How to Choose the Word of the Day / Guest Blog /Writers’ Retreat in France
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| Happy Friday!People ask me how best to choose the Word of the Day. Here are three ways to find it, depending on what you use this thinking tool for. Always begin by Gathering, followed by a Self-Hug and the invocation.1. When you wake up in the morning, hug yourself and tell yourself, “I love you (add your name); we’ll always be together; we’ll always be safe.” Take a breath, grab your notebook, draw a circle, or use the one in the Word of the Day book. Take a breath, and let your mind go blank. Use the first word that comes in, however silly or weird.2. Keep a dictionary near, and if you draw a blank, open it randomly and put your finger on the first word you see.3. Choose a word that describes a problem to be solved, any concern, or whatever you’re working on. This is a powerful technique to use anytime you need to collect your thoughts or brainstorm about a project or a concern.Beth agreed to write a guest blog about her experience for this newsletter, and as you read, you’ll see a great way to use the Word of the Day Practice for problem-solving. The Word of the Day in Life and in My WritingBy Beth PriceMy day had been busy until I met with Marilyn last Friday, and I felt rushed and stressed. Worries and problems were coming at me one after the other, and the to-do list was getting longer and longer.But instead of getting right into our “business” of the meeting, Marilyn suggested we do a Word of the Day Practice before we started. After she mentioned doing the Practice, I let out a breath that I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding, and I already felt better. Because I’ve done the WOTD method for quite some time now, I knew that doing a cluster and giving myself the time and my mind the opportunity to reveal something that needed to be divulged would only help me through the rest of my day.A little background: I’ve been dealing with a ton of stress with serious health issues in my family, frustrations with business dealings, day-to-day stressors, and, you know, just life. And that particular morning, I had just got word that my best friend had been in a serious car accident. At the time of the meeting, I still had not got word on the results of her scans and didn’t know if she was all right. I felt like I’d been knocked sideways.  So, after some deep breaths and a self-hug, Marilyn set the timer, and I drew my first circle. I wasn’t surprised that WORRY was the first word that came to mind. And off that circle came, you guessed it, a long list of worries: my friend, my parents, my in-laws, work, my kids, and then came rollercoaster, productivity, and not laughing. And finally, good and bad.  I chose “Good and Bad” as my conflict word to explore. Marilyn set the timer again. I had the words from the circle with Good and Bad: opportunities, organized, roll with it, time, and life. I looked at my clusters for a minute, and I smiled. I just felt better. The weight I had been carrying all day just lifted. I had to remind myself that life is a “rollercoaster” and that there will be ups and downs. I needed to give myself some grace.Additionally, I relearned that not all stress is bad. But worry is always bad. My business dealings and work are going very well. My writing and productivity are improving, I’m more organized, and while I worry about meeting my goals each week and then beat myself up when I don’t (I need more work on this), I’m doing better.And I applied this to my writing! I’m about three chapters away from completing the first draft of my novel. I know my main character needs more depth, and I’ll work on this in the rewrite. Her worry list is far more serious than my own! I did a cluster for my lead and discovered insights on better conveying the challenges she faces to my readers.The rest of the day went smoothly. I conquered the to-do list, I had a breakthrough for my book, and the best news was my friend was okay—bruised and battered but no serious injury! Win A Chance To Spend A Week In The South of France Here’s an exciting opportunity to attend a writers’ retreat in the South of France. My former, talented, and wonderful student, Kate Fitzgerald, is offering it. Her wife has just completed a book. To enter, order the book by March 11-I’ve already ordered mine! If you have questions, please email Kate directly at katefitzgerald@gmail.com and visit her website here .  Introduction to the Word of the Day Webinar Our next Webinar, an introduction to the Word of the Day Practice, will be held on Tuesday, March 12 at 1:00 pm EST. I will demonstrate how to do the Practice, and the first person to sign up will receive a free PDF of the Word of the Day book. Here’s to your successful writing, Professor Marilyn Horowitz |
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| An Introduction to the Word of the Day If you’ve haven’t tried the Word of the Day Practice, now is the perfect time! On Tuesday, March 12 I’m offering a FREE introductory webinar. Start from the beginning and see how my writing method can transform your writing and change your life! Register here. (The first person to sign up gets a FREE PDF copy of the book!) ContestsFilmmatic Drama Screenplay Awards. The regular deadline is March 31. This contest is open to features and shorts. Click here.Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting. The regular deadline is April 1.Submit your feature length screenplay and win a writing fellowship worth up to $35,000. To enter, click here.Emerging Screenwriters Sci-fi and Fantasy Competition. The final deadline is March 21. This contest is seeking entries in the feature and TV Pilot categories. Cash and other prizes will be awarded. Enter here. |
Here’s to your successful writing, Professor Marilyn Horowitz |
