AND STILL I RISE....

Readers,
I had a wonderful Saturday! I was able to encounter so many beautiful hearted people at Botsford Wellness. I was given the opportunity to chat with many people in reference to my writing techniques and also engage interest in others for future journaling sessions. I am always so thrilled to teach the Young Writers Workshop series because the people that attend display so much talent and promise. I listened to the works of so many people today and I was amazed at the hard work and thought they put into their artwork and how they inspire others. A poem that is my favorite is Still I Rise by Maya Angelou. This poem is about doing incredible things despite circumstances. In this poem Maya makes no excuses for her heritage, economic standing, etc. She realizes that she is a gift from above and that this gives her the right to be confident and feel great about who she is. If you are reading this today and you feel that you lacking or unable to rise above your circumstances whatever they may be...I want to tell you that this is not true. When I have faith in myself I am shocked by the results of my behavior and when I have faith in others it is contagious. Today...is yours! Use it to the best of your ability.
Read something great and keep rising!

THE POWER OF WORDS

Hi Readers,
Tomorrow I will be showcasing how writing can help people overcome obstacles. Botsford Wellness Institute is having a open House and they invited me to speak on the power of the written word. Did you know that writing can help you get rid of anxiety? It can help you focus your thoughts so that you do not have brain drain and it is a great way to tune into your inner-self and discover what is really going on inside. I invite you to come and see me from 9 a.m. until 10:30 tomorrow at the Botsford Wellness Institute in Novi Michigan on GrandRiver. I will also be teaching my Young Writer's Series tomorrow! We will be at the Novi Public Library from 12:30-2:30 and their will be an optional Open Mic afterward at Solid Grounds Coffee House!
The cost for the Young Writer's workshop is $15/each and this includes materials, and refreshments. I hope to see you!
As always Read something great!

IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCEED WRITE, WRITE AGAIN!

One of the things that I learned early in my writing career is that patience is truly a virtue. It takes time to finish your work, time to re-write your work and re-write it again. Once your work is complete...the process begins to submit for publication which also requires lots of patience. I spend more time with my laptop than most and I carry a journal around with me wherever I go. I share this with you reader because being a writer is not just what I do it is Who I am. In my book "Who I Am Not What I Am" Janelle is described by her outer appearance but she is also characterized by the things that she loves like eating ice cream and riding her bike. I received my college degree in Journalism and Public Relations but that is not when I became a writer. I became a writer when I started to write stories in my little memo book as a child. When I was young I began keeping a journal and when I was supposed to be paying attention in math class I wrote poems (I don't endorse this). A writer.... writes! My point for this post is that if you want to be published one day or if you want your work to be recognized by many you have to start by doing the obvious...have lots of patience and write! :)

The Young Writer's Workshop is February 28th...great for young people to begin applying those needed skills to learn more about Creative writing. March 28th is the next workshop for adults and April 24th-25th is the Spring Creative Writing Retreat. You are able to register for any of these events on this blog by using the PayPal options.

Have a great day and Read something great!

SO MUCH MORE THAN EXTERIOR

In my book "Who I am not what I am" Janelle proclaims on the last page that she is more than just a color or two. I thought that this message was an important one! Today people are defined in many ways by their outer appearance., What a person wears, weighs and looks like effects the way that others view them. I believe that a person should be judged on their actions. If a person is kind I believe that makes them beautiful if they are not than maybe they need a makeover. Today decide how you will judge those you come into contact with. I will try to do the same and also make sure that my actions speak louder than my appearance.

Read something great!

WRITING FOR WELLNESS

Hi Readers!

I will be at a Family Friendly event for wellness on Saturday February 28th at the Botsford Wellness complex at 38930 GrandRiver, Novi MI 48375 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. This event will give you a showcase on the different aspects of wellness and healing through alternative methods. I am going to give a sampler of writing techniques that can help people overcome obstacles such as weight, illness, stress relief and more. Writing is awesome for so many reasons. When people write out their feelings they are less likely to act in destructive manners. Want to find out more about this come see me on February 28th....and feel free to also join me if you are a young writer the same day at the Novi Public Library from 12:30-2:30 for a seminar just for you!

Read something Great!

A POST FOR A SUPRISINGLY SNOWLESS WEDNESDAY

Hi Readers,
I was really expecting snow today. I thought to myself last night...OK I must get ready early in case the roads are bad and I have to clean off my car...etc, etc. Guess what?! No Snow! This may not be a popular opinion for those who truly love to see the blanket of ivory every time it comes to visit...but this makes me happy! My favorite season is Spring. The reason why is that the snow is melted away and replaced with flowers, sunshine and I believe hope. I see my neighbors more often when the weather is warm. I am able to play outside again and wear sandals (Yay no socks or stockings!) I also get a fresh new dose of inspiration for my creativity. I notice that when the seasons change my outlook also transforms. I realize that something new and exciting is not only going on outside but inside of me! I started writing "Who I am not what I am" in the spring and it was launched in the spring...did I mention that I was born in the Spring? I will be careful not to go on a tangent... but I will remind you that this Spring will bring the Spring Writing Retreat! Bring your creativity and even a friend to this fun event filled with workshops, networking, food and more! We will stay overnight and have a great time. The cost is $150/person and you can register on this site using the Paypal buttons...SPACE IS LIMITED. You have a better chance of being able to go if you sign up quickly. If your side of the globe is snowy or filled with sunshine be sure to ...enjoy your day! Their is a season for everything!
Read something great!

WORKSHOP TALK

I've never had the best handwriting. I often recall memories of being told that I need to work on my penmanship. However, I've always loved to write. The best thing about Creative Writing to me is that the rules are few. I could create a character with no limits! If I wanted a Lion to be able to fly...they could. In my opinion creative writing is like a magic wand. I can make the impossible possible as long as I write it down. If you feel like Creative Writing is something that you enjoy or if you just want to work on your journaling, poetry, etc. View my workshop schedule. You can sign up for a Young writer's event or if you are an adult we have the Spring Writer's Retreat coming up soon. Take the time to let your pen or pencil create memories that only exist in a story! As always Read something Great!