Guest Post: How to Become the Writer You Always Wanted to Be

How to Become the Writer You Always Wanted to Be 

a guest post by Cindy Bates

Being a writer requires time, devotion, passion and skill. For aspiring writers and those who have just started writing, a big challenge is how to become the writer you always wanted to be. There are times when you would end up asking yourself if you can really do this. Are you really good enough to write? All of these thoughts are completely normal. Even the most prolific writers have experienced problems like these and it does not take a best-seller for you to establish your identity as a writer. 

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your writing potential:

Trust in yourself and just write  

The most successful writers can only give you their own formulas of success. The same thing goes when you are writing a particular kind of content. Whether it is a simple essay, a short story or a novel, there is lots of information out there saying you must write in this manner, you do this and you do that. Sometimes, you face the predicament of doubting whether you can possibly write something significant -- especially when what you are doing is different from what others are doing. 

But always keep in mind that each person is unique in his or her thoughts and ideas. Trust in yourself and just keep on writing. Keep in mind that you write to express yourself and to share your ideas to your readers. 

Allot enough time for writing 

You can never find an excellent writer who succeeded overnight. Apart from talent, writing is also a skill that you must continuously hone and develop. Just as artists hone their craft, you need to practice writing in order to grow and improve. When you allot time for writing, you develop certain skills that are essential for writers, such as the ability to think fast, brainstorm ideas effectively, and organize your thoughts. 

Proofread your work 

It is never a bad thing to read through your work. Just don’t overdo it that you end up removing almost everything that you have initially written because you doubt your words. Keep in mind that the goal is not necessarily to identify what is "right" or "wrong" with your writing. As a writer, you can never please everyone; you can never get everything "right" with no disagreements. What you want to know is if you are able to express what you want to share to your readers and if the content achieves that purpose and goal. 

Accept constructive criticism

All of the most highly acclaimed written works went through a lot of editing and some even experienced numerous rejections. This is the flow and the process that most writers have to experience before their works are published. So, never be afraid to take criticisms and even rejection. You can learn so many things about your work from other people especially if the person reviewing your work is also a writer. It is much easier to see which parts needs to be changed or what needs to be removed. After a work has undergone a series of proofreading and editing, the best version of your work emerges. 

Set your goals 

All writers set their goals. Prior to writing, you have to know what is your purpose and your objectives. What do you want to achieve? What is your goal in writing a particular piece? Stating your goals clearly is a great motivational force. It serves as blueprint when you are writing, as you can compare if what you are writing serves your purpose and your goal. 

Put aside your fears 

To write effectively, you have to set aside your fears. Many writers worry whether they have enough skill to write or if their ideas are worth writing about. But when you finally learn how to let go of your inhibitions, you experience wonderful freedom to explore your thoughts and to write anything you want without self-doubt. Set aside your fears and let your ideas bloom and your thoughts wander. It is only when you finally cast away your fears that you get to tap your creative potential as a writer. 

All of these are tips that you can apply to become the writer you have always wanted to be. Yet, at the end of the day, every writer must establish his own identity and his own formula for success. The most important thing is to keep on writing and never doubt yourself. The greatest writers didn’t emerge overnight. It took years for them to reach the place they wanted to be -- and then, they continue to strive further onward and upward! 

About the author: Cindy Bates works as a freelance editor and writer at Bestessaytips. She used to write articles and share her knowledge and experience in educational sphere. Circle her on G+.

Make 2014 Your Best Writing Year Yet!

Happy New Year, everyone! I love the brand-new slate a new year brings. A chance to reflect on where we've come and where we want to go.

Here are some of my goals for 2014:

Writing Goals
1. Establish writing routine. 400 words. Every day. No excuses.
2. Revise thesis manuscript and send to agent.
3. Complete memoir manuscript.
4. Complete 200 pgs of new novel.
5. Write a new one-act play.
6. Write a full-length play.
7. Finish Verna novella & put out as an ebook.
8. Write three blog posts a week.
9. Read at least one short story a week.
10. Read at least 40 books.

Write On! For Literacy Goals
1. Send out a newsletter every other month.
2. Become an official nonprofit organization.
3. Teach a summer writing camp.
4. Teach a winter writing camp.
5. Teach a college essay/app seminar.
6. New ebook of work by young writers.
7. Compile Writing Camp ebook/program
8. Hold a Holiday Book Drive.

