Julia Stilchen's Blog, page 2
September 7, 2014
Teapot Tales: Pirates, Mermaids and Monsters of the Sea Book Trailer
Teapot Tales Volume 2 was recently published by Melusine Muse Press. The book, edited by the awesome editor, Rebecca Fyfe, is an anthology of short stories and poetry collected from members of the Chapter Book Challenge. Tales of pirates, mermaids and sea monsters. My short story, Escape at Hellion's Sea, is among the list.
Check out the new book trailer!
The book is available on amazon.com for kindle and paperback!
To buy in the US:
To buy in the UK:
To buy in the AU: Kindle
Check out the new book trailer!
The book is available on amazon.com for kindle and paperback!
To buy in the US:
To buy in the UK:
To buy in the AU: Kindle
May 25, 2014
May 3, 2014
The Way of the Writer: Finding Your Zen
As a writer, I know all too well experiencing the stress and worries along the path of the writer's journey. There are times that I wish I could find a shortcut or fast forward to the bits of life where I really want to be in my writing career. Yet, there is a deep knowing that, it is during the process - in the moment of this journey that I also enjoy and end up reminding myself to just slow down and take it day by day. It is not a race. There is no deadline that I need to beat. What I really need to beat are all the invading thoughts that are not worth my time during this journey.
I step back and question my motives for writing. Why do I write? Why do I put so much of my time and effort with hardly there being much reward or much to show. I have spent nearly five years of just studying the craft of writing. Taking numerous of courses, workshops, seminars, and collected many writing references along the way, I mean, it has pretty much been my personal obsession of obtaining all there is to know to ripen my writer's skills. I have taken the time and effort to realize where are my strengths and weaknesses and do everything I can to strengthen those areas that need it.
Now days, I am in the writing zone, if you will. I can't stop writing. I find myself wanting to write every single day. I'm even surprised because while I was in the phase of studying, I had found it hard to write as often, even though I have always had this passion, I didn't feel I was yet ready to write. At the same time, it felt as though I was holding much of my thoughts back. Now, I have this obsession to write all the time and if I don't, it irks me like a writer's itch that needs to be scratched.
I have been able to tap into what I feel is the writer's zone, but this post is not entirely about tapping into that zone. That is for another post. I really wanted to focus on, first, how a writer should harness their ability to find the writer's zen. When you find your writer's zen, you can find yourself in the zone more often. I think of the writer's zen similar to what you find in martial arts, you don't just jump into black belt from white. Everyone goes at different paces. You practice and learn to meditate. Learn the basics technique of stances and finding balance. In a lot of ways, the writer's zen can be harnessed similarly.
Finding the writer's zen is crucial. With all the chaos that we face each day. Busy life. Whether it be work, family life, personal road blocks - everyday has its own challenges and tasks. When you want to write or find the time writing, a lot of us encounter thoughts that can create detours and blocks in the road during our journey of being a writer. A lot of them can cause setbacks.
First of all, as writers we should know that writing is an action. But at the same time, writing cannot be forced. Lets pretend you are jogging down the writer's path. Picture yourself actually jogging. Now, picture yourself walking and then come to a pause. Imagine you are on a hiking trail on a sunny day. The cool breeze brushing up against your skin and the smell of wildflowers and birds chirping...relax.
Find the time to relax. The writer's path isn't about the speed but about the pace and timing and finding moments in life to give yourself opportunities to engage in the very things that relax you. And take the time to address all the thoughts that may consume your mind in how you feel as a writer.
Imagine the mind as a garden. If you are going to plant seeds that will produce the best quality, you don't want any weeds around or pests. Negative thoughts are those very things and are not helpful. You know the ones. The thoughts that tell you all the reasons why this is so hard or the what-ifs. Stop listening to those thoughts and refocus your mind on the passion that is there.
I get a lot of joy from writing. It feels so good. And like many other areas in life, whether it be learning to draw or learning to play a musical instrument, we all start from somewhere to begin. We go through all the stages before we master a skill. It takes time. Be patient with yourself and be realistic. Do not set high expectations on yourself that are so unrealistic that no one could even achieve. Approaching a writing goals, you must have patience and determination.
