How many times have you thought to yourself, "I should have started writing about this when it started; why didn't I?"
Maybe it's just me - but I haven't been as diligent with my writing as I should be. I haven't been as diligent about anything as I should be. I'm a hot mess of missed articles, a messy desk, and a scattered brain. This global pandemic has me treading water on what feels like a sinking ship and it's not even a nice old fashioned type Titanic ship with fancy glasses - it's more like Gilligan's Island and I just want someone to rescue us and here I am wearing red high heels on the beach. As a side note to my side note, here's what not to say when someone uses the sinking ship analogy: "everyone is in the same boat". My husband mentioned that the other day and I reminded him if we are ALL in the same boat, there won't be enough life jackets so I was in NO way comforted by his well meaning sentiment.
See? Like that...off I go...
squirrel
Let's get back on track.
This pandemic began back in March here in Wisconsin. I've jotted down a few journal entries here and there, made a few blog posts, posted a couple pictures and notes on my social media, and I keep thinking I should be writing a detailed account of our experience. It would be therapeutic to me and priceless to my children and future generations someday.
But...
But...
I don't remember all the details from the beginning. I can't start in the middle.
Or can I?
The truth is, I can start right where I am. Mark Twain said:
"The Secret to Getting Ahead is Getting Started."
It's not often a book starts with birth and ends with death. Does any story ever really start from the beginning? Is birth the beginning or is conception? Chicken? Egg? Truth is, it doesn't matter.
I could easily summarize the first few months and move forward with my writing. I wouldn't even need to write or journal every day, a simple photograph here or there will help tie the story together or help with a future memory. I could use my introduction as a way to pull things together "from the beginning". Even if I get distracted, something is better than nothing. Mari McCarthy of Create Write Now talks about journaling for your health and well-being and right now, more than ever, there are many of us feeling very unusual (to say the least). Even if you have not been diligent with your writing or journaling, start right where you are and use your time and talents to help you feel more in control during these uncertain times.
Setting small attainable goals has always been very helpful for me - my goal is starting today (August 1st) I am going to spend time with my journal. I'm starting right where I am and I am going to keep track of life and my thoughts for the month of August. Once we get to the end of August I can reassess that goal and either adjust it or make a new one, but I'm starting.
How about you?
Have you been writing? Why or why not?
What is your long term goal with your writing or journaling?
Has writing/journaling been therapeutic?
We definitely want to hear from you, so leave a comment and share your thoughts and ideas with our readers and writers!
Hugs,
~Crystal
and now...a little more about me...
Shown from left to right:
Delphine riding Honey
Mr. Otto holding Eudora
Crystal riding Marv.
Thank you Forward Farm, LLC
Crystal is the office manager, council secretary, financial secretary, and musician at her church, birth
mother, Auntie, babywearing mama, business owner, active journaler, writer and blogger, Blog Tour Manager with WOW! Women on Writing, Press Corp teammate for the DairyGirl Network, Unicorn Mom Ambassador, as well as a dairy farmer. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and their five youngest children, two dogs, four little piggies, a handful of cats and kittens, horses Darlin' and Joker, pony Miss Maggie May, and over 250 Holsteins.
You can find Crystal milking cows, riding horses, and the occasional unicorn (not at the same time), taking the ordinary and giving it a little extra (making it extraordinary), blogging and reviewing books here, and at her own blog - Crystal is dedicated to turning life's lemons into lemonade and she has never (not once) been accused of being normal!
One of the many blessings of being born in the 1970's to older parents is my love of music spans from polka to metal and everything in between. I can say I've seen Johnny Cash live and received a personal note from Bob Hope after meeting him following one of his shows. There's a particular "oldie but goodie" that's been swirling around in my gray matter for the last few weeks and if you aren't familiar with Keep on the Sunny Side by the Carter Family or you don't have time to listen to the Youtube video embedded in this video, I'll share with you some of the encouraging lyrics:
Well there's a dark and a troubled side of life
There's a bright and a sunny side too
But if you meet with the darkness and strife,
The sunny side we also may view
Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way,
If we keep on the sunny side of life
Oh, the storm and its fury broke today,
Crushing hopes that we cherish so dear
Clouds and storms will in time pass away
The sun again will shine bright and clear
Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way,
If we'll keep on the sunny side of life
Let us greet with a song of hope each day
Though the moments be cloudy or fair
Let us trust in our Savior always,
To keep us, every one, in His care
Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way,
The title of this post is misleading because even the most optimistic of individuals is not able to stay on the "Sunny Side" all the time. As we read about people dying, devastating weather, staggering statistics about joblessness, etc... it's only natural to feel further away from the sun and a bit closer to the darkness. Please note the question mark in today's title. Do you ever feel pressured to be the fixer? Do friends and family expect you to arrive with a smile, a plate of cookies, and a solution for all the world's problems?