I'm inspired by this story shared by Glamour Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive: "When my father-in-law was 58, he volunteered with a group that assists disabled athletes. Fit but no marathoner, he agreed to run the first half of the New York City Marathon tethered to a blind runner who'd flown all the way from Thailand for the race. At mile 13, another volunteer would take over. Except: That other volunteer never showed, and there was my father-in-law, exhausted, with 13 painful miles he'd never trained for ahead of him. 'What did I do?' he recalls now. 'I kept going!' All the way to the finish line -- inspired by the even more heroic efforts of the blind man beside him. I think of that story often, and not just while running. With the right motivation you can almost always go farther, accomplish more, reach higher than you thought."

What motivates you to go farther and reach higher than you thought possible? And how can you stretch that motivation past the sparkling new shine of 2014, into the coming weeks and months?

Here are some habits that work for me, to help keep me motivated:

• Keep a gratitude journal to remind yourself of all the things going well in your life.
• Keep a list of all your successes to look over whenever you feel discouraged.
• Set goals that are based in ACTIONS rather than results. For example, instead of setting a goal to win first place in a writing contest (something you have no control over) set a goal to enter x number of writing contests. Entering contests is an action you can control; the judging process is something you have zero control over.
• Remind yourself of the "big picture" -- what are the bigger underlying reasons you are going after your goals? For example, maybe you want to write a book this year. Who is the audience you are writing for? How might they be inspired by what you have to say? Imagining a reader picking up your book and being moved by your words can be enough to banish ever the worst case of writers block!  

I'll leave you with this quote, one of my favorites, from Sallie Krawcheck of 85 Broads: "Plant seeds, plant seeds, and don't ask for anything. The seeds will grow." 

What seeds can you plant today?

A Boost of Motivation for the January Slump

It's now a couple weeks into the new year. Is your motivation lagging? Are your goals and dreams getting eaten up by the daily grind and busyness of your everyday life? Sometimes all it takes is a little boost of encouragement to get you back in the game! Here are some quotes that might help:

"Don't let your learning lead to knowledge; let your learning lead to action." ~Jim Rohn

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." ~Goethe

"It's not what you've done that matters - it's what you haven't done." ~Mark Twain

Take a little time today -- even if only 15 or 20 minutes -- to work on your goals and keep moving forward. A little bit every day goes a looooooong way if you keep it up! I believe in you!

(And thanks to the wonderful Karen Cioffi & my friends at Writers on the Move for these inspiring quotes!)

Happy 2012!

I always love the new year-- a blank calendar of fresh starts, new opportunities, and renewed motivation to live the life you dream of! The new year is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and also look ahead to the future.

The past year has been a great one! I'm into my second year at Purdue and am really loving teaching, and I was honored with an Excellence in Teaching Award based on the end-of-semester evaluations from my students. I've written every day and made substantial progress on two novel manuscripts as well as nearly a dozen short stories. My play "The Stars in Illinois" won the Brian Mexicott Playwriting Award and my short play "love (lower case)" was produced as part of the Quills & Keys play festival in Santa Paula, California. My story "Jared Sampson's Mom" was published in the Valparaiso Fiction Review and nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and my story "Woman, Running Late, in a Dress" won first place out of more than 600 entries in the Ninth Glass Woman Prize. I also had some flash fiction published this year: "Wednesday Afternoon" in Concisely; "Wedding Day" in Dr. Hurley's Snake-Oil Cure; and "Ten Reasons" in Women in REDzine.

It was also an exciting year with Write On! For Literacy. Dancing With The Pen: a collection of today's best youth writing was released in February and rose to a #2 ranking on Amazon in the "literature anthologies" category and has received rave reviews from kids, teenagers, parents and teachers. The Write On! Summer Writing Camp was a great success, so much so that for the first time ever I held a one-day Winter Writing Camp over the holiday break from school. I am also now doing Guided Mentorships for young writers, something I really enjoy as it allows me to work individually with them on their writing projects. And the Tenth Annual Holiday Book Drive collected and donated more than 500 books this year, bringing the grand total to 12,290 books!

In my personal life, I met a truly amazing guy when we both volunteered teaching writing workshops for senior citizens. I love him very much and we will be celebrating our one-year anniversary in February. This past summer I traveled to Ireland with my brother and researched our family history, and I also traveled to London and Paris and visited my friend Celine, who I hadn't seen since college. I went to the Taylor Swift concert with my friend Holly; my dad came out to visit me at Purdue for October break; my mom, aunts, and cousins met up with me in Chicago for a fun "girls weekend." My boyfriend and I went to nearly a dozen plays and concerts, including "War Horse" and "Phantom of the Opera." And I got to spend wonderful time with my grandparents when I was home for summer and winter breaks. I am one lucky, lucky girl!

