FREE Writing from the Soul Facilitator’s Kit: Nothing more valuable than living, breathing writer friends who you meet with regularly without having to critique each other all the time! It’s easy to start your own group, and I made a free kit to help you get started. It includes a downloadable flyer in pdf form (just add your location), Writing from the Soul Principle handouts in pdf form (print out and give to your group members), and a comprehensive guide for facilitators. If you’re nervous about starting a group, contact me and I’ll give you some tips and encouragement to get started. It’s so much easier than you think.
Download free Facilitator’s Kit >
FOR DISTRACTION-FREE WRITING ON THE COMPUTER:
A writing program with a simple screen. Try ommwriter. It’s free! Beautifully designed, utterly simple, with a distraction-free, full-screen mode — and it comes with free ambient music (I like the temple bells for freewriting). It only has what you need to write, not print and not set up manuscripts. Perfect to give you a dedicated space for creating — a kind of sacred space on the computer. For manuscripts, I use Mac Pages. I love its simple black and white, full-screen mode — just my words and me. I like to use Courier as the default typeface, because typewriter type feels like I’m in creation mode and I love the way it looks nice and big and simple on my screen. It is compatible with Word for far less money and more beautifully designed.
A place without internet access. If you can find yourself a writing spot that has no internet, that’s probably the best solution, but if you are unable to escape the wireless field and can’t stop yourself from checking email or doing “research” while you are writing, try Freedom. Set the timer, and it will cut you off from the internet for that time period. You’ll have to reboot to cheat, and that will make you think twice. Only $10. Many writers swear by it.
BOOKS TO OPEN YOUR WRITING CHANNELS:
Natalie Goldberg. For freewriting, her books Writing Down the Bones and Wild Mind have great prompts and exercises. For memoir, Old Friend from Far Away is worth it just for the question prompts.
Andy Couturier. Writing Open the Mind is bursting with creative exercises and playful games that will turn your writing habits inside out. Fun to do with friends, but even more fun to do with Andy who is a lively and inspiring teacher. For those in Santa Cruz or the Bay area, see his website for current offerings.
SUPPORTIVE COACHING FOR GOING TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH YOUR WRITING:
Mentoring. I offer single and on-going coaching sessions to support you as you access the courage to be more transparent in your writing — and in your life. I can be a second pair of eyes on your work-in-progress or hold your hand while you write a book. To learn more about my approach to mentoring, along with prices and packages, click here. I also offer book design, as well as consultations in self-publishing. Click here for more information on publishing services.