If you find yourself in the role described above, in addition to a fabulous chocolate chip cookie recipe which you can find on my blog coincidentally, you'll also need a way to deal with the dark feelings you are undoubtedly hiding from the world. I wish I had the answer for everyone, but this is more of a sharing of ideas and less of a how to/self help post. I stress clean and then once everything is clean, I bake - which is great because then I have the cookies....but sometimes even the baking isn't enough. Something that's really helped me has been journaling. I don't feel comfortable burdening others with my worries, but somehow if I get them down on paper I feel unburdened and ready to toss on a smile while I deliver some cookies.
When is comes to journaling, there is no one who seems to know the ins and outs better than Mari McCarthy at CreateWriteNow and I am blessed to call her a friend. For over 20 years Mari has used the healing power of transformative journaling to improve her health, generate business success, and create the happy and healthy life she wanted to live. Mari is a world-renowned mentor and Int’l award-winning bestselling author.
Her mission in life is to help others achieve her success and reap the same rewards she did as quickly as possible. Mari accomplishes this through one on one journaling sessions, her online self-help courses and her best-selling book, Journaling Power. I've read this amazing book and had Mari on my blog - and I'm excited to announce she has a new book called: Heal Your Self: How Journaling Power Gets and Keeps You Healthy coming in the next few months! I won't get into that right now - but be sure to join our mailing list so you are one of the first to hear about her book blog tour with WOW! (and if you're interested in reading her newest book and reviewing it as part of the tour, email Nicole or myself: nicole@wow-womenonwriting.com or crystal@wow-womenonwriting.com ). Here's the questions I want us to consider for today's discussion:
How has journaling helped you find the "sun"?
What tools do you find helpful in staying upbeat?
If you don't journal - what's holding you back?
We love hearing from readers - so thank you in advance for your comments,
suggestions, ideas, and participation!
Hugs,
~Crystal
(PS - today instead of telling you about myself - let me share with you who Mari is! - see below)
In 1998, I lost the feeling and function in the right side of my body. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) took them from me. The doctors weren’t really helping, so I began a journey to take control of my health. After doing research, I tried a writing therapy which I call ‘Journaling for the Health of It.’
It wasn’t easy for me. I had to learn to write with my left hand. But I dedicated myself to daily ACTION and began a journaling practice known as Morning Pages. I never could have anticipated how powerful and effective this process would become.
As I continued my writing practice, my MS symptoms improved. But, more important, I discovered, uncovered, and recovered my True Self and even tapped into talents I never knew I had.
Best of all, I have developed a compassionate relationship with myself and an inner serenity. I started CreateWriteNow to share my methods, expertise and passion for Therapeutic Journaling to people across the globe who want to address their challenges in life and thrive.
Looking for a way to alleviate symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis, Mari L. McCarthy began journaling as a form of therapy. She soon discovered the remarkable connection between the mind, body, and spirit, and what we are capable of if we are willing to take a deeper look at ourselves. In her self-help memoir, Journaling Power: How to Create the Happy, Healthy Life You Want to Live, she teaches you how to put the ultimate self-healing tool right at your fingertips--journaling. Through Mari's moving personal story, you'll discover how pen-to-paper journaling leads to self-growth and life-changing transformation. You'll also learn that numerous medical studies prove journaling literally unleashes a healing agent that empowers your life in ways you've never imagined.
Praise for Journaling Power:
"Mari shows amazing courage and resourcefulness in tackling her illness head-on and using all her inner resources to unwind its psychological underpinnings. She writes with full personal transpar- ency, and using herself as the vehicle, she clearly and powerfully instructs and inspires the reader in the art of journaling. Of course you don't have to have a life-threatening illness like MS to reap the benefits of this beautifully-written and most inspiring book. All that being said, as a functional medicine physician, I cheered when she all-too-briefly mentioned going gluten and dairy free, since we look for underlying causes and in such autoimmune illnesses as MS, focus on gut health, gluten and other sensitivities, and lack of such nutrients as vitamin D."