Here's a sampling of my goals for 2012:

• Write! 400 words. Every day. No excuses. A great website I use to track my daily progress is Joe's Goals: http://www.joesgoals.com/
• Submit to a literary magazine every other week.
• Submit a query for a freelance article every month.
• Read a short story every day & 40 books by end of year.
• Send out a Write On! newsletter every month.
• Teach a summer & winter youth writing camp.
• Write a blog post twice a week.
• Exercise 3 days a week.
• Learn to cook 10 new healthy recipes. 
• Call my grandparents every weekend. 
• Volunteer at a nursing home or food bank.
• Do at least one act of kindness every day.
• Count my blessings every night.

What are your goals for the new year? Carpe diem -- seize the day!

Guest Post by Carol Roth

7 Ways to Mentor a Future Businesswoman

by Carol Roth

Adapted from her new book The Entrepreneur Equation

For girls, Barbie has been a good role model, showing them that attractive females can be astronauts, diplomats, and doctors. But when Ken launched his aggressive social media campaign to get Barbie to take him back by Valentine's Day (she did) after their 7-year breakup, Barbie's work-life balance seems to have gone out of kilter.

Message to Barbie: Ken's great, but don't let him distract you from your serious career goals. Like many young professional gals, Barbie has been successful working for others. But she's also occasionally worked for herself and been entrepreneurial, as an aerobics instructor, veterinarian, wedding stylist, photographer, pediatrician, and makeup artist, to name a few.

If, like Barbie, your girl has a nose for business and dreams of owning her own company one day, here are some ways you can help her grow into the role. If a girl can learn these skills while she's still playing with dolls, she'll be well on her way to success in any future profession.

Tell her she's good enough. Even the young businesswomen I coach hit a brick wall of fear. Can I do it? Can I learn it? Will I succeed? Yes, yes, and yes. Remind your girl often that she's got what it takes.

Stop her when she's self-critical. There's a difference between having high standards and beating yourself up. Women and girls tend to be hard on themselves. Teach your girl to do the opposite.

Don't discourage her inner Barbie. These days, I see lots of beautiful, successful women in business who have embraced their femininity. It's okay to be a girlie-girl. In fact, I've found it has some real business advantages.

Help her be honest, not nice. Our mothers taught us to be nice all the time, which was not always to our advantage. In business and in life, your girl needs to learn how to be polite, but honest. She'll garner more respect that way.

Tell her not to wait to be called on. Girls raise their hands and then wait for their cue to talk. Successful businesswomen speak up and contribute their ideas before they're asked to.

Help her think big. No goal is too big for a young girl to believe. When girls create an ambitious vision for their future, it will shape everything they do -- in school, extracurricular activities, and socially.

Encourage her to fear not. The fear of going after something and being rejected is often stronger in girls and women because they are taught to be safe, while males are taught to be risk takers.

* * *

Carol Roth (www.carolroth.com) has been helping businesses grow for over 15 years, ranging from solopreneurs to multinational corporations. A popular media personality on Fox News, MSNBC, and WGN-TV Chicago, among others, she is author of a new book, The Entrepreneur Equation: Evaluating the Realities, Risks, and Rewards of Having Your Own Business (BenBella, March 22, 2011). Because she aims to be a role model for girls and young women, she created the Carol Roth special edition doll -- sporting a smart black dress, leather computer bag, and hot-pink heels -- to show girls it's okay to be beautiful, successful, and powerful when they grow up. Carol Roth is on the cover of February's Doll's Magazine (http://www.dollsmagazine.com/)

Sticking With Your New Year's Goals

 

So it's two weeks into a glorious new year. How is 2011 going for you so far? How are those new year's goals and resolutions holding up?

To really make a new habit stick, I've heard that you need to do it consistently for three weeks, and then it much more likely to be a permanent part of your routine.

But, as we all know, new habits set with the best of intentions can be difficult to stick to. Especially in the hectic weeks of a new year after coming back from a holiday break. Especially in the frigid January snow. Especially when there are so many other, important things clamoring for your attention.

