Notes from Minnesota

Last time I told you all about my new Lance 150 Vintage Scooter. I also mentioned how I couldn't get the danged thing over 10 mph.

Well... all that has changed.

It began when my dear son and I enrolled in a motorcycle safety training class.

We arrived at the class early on Saturday and were immediately told that we cannot ride our little scoot during the course. Yup. I had to learn to drive a full-fledged five-speed motorcycle, clutch and all.

Dang.

To be honest, the only thing that kept me going after a long, hot Saturday standing in scorching heat wearing long pants, jacket, boots, gloves, and a blazing black helmet was the fact I didn't want my child to see his mother quit.

So I endured, and today am a fully-licensed motorcycle driver in the state of Minnesota. Yippee! Plus, I easily drive 55. Double Yippee! Better yet? I learned a lot about the writing life while out there on the course.

More on that in upcoming issues of Writing Etc.

Now that I've conquered have my motorcycle license, I'm pondering hitting the clear blue skies...

Onward and upward!

Beth

P.S. Be sure to check out our best sellers. Here's the link.

P.P.S. Oh, I almost forgot. I'm launching a weekly radio show this fall. If you've written a book, own a writing related website, and/or assist writers in any way and would like to apply for a full hour guest slot, e-mail me so I can get more information about you, your project, and your writing process. It's an exciting project that I hope will help support the wider freelancing community. I'm looking forward to hearing from you! Here's the e-mail addy: :

A Mindset Moment

Hey Freelancer,

When you watch the incredible variety of plant and animal life upon Planet Earth you begin to understand the limitless power of creation. When you observe the incredible variety of voices in this world, you touch the tip of the iceberg of all there is to say.

Release your unique voice. There is more than enough room.

(Mindset Moment)

Beth's Hot Pick of the Week

If you've ever been in a writing slump, you know what I'm talking about... nothing to say, words feel forced through your fingertips, you're distracted faster than a Rat Terrier.

Perhaps you just need a little direction to set you on the right path. Billie William's Writing Wide, Exercises in Creative Writing is a short text chock full of writing prompts guaranteed to get your keyboard humming again. It's enjoyable, easy to read, and (most importantly) inspirational. Enjoy!

July Events for the Creative Mindset Community

I'm opening membership on August 15. The folks on the waiting list will get first dibs on the few open slots in the Creative Mindset Community. Keep an eye on this space for updates.

Every single member receives my regular audio CDs, books, Yahoo group, Round Table discussions and much more.

So, if you're looking for a small, tight knit writing community... a place where you'll receive free resources, a private chat area, a monthly subscription to the Creative Mindset Newsletter, and a monthly Round Table discussion where you can hang out with other freelancers, ask questions, and simply be yourself... you need to check out the Creative Mindset Community.

Keep an eye on this space. I'm opening 'er up when you receive your next issue of Writing Etc.

What Does Your Self Talk Reveal About Your Writing Career?

Beth Ann Erickson   

Writers make much ado about word choice. “Ultra-specific writing creates strong visual images in the mind of your reader.” I’ve said that sentence on more than one occasion when I’m working with one of my coaching clients.

Writers study nouns, verbs, we read novels and dissect sentences, always analyzing, hoping to discover a formula to create sentences containing the biggest punch while keeping economy in mind.

I’ve watched forum discussions melt into a wet pile of disappointment as various discussion participants naggle over using one word over another.

Word choice is something that’s very important in today’s world. Politicians get their every word analyzed, dissected, and interpreted. Newspaper articles are analyzed and picked apart in nearly every small town café in the world.

And writers deal with this phenomenon more than the average bear. Face it, we’re a group of word-lovers, continually forming sentences in our minds, always striving for clarity… clarity of meaning, clarity of interpretation.

However, because I correspond with so many writers, I’ve noticed there is one arena where many writers give little regard to word choice, the arena of self talk. The words they use when describing themselves, their skills, and their talents often leave something to be desired.

This phenomena led me to not only monitor my own self talk, but I began to listen to the way successful writers spoke about themselves versus the way many veteran, yet unsuccessful writers spoke about themselves.

Before I go too far, I need to ask one question: Have you ever stopped to ponder the words you choose when you’re talking to yourself or about yourself? If you have, do you hear a lot of this:

“I’m not a real writer, I just…”

“I don’t need to write for a lot of money. Happiness is worth more…”

“I’ll never get published.”

“Nobody finds my writing interesting.”

“I can't do this.”

“I'll never be able to figure this out.”

Pretty sad stuff. But the saddest part is that your thoughts become words and your words become actions. Tell yourself long enough that you’re not a good writer and the self fulfilling prophecy of that sentence will launch into high gear and will eventually become reality.

It’s an amazing process to watch. In other words, the more you trash talk yourself, the more your subconscious will make sure that your words will become reality. You’ll notice doors opening that’ll reinforce that mindset. People who complement that negative self talk will become drawn to you like a magnet. You’ll find yourself surrounded with hard-core evidence that you are, in fact, a very bad writer who will never succeed.

I’ve been writing for a long time and have watched this sad scenario play out more times than I can count. And as owner of Filbert Publishing, I’ve literally watched writers follow this sad path, despite my dire warnings.

On the other hand, successful writers cherish their talent. They treat it as a wonderful gift and allow it to flow freely, and may I add, joyfully as well. They speak highly about themselves, they nurture big plans and nearly always achieve them… if not overshoot them by a heck of a lot.

“I love this job!”

“It's so easy to become successful at this.”

“Writers are awesome.”

“I just love this piece I wrote.”

“I know I'll find the perfect publisher.”

“What a great challenge this is.”

Successful writers take rejection in stride as they are drawn to positive opportunities, wonderful doors magically opening for them, and they surround themselves with dreamers, achievers, and truly happy individuals.

See the difference? Read the scenario for negative writers, then read the “positive writer” paragraphs again. Feel how the power of words affects your physiology, as well as your psychological balance.

Words contain a real live punch. The thoughts behind them will propel and guide your career.

Your assignment this week? Monitor your self talk. You just may be in for a big surprise.

~~~

Beth Ann Erickson is the “Queen Bee” of Filbert Publishing. She’s also the author of numerous titles including “101 No Cost and Low Cost Secrets To Turbo Charge Your Freelance Income.” Pick up your copy today at http://filbertpublishing.com/101.html   She’s also a busy copywriter, speaker, and publisher of Writing Etc., the free e-mag for writers.

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