~ Hyla Cass, M.D., nationally acclaimed expert in integrative medicine, psychiatry, and addiction recovery, associate editor of Total Health Magazine, and best-selling Author of 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health
"With a raw honesty, Mari conveys the physical and emotional challenges that compelled her to courageously explore new ways to heal and transform herself. Reading her book is like observing the evolution of a passionate relationship - with journaling! You'll want to use that famous line from When Harry Met Sally - "I'll have what she's having." We meet Inner Critic and Inner Coach, and are given a sprinkling of thought-provoking quotes and enriching journaling exercises. You'll feel inspired by a woman whose courage and passion not only enabled her to heal and transform herself in body, mind, and spirit, but go on to make her life work helping others do the same."
~ Joan Leof, author and memoirist
"I believe in the transformational power of journaling and have incorporated the practice in my life for many years. Journaling Power reminds us of the healing potential that lies within and the responsibility we have to take control of our own well-being."
~ Donna Gates, M.Ed., ABAAHP - best-selling author of The Body Ecology Diet: Recovering Your Health and Rebuilding Your Immunity
Journaling Power: How to Create the Happy, Healthy Life You Want to Live is available in print and as an ebook on Amazon.
Book Giveaway Contest:
To win a copy of Journaling Power, please enter using the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post. The giveaway contest closes Sunday, October 9th at 11:59 PM EST. We will announce the winner the next day in the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!
About the Author:
Mari L. McCarthy is The Journaling Power Guide and founder of CreateWriteNow.com. Her blog provides journaling for personal transformation and healthy living ideas, information and inspiration for keeping a daily pen-to-page Journaling for the Health of It™ Practice. You can also download the FREE e-book, How to use Your Journal to Cure Writer's Block Now. More life-changing e-books
can be found in Mari's Personal Transformation Journaling Library and in CreateWriteNow’s store.
WOW:Mari, welcome! I know our readers are eager to learn more about you and your work.Writing a memoir can be tough. Yours is unique in that it includes journaling prompts to help the reader begin their own journey. How did you go about deciding how to format the book so that it all came together in a cohesive fashion?
Mari: Creating this self-help memoir was a long, interesting journey and again I attribute my success to my Journal. A couple of years ago, I got the universal message in it, “self-help memoir.” I read a lot about writing memoirs and even wrote an Anne Lamott sh*tty first draft of a memoir, called Thinking With My Heart and burnt it (okay, pressed the delete button). Then I started hearing voices in my head and in my Journal that said things like, “write what you know”, “write who you are” and “write the book that must be written.” So then, I asked my Journal (a lot),” how do I do that?” and resources started showing up. I drew on the organization skills that made me successful in business and in creating my journaling workbooks and more writers and writing coaches appeared to provide me what I needed to write a best-seller.
WOW: You are Chief Inspiration Officer at Create Write Now. What kinds of services and products do you offer in this role?
Mari: CreateWriteNow, The Journaling Power Center, provides many journaling power workbooks on a variety of topics from Love Your Body, to Whole Health to Spirituality to our latest best-seller, Journal Magic For Writers. You can check out our collection here. I also offer individual Skype Journaling Power Sessions where journalers and I work through whatever personal transformation challenges they’re facing and come up with a Journaling Action Plan to help them get unstuck.
WOW: Without giving too much away here, you began journaling as a way to deal with symptoms stemming from multiple sclerosis. What other holistic measures have you found helpful in your journey?
Mari: Besides journaling and singing therapy, I’ve worked with an acupuncturist, massage therapist, chiropractor, physical therapist, and medical intuitive. I’m currently working with an energy medicine healer who is also a Reiki Master. And I’m open to everything. So if you know of anything, I’ll check it out.
WOW:After receiving your diagnosis, you eventually retired from your successful consulting business and began the next chapter of your life with Create Write Now. What does an average day look like for you now?
Mari: After I shower, I do my ambidextrous Morning Pages--before breakfast and before turning on the computer. After breakfast, I practice my singing, then spend the rest of my morning writing, writing, writing. Then onto meditation and lunch and afternoons of meeting with clients, business associates and if time allows, more writing. Then dinner, client meetings, and finish up the day with Night Notes.
