The Fabulist Flash

Number 1

New Orleans Balcony Cards (Package of 6)

In This Issue:

1. This Week
2. The Writer's Bookshelf
3. Finding Time To Write
4. Tip of the Week
5. About The Fabulist Flash

1. This Week

Just outside my office window our parking lot is being resurfaced. There are workmen and trucks and lots of activity and noise. I live in an apartment filled with animals so the activity is doubled, that outside and that inside with all the cats and dogs showing interest in the outside activity. It's been fun to watch although distracting, too.

This week's "Aha" moment. Here's a little story.

I was traveling last week in New Orleans. I go down to the Big Easy once or twice a year and have been doing so for more than a decade. I've never had a bad experience there, until now. On this latest trip, in the middle of the evening, in a well lit and crowded section of the French Quarter, I was mugged. Thankfully, the thugs only took my cash, not my wallet or my life. But, the experience did put a cloud over the rest of my trip; I was rather freaked out, to say the least. I spent the rest of my wandering around the French Quarter time looking over my shoulder and that's just not fun.

Now, here comes the "Aha." I belong to a freelance writer's support group. When I shared my experience with the group, my friend, Tina, replied: "why don't you write a piece about traveling and safety or coping with being robbed."

I just hadn't thought of that, being too caught up in the experience. It was a great reminder that story and article ideas are everywhere, especially in our personal experiences.

As your week progresses notice what happens that's out of your ordinary routine, take a moment to think about how it makes you feel, and get writing.

Until next week,

Gregory

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Gregory A. Kompes is a freelance writer and photographer. Learn more about Gregory and his work at www.Kompes.com

Want to share your latest "Aha" moment? Email it to Aha@FabulistFlash.com

2. The Writer's Bookshelf

by Gregory A. Kompes

I've pulled "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron off my shelf for this week's entry.

Do you know deep down that you're an artist, but don't seem able to act on it? Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" is the book for you.

The Artist's Way is written as a twelve-week, self-help program to help heal and release the artist within each of us. Each weekly lesson talks about a series of issues most artists encounter and through examples and tasks and exercises the healing of your artist in connection to the issue begins.

All right, a lot of this self-help stuff can be a little hokey and there are moments Cameron's workshop feels a little 1970s, but it works. That's one of the odd things about self-help programs, if you put the time into them you end up learning more stuff about yourself and suddenly, with that clearer vision, a little healing occurs and then a little more and a little more.

The book is about understanding and releasing your artist within, as well as learning how to take care of and nurture that artist. The weekly tasks, morning pages, artist dates, and readings act as a spring board for inspiring your artist. As you allow your artist permission to be, you will become more expressive and productive.

I continue to work through Cameron's workshop. When I get to the end I begin again. Each time I discover new things about myself and these discoveries are leading me to a happier and more creative life.

Since reading the book I've had success with my writing, I've published my first articles and continue to contract more. I'm also now working on both a fiction and nonfiction books that are moving along rapidly. And, I've followed my dream of developing my own line of art cards and gifts.

"The Artist's Way" works for me and it might just work for you.

Click the Link below to find your own copy of "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron and other great books for freelance writers.

Link: http://writersbookshelf.kompes.com

3. Finding Time To Write

By Beth Ann Erickson, FilbertPublishing.com

Life is moving at a frantic pace - at least it seems that way at our house! And if you're like me, you've always dreamed of becoming a writer. But how do you find the time in between family responsibilities, work pressures, and anything you may try to squeeze in between keeping up the house, buying groceries, mowing the lawn (or shoveling snow!), etc., etc., etc..

It sounds overwhelming, doesn't it? Where are you going to find time to develop your writing skills?

Becoming a writer with good, solid skills doesn't take as much time as you think. Just a little bit of writing each day will take you farther than you can imagine. And knowing a few tricks of the trade will advance your writing skills far beyond your competitors..

So, are you ready to get to work?

Here's an assignment:

Take a look at your typical (if there is such a thing) day. Where can you find some uninterrupted time to improve your writing skills?

Can you need to skip a television show? Do you spend time waiting for a bus, subway, or cab? Maybe you pick your kids up from school and have to wait for them.


You'll be amazed at how easy it is to find time you can steal from your schedule.

Get out your journal. Find time to write. Watch your skills grow..

When she's not stealing time out of her schedule to get some fun writing done, Beth Erickson publishes Writing Etc. the FREE emag for writers. You can subscribe at: filbertpublishing.com. When you subscribe you'll receive the free e-booklet, "Power Queries."

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Interested in being a guest columnist? Submit your 500 word freelance writing related article to GuestColumn@FabulistFlash.com for consideration.

Guest Columnists receive an item of their choice from my art cards and gift store. Click the link below.

Link: http://gifts.kompes.com

4. Tip of the Week

"Expect the universe to support your dream. It will."

--Julia Cameron from "The Artist's Way"

5. About The Fabulist Flash

ISSN: 1554-0804

The Fabulist Flash is dedicated to helping freelance writers find resources and inspiration.

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Interested in being a guest columnist? Published Guest Columnists receive $25 for their 500-600 word article, plus a byline credit. Visit The Fabulist Flash Writer Guidelines for more information.

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