Any time you encounter any negative thoughts, no matter where it is coming from, even ones that may be coming from people you know or even people you don't know - do not put your energy and focus on such thoughts. Know when to let go and what thoughts to hold on to. Does it serve any purpose towards your writing goals? No? Bye-bye. It is as easy as that as long as you can have enough awareness and recognize that you have control over which thoughts you will allow to produce, maintain and grow.
One of my favorite quotes is:
“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.”--Gandhi
This is so true. So soon as any negative thoughts surfaces or enters your mind, learn to quiet those thoughts by turning them off and replace them with positive thoughts. Learning this a skill its self. Ignore those thoughts. They do nothing except aid in becoming part of the writer's block.
So finding your writer's zen is learning to quiet the mind. Find a quiet place that relaxes you. Find time during each day to have gratitude for life and for this moment. Find the time to listen to your heart and silent those negative thoughts. Concentrate on breathing in and out. Deep breathes. Be forgiving to yourself when you make writer mistakes. We all do them. But don't beat yourself up over them. Recognize them and learn from it and move on.
Finding the writer's zen is about slowing down, silencing negative thoughts that serve you no purpose in your writing goals and career, quiet your mind and zoning into your own inner self and peace. Who you are and listen to life around you. Remind yourself the joy you feel when you write and replace every negative thought with its exact opposite.
Example:
Negative thought - "I'm not good at this."
Positive thought - "I am good at this."
Believe in yourself. If it takes some convincing, just know that everyone is at different stages. Do not compare yourself with others. You are where you are at and it is a process. We are our own barrier to how far we allow ourselves to go. Don't hold yourself back because of thoughts.
Thoughts can be either weeds or fruitful trees that we plant in the soil of our mind. What you choose to believe starts out as a tiny seed and what you put focus and energy on, like watering a plant, only aids in its growth. Pay attention to what you allow to seed in your mind. Regardless of how far along you are on the path of writing. Remember, the journey its self is important. It isn't about racing to the finish line. It is having presence each day, finding time to write, finding time to relax and clear the mind of any debilitating thoughts.
You can choose to go down the writer's path holding yourself back or you can choose to take it day by day and focus on positive thoughts that lead to actions that lead to results. Whack those negative thoughts before they start growing fully into becoming trees that bare no fruit of the which your dreams are not made of.
Stay the course and listen to your heart. Don't hold yourself back. Set realistic goals and enjoy the journey. Giver yourself permission to relax and write.
I step back and question my motives for writing. Why do I write? Why do I put so much of my time and effort with hardly there being much reward or much to show. I have spent nearly five years of just studying the craft of writing. Taking numerous of courses, workshops, seminars, and collected many writing references along the way, I mean, it has pretty much been my personal obsession of obtaining all there is to know to ripen my writer's skills. I have taken the time and effort to realize where are my strengths and weaknesses and do everything I can to strengthen those areas that need it.
Now days, I am in the writing zone, if you will. I can't stop writing. I find myself wanting to write every single day. I'm even surprised because while I was in the phase of studying, I had found it hard to write as often, even though I have always had this passion, I didn't feel I was yet ready to write. At the same time, it felt as though I was holding much of my thoughts back. Now, I have this obsession to write all the time and if I don't, it irks me like a writer's itch that needs to be scratched.
I have been able to tap into what I feel is the writer's zone, but this post is not entirely about tapping into that zone. That is for another post. I really wanted to focus on, first, how a writer should harness their ability to find the writer's zen. When you find your writer's zen, you can find yourself in the zone more often. I think of the writer's zen similar to what you find in martial arts, you don't just jump into black belt from white. Everyone goes at different paces. You practice and learn to meditate. Learn the basics technique of stances and finding balance. In a lot of ways, the writer's zen can be harnessed similarly.
