When you’re in school, you have teachers to assign work and encourage you to stay focused. When you’re employed, you have a boss to direct your activities, give you feedback and help you develop. But when you’re self-employed or working towards a personal goal, you don’t have that built-in support system.

If you work in a creative profession, like writing, it is even more
difficult. You have to stay not only focused but also inspired!

I am so thrilled to announce that Mary Anne Hahn of WriteSuccess.com
and Sheila Betker of Freedom-to-Dream.com have partnered to create a
one-of-a-kind coaching program designed for writers.

Success Strategies for Writers is the coaching and mentoring program
designed specifically for writers who yearn for successful writing
careers.

In this 6-month coaching program, you learn how to practice—for once
and for all– concrete writing and personal management strategies that
catapult you to incredible heights in your writing career.
Here’s your opportunity to benefit from Mary Anne’s years of writing
and editing experience as well as Sheila’s extensive coaching
expertise. It’s a double dose of success support!

For all of the details, go to: http://successstrategiesforwriters.com
Act fast as the program is limited to 20 participants and begins in
January. We are accepting applications now.

Technorati Tags: Mary Anne Hahn, Sheila Betker, National Association of Women Writers,   Success Strategies for Writers, Aspiring Writers

Hi Women Writers!

It is that time of year again! Each year at this time, we have an Annual Holiday Membership Drive.

From now until midnight December 26th, you can save $27 off your dues at the National Association of Women Writers!

For more information on our 2009 Benefits, click here.

And to take advantage of the $27 holiday savings, click here.

Happy Holidays to YOU!

Supporting You-One Word At A Time,

National Association of Women Writers

PS

The discount expires at midnight (Central) on December 26th.

Technorati Tags: National Association of Women Writers, NAWW, Membership Drive

Q: When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

A:  I’ve written poems since I was in my teens; it was a wonderful way to express my thoughts and feelings. I’ve always been an avid reader, and I loved the different ways in which authors communicated with the reader.  I guess I’ve always wanted to write, it was simply a matter of time.

Q: How and when did you make this dream a reality?

A: When I began to experience bouts of depression in my late 20’s to mid 30’s, I searched for information on the subject but could find practically nothing that addressed the illness. This was during the mid 1970’s through the 1980’s, long before personal computers enabled you to simple “Google” something for information.  Books on the subject were practically non-existent.  I simply wanted to know if other people had experienced this “darkness of the soul” that seemed to encompass my life.  Later on, I was determined that I would somehow provide anyone else going through what I had experienced, the realization that they were not, as I had felt, alone.  My book, Running Uphill, is my personal memoir of my journey through depression and bipolar disorder and my subsequent recovery.  I began writing it in 2003, put it aside at times, and finally had it published in January 2008.

Q: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned so far in your writing career?

A: That even when you think you’ve written the perfect book, there’s always room for improvement.  Tenacity is imperative while procrastination is your worst enemy.  I’ve also learned that a good editor is critical, particularly in a first book.  Finding them, however, is a major stumbling block for a new author.

If I could have had my book reviewed prior to publishing, I feel I would have infinitely more knowledge as to how to put it all together and it would have been a much better literary piece.  Nevertheless, it did win the POW! award in the autobiography category.

Q: What are you working on right now?

A:  My main objective now is promotion of Running Uphill.  I’ve been asked to ghostwrite a book for a friend about her parental abuse growing up, which I look forward to working on.
.
Q: Name some authors or books that have influenced your writing life in a positive way.

A: “Putting Your Passion Into Print” was the most helpful.  I read several others but the titles elude me.  Writers whose styles I admire are Mitch Album, Margaret Atwood, and many, many others.

Q: What have you recently read or what are you reading right now that you would consider an outstanding work?

A:  Among the greatest, I would choose “To Kill A Mockingbird” and “Grapes of Wrath”.  Most recently, “A Thousand Brilliant Suns” stands out as excellent.

Q: What excites or ignites your soul?

A: Observing the joy of a child or elderly person receiving something they’ve longed for but never expected; watching the waves splash against cliffs in the Pacific Ocean; giving something of myself that makes a difference in someone’s life; and riding in a convertible up Highway 1 the entire length of the Pacific Coast with the wind in my face.

About Lora Inman

Originally from California, Lora Inman has lived in many states across the U.S., from the Pacific Northwest to the east coast of Florida.  She and her husband, Michael, currently divide their time between their homes in Jacksonville, Florida and Kirkland, Washington.  Between them, they have three grown children: a son in Washington State, a son in Wisconsin, and a daughter who lives in Jacksonville.  As a member of several support and writer’s groups, she has been a speaker at several events.  Lora Inman may be contacted at lki49@aol.com or by phone (904-343-6511).   Website: www.inmanwriting.com.

Technorati Tags: Lora Inman, NAWW, National Association of Women Writers, To Kill a Mockingbird, Grapes of Wrath, A Thousand Brilliant Suns, Mitch Album, Margaret Atwood, Running Uphill

All writers have experienced it at one time or another… WRITER’S BLOCK…  Does it have to come with the territory or is there something you can do about it?  The good news is you don’t have to be stuck with these frustrating bouts of mental paralysis where you agonize over whether the next brilliant thought will ever come.  Join Jody England as she shares a unique and powerful way to shift your energy and remove these blocks for good.  She will tell you how she used these techniques to write her own book and create an entire coaching system in record time – and will teach you to do it too!

You will learn:

• The single most important technique you can do to get rid of negative feelings (once and for all!) that choke your writing and stall your projects.
• How to overcome writer’s block EVERY TIME, and unleash a flood of ideas and potential.
• Specific Strategies and Tactics you can use to get out of your own way and create your next blog post, article, or book in record time.
• 3 Ways to get unstuck in your writing when you think you have no other options …and they cost absolutely nothing to implement!

Jody England, MSW, and is an author and life coach.  Her book, Attraction Actions: New “Bee”haviors for Creating the Life you Deserve is a no-nonsense guide to helping women reconnect with their passion and purpose as they learn to harness the Laws of the Universe.  She is also the Co-Founder and CEO of, BuzZen, a company committed to connecting and empowering women across the planet.  Women everywhere are catching the BuzZ and transforming their lives with the support of their girlfriends. Even the stars are catching the BuzZ… this year, the BuzZen Box was included in the Oscar® Nominee Gift Bags!

A successful entrepreneur and former therapist, Jody has transformed her unique blend of experience as a leading voice in both the business world and nonprofit arena, to empowering women to unlock their personal power.

If you are not an NAWW member yet, find out more about NAWW Membership Benefits by clicking here: naww.org/blog/benefits

Technorati Tags: NAWW, Sheri McConnell, NAWW member event, “Bee”yond Blocks: Tapping into your Creativity, beyond blocks, tapping into your creativity, Jody England, Attraction Actions