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What’s new this month?

September 10, 2018

Hi Conscious Writers!

I hope all’s well with you and that you’re enjoying a creatively inspired week so far.

I recently wrote a blog called “A Conscious Approach to Creative Growth and Development” and shared some of my realizations from the transition I made earlier this year relating to leading a Conscious Writing retreat at the Omega Institute.

At the end of the post I stated, “If things don’t work out for any reason, I’ll still have grown from the experience in preparation for whatever arises next. And that’s all fine with me.”

Walking Your Talk

Isn’t it fascinating how life so often provides you with the opportunity to “walk your talk” at ever deeper levels!

I’ve recently discovered that the retreat won’t be going ahead after all as the interest people have shown hasn’t translated into sufficient registrations to meet the official criteria for me to travel all the way from the UK.

So yes, initially I felt confused and disappointed by this outcome as I was very much looking forward to sharing this holistic experience with a whole new audience.

Divine Plan

However, I’m also in full acceptance of what “is” and totally trust the Divine Plan even though this part of it is still in the process of being revealed to me!

Remaining grounded in awareness and the perspective of infinity has opened up a whole new level of being that is revealing significant insights which I’m called to explore right now.

Ironically I feel completely on track despite this being an outcome I hadn’t anticipated, and I have no doubt that everything is working out for the highest good of all.

Conscious Writing, Living and Leadership

So I’m consciously choosing to use this gift of unexpected space to pause for a period of inner reflection, and after nearly 12 years of flowing from one new project to the next, the breathing space feels extremely welcome.

Naturally I’m continuing with the individual coaching and mentoring work I love, and as always at this time of year, I’m offering Individually Guided Retreats focused on Conscious Writing, Living and Leadership. Request an Information Pack here.

I’m also still very much looking forward to the Conscious Writing Retreat Reunion in November and delighted to share another wonderful interview with you on Content Marketing for Conscious Writers plus of course the feature article which I hope you’ll enjoy.

Beyond that… well, watch this space!

PS This “Welcome” note is reproduced from the latest issue of the monthly IACCW Journal. If you’re not receiving our newsletter regularly, register with your name and email address in the Start Here box at the top of this page.

Filed under: IACCW News — Julia @ 9:00 am

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5 Reasons to Write a Letter You Don’t Send

September 6, 2018

Free writing in a journal has played a significant role on and off for most of my life so I know just how beneficial it is for processing thoughts and feelings, clearing internal space, and more.

My personal experience led me to include Conscious Journaling in my professional work as one of the foundational practices of Conscious Writing.

Yet it wasn’t until relatively recently that I discovered a magnificent array of journal techniques to suit all types of people in all sorts of situations.

Journal Therapy

Kathleen (Kay) Adams is a psychotherapist who specializes in “helping people use personal writing – journals, diaries, poetry, memoirs, and stories – as a pathway to deeper self-understanding.”(*)

She calls this “journal therapy” which she defines as “the purposeful and intentional use of life-based writing to further [desired] outcomes.”(*) It’s an approach she’s been using professionally since 1985.

Her work was originally informed by Dr. James Pennebaker who conducted and published research on the relationship between emotional release writing and improved physiological and psychological functioning.

The Journal Ladder

In 1998, Adams combined a continuum of journal therapy techniques that she’d been using successfully with her patients into one model she called the Journal Ladder.

It presents 14 different journal writing options that range from highly structured to completely open in order to help people organize, pace and contain their writing.

The reality is that free writing doesn’t suit all situations, so the Journal Ladder enables everyone to enjoy the proven therapeutic benefits of journal writing and the boost it gives to creativity.

I love the way that writing serves such a broad spectrum of purposes and feel inspired to share some of these tools with you

To continue reading
click here

Filed under: Articles — Tags: conscious, conscious writing, creativity, journal, write, writing — Julia @ 11:13 am

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IACCW Member Event: Content Marketing for Conscious Writers

August 30, 2018

Julia McCutchen interviews Michelle Carvill

Once upon a time the publishing of content for a wide audience was in the domain of a few publishing houses, broadcasters and media moguls. Today, anyone can publish written, audio or video material, and share it with the world simply via their mobile phones.

Whether your objective is to get someone to read your book, subscribe to your blog, share your content with others or purchase something, you need to begin by asking and answering a few questions: what’s your objective, who are your audience, where are they, and how can you engage with them?