WOW: What advice do you have for people who say “I simply don’t have enough time in my day to write in a journal.” How would you encourage them otherwise?
Mari: The “I don’t have time” response to keeping a journal is code for what I call page fright. We have a lot of experience in taking care of everyone else, listening and believing our inner critic, believing that self-care time is so selfish and thinking, “I’m not a writer,” etc. that we are stuck in the way we’ve always lived. My suggestion is to “just do it” (thanks Nike!). Take five minutes, ask your Journal a question like, “How do I make time each day for Me?” Then free write, write, write. You may not get an answer in one sitting but you will get your muse’s attention.
WOW:Page fright. I love that. It's so true! In Journaling Power, you discuss the concept of the Inner Critic. What is the Inner Critic and how can we keep him or her from derailing our goals and dreams?
Mari: The Inner Critic is something we created as children to protect our treasures, talents and sense of self but since the messages that we got from parents, teachers and society were so strong, critical and unhealthy, we interpreted their messages as something wrong with us. We’ve been carrying those erroneous beliefs, thoughts and feelings around in the cells of our bodies since childhood. This is another area where our Journal can help us compassionately confront him/her/it and rewrite his job description, and use him as a resource in accomplishing our goals. Journaling also helps us uncover other healthy team members like our Inner Coach and Inner Kid who can help the Inner Critic adjust his attitude and modify his behavior.
WOW: Music is also a big part of your life and you eventually fulfilled your dream of becoming a recording artist! What kind of music speaks to you the most and how is it integrated into your life these days?
Mari: The music that “haunts” ;) me day and night are songs that I grew up with in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s as well the American Songbook which my mother introduced me to. And now that I’ve been working with Justin Stoney, the founder of New York Vocal Coaching, for several years, I feel (my favorite four letter “f” word) that singing is a somatic, spiritual experience. Like my journaling, singing heals, grows and transforms all of me. It’s not usual for situations or conversations to trigger a song. In fact, my clients go away from a session with me with a song to use as a journaling prompt!
WOW: Can you give us an example of a connection you found between the mind, body, and spirit as a result of your journaling practice?
Mari: Journaling got me out of living in my head and got me back into my body. I like to say that I’m now on a first name basis with my body. ;) Thanks to my journaling, I now have a healthy, compassionate relationship with my body. Through my journaling, I realized how emotional eating, stress, and blindly following doctor’s drug orders was not helpful, healing or healthy. Thanks to the love and support of my Journal, I got off of prescription drugs over 12 years ago and got off of over-the-counter drugs 8 years ago. My journal helped me change my unhealthy eating habits—I don’t do gluten, dairy, or processed foods. Through my journaling practice, I created a holistic food journal which I keep from time to time: I record what I eat and how I’m feeling emotionally and spiritually. That way I discover what’s really going on inside, what issues need to be addressed and start making changes.
WOW:You’ve built a whole community around the art of journaling. Can you share some of the transformational stories stemming from journaling you’ve heard from people on your blog?
Mari: Well, if you go to http://www.createwritenow.com/personal-transformation-journaling-stories, you’ll find a ton of stories about people’s journaling journey benefits, results, and discoveries. I run guest blog posts all the time where people share their journaling journey experiences, AHAs, and learnings. Those personal transformation journaling stories are our most viewed posts. Anyone who wants to submit their journaling journey blog post (written or video), can contact me here: http://www.createwritenow.com/contact-mari-l-mccarthy. And if a writer (yes we all are writers!) wants some help in composing their post, we’ll be glad to lend a hand.
WOW: What types of people do you think would benefit from the story and exercises in Journaling Power?
Mari: Everyone. Men and women. For this book, my target market is consenting adults over the age of 21. As one of my endorsers, Dr. David Hamilton, author of How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body says, “…In this book, Mari reveals the full power of journaling, not only for people who have an illness, but for anyone, actually, who simply wants to unlock their personal creativity or find some more meaning and purpose in their life.”
WOW: When you’re not writing, running your business, and making music, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
Mari: I enjoy spiritual, psychology, and self-help books, rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers who will win their 7th Super Bowl this year, walking my Atlantic Ocean beach, raising roses, meditating, and exploring my inner universe of infinite possibilities.
WOW:You are definitely as inspiration to us all, Mari. We are looking forward to a great tour!