I'm a big believer in daily goals, and I'm also a big believer in baby steps. Break down something that seems huge into small steps you can take every day. Just do a little bit every day. Consistently. Baby steps add up to huge accomplishments.

Here's a motivation tool I found, courtesy of the wonderful positive-news site Gimundo, that has been helping me with my goal of writing a certain number of words every day: Joe's Goals. It's supposedly inspired by a motivation concept of Jerry Seinfeld, with the simple idea: Don't break the chain. You enter a goal you want to do consistently -- every day, three times a week, etc -- and it is marked down on this calendar for you. Every day, if you do the goal, you get to check it off. Your checks soon become a chain of happy green check marks, and the last thing you want to do is "break the chain" and have to start all over again! It sounds simple, but it has really helped me stay on top of my writing goal so far.

Case in point: last night, I got home late, and I hadn't written enough yet for my word count goal, so I plunked down in front of my computer and wrote some before I went to bed. All so I could truthfully have that little green check mark. If not for that website, I very likely would have thought, I'll just write more tomorrow. But, as my role model Coach Wooden used to say, "You can't do anything about yesterday, and the only way to improve tomorrow is by what you do right now. We kid ourselves: 'I'll buckle down tomorrow and work twice as hard.' No. If you can work twice as hard tomorrow, it means you're holding something back today. I want 100% today. And tomorrow."

Of course, it requires that you be honest with yourself, but I think that is a requirement no matter how you are going after your goals.

Good luck! I'm rooting for you!

Happy New Year!

Wow, it is crazy how fast this year has flown by. I can't believe we're welcoming in 2011 in a matter of hours!

For me, New Year's Eve is always a time to reflect on the old year and prepare for the new one. I love this quote from Jim Rohn: "Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." That is so true, and great motivation when striving after your goals day by day.

Here are some of my highlights from 2010:

• Thanks to the generous support of many people who cast their votes for Write On, I was named one of four national winners in the Glamour Magazine/Sally Hansen "Best of You" contest. The prize included a trip to NYC, a makeover and a photo shoot for the magazine! I felt like Cinderella at the ball. This truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thank you again for making it happen!

• I took a cross-country road trip with my mom as part of my big move to Indiana to pursue my M.F.A. in Fiction at Purdue University. In addition to taking my own classes I also teach freshman composition and serve as Editorial Assistant of Sycamore Review. My first semester was a whirlwind of activity, and I feel I have already learned a great deal. Teaching was especially rewarding! I love my new life in Indiana, but it has also made me appreciate my California roots (and our glorious warm weather!) a lot more. 

• I started my youth publishing company, Write On! Books: http://www.writeonbooks.org/writeonbooks.aspx. The first Write On! Books anthology, Dancing With The Pen, will be released in early 2011 and features stories, essays, and poetry by more than 60 young writers from all across the U.S. and even abroad. It has been such a pleasure to work with these talented, creative, insightful kids and teens, and I could not be more excited or proud of this book. 

• My one-act play "The Stars in Illinois" was produced by Brand New Theater at the University of Southern California. 

• My short story "DING!" was published on Bartleby-Snopes and subsequently nominated for a Pushcart Prize and the Dzanc Books "Best of the Web" anthology.

• More than two dozen of my stories and essays appeared in a variety of online and in-print publications, including two Chicken Soup for the Soul books. My short stories are archived here: http://www.fictionaut.com/users/dallas-woodburn

• I organized and taught the third-annual Write On! Summer Writing Camp for young writers in Ventura, and had a blast as always. This year I also taught a series of creative writing workshops to senior citizens at Cypress Place Senior Living Center, which was wonderful. 

• I was a featured guest speaker at the Ventura Book Festival, the Southern Expressions Writers Conference in Mississippi, the USC Associates 50th Anniversary Gala, and the American Association of University Women Spring Luncheon. I met so many fantastic people who became new friends. I was also a guest on a variety of radio shows and spoke to community organizations and schools.

Another thing to keep in mind when setting goals is to be cognizant of all areas of your life. As Coach Wooden said, "The two most important words in the English language are love and balance." With that in mind, I like to break up my goals into different sections. Here are some of my goals for 2011:

Writing Goals

• Write every day.
• Complete new novel manuscript.
• Submit to a literary magazine every other week.
• Write a three-act play.
• Read at least half an hour every day.
• Write a blog post twice a week.