By the end of this talk you will understand:

How to make the most of the content you create and share on social media channels.
Why the concept of ‘You are what you share’ – is an important one.
How to think objectively about your goals and social media activity, and answer one key question before you begin.
The best way to put a strategy in place for creating fresh and purposeful content regularly.
The simple and effective model of Plan, Listen, Analyse to help you deliver on your specific objectives.
How blogging is a central and flexible vehicle to share your content and strengthen your visibility online.

Michelle Carvill is Founder of Carvill Creative – a marketing, social media and web agency founded in 2002 – and is co-author of The Business of Being Social. Michelle provides strategic marketing advice to clients covering both traditional and online marketing. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a fully qualified Chartered Marketer. For more information see www.carvillcreative.co.uk

FREE ACCESS on the Broadcast Date of
THURSDAY 6 SEPTEMBER

Our Events are FREE for all IACCW Members.
Join now to listen to this interview PLUS
ALL of the interviews from 2017 and 2018!

To read more and join
click here

Filed under: IACCW Events — Julia @ 9:02 am

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What’s new this month?

August 14, 2018

Hi Conscious Writers!

I hope your week is going well. Astonishingly, here we are in August already!

As the months pass with seemingly increasing speed, the unfolding dream of life gathers pace along with the development of our chosen creative projects – or not as the case may be?

In my case, over the last few weeks I’ve crossed another big threshold.

New Videos

I’ve followed through on my commitment to make some videos to share some of the content and my journey as I prepare for the Conscious Writing: Discover Your True Voice USA retreat.

I hope that you’ll check them out and enjoy watching them – see here.

Do please take a moment to make a comment as I’d truly love to know your reaction as I explore this new medium of video. Thanks in advance for doing so.

Time to Dive In

With regard to the retreat itself, it’s just a few short weeks away so if you’re still reflecting on whether to join us, now really is the time to dive in and book your place if this resonates with you at this time.

I know it’s a big commitment at every level.

However, the videos will give you a sense of what the retreat experience offers, this month’s Feature Article explains why Presence is one of our themes, and you can also read more about it generally by clicking here.

Writing and Publication

If you’re looking for inspiration to raise the bar on your commitment to writing regularly, this month’s IACCW Member interview with Judy Reeves on How to Make Every Day a Writing Day is definitely worth listening to. Click here to read more.

Finally, I’m delighted to share that IACCW Member Michelle Diener has recently published her first book called Lone Twin: A celebration of silver linings, sisterhood, and the cycles of life.

I’ll never forget the moment Michelle read a section of the manuscript out in the Open Mic session of the first ever Conscious Writing Retreat. It was such an indescribably powerful and moving experience for us all. Click here to read more.

Here’s to a wonderfully conscious and creative month!

Filed under: IACCW News — Julia @ 1:27 pm

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The Creative Power of Presence

August 13, 2018

“When you take your attention into the present moment, a certain alertness arises. You become more conscious of what’s around you, but also, strangely, a sense of presence that is both within and without.” Eckhart Tolle

Reading these words draws me ever more deeply into the Now.

It’s a subtle yet immensely significant shift to gather my focus whenever thoughts about projects and priorities gain momentum and lure me into infinite future possibilities.

Returning to the present moment feels blissfully like coming home to my Self, and when the alertness naturally re-surfaces, I’m able to re-establish presence as the sea in which I anchor my actions once more.

A State of Being

What feels so significant to me about this particular quote is the fact that Tolle directs your awareness to the sense of presence that is simultaneously within you and seemingly outside you too.

Ultimately there’s no difference between the two.

His words act as pointers to the realization that the state of presence is not just an intellectual concept; you can’t just think about being present and expect to experience the transformation in perspective it provides.

Presence is a state of being that you experience and feel (and increasingly Know at every level) through which the true nature of reality is revealed as the Source of all things – including you!

The Paradox of Presence

The paradox of presence is the inherent stillness that blends seamlessly with the spontaneous and eternal arising of the creative impulse of life itself.
That blend of tranquillity and “aliveness” is where you discover the true creative power of presence.

To continue reading
click here

Filed under: Articles — Julia @ 2:41 pm

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IACCW Member: First Book Celebration

Lone Twin: A celebration of silver linings, sisterhood, and the cycles of life

Michelle Diener

I’m delighted to share that IACCW Member Michelle Diener has recently published her first book called Lone Twin: A celebration of silver linings, sisterhood, and the cycles of life.

