Some of you may know Mari from her previous tours with WOW! when she shared her How-To journaling books Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling and Who Are You? How to use Journaling Therapy to Know and Grow your Life. Dark Chocolate is a different type of journaling book; it is more like a journaling chat room where all your journaling friends are discussing how they use their journals and what their BFF (Best Friend Forever) has taught them.
Settle back and relax while 17 journaling experts share:
- What you should do when you find yourself cheating on your journal
- How you can make the Blank Page work for you
- What it's like to reconnect with your Inner Kid
- How journal writing hastens healing
- What the best time of day to journal is
Dark Chocolate is a community of journalers sharing what they love, and since the holidays are all about community, friendship, and a bit of self indulgence there is no better time to share Dark Chocolate.
Special Tour Price! The 51 page Dark Chocolate for the Journaler's Soul eBook will be available through January 6th at the Special Tour Price of $7.97 when you order direct from Mari at Create Write Now. Available as a pdf and eBook for iPhone, Nook, and Kindle.
To win a copy of Dark Chocolate for the Journaler’s Soul and Mari’s Jumpstarter Kit, please leave a comment at the end of this post to be entered in a random drawing. The giveaway contest closes this Thursday, December 8th at 11:59 PM, PST. For an extra entry, link to this post on Twitter with the hashtag #DkChoc-Mari, then come back and leave us a link to your tweet. We will announce the winner in the comments section of this post on the following day Friday, December 9th. Good luck!
Mari L. McCarthy is The Journaling Therapy Specialist, founder of Create Write Now and Journaling for the Health of It™. Mari offers guidance, counseling and encouragement to writers through her many journaling eBooks and in private Journaling Jumpstart consultations. Mari’s hosting the next Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling Challenge starting January 2, 2012. Please join her!
Author’s Website:
http://www.createwritenow.com/---------Interview by Robyn Chausse
WOW: Hi Mari, welcome back to WOW! Today begins your tour with Dark Chocolate for the Journaler's Soul. You’ve written several books about “how to” journal, but this book is different as it is comprised of the voices of your readers. Share with us how this book came to be.
Mari: I’m always curious about other people’s Journaling Journey. How did they get started? How do they find things to write about? When do they journal? Everything about their journaling life! I post their stories on my Blog and then on our Personal Journal Stories page where I also have some journaler video interviews. I found their stories so interesting I thought they would make a great self-help book for Journalers. New Journalers and experienced Journalers can get inspiration and ideas there for jumpstarting their own Journaling Practice.
WOW: What niche do you feel this book fills?
Mari: It’s a self-help and a how to book. It’s a Journaler’s memoir collection.
WOW: You’ve been a journaling therapy specialist for a few years now, what do you most love about what you do?
Mari: Hearing about the AHAs and breakthroughs of my students and readers, and sharing the celebration when they get glimpses of their true self. Hearing when journaling has helped them solve problems like writer’s block and page fright, overcome fears, find new ways of managing their life. I love writing on my website, blog, and in eBooks because writing, for me, is sharing the excitement of my discoveries in hopes that my experiences and ideas might help others on some level. I love meeting and learning about and from the journalers (that would be everyone!) of this world.
WOW: What is the most important lesson you have learned from your students and readers?
Mari: That letting go of my past and living my life in the present is much healthier for me. By living in the present, it’s much easier to follow my future.
WOW: Speaking of the future, what does 2012 hold for you?
Mari: I'm working on my business plan right now. There will be several 27 Days of Journaling Challenges, using our workbook, Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling to Health and Happiness. Writers (yes, we all are writers!) can learn more and sign up for our next Challenge which begins January 2, 2012 right here. I'm planning on publishing more Journaling eWorkbooks covering topics on Physical Health and Creativity. I'll be converting many of my current eWorkbooks into courses. Personally, I want to follow my curiosity on the topic of flash fiction.
WOW: Maybe we’ll see you in the WOW! Flash Fiction contest! New Years Eve is approaching...if you could post a message on an electronic billboard in the middle of Times Square what would it say?
Mari: OCCUPY YOURSELF: JOURNAL WRITE NOW!
WOW: Perfect! Thank you, Mari, for another fun interview. We’re looking forward to seeing some of those courses you’re planning and a few flash fiction pieces too!
Gain a new perspective on your journaling journey and win prizes along the way. Mari is generously offering eBook copies, spiral bound Musefull Journaling Tips, and cute Dark Chocolate for the Journaler’s Soul T-shirts. Come on along!
