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| The heart of creativity is change ♥
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March 13, 2020
Oakland, CA
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| | Welcome to all our new subscribers who signed up for the free book, "10 Ways to Generate Ideas." If you didn't grab yours, go here:
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| We are in some intense changing times. I hope you all will stay safe, wash your hands, and stay well informed. (See below for some useful links on COVID-19.)
People are telling me they feel stressed, confused, and aren’t sure what to do. Some writer friends tell me they’re having a hard time focusing on their writing, with so much negative news out there.
However you may be feeling I want to honor and respect that. Our feelings are amazing barometers and help us navigate the world.
In stressful changing times like these, I find it useful to reach out to the people I love, whether they’re in my house, the next town over, or halfway around the world, and tell them I love and cherish them.
I also find great solace in focusing on my creative work. I put my emotions and desires and hopes and fears into my revisions of my upcoming novel.
I am not a politician, a health expert, a doctor, or policy maker. What I am is a creative artist, and therefore my way of impacting the world is through my (he)art.
As a teacher, Creativity Coach, and leader in my small corner of the world, I feel it’s important to take a stand for being a whole human being.
That means feeling the feelings, staying informed, taking care of yourself, and do the work of your heart.
No one knows how much time they have here on our precious planet earth -- our spaceship Earth --, so do what’s important. Say I love you to the people that matter to you.
Be kind to strangers and have empathy for their struggles, as we ultimately don’t know what goes on in another’s heart. But our job is to connect to our own heart and be open to the hearts of others.
We are all in this together -- one human family -- so let us tread softly upon the earth. And bow in remembrance of our ancestors who survived the great plagues of the past.
In my work as a science fiction author, I find myself looking far into the past to understand the future possibilities.
Our humans ancestor have been making art for over 100,000 years and surviving very difficult situations. I trust that with our human ingenuity, our art, and our ability to form and maintain a communities, we will survive this current crisis.
I’d love to hear how you’re doing, whether it’s about your writing, your way of taking care of yourself, or anything else that is top of mind for you. |
| | Useful resources on the COVID-19 Pandemic
"9 charts that explain the coronavirus pandemic" (VOX)
"Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public" (WHO)
These are 7 simple steps to protect yourself and others from #COVID19. (WHO on Twitter)
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| | Favorite Resource of the Week
I am so loving "Letters from a Screenplay" channel on Youtube.
I especially loved the episode on creating the ultimate antagonist in Michael's analysis of the Dark Knight.
Description:
"Heath Ledger’s performance as The Joker is universally celebrated—and with good reason—but there is more to the character than his excellent performance. In this video I analyze what makes The Joker the perfect antagonist for The Dark Knight."
Check it out here:
https://youtu.be/pFUKeD3FJm8
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| | Do you yearn to write a novel, but don't know where to begin? |
| Then check out our flagship course starting April 1st.
Only 30 spots available. Will one be yours? |
| Have a happy and creative week! Happy writing, editing, creating!
Best,
Beth
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| ♥
If you'd like to be a guest writer for Writer's Fun Zone, check out our writer's guidelines here:
I look forward to your query. ♥
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| NEWEST BOOK! Plan Your Novel Like A Pro
This book will help you get excited to plan your novel. The tools shared here are designed to spark your muse and give you confidence when you sit down to write your story. Plan Your Novel Like A Pro: And Have Fun Doing It! is for organic writers and pansters who want a roadmap to follow, so that they can let their creativity loose.
** Is this you? => Are you a podcaster or blogger and would like to feature PLAN YOUR NOVEL LIKE A PRO on your channel? Review copies available. Please hit reply and let me know. Thanks!
♥
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| | Are you having a hard time coming up with ideas?
Some of my students tell me they want to write but aren't sure what to write about.
They realized they needed tools and tips to help them get started, generate ideas, and fill the creative well.
So I came up with a free book to help you generate ideas for your fiction!
Go here to grab your copy and get writing today:
And please, share this link and this book with your friends! |
| | | You have been reading the Creativity Sparks Newsletter!
Welcome!
You may share this content intact and with no changes with this attribution:
BTW, I'm a working novelist too, with two series published in two genres, and more on the way. :)
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| | ABOUT BETH BARANY
Beth Barany is creativity coach for writers, a teacher, workshop facilitator, and speaker, who helps fiction writers experience clarity, so that they can write and polish their novels, and proudly publish them to the delight of their readers.
Owner of the Barany School of Fiction, an online training hub, Beth takes great interest in how humans learn, create, and grow, and includes all her students’ life experiences, including the ancestors, into the moment.
Want a course to help you prepare to write your novel? Discover the comprehensive Plan Your Novel course here, co-taught with award-winning, bestselling thriller author, Ezra Barany.
She's also an award-winning novelist and writes magical tales of romance, adventure, and mystery to empower women and girls to be the heroes in their own lives.
beth@bethbarany.com
Barany School of Fiction
Writer's Fun Zone blog
Photo Credit: by c. 2018 Ezra Barany
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