Write On! Goals

• Send out a newsletter every month.
• Promote Dancing With The Pen.
• Be a guest speaker at 8 schools/organizations.
• Create a Write On! DVD. 
• Start a Holiday Book Drive at Purdue.

Healthy Life Goals

• Exercise three days a week. 
• Learn to cook 10 new healthy recipes.
• Plant a garden.
• Do at least one act of kindness every day.
• Study the Pyramid of Success and keep a journal of inspiring quotes.
• Count my blessings every night.

Something I am trying for the first time this year is breaking down my year-long goals into month-by-month goals. It helps me get a handle on more daunting projects by planning out how I want to move forward month by month. For example, one of my writing goals is to finish the current novel manuscript I am working on. I have a goal of writing a certain number of pages every month. I am also a believer in daily to-do lists -- it feels so good to cross things off my list! -- but I think month-by-month goals are more flexible for those inevitable times when life gets crazy. For example, maybe I won't be able to write much for a few days during midterms, but then I can make up for it the next week and still be on track for my monthly writing goal.

What are your goals for 2011? How will you make them happen?

I'll close with another of my favorite quotes from Coach Wooden: "The journey is better than the inn." Here's wishing you a masterpiece of a journey in 2011!

Interview with Ben Mueller: writer, teacher, runner, and triathlete

I came across Ben Mueller's story in Chicken Soup for the Runner's Soul and it was one of my favorites in the entire collection. Ben says he loves to write inspirational nonfiction stories about his past experiences with sports. He teaches math at the high school and college level and has been involved in running and triathlons since he was nine years old. Today, he has completed more than 400 races from the 2-mile to the marathon. He has a goal of running a half-marathon in every state and so far has checked off fifteen states.

Ben is selling copies of Chicken Soup for the Runner's Soul to raise money for the Healthy Kids Foundation: http://kishymca.org/donate.html. 

Tell us about your story in Chicken Soup for the Runner's Soul. What was your motivation to write this story? How did you go about turning an event from your real life into a short essay?

As a kid, I played just about every sport imaginable -- and years later, I realized how inspirational some of the lessons were and what sports can teach you about life. My mother gave me a Chicken Soup book when I was going through a rough time about ten years ago. One particular story really inspired me and I wanted to give the same gift back to others. I did not think about making a story out of the event until about four years after it happened. I knew there were lots of Chicken Soup books and I visioned one for runners coming out eventually. I really wanted to be part of that book when it came out. As far as writing the essay goes, it was pretty straightforward: basically, I thought about how that event inspired me, outlined the major points, and then wrote each paragraph.

Tell us about your website and blog. Do you have advice for people who want to start their own blogs/websites?

My blog and web site is about bringing my experiences to life. I blog for three reasons: 

1) To keep past memories alive so in later years I can look back.

2) For my family and friends to read about my experiences.

3) So others can see how inspirational running can be. 

I used to just blog about how I felt and did during my races. Now, I am taking it much deeper and am sharing the connections -- socially and spiritually -- that I get from racing. My advice to others is just go out and do it. Capture the moments. You won't regret looking back and remembering all the cool things that happened in the past. In addition, I think including pictures with your writing makes your blog a lot more interesting.

Is there anything you have learned about writing through running? (Or vise versa?)

Yes. I have learned that running is about the journey, not the destination. It is about perseverance, meeting new people, and learning more about yourself. Exercise really engages our brains in ways that non-exercisers don't understand. Some of my best thoughts come while on a long bike ride or run.

What is your writing routine? Do you write every day? Do you have a certain time or place you write?

I always write at coffee shops. I do not have a set time and place to write, but I try to write 3-4 times per week. I also try to update my blog frequently. During the school year, I get busy with teaching so I do not write as much as I do during the summer. I am a little strange in that I do not just focus on one story at a time; I will usually be working on 2-3 short stories at a time. When I write a short story, I always outline first and then write the paragraphs, but I don't always write the paragraphs in chronological order.

What is your biggest advice for kids and teens setting out to pursue their dreams?

My advice would be for teens to just continue to do what they love. I believe that as we grow up, many people stop their passions because other things get in the way. Make time to do what you love to do and don't worry so much about what others think. I always talk about the 4 P's to success -- patience, practice, persistence, and perseverance. I believe this to be so true. You need to vision success before it can be achieved and believe in yourself.

How do you overcome a disappointing race (or, for writing, how do you deal with a rejection letter from an editor?)