------Blog Tour Dates
December 6 @ Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer
Healing is a Journey: Learn how to journal to create a dialogue with healing.
http://journeyingbeyondbreastcancer.com/
December 7 @ Meryl K. Evans Content Maven
A Journal is Good for So Many Things. Learn to journal for documentation, and enter the Winner’s Choice Giveaway!
http://www.meryl.net/
December 8 @ The Gift
Learn More about Yourself--Journal a “10 Things I Love” List! Mari and Chynna share their lists. Plus, enter the Winner’s Choice Giveaway!
http://www.the-gift-blog.com/
December 9 @ This Mama Cooks
Beat the holiday blues--Mari tells you how!
http://www.thismamacooks.com/
December 10 @ The Gift
Chynna Reviews Dark Chocolate for the Journaler’s Soul.
http://www.the-gift-blog.com/
December 12 @ Words from the Heart
Thrive during the holidays with special holiday journal ideas! Linda shares her review of Dark Chocolate for the Journaler’s Soul. Winner's Choice Giveaway!
http://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/
December 13 @ Mother Daughter Book Club
Is a journal always purely personal? Mari discusses journal sharing. Cindy shares her review of Dark Chocolate for the Journaler’s Soul. Enter to win an eBook!
http://motherdaughterbookclub.com/
December 14 @ Thoughts in Progress
Jumpstart Your Journaling Practice--Mari talks about relaxation techniques and journaling! Winner's Choice Giveaway!
http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com/
December 17 @ Writer...Interrupted
Want to be a better writer? Use journaling as practicing scales. Enter to win an eBook!
http://writerinterrupted.com/
December 19 @ Thoughts in Progress
Mason Canyon shares her review of Dark Chocolate for the Journaler’s Soul.
http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com/
December 20 @ Books, Books, the Magical Fruit
Need a little nudge? Use journaling to get motivated! Sue shares her review of Dark Chocolate for the Journaler’s Soul. Enter to win your choice of a either an adorable t-shirt or the spiral bound book of Mari’s Most Musefull Journaling Tips!
http://www.booksbooksthemagicalfruit.blogspot.com/
December 21 @ Writer Inspired
Be your own writing muse--journal write to discover what you know! Winner’s choice giveaway!
http://writerinspired.wordpress.com/
December 22 @ Misadventures with Andi
Is travel in your future? Mari shares how to make a vision collage! Enter to win an eBook!
http://www.misadventureswithandi.com/
December 28 @ Dream Hour Therapy
It’s a New Year--is it time for a New You? Jessica shares her review of Dark Chocolate for the Journaler’s Soul. Enter to win a spiral-bound copy of Mari’s Most Musefull Journaling Tips!
http://dream-hour.com/
December 29 @ Read These Books and Use Them
Envisioning 2012: What's your plan? What's your dream? Margo shares her review of Dark Chocolate for the Journaler’s Soul. Winner’s Choice Giveaway!
http://margodill.com/blog/
January 6 @ Empty Nest
The trick to breaking old patterns is to discover what’s behind them. If you have ever asked “Why do I always ______?” Mari knows how to find out! Pam shares her review of Dark Chocolate for the Journaler’s Soul. Enter to win a spiral bound copy of Mari's Most Musefull Journaling Tips!
http://www.emptynest1.com/
To view all of our touring authors, check out our Events Calendar here.
Get involved!
If you have a blog or website and would like to host one of our touring authors or schedule a tour of your own, please email Jodi and Robyn at blogtour@wow-womenonwriting.com
Here's how you enter:
1. For your first entry, just leave a comment on this post! Leave a comment or ask Mari a question to be entered in the random drawing.
2. For an extra entry, link to this post on Twitter with the hashtag #DkChoc-Mari, then come back and leave us a link to your tweet.
The giveaway contest closes this Thursday, December 8th, at 11:59 pm, PST. We will announce the winner in the comments section of this post the following day--Friday, December 9th, and if we have the winner's email address from the comments section, we will also notify the winner via email.
Good luck!
Mari--I'd love to hear about a specific anecdote you have regarding the power of journaling...how has it impacted your life in a particular instance? I have a friend who journals in a very creative way--with photos and ticket stubs and little sayings included--to the point that it becomes a "scrapbook" as well as a journal where she contemplates issues that are quite deep.
ReplyDeleteI've been a dedicated journal keeper for years. AND I love dark chocolate! Thanks for hosting this fun giveaway.
ReplyDeleteathenafranco(at)gmail.com
Whenever I feel down or even inspired, my journel and a candy bar are not far apart. Indulgence is the name of the game. As the candy bar dwindles, the writing increases. More blood flow to the brain? Or is the little guilty pleasure allowing me to write open up and be myself. Either way, it is just one of life's simple moments I cherish. Thanks for the posts and I look forward to your December 7th tour.
ReplyDeleteJournaling is the basis for all my writing and other creative projects. I am always on the lookout for new guides. I love incorporating art in my journaling. Ilove the color and the chance to play on the pages.
ReplyDeleteMMMMM - you had this blogger at chocolate (especiallu the dark stuff) :)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and thanks for the chance to win a copy of your new book!