Tuesday, Oct. 4 @ Bring on Lemons
Can adding a daily dose of morning pages to your health routine reduce stress and restore success? You won't want to miss this important guest post from Mari L. McCarthy. http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, Oct. 5 @ Choices
Putting pen to paper each night may help you sleep better. Learn more at the guest post by Mari L. McCarthy, author of Journaling Power. Plus, Madeline Sharples shares her thoughts on the book. http://madelinesharples.com/
Thursday, Oct. 13 @ Writers Pay it Forward
Are you sitting around
waiting for a visit from a muse? Go after it instead! Read these tips on living
the creative life from Mari L. McCarthy.
Monday, Oct. 17 @ Crochet Concupscience
Kathryn Vercillo hosts a guest post from Mari L. McCarthy on “How to Create a Healthy Relationship with Your Body.” http://www.crochetconcupiscence.com/
Friday, Oct. 21 @ Building Bookshelves
Jodi interviews Mari L. McCarthy on the story behind her book, Journaling Power. blogs.republicanherald.com/bookshelves
Monday, Oct. 24 @ Renee’s Pages
Renee shares her thoughts on Journaling Power: How to Create the Happy, Healthy Life You Want to Live and what she learned after a few weeks of using Night Notes. Plus, a book giveaway! www.reneespages.blogspot.com
Tuesday, Oct. 25 @ Knotty Needle
Seasoned journaler Judy Hudgins reviews Journaling Power on her blog. www.knottyneedle.blogspot.com
Wednesday, Oct. 26 @ Margo Dill
Read a guest post on the topic of "Recovering Your Child" and enter to win your own copy of Journaling Power: How to Create the Happy, Healthy Life You Want to Live. http://margoldill.com/
Thursday, Oct. 27 @ Memoir Writer’s Journey
Are you struggling with how to face and forgive things in your past? Learn more with a guest post by Mari L. McCarthy. Kathy Pooler will also offer a giveaway of the book. http://krpooler.com
Enter to win a copy of Journaling Power by Mari L. McCarthy! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. We will announce the winner in the Rafflecopter widget next Monday, October 10th.
Ever since I hit the big 4-0, I’ve struggled with my weight. I took up jogging, zumba, cardio yoga, even boxing and kickboxing! No amount of exercise seemed to do the trick. I may have built up some muscle and possibly lost inches, but the scale didn’t budge and neither did my belly—my biggest problem area.
I finally lost 19 pounds in a little over a month this past September. I lost the first 10 in a week and the other 9 over the next four weeks. How I did it is another story—involving a Living Social Deal, a strict diet, fat burning vitamins, and daily exercise—but keeping it off has been a bit of a challenge. I gained back 4 pounds over the holidays and resumed some of my bad eating habits. And while a total weight loss of 15 pounds is still good, being on my own without a strict diet made me realize that I still have an issue with food. So when I was presented with the opportunity to review journaling guru Mari McCarthy’s new book, 28 Days Weight Control Journaling Challenge, I embraced it like I would a juicy cheeseburger.
Before beginning the challenge, Mari advises you to start a food journal to keep track of everything you eat. I was already ahead of the game. I’ve been using an app on my phone called MyFitnessPal that I highly recommend. It’s free and has almost every type of food you can imagine in its database, and includes the nutritional information and calorie count. The one thing I didn’t consider was noting how I felt when I was eating and where I ate, which I discovered was frequently in front of the computer or TV. So I would use the app during the day to record my food intake, and later in the evening I would journal through the book’s exercises and note how I felt and where I was at each meal.
At first, I didn’t think I was a good candidate for this challenge. I’d already lost the majority of the weight I really needed to and had minor weight loss to go, and I exercised six days a week. But as I went through the challenges, I realized I had a lot to learn about myself. For instance, I didn’t make any solid health or fitness goals, which Mari encourages you to do right away. “In one month, I want to cook healthy dinners at home five days a week. In three months, I want to run a 5k.”—Goals that didn’t have anything to do with a scale. I also realized that I have somewhat of a negative body image . . . I mean, who doesn’t, right? When I looked at myself in a mirror, I always searched for the flaws instead of my strengths. Mari helps turn these negative messages into positive affirmations. She also helps us examine the past and where these issues stem from.
