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Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Muse Therapy: To The "Rescue"
Happy Tuesday, D. D. Scott-ville!
With the next Muse Therapy Online Session about to kick-off this coming Saturday, October 1st...
I'm over the moon to be givin' ya a Sneak Peek at some of the superfab new Muse Therapy Tips, Tricks and Treats I'm now using to keep my muses crankin' out pages with gusto!
As many of you know, one of the ways I keep my muses full of energy and always ready to dance like nobody's watching is by living an organic and all-natural lifestyle.
I'm close to being complete vegan in my approach to healthy eating, and I dable in yoga a bit as well as use all-natural remedies when it comes to healing.
I can't believe the difference in my energy levels just because I watch what I put into my body.
I really do think there's a ton of truth to the harm preservatives and chemicals like growth hormones and additives do to our bodies.
That said, many of u ask me:
"D.D., what are you putting in your coffee and cocktails, Girlfriend?! You always have sooo much energy and are sooo happy!"
Well...I drink my Keurig-made coffee, extra-bold and black, or sometimes with just one all-natural sugar packet added. And as far as my cocktails, I have Happy Hour every afternoon with either a glass of wine or a Black Russian, Hot Apple Cider with Brandy or a martini.
And here's another fun way I now treat my muses too...
My latest discovery:
Made in Switzerland, this flower based homeopathic remedy is made from clematis, impatiens, elderflower, orange and beeswax. http://www.bachflower.com/
I stumbled across these little gems in InStyle magazine as something Salma Hayek and her daughter use while flying. And Salma also uses them to keep calm on crazy busy days.
Thanks sooo much for the superfab tip, Salma!
I really do think these pastilles work, and they're such fun to show your peeps too!
I recently took them to our local County Council meeting, which is definitely an occasion for much-needed stress relief!!! LOL!!!
Healthy bodies - as stress-free as we can get 'em - make for happy and productive muses too.
See y'all "in therapy"...Muse Therapy that is...LOL!
You can sign-up anytime right here:
http://www.ddscott.com/muse.html
And now, thanks to my new Muse Therapy Online Community, you no longer have to worry about class beginning and end dates...we're there whenever you need us!!!
Cheer to learning how to rein in and reign over your creative divas and dans
and
Sexy Sassy Smart Muse Therapy To The "Rescue" Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: Being a Gutsy Girl, Being a Gutsy Romance Writer Girl, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Muse Therapy Extras: Tude-Torial #1 Miss Piggy Knows Best
Happy Tuesday!!!
Here in D. D. Scott-ville, and my Muse Therapy Kingdom too, it's all about the attitude...
There's no better way to rein in and reign over your muses than to “show” 'em some attitude!
Starting with this post today, that’s exactly what we’re gonna do!
I’m calling these little Muse Therapy feature-ettes “Attitude Tutorials” or “‘Tude-torials” for short.
So here we go with the first of many, superfab fun Muse Therapy ‘Tude-torials’:
“Only time can heal your broken heart, just like only time can heal his broken arms and legs.” --- Miss Piggy, the Queen of Sassy Swines
Fun and super-sassy stuff, right?
Nothin' beats Goin' Miss Piggy when you need to make sure your muses are feelin' all kinds of Sexy, Sassy, and Smart-Ass energy!!!
Okay...that does it for our first Muse Therapy ‘Tude-torial.
I’d luuuvvv to hear your fave Attitude-Extraordinaire Quotes and Anecdotes too!
Leave ‘em in the Comments Section below for all of us here in D. D. Scott-ville to enjoy and put to great use as we struggle to rein in and reign over our creative divas and dans.
Sexy Sassy Smart Muse Therapy 'Tude-torial Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: Being a Gutsy Girl, Being a Gutsy Romance Writer Girl, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits, Writing Quotes and Anecdotes
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
MUSE THERAPY and The Dash: What Are You Doin' with "The Dash" In Your Life?
Happy Tuesday, D. D. Scott-ville!
Every part of life is a cycle...
Some moments see us flying high while others catch us lower-than-low. And at each point, we know the other will soon cycle around once more.
While on my Writing-for-Publication Roller Coaster Ride, I've been thinking about this a ton lately.
I've had these huge "up's" in the superfab building of my reader and fan bases and sales numbers. But those up's, however, have caused some large holes to open-up in my Meet the Focker's style "Circle of Trust". LOL!
What do I mean by that?
Many of you know - from my MUSE THERAPY book and my online classes and live workshops - that I'm a huge fan of Julia Cameron's THE ARTIST'S WAY.
Like Cameron, I refuse to allow life's Wet Blankets and Crazy-Makers to rain on my life and/or my success.