Just checking to see if there are any problems leaving comments? If so let us know at blogtour@wow-womenonwriting.com
ReplyDeleteAnd while I'm here...don't you just LOVE the Dark Chocolate t-shirts? Watch for their giveaways on the tour.
Hello Everyone. Great to meet you! Sioux, I'd say my greatest benefit from Journaling is that I now know the real Me---talented, creative, intelligent.... Journaling is my therapist. I better understand why I think and act the way I do. J helps me remove the unhealthy, negative, critical messages I've been carrying around since childhood. Journaling is my coach who works through problems with me, allows me to express any and everything. I am a better writer, more profitable business owner and a singer who routinely performs in public and has made several CDs. And my Journal and I are working on curing my psychophysical diseases too. WriteON!
ReplyDeleteMari, Wow! You already know I'm a big fan, and this tour you've planned is one of the best journaling events I've ever come across. I'll certainly be on hand at as many of your "stops" as possible.
ReplyDeleteAs you like to say, WriteON!
Deborah Watson-Novacek
Hi - Deborah again! Just a short note to let you know I've Tweeted about this great tour on *four* of my Twitter accounts *and* my ScoopIt account for my journaling site! It sounds JUST THAT AWESOME! :) You can see one of the tweets at my Journal For You Twitter account - https://twitter.com/#!/JournalForYou. (Just so exciting....!) :)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, Mari! Such a good idea to do a tour.
ReplyDeleteIronically, I just reviewed my own journal for the past year & I wrote a post in my blog on the weekend in which I gave a link to what I wrote in a Guest Blog Post. It was wonderful to be included in your Dark Chocolate book. This tour will provide a lot of publicity for it, I am sure.
I would like this.
ReplyDeleteslb3334@gmail.com
My niece has expressed an interest in keeping a journal and I think this would be a wonderful gift for her.
ReplyDeleteprettishi at yahoo dot com
I'm posting a comment for a reader who responded via email due to technical issues. Tazanee said she found the Dark Chocolate book very interesting. ☺ (I have her email address if she wins)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck on your (virtual)tour, Mari! Don't forget to take plenty of sharpened pencils, pens and of course chocolate!
ReplyDeleteCindy
cindykerschner(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a new subscriber to Mari's newsletter. Really am enjoying it. I hope to obtain at least one of her journaling books by the first of the year. I know journaling can help; I need to learn methods and techniques that will increase the benefit. Thank you, Mari. You are helping us meet our various selves and make connections with them.
ReplyDeletej-stock(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
Dark chocolate and journal - can't beat that combination. I love them both and would love to win your giveaway.
ReplyDeletegail(dot)golden(at)yahoo(dot)com
What you should do when you find yourself cheating on your journal? That sounds funny! I think I probably need to read that chapter!
ReplyDeleteHeather
hrose2931(at)gmail(dot)com
Inspirational!!! My "vow" this next year to be more consistant with journaling.......
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome giveaway. I have always wanted to journal but really unsure how. I love the "jumpstart" this will give you.
ReplyDeletekowgirlsrule at gmail dot com
This looks like a good book.
ReplyDeleteerma2167@sbcglobal.net
Good luck to everyone! Did you know You can use Journaling to cure writer's block? Here's a free ebook: http://www.createwritenow.com/download-free-writers-block-tips/ WriteON!
ReplyDeleteI have been journaliing since I was 10 years old. I remember receiving my first journal, one of those small girly books with a lock on it. It's probably what launched me into a love of writing.
ReplyDeleteMari, what would you suggest to someone who wants to take their journals and turn them into memoirs? I've often thought of doing this.
nichole{@}theguiltyparent{.}com
Coming back to let you know I've tweeted also! I love getting the WOW! Newsletter! Thanks for such a great giveaway!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/Nikki_S/status/144846708793294848
nichole{@}theguiltyparent{.}com
Thanks for the giveaway...would love to give this to my daughter, a budding writer @ 10 years old !
ReplyDeletesenorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com
Happy Friday! Thank you for your comments. :)
ReplyDeleteWe held a random drawing (via random-dot-org) for Mari's fabulous prize pack, and the winner is.... Lee Romano Sequeira!
Congratulations, Lee! You won a copy of Dark Chocolate for the Journaler’s Soul by Mari L. McCarthy PLUS a Journaling Jumpstart Kit! The Jumpstarter Kit consists of Create Write Now’s Signature Journal, Mari’s Most Musefull Journaling Tips, and a wonderful Lavender Scented Pen to make your journaling time all the sweeter!
Please contact us at blogtour@wow-womenonwriting.com with your mailing address and we will forward it to Mari for you.
For everyone else: make sure you check out the rest of the stops on this tour for more giveaways and inspiration from Mari McCarthy!
Write On!