Many of the journaling prompts are about food and exercise; and from everything I’ve learned over the past few months on my weight-loss journey, Mari’s advice is right on. She promotes fresh over processed, small portions, healthy alternatives, and staying active—no matter what type of physical activity you choose—and gives you the journaling exercises to motivate yourself. One of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with in my weight-loss battle is my family’s eating and activity habits. She helps you deal with these issues, too. If you’ve been one to try every diet under the sun and found that you couldn’t stick with it or it just didn’t work, then I suggest trying Mari’s 28 Days Weight Control Journaling Challenge for a fresh, new approach to weight loss. Mari also offers a private Facebook group for those taking the challenge and the opportunity to get positive feedback. Her next challenge starts February 1, and you can find out more here: http://www.createwritenow.com/28-days-weight-control-journaling-challenge/
I’d like to personally thank Mari for helping me form some healthy new habits! Thanks to her journaling exercises, I realized I’ve been eating way too much sugar, and not really enjoying my meals as much as I should. So now I’m making time to sit down at a table and eat (instead in front of the computer or TV) and savoring the tastes and textures that we writers love to describe. I’m also staying away from the junk food aisle and doing the majority of my shopping at Sprouts—a great little farmer’s market chain that has lean meats and fresh produce, and is easy on the pocketbook. What makes Mari’s book so successful is she helps you deal with the underlying issues that are holding you back and gives you the tools you need for a healthy lifestyle change.
Do What You Love--Even If It Involves Malaria Pills
The day I received Do What You Love: 7 Days Career Journaling Challenge, the latest e-book from the journaling guru Mari McCarthy, my oldest child decided to apply for the Peace Corps. She has one more year of college left, just returned from a school trip to South Africa, and yes, I have been on her back with the "So what are you going to do after college?" questions. But the Peace Corps? Our conversation went something like this:
"Are you still on Facebook?"
"No, I'm applying to the Peace Corps."
"Seriously."
"Seriously!"
"What does that pay?"
"A stipend."
"You can't stay on our health insurance once you graduate."
"That's OK."
"What about your school loans?
"You get a deferment when you're in the Peace Corps."
"Shouldn't you look for a real job?"
"This is a real job."
"What brought this on?
"I've been thinking about it for awhile."
The Peace Corps? She just spent a small fortune on a college education. Didn't she want a job that would...well, let's be honest here: give her financial security? A chance to use her gift for writing? Provide a nice place to live (a place that didn't require that she take daily malaria pills, at least)? That's when I left to read Mari's book. I couldn't deal with this Peace Corps plan anymore.
The first page of Do What You Love laughed at my definition of a "good job" as just being something that gives you financial security. "Your career is a big part of how you spend your time and, consequently, who you are as a person," writes McCarthy. 'It's just a way to pay the bills' doesn't ring true when it has such a profound impact on other areas of your life...it's important to find a job that aligns with your passions, values and strengths."
If you're out of work, unhappy in your job, or just ready to move on to a new phase in your life, Do What You Love: 7 Days Career Journaling Challengeis a great way to start exploring your options. This intensive week of journaling doesn't just focus on specific jobs. Instead it addresses everything from your childhood beliefs about what a job should be to what you want from a job to what makes you happy. This book could be just the inspiration you need to find your true calling.
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The next Do What You Love! 7 Days Career Journaling Challenge is June 25 - July 1. The workshop is Free! Your only cost is for the workbook, so join us. You can read a sample chapter here and sign up for the challenge: http://www.createwritenow.com/do-what-you-love-journaling-ebook/
WOW! is very happy to welcome back Journaling Guru Mari L. McCarthy who is here to share her new eBook Dark Chocolate for the Journaler’s Soul (doesn’t that sound decadent?). This time Mari is treating us to a very special tour filled with wonderful treats so read on...
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
and many more journal writing tips and tricks, ideas and inspiration that will help you jumpstart your personal journal practice for the first time or the four hundredth time.
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.
Book & Journal Kit Giveaway Contest: Happy Holidays! Win a copy of Dark Chocolate for the Journaler’s Soul AND a Journaler’s Jumpstarter Kit. The kit consists of Create Write Now’s Signature Journal (spiral bound), Mari’s Most Musefull Journaling Tips (spiral bound), and an intoxicating Lavender Scented Pen (the actual pen is scented, not the ink).
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!
About the Author:
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!
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!
Gifts Galore on Mari's Tour!
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 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
Book Giveaway Contest: Enter to win 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!
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.
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