Wet Blankets and Crazy-Makers are people who constantly bring you down. Some, do it on purpose, and are truly very dark souls who only make themselves feel better by hurting those around them or those they think are doing better than they are. Other Wet Blankets and Crazy-Makers are just plain nuts (LOL!) and don't even realize they make those of us around them doubt our sanity too!
Anyhoo...
The point is...life is just too short to let your Wet Blankets and Crazy-Makers reign.
I can't believe the difference in my muses' productivity and all-around happiness quotient since I've taken back my life and no longer allow those kind of people to rule my world.
So what does all this have to do with "The Dash" and for that matter, what is "The Dash"?
About a month ago, my family lost a dear friend. This was the kind of guy who you always felt sooo wonderful and happy to have spent time with. He was a guy I call "A Warm and Fluffy Heated Towel" vs Cameron's Wet Blankets and Crazy-Makers.
At his funeral, his brother, who is also a pastor, told us about a poem called "The Dash" by Linda Ellis, which is based on that little dash or hyphen between the years that will someday mark your life on your tombstone.
As the poem explains, it's not about when you were born or when you died. It's about how you lived your life in between those years....during your "dash".
So...what are you doing with your "dash"?
Are you letting your Wet Blankets and Crazy-Makers wreak havoc on you? Or are you surrounding yourself with Warm and Fuzzy, Fluffy Heated Towels?
And hopefully, you're also a Fluffy Heated Towel.
The Best of Muse Therapy and The Dash Wishes --- D. D. Scott
Labels: Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits, My Writing Process or Lack There Of
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Muse Therapy Extra Tip: Life Ain't Always a Beach...So Go Sit On One!
Happy Tuesday, D. D. Scott-ville!
It's been awhile since I've treated y'all to a little bit of Muse Therapy...so how 'bout a Muse Therapy Extra Tip?
For those of you new to D. D. Scott-ville, you can check out all-things-Muse Therapy right here:
http://www.ddscott.com/muse.html
For this Muse Therapy Mini-Session, think...
Life Ain't Always a Beach...So Go Sit On One!!!
That's right. It never hurts to find a gorgeous spot, then get comfy in your fave beach chair, and just veg...or, in my world, simply watch the boats come in.
***Note: U can of course do this the cyber way too - right from your laptop or PC - but if you can get outdoors, even if it's not onto a beach, get out and soak-in some sunshine and Vitamin D and Mother Nature's Magic!***
If you're a writer, it's sooo easy to get mired down in the business-side muck of writing-for-publication.
Even though, I've found part of the solution to that by the incredible feeling I get Paying It Forward to other writers on my grog The WG2E - The Writer's Guide to Epublishing, sometimes still...my muses just need a break.
And if you're not a writer, but rather a superfab reader, you may need a break from life and often find that by escaping into a book, right? And if you happen to be on a beach while reading too?! Well...how darn fantabulous is that?! LOL!
Sometimes you've just got to bask in whatever it is that soothes your soul.
For me, that's the beach, where I swear I can feel my chest open-up and my spirit soar with the seagulls.
I somehow find there, in my parcel of sand, the ability to put my life and career in perspective, then accept my reality and its constant changes, hassles, and advances along with the ebb and flow of the tide.
Listen to your muses - those voices in your soul - that whisper to you exactly what your body, mind and psyche need to survive and thrive.
Then find your "beach"...and sit on it!!!
It's Your Turn, D. D. Scott-ville: Where do you take your muses to help 'em get back into their groove? In other words, how do you escape life's bits of crazy?
Sexy Sassy Smart Find Your Beach and Sit On It Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: Being a Gutsy Girl, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits, My Muses (The Carrie Squad), My Writing Process or Lack There Of
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Behind and Beyond My Books (LIP GLOCK): The Swine Element
Happy Tuesday, D. D. Scott-ville!
Boy...did me and The DH have a huge aha moment this weekend!!!
Yep...The DH was actually helping me brainstorm plotting ideas for my August release LIP GLOCK - Book Two of The Cozy Cash Mysteries.
And here's a hint at what we came-up with:
That's right...LIP GLOCK and all the Cozy Cash Mysteries hereafter will have a big-time...
"Swine" Element!!!
No more hints for now...just know that the Cozy Cash Mysteries do deal with...
A. A Ton of "swine"-like thugs
B. Tons of wine-and-dining in Zoey and Roman's royal, red-carpet worlds...or could that be "swine"-and-dining? LOL!
C. A ton of Cozy Cash-style crimes in the worlds of Wall Street and the "pork" barrel politics influencing all that money and those markets
D. And certainly tons of various "bring home the bacon" angles
R U gettin' the Piggly-Wiggly picture now?! LOL! Do they have even Piggly-Wiggly groceries in Europe? I'll have to research that...LOL!
