Susan Gabriel's Blog, page 20
March 17, 2014
Fearless Writing for Women ebook
http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com...
March 11, 2014
Every Time a Writer Writes an Angel Gets Their Wings
Remember the classic movie shown every holiday season starring Jimmy Stewart called It’s a Wonderful Life? I can’t imagine how many times I’ve watched that movie over the years. I’m old enough to remember when it was shown every Christmas on one of the three (and only three!) television channels. I always tear up during […]
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March 5, 2014
Why Must You Write and Live a Creative Life?
The following is a guest post by Wendy Manner, one of the fearless women who participated in my most recent Fearless Writing for Women workshops. She wrote the list below in response to a prompt I gave that was to create an argument for why you MUST write and live a creative life. I think you’ll […]
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February 26, 2014
Are You Living the Good Life?
I ran across this “Living Creed” at www.dailygood.org and wanted to share it with you. There’s so much about this that I love. My favorite phrases are : Life is a story. (Yes, of course you would expect that from me, right?) Presence, not presents. (I say this to my daughters every Christmas!) Another favorite is: Be fierce with […]
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February 18, 2014
The Journey, a Poem by Mary Oliver
I memorized this poem a couple of years ago and still speak it aloud sometimes when I’m on my walks by the river. A lot of you already know it, but it’s worth re-reading and pulling close. The Journey by Mary Oliver One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices […]
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January 8, 2014
New eBook Available: Fearless Writing for Women
January 2, 2014
New Fearless Writing for Women Workshops in January
For my readers who are in the Brevard, North Carolina area, the winter session of my Fearless Writing for Women workshops are starting next week!
This is some of the most rewarding work I do, so I’m looking forward to the next round.
Here’s the blurb.
Is 2014 the year that you start writing or take your writing to the next level? Is 2014 the year that you begin to live a more creative life?
Explore creative writing in a safe, structured environment with guided writing exercises, writing tips and optional feedback. The January Fearless Writing for Women workshops start next week so sign up now.
The Friday workshop begins January 10th from 1 – 3:00 p.m. and another on Saturday, January 11th from 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon. Both are limited to seven women on a first come, first served basis. They last 6 weeks.
Currently, I have one space available for the Friday workshop, and a handful left for the Saturday workshop. You can find more information here.
Please email me if you have any questions or would like to reserve your space and pay by cash or check. You can find all the information and register by credit card at http://www.susangabriel.com/workshops/
With every good wish,
Susan
P.S. Here is what some of the participants said after being in the Fall 2013 workshop:
“I knew I wanted to write, but it was not a priority in my life – even though I wanted it to be. The Fearless Writing for Women workshop brought the writer in me back to the forefront of my life. I really appreciated the camaraderie of the group and the encouragement that flowed from them. Susan has brought my writing life back to me!” – Susan Burnside
“I have done a lot of writing but have never been sure how good, creative, interesting, etc. my work is for others. I had never taken a writing class before and I wanted to learn more about creative writing. I really appreciate that the two hours were well structured and we stuck to the schedule. I have written more creative and whimsical pieces which I never would have done on my own. I would highly recommend this class: it is a safe place to share your writing and you can get great ideas by listening to the stories other women write.” – Gerrie Kiley
“Initially I was hesitant to share my writing with other people. It’s a very personal thing to do, however the members of the group bonded immediately. I appreciate the kindness with which Susan gave direction, as well as the humor and thoughtfulness in the assignments. Susan also gave very helpful tips at each step of the process. I am now writing with passion and purpose and without constraint. It’s the best money I’ve ever spent on myself. I will be forever grateful to Susan for all she has given me and I will continue to seek her out for help as I continue on my writing journey. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried and we’ve touched each others’ souls.” - Susan Evans
“I am so glad I met Susan, and did this workshop. Susan is so encouraging, which has helped me tremendously. I absolutely loved the group. Even though we started this as complete strangers, it feels like we’ve known each other for a long time. I’ve never been a part of anything like this. I do feel like it is making me more confident in my writing. I have been working on a story for a while now, and I go back and forth thinking it is not worth finishing, not worth fooling with. After being in this workshop, I am starting to think it might see the light of day after all.” - Christie Merrill
P. P. S. If you are interested in the Fearless Writing for Women workshops, but aren’t local or otherwise can’t take one right now, please email me at susan@susangabriel.com to be on a waiting list for my home study program, when it is available.
December 23, 2013
Christmas Sparrow by Billy Collins
Christmas Sparrow
by Billy Collins
The first thing I heard this morning
was a rapid flapping sound, soft, insistent—
wings against glass as it turned out
downstairs when I saw the small bird
rioting in the frame of a high window,
trying to hurl itself through
the enigma of glass into the spacious light.
Then a noise in the throat of the cat
who was hunkered on the rug
told me how the bird had gotten inside,
carried in the cold night
through the flap of a basement door,
and later released from the soft grip of teeth.
On a chair, I trapped its pulsations
in a shirt and got it to the door,
so weightless it seemed
to have vanished into the nest of cloth.
But outside, when I uncupped my hands,
it burst into its element,
dipping over the dormant garden
in a spasm of wingbeats
then disappeared over a row of tall hemlocks.
For the rest of the day,
I could feel its wild thrumming
against my palms as I wondered about
the hours it must have spent
pent in the shadows of that room,
hidden in the spiky branches
of our decorated tree, breathing there
among the metallic angels, ceramic apples, stars of yarn,
its eyes open, like mine as I lie in bed tonight
picturing this rare, lucky sparrow
tucked into a holly bush now,
a light snow tumbling through the windless dark.
–from his latest poetry collection, Aimless Love, 2012.
This is a wonderful poem to help get you in the mood for perhaps a more natural Christmas. May we all “burst into [our] element” this holiday season.
P.S. Well, I had every intention of taking two weeks off from blogging, but I found this and wanted to share it with you. I will renew my intention. Safe journey. xo
Author website & books: www.susangabriel.com
December 17, 2013
A Holiday Message
These photos were taken in Alberta, Canada, by Tanja Askani. The deer and the rabbit are friends. Here are a few more:
Wishing you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! I’m taking a couple of weeks off from blogging, but plan to see you in the New Year. Big things planned for 2014!
I appreciate you. May your holidays include a twinkle, a few jingles, lots of laughter and a pleasant surprise or two. xo
_________
Author website & books: www.susangabriel.com
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December 10, 2013
New and Fresh: AGAVE Literary and Art Magazine
If you are a soulful writer/artist type–if you read this blog you probably are–check this out. A great new literary/art magazine has just begun called AGAVE Magazine. Ariana Lyriotakis is Editor-in-Chief.
The images are amazing (the one below is one of them), and the poems and stories are top notch. It has a southwest flavor, which I love. Plus, every poet talks about their creative process in a section below their work. This magazine is worth reading just for that alone. It is a magazine that truly honors the work of artists, writers and poets and displays the work in a thoughtful and beautiful way.
You can read their first issue online. It is free, by the way, and they are also looking for submissions. Go here to check it out.
P.S. As always, let me know what you think. xo
———-
Author website & books: www.susangabriel.com
To get my newsletter and periodic blog posts via email, sign up here.