Finding the writer's zen is crucial. With all the chaos that we face each day. Busy life. Whether it be work, family life, personal road blocks - everyday has its own challenges and tasks. When you want to write or find the time writing, a lot of us encounter thoughts that can create detours and blocks in the road during our journey of being a writer. A lot of them can cause setbacks.
First of all, as writers we should know that writing is an action. But at the same time, writing cannot be forced. Lets pretend you are jogging down the writer's path. Picture yourself actually jogging. Now, picture yourself walking and then come to a pause. Imagine you are on a hiking trail on a sunny day. The cool breeze brushing up against your skin and the smell of wildflowers and birds chirping...relax.
Find the time to relax. The writer's path isn't about the speed but about the pace and timing and finding moments in life to give yourself opportunities to engage in the very things that relax you. And take the time to address all the thoughts that may consume your mind in how you feel as a writer.
Imagine the mind as a garden. If you are going to plant seeds that will produce the best quality, you don't want any weeds around or pests. Negative thoughts are those very things and are not helpful. You know the ones. The thoughts that tell you all the reasons why this is so hard or the what-ifs. Stop listening to those thoughts and refocus your mind on the passion that is there.
I get a lot of joy from writing. It feels so good. And like many other areas in life, whether it be learning to draw or learning to play a musical instrument, we all start from somewhere to begin. We go through all the stages before we master a skill. It takes time. Be patient with yourself and be realistic. Do not set high expectations on yourself that are so unrealistic that no one could even achieve. Approaching a writing goals, you must have patience and determination.
Any time you encounter any negative thoughts, no matter where it is coming from, even ones that may be coming from people you know or even people you don't know - do not put your energy and focus on such thoughts. Know when to let go and what thoughts to hold on to. Does it serve any purpose towards your writing goals? No? Bye-bye. It is as easy as that as long as you can have enough awareness and recognize that you have control over which thoughts you will allow to produce, maintain and grow.
One of my favorite quotes is:
“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.”--Gandhi
This is so true. So soon as any negative thoughts surfaces or enters your mind, learn to quiet those thoughts by turning them off and replace them with positive thoughts. Learning this a skill its self. Ignore those thoughts. They do nothing except aid in becoming part of the writer's block.
So finding your writer's zen is learning to quiet the mind. Find a quiet place that relaxes you. Find time during each day to have gratitude for life and for this moment. Find the time to listen to your heart and silent those negative thoughts. Concentrate on breathing in and out. Deep breathes. Be forgiving to yourself when you make writer mistakes. We all do them. But don't beat yourself up over them. Recognize them and learn from it and move on.
Finding the writer's zen is about slowing down, silencing negative thoughts that serve you no purpose in your writing goals and career, quiet your mind and zoning into your own inner self and peace. Who you are and listen to life around you. Remind yourself the joy you feel when you write and replace every negative thought with its exact opposite.
Example:
Negative thought - "I'm not good at this."
Positive thought - "I am good at this."
Believe in yourself. If it takes some convincing, just know that everyone is at different stages. Do not compare yourself with others. You are where you are at and it is a process. We are our own barrier to how far we allow ourselves to go. Don't hold yourself back because of thoughts.
Thoughts can be either weeds or fruitful trees that we plant in the soil of our mind. What you choose to believe starts out as a tiny seed and what you put focus and energy on, like watering a plant, only aids in its growth. Pay attention to what you allow to seed in your mind. Regardless of how far along you are on the path of writing. Remember, the journey its self is important. It isn't about racing to the finish line. It is having presence each day, finding time to write, finding time to relax and clear the mind of any debilitating thoughts.
You can choose to go down the writer's path holding yourself back or you can choose to take it day by day and focus on positive thoughts that lead to actions that lead to results. Whack those negative thoughts before they start growing fully into becoming trees that bare no fruit of the which your dreams are not made of.
Stay the course and listen to your heart. Don't hold yourself back. Set realistic goals and enjoy the journey. Giver yourself permission to relax and write.