And u betchya, there's gonna be a ton of Bond-style mud-slingin' goin' on too!
So there you have it...LIP GLOCK and its Swine Element...a total "out-of-money experience" or so says the too cute Piggy Bank the DH bought me Saturday at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant and Shop!
Sexy Sassy Smart Swine-Filled Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: Behind and Beyond My Books, Being a Gutsy Romance Writer Girl, Lip Glock, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits, My Writing Process or Lack There Of, The Cozy Cash Mysteries
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The D. D. Scott "Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Deal With It" Blog Tour Is Here!!!
Happy Tuesday, D. D. Scott-ville!
Yesterday, at my grog The WG2E, I kicked-off my new, D. D. Scott "Put Your Big Girl (Or Boy) Panties On & Deal With It" Blog Tour!!!
Why?
Here's the thing...
Every week, on The WG2E, I share my Real Sales Numbers.
But...if I hadn't Indie Epubbed, I wouldn't be sharing Real Sales Numbers.
Why not?
Because I wouldn't have any Sales Numbers period!
I'd still be waiting...like I'd done for ten years...before finding the courage to go the Indie Epub route to launch my writing-for-publication career.
And in that ten years, I had a ton of beyond horror-story worthy experiences that damn near did me in.
If I hadn't learned how to...
Put My Big Girl Panties On & Deal With It
...there wouldn't be any D. D. Scott, bestselling books to the tune of now over 1000 Sales-a-Month, plus a D. D. Scott Reader and Fan Base that is beyond over the moon terrific and anxiously awaiting every new book I release!!!
My new Blog Tour will explore a ton of the over-the-top, super-huge, pile-of-crap snafus and experiences that have forced me to hang tough or give-up.
Yeah...Publishing is Tough...so
Put Your Big Girl (or Boy) Panties On & Deal With It!!!
But no worries...'cause, unlike me, you won't be stuffing yourself into your pull-ups alone...I'll be right there - only a couple clicks away - to perhaps save you a couple accidents, based on my own setbacks.
We'll talk:
1. Evil Editor Turds Be Damned
2. Grogging Your Way to Readers & Sanity
3. Making the Kindle Boards Work For U Without Making an Ass Of Yourself
4. Writing Bi-Polar: I Suck vs I'm a Genius
5. Stimulants: When Coffee, Chocolate and Martinis Aren't Enough
6. Flyin' High with Nair
Plus...much, much more!
So starting today (Tuesday, June 7th)...put on your pull-ups and begin the journey with me...as I share with you the Evil Editor Turds Be Damned experience that forever changed my life and writing-for-publication career path in one - as recorded on the RWA Conference CD Roms - moment of beyond horror-filled terror.
Evil Editor Turds Be Damned! is now posted at...
A Little Bit of Monika (Sassy Observations About Life...)
Here's a hint:
Also, I'm talkin' all-things-Grogging Your Way To Readers & Sanity at:
Author Sharon Hamilton's Blog
It's Your Turn, D. D. Scott-ville: Tell us a few of your writing-for-publication horror stories. Let us share your agony then help you defeat the despair...
Sexy Sassy Smart Put Your Big Girl Panties On & Deal W/It Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. I sold over 300 books last week alone...and a total of 646 books in the last two weeks...how's that for defeating the despair?!Labels: Being a Gutsy Girl, Being a Gutsy Romance Writer Girl, Blogs2Follow, Blogville, Guest Blogging Today, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Memetastic Results and Muse Therapy
Happy Thursday, D. D. Scott-ville!
Sooo...no longer shall I make you wait to see which of my Memetastic Award "5 Things About Me" is actually a for-real Truth...
For those of you who guessed Number...
2. I've met and worked with, plus arranged for a doctor to see - because one of them had an awful case of the flu - one of my fave all-time musical duos Air Supply. (P.S. Their costumes were quite smelly after being on tour for awhile...but damn, they can still sing the songs just like I used to sing with 'em on my Mr. Microphone.)
You are right-on!
And damn, those costumes were really really, very very smelly. I mean seriously, during their performance, they knelt down beside me and sang to me, and I damn near passed-out. I held my breath for so damn long, it 'bout did me in. People thought I was blown away by the opportunity to be serenaded by my Mr. Microphone Muse Faves...but no, I was blown away by the smell of said Mr. Microphone Faves.
Anyhoo...
What else gets my Muses in gear...
