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!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Readers, I hope that you enjoy this day with someone special. Read something great!

Upcoming events:

February 28th Young Writer's Workshop $15/person Novi, MI

March 21st Self Improvement Day, Northville MI free (more info to come on this!)

March 28th Creative Writing Weekend Workshop, Northville, MI $15/person

April 24th-25th Spring Creative Writing Retreat, Northville, MI $150/person

April 5th Southfield Author Fair, (more info to come)

May 9th Diversity Walk, Belle Isle (more info to come on this)

GIVING YOUR HEART THIS VALENTINE'S DAY

Hi Readers,

I had a great time with some of the kids that I volunteer with at a Valentine's Party. The reason why it was so great is that we made Valentine's for soldiers. It is great to receive a candy filled heart from that special someone or flowers. I enjoy getting gifts like everyone else. However this was fun because we we're able to give our hearts to those who may not get something special this Valentine's Day. I was so proud of the way the volunteers put extra efforts into making the cards just right for those fighting for our country. This Valentine's day think of someone who could use your heart. It's easy to use this day to help someone with chores, or make them dinner. I know that my readers are very creative and that you will come up with a special way to show people that you care. Remember that the Young Writer's workshop is coming up on February 28th...be sure to register!

Read something great!

SPRING IS COMING IT'S TIME FOR A RETREAT!

Readers & Writers...get ready for the Spring Creative Writing Retreat! This is a great way to improve your writing, meet great people and get away from the normal routine. The Creative Writing Retreat will be held at the Hampton Inn, Northville April 24th-April 25th. The cost is $150/person and this includes your room, refreshments, breakfast, materials and a Friday and Saturday workshop! You can rsvp at whoiamnotwhatiam@yahoo.com. Monies will need to be collected in advance. Read something great and come to the retreat to write about it!

Together Everyone Achieves Much...Teamwork!

My husband Jason and I are honored to be able to work with a great group of young people. Yesterday our class time consisted of them relying on one another to win a team goal. They did a great job of literally leaning on each other and supporting each other towards their objective. When a team of people work together towards a common goal nothing can stand in their way. Reader, I hope that as you plan your goals and objectives you have a great support system to rely on. My workshops are designed so that the participants are able to help others feel more confident about their writing and even able to build great networking opportunities that live on beyond the class time. Be sure to offer your shoulder when needed! Read something great.

Workshop News

The Creative Writing Weekend Workshop was a great success on Saturday. It is always inspiring when people that are eager to put their thoughts on paper share their talents with others. Many were able to practice their writing/critiquing skills and meet like minded people. The next event will be for Young writers and it will be held at the Novi Library from 12:30-2:30. Their will be an optional Open Mic afterward. The cost is $15 and it can be purchased on this site.

Read something great!

Writing with the Tweens in Allen Park

Wednesday I was able to visit the Allen Park Public Library as a guest author. I shared my book and I taught a program on Creative Writing and Character Development. It was so much fun to hear the stories that the students created. One of the most important aspects of any story is the characters. It is a good practice before writing your story to plot out your character. Ask yourself questions about their life....the answers help to create the story. When the writer knows their character inside and out they are able to communicate that well in their writing. My next workshop is on Saturday at the Hampton Inn in Northville from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. I hope to see you there! Read something great!

Taking time for the sweeter things in life

Creative Writing is a wonderful outlet for one's thoughts. I enjoy having my time with a great beverage and journal and seeing what art unfolds before my eyes. The pen, pencil, laptop is my paintbrush and the words on the page represent my own brand of special colors. Dedicate some time today to allowing your own dialogue to unfold. Treat yourself to some special time with your thoughts and your journal today!
Read something great and write something better!

Scenes from a bookstore writing prompt idea

Today's bookstore has many benefits. It is one of my favorite places to release my creative juices. The fact that many books on various topics are available for reading is awesome but even more the bookstore is full of story potential. I love to sit in a crowded area with my journal and eager thoughts. I have learned that simply by watching the activity that goes on while people watching helps my brain to flow with ideas. The cafe, cash register and even the person lounging on the soft chair reading the newspaper has a story that needs to be created. The next time you get writer's block go to a place that fills you with inspiration. I like the bookstore...it might be a sports game for you or a park. Take some time to get your thoughts on paper. Remember that writing and re-writing are a couple. If you are not happy with the story and/or poem that comes from the first prompt...continue to try again.
I hope to see you on Saturday February 7th from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Hampton Inn, Northville, MI 48167. The cost is $15/person for this Creative Writing Weekend Workshop. It is a great way to let your writing unfold into something journal worthy!
Read something great!

FEBRUARY 7TH WORKSHOP

Hi Readers,

The location for the Creative Writing Weekend Workshop will be at the Hampton Inn, Northville, MI 48167. This event will be from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. and will include refreshments and materials. The cost is $15/person. I hope to see you there! Please sign up now on our paypal application located on this page. Have a great day & read something great!