Your Writing Mentor

Mary Knippel

Coaxing Creativity Conversations Feb 2010

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They say February is for lovers. So focus your love close to home. February is Boost Your Self-Esteem Month. Boost your self-esteem with demonstrations of self-love because you are most deserving of your own attention for affection. Consider observing boosting your self-esteem; not just as a temporary indulgence on Valentine’s Day, but as a way of life. Don’t wait for a special occasion to wear your favorite pair of earrings. Put on make-up in the morning even if your reflection in the mirror is the only face you’ll see all day. Give yourself permission to indulge in a special chocolate treat, splurge on a favorite meal, soak in the tub with lots of scented bubbles and a new paperback, or eat popcorn for dinner and watch a movie on a weeknight (no, don’t fold laundry and empty the dishwasher – sit down and watch the whole thing without multi-tasking).

Writing a journal entry about a specific accomplishment or milestone is a major self-esteem booster. I’ll share one that has been seven years in the making. I have volunteered for several years for The San Francisco Writers Conference (www.SFWriters.org), a prestigious 3-day conference and the brainchild of legendary agents Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen. It features blockbuster keynote speakers, award winning workshop presenters, and attendees in the hundreds from all over the world. The first year my comfort level only allowed me to babysit the purses in the Volunteer lounge. This year, I was invited to chair the “Book Doctor Panel.”

Mary counseling a writer at SFWC
Mary counseling a writer at SFWC

This is a conference-long marathon event where attendees spend five minutes one-on-one with Independent Editors. I am no longer content to relegate myself to the shadows. As the Book Doctor Coordinator, I claimed my position as a professional sharing my expertise with eager attendees, and as a peer with other writers awash in the wealth of knowledge shared at the conference.

Successful writers confident in their literary skills intimidate me. Many speakers and workshop presenters over the weekend impressed me. I made up my mind to show up in my life and go after my dreams rather than stay in safe situations. This year, instead of  wishing I were brave enough to be like the speakers and presenters, I sat up front, engaged with them during their talks, gave them positive feedback, and asked for advice. Do you know what they did? They gave me advice and thanked me for showing up!

Let’s all keep showing up!

Working with writers at the 2010 San Francisco Writers Conference

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February is Boost Your Self-Esteem Month. Writing a journal entry about a specific accomplishment or milestone is a major self-esteem booster. I’ll share one that has been seven years in the making. I have volunteered for several years for The San Francisco Writers Conference (www.SFWriters.org), a prestigious 3-day conference and the brainchild of legendary agents Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen. It features blockbuster keynote speakers, award winning workshop presenters, and attendees number in the hundreds from all over the world. The first year my comfort level only allowed me to babysit the purses in the Volunteer lounge. This year, I was invited to chair the “Book Doctor Panel.”

Mary at work at 2010 SFWC
Mary at work at 2010 SFWC

This is a conference-long marathon event where attendees spend five minutes one-on-one with Independent Editors. I am no longer content to relegate myself to the shadows. As the Book Doctor Coordinator, I claimed my position as a professional sharing my expertise with eager attendees, and as a peer with other writers awash in the wealth of knowledge shared at the conference. Many speakers and workshop presenters over the weekend impressed me. I made up my mind to show up in my life and go after my dreams rather than stay in safe situations. This year, instead of  wishing I were brave enough to be like the speakers and presenters, I sat up front, engaged with them during their talks, gave them positive feedback, and asked for advice. Do you know what they did? They gave me advice and thanked me for showing up!

Let’s all keep showing up!

Visit a Florist or Nursery and Breathe – Coaxing Creativity Tuesday Tip Feb. 16, 2010

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Perhaps you were fortunate enough to receive a floral tribute for Valentine’s Day and are still enjoying the sweet aroma. If not, consider treating yourself to a little trip to indulge your senses in the beauty of nature at a florist or nursery. As the winter drags on, we are hungry for the fragrance of blossoms and the lush deep greenery reaching upwards towards heaven despite the grey of the sky. Let the fertileness of the earth encourage you to plant new ideas about creativity in general, or writing in particular, and nurture them with love and patience to grow and bear fruit.

Write a love letter…to yourself! Coaxing Creativity Tuesday Tip Feb. 9

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Write a love letter…to yourself. February is for lovers. You would have to live under a rock, or on another planet not to have heard that statement broadcast in radio spots, TV ads, or newspapers and magazines. What you may not realize is that this is a wonderful time to express love for someone very special in your life – YOURSELF. Greeting card sentiments cannot capture your unique essence. Those mass produced remarks cannot reflect your true authentic self. It is up to you to write a short note of love, encouragement, pride, and gratitude to show your inner self tangible evidence that the outer world recognizes how amazing she is! Don’t worry about procedure, if you have pretty handwriting (this is definitely a time you want to have direct hand-heart connection), or fancy paper. Writing lines of love establishes an emotional connection. If you have never actually sent a love letter before, I’m sure you have written them in your head many times. Now is an excellent time to learn what an impact this incredible gift and loving gesture can have when you give it to yourself.

Create a Change of Heart – National Wear Red Day Feb. 6

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goredgraphicI’ll be wearing red in observance of National Wear Red Day® on Friday, February 6, along with millions who will help spread the critical message that “Heart Disease Doesn’t Care What You Wear—It’s the #1 Killer of Women.”

Heart disease kills five times as many women as breast cancer, yet most people probably do not know this startling fact. Simply being a woman puts us at risk for developing heart disease as well as breast cancer. Some risk factors we have to live with and cannot change (gender, ethnicity, or our family history); some we can change (diet, activity level, finding ways to de-stress such as writing in a journal, even our attitude). According to the American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org). In other words – tap into your creativity, learn ways to de-stress and take care of yourself before a health crisis forces you to make changes.

Simple shifts create curative change.