One way to find out, is for you (and your muses too) to come along for my MUSE THERAPY Online Classes which start-up again this Friday, April 1st!
That's right, this April Fool's Day - tomorrow, as a matter of fact - it ain't gonna be your muses foolin' you any longer. It's time you took back the throne of your Muse Kingdoms and learned how to rein in and reign over your creative divas and dans.
There's still time to sign-up right here from my website http://www.ddscott.com/muse.html !
For this April Class, we'll not only go through many of the sessions in my MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL bestselling book, we'll also touch on Spring Fever and how you can harness all the creative powers of Mother Nature to get your muses dancin' across your pages like nobody's watching...even if there's a strong stench coming from the 80's era-duo serenading you.
I'm looking forward to meeting you and your muses too "in therapy"...MUSE THERAPY that is!
Sexy Sassy Smart Memetastic & Muse Therapy Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: Finding Fabulous Readers, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits, Readers and Fans
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
MUSE THERAPY Extra Tip & Tidbit: Defying Gravity
Happy Tueday to all of you and your muses too!
If there's one thing I've learned in my ten plus year writing-for-publication journey, it's that, in order to survive and thrive, you've got to harness your inner Elphaba and Defy Gravity!!!
But here's the secret...you've got to Defy Gravity in your own way, whether that's the "normal" publishing industry approved way or not.
One of my very fave lines in Elphaba's wonderful Wicked world is when she says:
"well we can't all come and go by bubble!"
while referring to Galinda/Glinda the Good Witch.
And how true is that powerful tidbit?!
Especially when we all know that the traditional publishing bubble has now burst.
That business model just ain't workin' anymore, right?
So here's a little MUSE THERAPY secret that will keep you and your muses happy and sane on your writing-for-publication journey to Publishing Oz:
The journey - and each path you're on during that journey - is yours alone. So skip to your own beat. Conquer the big-ass, apple-throwing trees and deadly poppy fields by educating yourself on all the Wicked Witches' tricks. And remember...be your own Wizard.
The traditional publishing world's Wizard-ly curtains have been yanked back by E-reading Toto's.
So follow you and your muses' hearts across your pages...that's the only way you'll make it home to the publishing success of your dreams.
Sexy Sassy Smart Defying Gravity Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: Being a Gutsy Girl, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Changing Over of The Collage
Happy Tuesday, D. D. Scott-ville!
I'm sooo excited to share with you one of my all-time favorite rituals of my writing process...and that is what I call The Changing Over of The Collage.
And here's the scoop...
Last week, I officially took down the collage I created for BUCKLES ME BABY - Book Three of my Bootscootin' Books Series - and started the collage I'll make - as a WIP of my new WIP - THUG GUARD, Book One of my new RomCom-Cozy Series The Cozy "Cash" Mysteries.
Here's what I've got so far on the new THUG GUARD Collage:
That's it...that's all I need to jump into the new pages of this new, fabulously fun series!!!
I've got my Rachel Zoe-inspired heroine Zoey Witherspoon on the board,
along with her very own, Walker Texas Ranger -
albeit an international cover model Jimmy Thomas-style Texas Ranger -
my new hero Roman Bellesconi.
Oh, and how 'bout the buzz-words I'm using to kick-off the story:
"...for an instant...surrender...why not"
Have no idea yet how-all I'll use those words...but they will be central to this uber exciting thrill ride that's to be my Cozy "Cash" Mysteries.
How fun is all this?!
For a complete explanation and accompanying collage exercise for you to try to get your muses dancing across your new pages, check out my #1 Amazon Bestselling Book MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL .
MUSE THERAPY CHALLENGE QUESTION: How do you get your new ideas in focus for your next WIP?
Sexy Sassy Smart Changing Over of The Collage Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: Buckles Me Baby, Collaging, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits, The Bootscootin' Books Series, The Cozy Cash Mysteries, Thug Guard
Thursday, January 27, 2011
MUSE THERAPY Extra Tidbit: Commitment
Happy Thursday, Muse Queens and Kings To Be!
My MUSE THERAPY Kindle Nation Daily Debut "Push Day" is here!!!
Both today and this Saturday the 29th, my #1 Amazon Bestselling Book MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL is one of "the" featured books on the hugely popular and well-read Kindle Nation Daily!
Here's the scoop on what KND is and why this kind of "push" is sooo very vital to sales success for every new, Indie Epubbed Author...
The WG2E - Kindle Nation Daily Is The Place To Be!
In honor of my KND Debut, I'm giving y'all another MUSE THERAPY treat right outta the pages of my book...
**************************************
Today's Muse Therapy Extra Tidbit is all about "Commitment" --- oh, and not the
neurotic writer-nut type my DH thinks I may need to be committed for...LOL!!!