May 2, 2014
A New Children's Writing Course: The Pleasures and Craft of Poetic Techniques
I have taken several writing courses through the Children’s Book Academy and have absolutely loved and enjoyed the materials, meeting other writers and illustrators, and learning a great deal on improving my writing as well as my understanding of the craft and the publishing industry.
Dr. Mira Reisberg, the founder of CBA and literary agent, is running a new course, “The Pleasures and Craft of Poetic Techniques. She is giving special discounts up till May 5th.
If you have a love for writing and especially desire to refine, improve and learn more about Poetic Techniques, this is the course to take. In fact, probably the only online course out there regarding this specific area.
I urge you to at least stop by this link and read all what is offered and if it fits your goals of a writer, sign up! And while you are there, check out any of her other courses!
Children's Book Academy
Dr. Mira Reisberg, the founder of CBA and literary agent, is running a new course, “The Pleasures and Craft of Poetic Techniques. She is giving special discounts up till May 5th.
If you have a love for writing and especially desire to refine, improve and learn more about Poetic Techniques, this is the course to take. In fact, probably the only online course out there regarding this specific area.
I urge you to at least stop by this link and read all what is offered and if it fits your goals of a writer, sign up! And while you are there, check out any of her other courses!
Children's Book Academy
April 23, 2014
Reactable
I was doing some music searching while working on my novel and came across a new music system called reactable. I'm completely intrigued by it because of it's interactivity.
It is an electronic musical instrument where you can explore music in an engaging way. My first thought, seems almost like playing a video game except, there's so much more going on where you interact with various objects to create the different sounds.
I can see this expanding on so many other levels like, for children playing music and especially children with special needs. Maybe some kind of educational interactive table could incorporate learning in such a hands on way that is also visual using 3D objects instead of being limited to a 2D screen.
It is an electronic musical instrument where you can explore music in an engaging way. My first thought, seems almost like playing a video game except, there's so much more going on where you interact with various objects to create the different sounds.
I can see this expanding on so many other levels like, for children playing music and especially children with special needs. Maybe some kind of educational interactive table could incorporate learning in such a hands on way that is also visual using 3D objects instead of being limited to a 2D screen.
April 19, 2014
Mad Bunnies
Since it is Easter, I wanted to share what one of the creatures are like in Fablelands:
The Mad Bunnies
I have drawn a quick sketch, please see below:
Ok, these are not your regular, cute bwaunies. They are adorable at first. You wouldn't want to pet them. They do bite. Their eyes glow red and they make a really strange vibrating sound when they are pissed off. I swear it almost sounds like they are laughing. They have white fur that shimmer in the moonlight.
They live at the bases of trees where they like to dig holes beneath. I believe they enjoy eating poison mushrooms. That would explain why they are a bit on the mad side. Their bites are known to be leathal because of the poison lingering in their mouths. If a person is infected by one of these suckers, the reaction of such a bite result with something kind of like rabies in your dimension.
So, that it's for today.
Btw...Happy Easter!
:)
Visit back again for updates.
The Mad Bunnies
I have drawn a quick sketch, please see below:
Ok, these are not your regular, cute bwaunies. They are adorable at first. You wouldn't want to pet them. They do bite. Their eyes glow red and they make a really strange vibrating sound when they are pissed off. I swear it almost sounds like they are laughing. They have white fur that shimmer in the moonlight.
They live at the bases of trees where they like to dig holes beneath. I believe they enjoy eating poison mushrooms. That would explain why they are a bit on the mad side. Their bites are known to be leathal because of the poison lingering in their mouths. If a person is infected by one of these suckers, the reaction of such a bite result with something kind of like rabies in your dimension.
So, that it's for today.
Btw...Happy Easter!
:)
Visit back again for updates.
April 16, 2014
Free webinar on Twitter for Children's Book writers and illustrators!
There’s a free webinar that will be starting at 6pm Pacific time. I urge all children’s book writers and illustrators who want to learn how to utilize twitter to build your platform as well as keep current with the industry, head on over to this link:
Register Here!
And register for your spot while there is still time! See you there! ;)
Register Here!
And register for your spot while there is still time! See you there! ;)
