VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

How long have you been journaling? I've been journaling for over 15 years and it is one of the most freeing  activities I have ever done. My journal is the one place where I can completely be myself and simply let go. Over the years, my journals have helped me sort through issues and make sense of the things happening in my  life. My journals reflect the real me, the authentic me.   How authentically are you living your life right now? Is there synergy between your inner world (your feelings, values, beliefs, needs, passions) and outer world (relationships, job, home)?   When you live your life authentically, there is congruence between these two worlds. You close the gap between who you are, what you do and what you want others to get about you. Others get the real you when you speak from the heart and walk your talk.   Authenticity and personal power go hand in hand. The more you live authentically, the more personal power you possess. Even though you may have more conflicts,

Below is an article (more of a mini writing workshop actually) that could help you jumpstart those creative juices.   And if you want 3 writing *sparks* delivered to you every day for 31 days, check out WriteSparks!(tm) Daily at http://writesparks.com/wsdaily.html for info on how to get started -- it's free! Thunder When the Universe Burps: A Creative Writer-cise Nature is a wonderful inspiration for any writer. In this mini writing workshop, we'll wax some poetic prose. First, pick a number from 1 to 7: 1. earthquake 2. sunrise 3. volcanic eruption 4. lightning 5. rainbow 6. thunder 7. hurricane Next, create 2 lists for the natural phenomenon you chose. Brainstorm for 5-10 minutes for each list. For List 1, brainstorm for action words associated with the natural phenomenon you picked. For instance, what do you see, hear and feel happening when it thunders? e.g., List 1 (action words): explode, clap, boom, crack, shatter, burst, break, detonate, bust, sha

Sorry guys, no interview this Friday with an SFC Team member. We're all really busy working on getting the April relaunch of Stories for Children Magazine. So instead, here is great writing activity from my weekly motivator Shery Ma Belle Arrieta-Russ. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, it's important to write with clarity, not with vagueness. By communicating yourself in concrete, specific images, you help your readers understand you (and your poem/story).   Today's activity has two parts. You may or may not do the second part, if you'd rather concentrate on the first part. Don't skip the first part, though, because the second activity relies on what you'll be able to concoct in the first.   So crack your knuckles, pull out your keyboard (or sharpen your pencils) and let's begin.   First, pick a number from 1 to 5:   1. cave 2. garden 3. backyard 4. kitchen 5. teacup   Next, you guessed it, pick another number from 1 to 5:   1. joy