful Goodnight Just the Same, click here.)

The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris: The poet Kathleen Norris went to live with Benedictine monks for two years. "Here, she compresses these years of experience into the diary of one liturgical year, offering observations on subjects ranging from celibacy to dealing with emotions," says Amazon.

Women, Food, and God: Geneen Roth was featured on Oprah for this one and it's fantastic. She connects our intimate relationship to food to our intimate spiritual relationship. Wonderful meditation on the ways that our relationship to food parallels our own abundance or perceived lack of  support from a higher power.

The ways that we feel into - or don't feel into - our individual paths can often make or break us in small ways. Here's to loving and accepting our own personal paths, whatever they look like and whatever questions they pose.

And here's a song, "Universe and You" by KT Tunstall.



For any Gray's Anatomy fans out there, here's the "very special musical episode version" that aired last week.  Dr. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) sings to her partner Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) , now in a coma. (Who was a weepy mess? That would be me.)



Love

Marissa

Manifestation Mondays: Music and Mediation

*** Message to email subscribers - this post contains a YouTube video, so if you're reading it in an email, please click through to the blog to experience the video.***

The theme from one of my favorite movies.

Turn it up.
Listen.
Notice your thoughts. Just notice them.
Relax for five whole minutes.