We're talking "commitment" as derived from a question a past student asked me.
She inquired:
"I'm curious when you became serious enough to commit to getting up at ungodly hours of the morning. Is that something that came once you felt like you were
really close? I battle this in my own mind because sometimes I think I AM
working hard and then other times, I think I'm a major slug compared to other
people. So maybe I don't want it enough or I'm not truly willing to do what it
takes to get published."
First, for me and my commitment level -- and I'll preface this by saying that's
why my DH thinks I'm a neurotic writer-nut and may need to be committed - enough
is never enough!
I'm always, always, ALWAYS asking myself "what else can I be doing to bring that next deal and the next one after that and the next one...?"
But that's just me and what works for me and my Carrie Squad. I've just got
tons of ideas always flowing (which I jot down on whatever is around me at the
time...you don't even want to go there...LOL!...I'll scribble on ANYTHING!!!)
because I never stop thinking about producing my ideas. Even when I try to shut
it off, I can't. Except when I go to bed...LOL! I'm completely out in less
than five minutes! LOL!
Your commitment - whether it's getting up wayyy early or staying up late or just writing one hour each day or less - is serious enough WHEN YOU'RE READY FOR IT
TO BE. It's really that simple and almost that harsh and beyond difficult at
the same time.
I have NEVER waited for any bit of success (winning a contest, finding an agent,
getting a great critique) to catapult my desires to another level.
I've always "Acted As If" I'm already there...
Because why you ask...
Debbie Macomber told me to do just that at RWA in Reno in 2005ish (not sure that's the right year but close). That's how she (and Allison Brennan too - she's been a great personal example to me as well --- luv them!) made it...because they never stopped to let the doubt that they weren't there yet stop 'em!
I've never slowed down or looked back since!
If you're ready NOW then NOW is the time to step-it-up!
That being said...I'm going to challenge you to MAKE MORE OF YOUR TIME CENTERED
ON PURSUING YOUR WRITING-FOR-PUBLICATION CAREER. You all may be doing tons of
fabulous things for the writing world and beyond but how is YOUR WRITING
PRODUCTION when you look at pages produced or ideas firmly in place and ready to
go?
We're actually going to be doing a time study of sorts in one of the sessions in
this book. So hang in there with me.
And please don't think I'm telling you to quit any of the wonderful things you
do IF THEY'RE MAKING YOUR MUSES DANCE AND HELPING YOU CRANK OUT YOUR OWN
PAGES...but and that's a huge but...we're going to make sure you really WANT AND
NEED to do these things for YOUR production level and goals.
It's great to be BUSY but is your "BUSY" GETTING YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO GO? If
not, we'll find a way to get you there!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart MUSE THERAPY Commitment To Your Writing-For-Publication Career Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: Kindle Nation Daily, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
MUSE THERAPY Extra Tidbit: Do What Works Best For You
Happy Tuesday, D. D. Scott-ville!
I'm counting down the days 'til my Kindle Nation Daily Debut!
Just 2 days left - Thursday the 27th and Saturday the 29th are the big, big days - and if you're not sure what that means, here's the scoop at The WG2E
To celebrate my KND Debut "pushes", I'm continuing to give y'all little MUSE THERAPY Tips, Tricks and Tidbits right outta the pages of my #1 Amazon Bestselling Book MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL
So here's today's MUSE THERAPY Extra Tidbit:
Do What Works Best For You!
I read in the January 2010 RWR (in Ann Aguirre's "Staying Productive" article) the
following quote from agent Laura Bradford and thought it was sooo very appropos
for Muse Therapy...
"Be realistic about yourself. Analyze the conditions that allow you to do the best work and try to give yourself a space to recreate them."
Wow! Now that is truly the heart of Muse Therapy! That's sure as heck what
it's all about here in Muse-ville D. D. Scott-ville!!!
And here's one way I do that for me and my muses...
To give myself "a space to recreate" the "conditions that allow me to do the best work", I surround myself with fabulous little collections of "stuff" that inspire my muses. Here are a few of these gems right on my writing desk:
Super fun inspiration, right?!
And throughout my MUSE THERAPY book, I give you the scoop on how each of these gems inspire me to keep crankin' out pages.
These are the kinds of inspiration that work best for me.
How 'bout you?
What works best for you and your muses?
In other words, what can you put on your desk that will keep your ass in your chair and your fingers flying across your keyboards...simply because you sooo enjoy spending time with these little treasures?