I always remember that the only way you lose is if you lack the courage to come out and try. Overcoming a disappointing race is easy because there is always another opportunity the next weekend. Remember that life goes up and down and when you're down... there is always an upswing coming!

Interview with "The Sunny Girl," Lauren Cook, Founder of The Sunny Side Up!

Lauren Cook -- or "The Sunny Girl," as she goes by these days -- is the founder of The Sunny Side Up, a project seeking to inspire and share happiness with others. She is currently a student at UCLA where she is majoring in Psychology and Communications, and she enjoys participating in her sorority, Chi Omega, along with Colleges Against Cancer, Campus Crusade, and Toastmasters. Lauren is a former Miss Teen California and she has proudly raised more than $30,000 for the American Cancer Society. In her free time she enjoys zumba, eating gelato, and relaxing with her Siamese cat, Kiko. I am so thrilled to have Lauren join us today!

Tell us about The Sunny Side Up. What was your inspiration/motivation to start this project? How has it grown already?

The Sunny Side Up! is a project studying how, when, and why teens are happy and what we can do to increase, recognize, and appreciate our happiness even more. I am currently writing a book based on this project; but rather than just sharing my thoughts on happiness, I am incorporating the opinions and experiences of more than 250 other teens because happiness is such a personalized topic.

While I have learned that many teens are happy with their lives, I still hear on a daily basis: "I can't wait for the weekend", "I can't wait for finals to be over", or "I can't wait to graduate." How can one be happy when they are wishing their life away? It is my goal to help teens appreciate life's daily offerings of happiness -- from time spent with friends and family to a cup of frozen yogurt. Happiness takes practice; we have to make an effort to notice and appreciate what brings us joy.

The Sunny Side Up! has been very successful already -- and it's only been a month! I have already signed a contract with iUniverse for the book to be published and hundreds of teens have expressed an interest to participate in the project. I am very hopeful for the future, but more than anything, I love hearing how The Sunny Side Up! has made people happier in their everyday lives.

Tell us about "The Sunny Set."

I began writing "The Sunny Set" about two years ago and I have been adding to it ever since; I currently have 261 goals! It is similar to a "Bucket List" but instead of seeing these aspirations as something to do before I die, I see them as something to achieve during my lifetime. Some are colossal, like selling a million copies of my upcoming book, The Sunny Side Up! or seeing the Titanic. And many are much smaller, like hatching a chick (this has actually been quite hard -- I've had two hatch-less batches!) and donating blood. Yet, no matter what the goal is, I have found happiness in every aspect of the process by setting, striving, and accomplishing these dreams. 

What have you learned through The Sunny Side Up?

I have learned that everyone has a story. Teens, myself included, often take things personally when someone doesn't say hello or smile back. But in truth, everyone has something that they may be struggling with, whether it is family problems, a disease, or any other personal challenge. While it is not right to be rude, at the same time, everyone is doing the best that they can with their circumstances and we should try to love and accept them for who they are. Through this project, I have learned to never judge others. I have also learned that happiness is contagious so I always try to share a smile with someone that may be going a tough time.

What is your writing routine? Do you write every day? Do you have a certain time or place you write?

I have always loved to write but it is a struggle for me to get started. Writing requires all of your time, focus, and energy -- which is not something many of us are used to as hectic multi-taskers. But writing on my blog has given me the perfect excuse to make the time to write daily. Every morning I make a blog post with my cat laying (and snoring) beside me while the sun shines through my window. I'm always happier after I write and I love the sense of achievement I feel after letting my creativity out of my brain and onto paper (or laptop in this century). 

In your opinion, why is writing important, in particular in the lives of young people?

Writing is the best gift that we can give to ourselves; it is a time for self-reflection, creativity, and clarity. Writing has the power to heal and inspire, and it is our opportunity to leave a legacy in written form. I highly recommend that young people make an effort to write -- whether they feel thankful, happy, sad, or mad -- whatever emotion they may feel at the time. I believe that you discover who you are through writing.

What is your biggest advice for kids and teens just starting out?

Find many mentors! It can be scary starting out; I will be the first to admit that as a young writer, I have so much to learn. But never be too proud or intimidated to ask questions; there are so many talented authors, teachers, family, and friends who are willing to share their wisdom with you. An infinite amount of knowledge is available to you if you only have the courage to ask.

What steps can people take TODAY to become happier?