Sexy Sassy Smart Muse Therapy - Do What Works Best For You - Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: Kindle Nation Daily, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits
Thursday, January 20, 2011
MUSE THERAPY: Being Holly Golightly "Lovely"
One week 'til my #1 Amazon Bestselling Book MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL
makes its
Kindle Nation Daily Debut!!!
Can't wait 'til January 27th and 29th!!!
And to celebrate that amazing opportunity, as promised, I'm treating you with another MUSE THERAPY Tip and Trick right from the book!
So here we go...from MUSE THERAPY Chapter Eight - Muses & Misplaced Aggression: Kick Your Own Ass Not Somebody Else's
*******************************************
What constructive actions can we take after we’ve ruminated about our beyond frustrating writing-for-publication journeys?
Me personally?
Well, I use my other main lifeline outside of anger management therapy and rumination – Audrey Hepburn.
There’s just something about singing Mancini’s “Moon River” – just like Audrey did for her Holly Golightly in BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S - that is the cud I’ll forever chew-on while ruminating about how to handle Evil-Editor-Turds everywhere.
Since not all of us are (a) New York City playgirl escorts like Audrey’s Holly (who gets fifty dollars every time she goes to the powder room while trolling for a millionaire to marry) or (b) if you’re a guy, a “sponsored” playboy writer (like Capote’s George Peppard-played Paul), we’ve got to be like the real Audrey Hepburn. We’ve got to know ‘how to be lovely’ in the face of wanting to misplace our aggressions after each rejection letter we receive.
And unless you live in New York City, and perusing Tiffany’s windows with a coffee cup and Danish, are but a cab ride, subway trip, or walk away, you’ve got to rely on other means to soothe your muses.
Audrey herself gave us many brilliant tips on how to make the most of where we’re at in life right now. She said:
“We are all grown-up children, really. Our lives are made up of adulthood and childhood, all together. So one should go back in search of what was loved and found to be real.”
So as does Julia Cameron in her ARTIST’S WAY, Hepburn looks to her inner artist child and her childhood itself for relief from the disappointments and frustrations of career and adulthood.
Audrey took long walks, read books, listened to music and arranged flowers (Hellstern, HOW TO BE LOVELY), finding peace in the solitude of these activities.
“I have to be alone quite often. I’d be quite happy if I spent Saturday night to Monday morning in my apartment. That’s how I refuel.”
“When the chips are down, you are alone, and loneliness can be terrifying. Fortunately...I love to be alone. It doesn’t bother me one bit. I’m my own company.”
I’m the same way in that often I take refuge and find comfort in being alone with my inner self/child. But even though I resort first to dealing with my fear on my own, I also use Muse Therapy – yep, you betchya, the very same “therapy” techniques I’m teaching you – to finish getting a grip on my writing fears and frustrations.
And Audrey supported “getting a therapist” too. She said to “just get on with it” if that might do the trick for you. She realized the alternative meant misplaced aggression in that you’d end up “blowing your top” and “having to go around apologizing” after the fact.
For Audrey, the most important part of being able to accept life’s insecurities was learning to live with herself. In Muse Therapy-speak that means part of the success secret is learning and discovering then accepting what makes you, your soul and your muses tick plus what ticks them off.
“The greatest victory in my life has been to be able to live with myself, to accept my shortcomings and those of others. I’m a long way from being the human being I’d like to be. But I’ve decided I’m not so bad after all.”
***************************************
So "Go Holly Golightly" in your writing-for-publication journeys!
Decide, like Audrey did, that despite all the industry rejections, that you're "not so bad after all".
Sexy Sassy Smart Being Holly Golightly Lovely Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: Behind and Beyond My Books, Being a Gutsy Girl, Being a Gutsy Romance Writer Girl, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
MUSE THERAPY: The Butterfly Effect
Today, in D. D. Scott-ville, we're starting the countdown to
MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL
making its
Kindle Nation Daily Debut!!!
On January 27th and 29th, MUSE THERAPY, my #1 Amazon Bestselling Book On-Writing will be the featured book for millions of Kindle owners around the world plus the millions more who follow the Kindle Nation Daily Blog in its online format!!!
Thank you sooo very much, Stephen Windwalker of the fabulous Must-Read KINDLE FREE FOR ALL, for being my latest MUSE THERAPY Champion!!!
So in honor of my debut Kindle Nation Daily "push" - which means Kindle Nation Daily is giving me an endorsement, if you will, as well as providing a free excerpt of MUSE THERAPY, to be "pushed" or in effect emailed, to every Kindle owner around the globe who subscribes to Kindle Nation Daily plus all their online viewers too - I'm treating y'all to a blog series of MUSE THERAPY Tips and Tricks included in the book.