I have always been adamant about gratitude. I believe that if we are consciously aware of the blessings in our life -- both the big and the small -- we will be exponentially happier people. Every day before I go to bed, I write down my "5 Daily Gratitudes." I find myself noticing so much more beauty and joy in my life, whether it be the butterfly fluttering outside my window or a family dinner. I suggest you try it today and see how much happier you feel!

Connect with Lauren:

Subscribe to The Sunny Side Up! blog: http://thesunnygirl.wordpress.com/

Facebook page to join and share: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Sunny-Side-Up/141403005875595?ref=ts

You can contact The Sunny Girl at: thesunnygirl5@yahoo.com

Happy New Year!

Wow, I can't believe it's already 2010 -- not just a new year, but also a new decade! It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the new millennium. Who knows what joy, hope, creativity and new connections the next ten years will bring?

I celebrate each new year by reviewing what I accomplished in the past year and setting new goals for the upcoming year. I've found that writing down my goals is a rewarding way for me to take steps towards leading my best life and becoming my best self. A helpful way I break things down is to set goals for different aspects of my life: Writing Goals, Write On! For Literacy Goals, and Personal Healthy Life Goals.

Here are a few of my highlights from 2009:

• I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Creative Writing and Entrepreneurship.
• I created a new website for my foundation Write On! For Literacy: www.writeonbooks.org.
• I held the second annual Write On! Summer Writing Camp and had the pleasure of working with 24 amazing young writers.
• My short story "Numb" was published in Monkeybicycle and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and for the Dzanc Books "Best of the Web" anthology.
• I became a contributing writer for the websites GradtoGreat.com and TweenParent.com; other new markets I broke into this year include iMediaConnection, ParentingPink.com, Attribute Magazine, and True Love Magazine.
• I became Youth Director of the national organization SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists, and Writers Network) -- check out the newly revamped SPAWN website for loads of resources and information on how you can join this wonderful writing community!
  
• I was a guest on more than a dozen radio shows and spoke to nearly two dozen classrooms and community organizations.
• I was fortunate to meet many amazing and supportive friends who greatly enrich my life!
  

And here are some of my goals for 2010:

• Publish the first Write On! Books anthology of work by young writers.
• Build partnerships with other literacy and youth organizations.
• Expand and improve the Write On! website. (Any suggestions? Let me know!)
• Complete my second novel manuscript.
• Enroll in an MFA program.
  
• Exercise three days a week.
• Learn to play the guitar.
• Do at least one act of kindness every day.
  

What are some of your goals? In what ways do you wish to improve your life or better yourself? What incredible things does 2010 hold for you?

Guest Post by Rajiv Khanna

Here are some a great tips sent in from my dear friend Rajiv, who has always been a huge supporter of Write On! Thanks, Rajiv!

One cannot overstate the importance of spending some quality alone time with yourself each day. Here are some things you may want to include in your routine:

1. Deep breathing: Take at least ten deep breaths. With each breath, fill in your lungs as completely as possible; then hold the breath as long as comfortably possible. Deep breathing helps to boost your energy level.

2. Affirmation of goals: Remind yourself of your writing, career, health, and life goals.

3. Visualization: Visualize yourself confidently working through your tasks/goals for the day.

4. Self affirmation: Remind yourself that:
* you have already achieved a lot in your life: you are, in fact, far ahead of the curve;
* you have the energy, the talent, and the drive to go after your goals;
* you are truly special and unique at the core of your being; and that core self is what truly defines you, not the specific outcomes of your life. Thus, a specific outcome may be failure at a given task; but that does not make you a failure: all that happened was that an action of yours failed. Never confuse you (your core self) with your specific thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

More information and insights can be found in the many books of Paul Hauck, specifically Overcoming the Rating Game: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Paul+Hauck&x=14&y=12

The Power of Words

No matter your political views, President Obama's inauguration speech today was a vivid reminder of the power of words to touch, move and unite people. His words inspired hope in my heart and a feeling of connection with strangers across not only our nation, but our world as a whole.

Not only are words powerful when said aloud to others -- the words we say to ourselves are also incredibly powerful, perhaps the most powerful of all. What words do you say to yourself? Do you lift yourself up, encourage yourself, push yourself to be better and learn and grow? Or do you beat yourself up, discourage your ideas before they get a chance to live, and destroy your dreams with negative thoughts?

What do you want from your life? How will you achieve those things? What words can you surround yourself with to fill your thoughts and speech and life with positivity?