To begin, let's talk MUSE THERAPY and what I call The Butterfly Effect...
Here you go, right from the pages of my MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL...
To have “the right book at the right time for the right editor”, every writer’s muse arsenal must be fortified with perseverance. To build then secure the foundation of their creative castles, writers must hoard and utilize that vital tool.
A sure-fire way to beef-up our perseverance reservoirs is to study and implement many ideas first proposed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. Jung theorized that humans rely too much on science and logic. We certainly know by now that those ideals sure aren’t found in our writing-for-publication journeys, right?
Jung’s approach to psychology – known as Jungian psychology – explored human behavior by studying dreams, art, mythology, religion, Eastern and Western philosophies, alchemy, astrology, sociology and literature. Instead of science and logic, Jung advocated we pursue personal goals of discovering and fulfilling our deepest, innate potentials and rely on spirituality to guide our journeys.
He believed our journey’s purpose was to meet our “selfs” through the various disciplines listed above. Then, he taught, we can transform ourselves into our essential being, a process he called individuation. (Wikipedia)
Individuation – what a beyond powerful tool for writers to harness!
Let’s examine how you can make the concept work for you and your muses.
Jung said that it’s not just ‘okay’ to follow our individual journeys and goals. He argued rather that it’s our most basic and natural purpose as human beings to pursue our own unique journey. By transforming ourselves into that special, one-of-a-kind individual we hope, dream, desire and struggle to become, we persevere.
Wow! Jung really ‘got’ what it is to be a writer. We so struggle to find our voice, our words and stories. We so want to be accepted by the Universe for our unique take on the world and human life at-large. We so have a hellacious struggle to make those dreams come true. Struggles definitely defying science and logic.
Being a writer is my Jungian deep, innate potential. Writing is a spiritual experience essential to my well-being, regardless of whether I ever become a bestselling “butterfly”.
And here’s the writer’s “butterfly” dilemma.
Most caterpillars, but not all, are pre-destined by Mother Nature to become butterflies. Writers have no such pre-determined guarantee that either by nature or nurture they’ll become published aka butterflies, let alone best-selling butterflies.
Jung does give us hope, though, that we can affect our destiny. He brought to the forefront of possibility that coincidences can be meaningful enough that they appear to be meant to be. In other words, things can happen for us as if Mother Nature and/or fate, sweet serendipity or synchronicity were the masters of our Universe.
By bringing people, events and opportunities together, Jung theorized that the Universe allows for that awe-inspiring Law of Attraction in which things just seem to fit into a plan as opposed to remaining mere random events.
To make the Law of Attraction (LOA) and Synchronicity work for you, though, you’ve got to have a plan and work it like a crazed, over-driven nutcase.
So then...
***Do you have a plan for your writing career?
***Are you working that plan like a crazed, over-driven nutcase?
If so, thanks to today's new and exciting Indie Epublishing world plus sites like The WG2E - The Writer's Guide to Epublishing - a site I created with a few of my best writer friends and business associates - Tonya Kappes, Misa Ramirez, and L. A. Lopez - your writing-for-publication caterpillar journey can turn you into a butterfly.
Sexy Sassy Smart MUSE THERAPY Butterfly Effect Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: Kindle Nation Daily, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits
Thursday, October 21, 2010
MUSE THERAPY Extra Tips & Tidbits: Sensory-Rich Bliss
Happy Thursday, D. D. Scott-ville!
With the magnificent aurora of colors showcasing now in all Autumn splendor...
I thought today was the perfect time to share my MUSE THERAPY Extra Tips & Tidbit special on what I call Sensory-Rich Bliss.
So here's a little something to keep in mind as you're getting to know your
muses...
In MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL, we focus a ton on what we "SEE" that inspires us, but don't leave out all your other senses.
What TASTES (for me it's dark chocolate and martinis...LOL!),
SMELLS (how about candles, anyone? Me and The Carrie Squad love our candles - cinnamon apple and cranberry plum right now),
SOUNDS (many of you have mentioned music...I often like nature sounds and whatever genre suites my characters' worlds for the book I'm working-on...plus I love silence!),
**Check out Jeff Buckley's rendition of "Hallelujah" today at http://thenakedhero.com --- Talk about a wow moment...great stuff there!!!
and TEXTURES/TOUCH (remember how I love art glass? Well...I love to feel the smooth, cold surface as well as look at the gorgeous colors and shapes. I also love the LOOK and FEEL of fabulous fashion jewelry and baubles and beads of all sizes, shapes, colors and textures - I'm such a Rachel Zoe Accessory Queen - we're talking all-things-jewelry/belts/shoes/glasses/scarves/you get the picture.)
http://www.rachelzoe.com/
So what sensory-rich items get your muses on the path to producing more ideas
and pages?