It is also incredibly important to write down your dreams and goals. Hang them where you see them every day. Write down powerful mantras -- what about "Yes I Can!" -- for yourself.

Today was an exciting, empowering and hope-filled day for our nation. Extend that sense of optimism and courage to other aspects of your life -- today and every day.

Promises to Yourself

Whenever you begin a new chapter of your life -- a new school semester, a new job, a new year -- it is the perfect time to sit down and set some goals for yourself. What do you want to accomplish in the next six months? Where do you want to be? WHO do you want to be?

Also, make a list of promises to yourself. Promises to strive for health, balance, and happiness with every ounce of your being.

I read an apt quote by Annie Dillard the other day: "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."

How are you spending your days -- and, thus, your life? It can also apply to your thoughts. How we spend our thoughts is how we spend our lives, as well. How would your characterize your thoughts and self-talk? Are you building yourself up or bringing yourself down?

Here are some promises I am making to myself this upcoming school year. Maybe they'll work for you, too:

- I will surround myself with positivity.
- I will think positive, supportive thoughts about myself and my dreams.
- I will surround myself with nurturing, driven, creative, optimistic, intelligent people of integrity, who love me for who I am and yet also push and inspire me to be better.
- I will, as John Wooden says, "make friendship a fine art," and I will choose relationships that make me feel happy, fulfilled and whole.
- I will not get overwhelmed by everything I have to do -- by all the details and to-do lists of everyday life, as well as the enormity of my dreams -- but instead will seek confidence and support from all of the things I have done and learned thus far, with the support of those who love me.

Sending Postcards to Yourself

Sorry for the long time between posts ... I just returned to England from a three-week backpacking trip around Europe during our spring break from classes! I traveled with a couple friends through Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, and the Czech Republic, furiously jotting down notes in my journal all the while. So many new places, languages, cultures, fashions, people ... I felt like my writing muscle was on overdrive! With so much constant creative stimulation, it became exhausting to try to write down everything. Instead, I focused on soaking up the experiences and jotting down notes to myself to remind me of things -- notes that I can look back on and expand now that I am back in my dorm room in England.

Another helpful trick I found is to send postcards to yourself with notes anytime you travel anywhere. It's a great memory-booster to see a visual image of a place along with your own thoughts and remembrances. Not traveling anytime soon? Write a letter to your future self, filled with your goals and words of inspiration, and open it in a month or a year's time.

Happy New Year!

I feel like this at the beginning of every new year... a combination of disbelief that it's a new year already, a twinge of nostalgia for days gone by, and excitement and hope for the blank slate of the upcoming year!

I am a huge believer in the power of setting goals, and each new year I take time to review how far I've come in the past year, and to set new goals for the upcoming year.

Here are a few of my milestones in 2007:
* I studied abroad for a month this summer at Cambridge University, and was one of four USC students selected to study Creative Writing in England this spring at the University of East Anglia.
* I was promoted to Coordinator of the Young Writers Program at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference.
* I broke into a few new markets, including the Cup of Comfort series, The Daily Trojan USC student newspaper, and 805 magazine, and took on a new column each month for Listen magazine.
* I was honored as a Jim Murray Scholar for excellence in collegiate journalism.

And here are few of my goals for 2008:
* Find the right agent for my novel manuscript.
* Write at least one page a day, every single day.
* Start a literary journal at USC.
* Write and produce a play to raise money for my "Write On!" nonprofit endeavors.

I also have a goal of being more consistent and better about making entries in this blog ... sometimes I get so caught up in school and writing and busy with extracurricular commitments that I forget to take the time to blog about my experiences! But I really enjoy interacting with others this way and I am definitely going to try to be more proactive about taking five minutes every other day to jot down some of my thoughts.

What are your goals for 2008? I'd love to hear them. Also, while I know a new year is a time of optimism and hope, it can also be overwhelming. Remember to break your goals up into smaller, more manageable parts -- just taking small steps towards your goals each day really adds up. For example, I tell students who want to be writers to make a pact with themselves to write ten minutes -- that's all they need to do, just ten minutes at least -- each and every day. Believe me, the pages will add up more quickly than you could imagine! As the saying goes, slow and steady wins the race. I'd love to hear progress on your goals throughout the year -- and, if I can ever be of any help, either in the writing field or simply by offering some words of encouragement and support, please don't hesitate to contact me!

Here's to a masterpiece of a 2008!! :)