By exploring all your senses, you can build a complete world in which to pamper
yourself and your muses. You're creating a very real escape to enjoy spending
time in while you're cranking out pages at a totally new and exciting production
level!
Sexy Sassy Smart MUSE THERAPY Sensory-Rich Bliss Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. For a ton more fun and fabulous MUSE THERAPY Extra Tips & Tidbits, check out my #1 Bestselling Amazon Book MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL. Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Muse-Therapy-Unleashing-Inner-ebook/dp/B004774LN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1287665473&sr=8-1Labels: All-Things-Muses, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits
Monday, October 18, 2010
MUSE THERAPY Extra Tips & Tidbits: UnderDog To The Rescue!
Happy Monday, Creative Divas and Dans!
For the next adventure on our Behind & Beyond My Books, I'm sharing with you a few of the fabulous MUSE THERAPY Extra Tips & Tidbits you'll find thru-out MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL.
MUSE THERAPY begins with an exercise I call Name That Muse.
And here's a fabulous example of why Naming Your Muse(s) is sooo important to shoring-up your courage to stay on your Yellow Brick Road to Publishing Oz...
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Today's Tip & Tidbit is all about how Naming Your Muses is step numero uno in
beating the big bad doubt demons packing debilitating punches on your
writing-for-publication journeys.
How familiar does this writer's Name That Muse-woes sound?
"I'm not sure I have a name for my muse yet. Best I can come-up with now is
that little Droopy from old Warner Brothers cartoons. I know it gets depressive
whenever I have submissions out on editors' desks. I'm at the tail-end of my
second round through my agent and every time she sends out my stuff I become
paralyzed in a way. The waiting is rough and then I start questioning
everything. 'Do I keep writing this series? Do I try something else? Will my
agent suddenly decide she made a mistake and my stuff WON"T sell?' When the
'no's' start trickling in it hikes up the tension even more. And if I'm having
trouble mailing down the particulars of the NEXT book (which I seem to be
experiencing now) it's even worse b/c it's very easy to start thinking I'll
NEVER nail down the next book. Once I do finally get into a new project I'm
alright, but until that happens it's no fun. Doesn't help when the day job
keeps me so occupied that I can't really concentrate on a new project."
Okay...Thank God this dog-bitten writer was in Muse Therapy!
I soooo got rid of Droopy Dog.
I "got it" loud and clear that our fabulous writer wasn't empowered by that
particular muse mutt. To the contrary, that dog wasn't doin' her any good or
cuttin' the mustard for her career period!
Drum roll please.
Can you hear the snazzy-sharp snare playin' sweet music?
I'd like to present you with - UnderDog!!!
This was the dog that would always say in his 1970s cartoon 'Have no fear,
UnderDog is here!'
That was the name of the Superman-like cartoon dog with the fabulous cape.
Right?
I had this anxiety-ridden writer get a big picture of UnderDog and tape it up in
her office - somewhere she could see the super mutt all the time. Then, when
all her career crap started piling up, she could say, and repeat after me (and
maybe get a cape for some extra fun drama) 'Have no fear, (insert writer name
here) UnderDog is here!'
Even the message inherent in UnderDog's name reminds our fabulous writer in
distress that yeah, publishing is tough but UnderDogs can be heroes too! But
only if you believe in yourself and your muses and keep going for the gusto!
As their namesake Carrie Bradshaw does with panache, my muses The Carrie Squad
hang tough just like UnderDog. And to reward The Squad's tenacity, I take them
on the Muse Therapy "Trips" I describe in MUSE THERAPY's Chapter One.
In other words, I take them anywhere they like to go and/or would like to go to
make them happy. I treat their creative psyches to both old favorites and new
stimuli to distract them from the hurry-and-wait, pitch-fork-yielding patience
demons.
Give your muses a name then gift them with attitude make-overs!
We want to come at and build our creative kingdoms from a place of pampering our
muses to fabulous production levels rather than forcing them into submission.
So kick 'em in the butt a bit first...you know, kind of a tough-love, love-tap
thing...then win 'em over with whatever makes them tick...as long as it's legal
and humane...LOL!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart Muse Therapy UnderDog Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. Throughout the rest of MUSE THERAPY, I give you brief Meet-and-Greets with
other writer's muses. We can all learn sooo much from what inspires each of us
individually!
http://www.amazon.com/Muse-Therapy-Unleashing-Inner-ebook/dp/B004774LN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1287410270&sr=8-1
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/26920Labels: All-Things-Muses, Behind and Beyond My Books, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits
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