Huge congratulations to you Michelle for seeing it through to completion and I wish you every joy and success with your book and the next phase of your life as a published Conscious Writer!

********************************************

‘It’s hard to cry with sadness while you’re laughing with love’

This is the story of a much-loved young woman, who died much too early, and the way that she lived her life in the fullest way she knew, right until the very end…

It’s the story of a woman who looked for the lesson and the gift in every moment, and not only treasured it, but used it to create more.

It’s the story of what it’s like to be the sister of a woman who carried this off. It’s the story of how you get through it as an outsider, how you help, how you hinder, and how you come out the other side.

Living life with a sister with cancer was a challenging but enriching experience – it changed the way I live my life. I hope reading our story gives you something too.

To read more and buy your copy
click here

Filed under: Member News — Julia @ 2:38 pm

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IACCW Member Event: How To Make Every Day a Writing Day

August 2, 2018

Julia McCutchen interviews Judy Reeves

Every writer dreams of “getting away”, of finding a time and place where she can really focus on her writing. But what if “away” is a state of mind and that secret, hidden retreat is as near as your sofa or kitchen table or the café around the corner?

It’s called writing practice and it’s in creating such a practice that the novel or memoir or story will actually get written. Through writing practice, every day becomes a writing day. When you write on a daily basis your self-confidence increases. You explore what interests you; you’re free to make mistakes, to roam the far edges of your imagination, and in the practice, you become a better writer. You become a writer who writes.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

How to create a daily writing practice
Tips and techniques for finding time and creating space
How to get started (and how to keep going)
Why and how to use writing prompts
What stuck looks like and how to get unstuck
How to avoid the critic, the editor and the censor
What the 12 essential guidelines for writers are

Judy Reeves is a writer, teacher, and writing practice provocateur who has written four books on writing including A Writer’s Book of Days and Writing Alone, Writing Together. In addition to leading writing practice groups, Judy holds private workshops, teaches at University of California San Diego Extension; San Diego Writers, Ink; and writing conferences internationally. Visit her online at www.judyreeveswriter.com.

FREE ACCESS on the Broadcast Date of
THURSDAY 9 AUGUST

Our Events are FREE for all IACCW Members.
Join now to listen to this interview PLUS
ALL of the interviews from 2017 and 2018!

To read more and join
click here

Filed under: IACCW Events — Julia @ 9:13 am

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What’s new this month?

July 9, 2018

Hi Conscious Writers!

It’s been many years since we enjoyed such a hot, dry summer here in the UK.

It’s a welcome respite after the cold, wet winter that seemed endless at the time yet now lingers as a distant memory.

I love seeing the vegetables and flowers grow so rapidly (yep, plenty of watering required!) and feel deep gratitude for the opportunity to eat dinner outside and watch the ever-changing sunset skies.

Yet of course every season has its challenges.

Rhythms and Retreats

For many Conscious Writers, as summer progresses and the children break up from school it becomes increasingly tough to maintain the regular practice they’ve worked so hard to develop.

I recently wrote a blog on how to manage this skillfully by creating two (or more) different writing rhythms for the different phases of life (read it here).

The other recommendation I always make when you’re inspired to write is to give yourself the gift of a writing retreat to immerse yourself in the process away from everyday commitments at least once during any writing project.

Conscious Writing USA

Naturally I’m inspired to recommend a Conscious Writing Retreat for this purpose as they are quite different from anything I’ve come across in the sense that they are truly holistic and transformative experiences.

The original blend of components work harmoniously together to open up in participants the deep space of authentic truth that Conscious Writing is all about; then the clarity, insights and writing flow freely from there.

The next one is in the US at the amazing Omega Institute, Rhinebeck NY from 9-14 September and you’re invited! Read more here.

Conscious Writing UK

After that, you’ll be eligible to participate in the first Conscious Writing Retreat Reunion which will be taking place in Oxfordshire from 28 – 30 November and open to everyone who’s been to a retreat before.

This came about because a delightfully committed group of women from the 2017 retreat specifically asked for another one.

Inspired by their enthusiasm, it occurred to me to invite everyone from previous retreats to a reunion to reconnect, meet other Conscious Writing Retreaters and co-create a schedule that would meet everyone’s current priorities. Read more about the retreat reunion here.

With that said, I hope you enjoy this month’s excellent IACCW FREE Member interview on writing a successful book proposal and the feature article on The Importance of Internal Validation for Conscious Writers.

Here’s to a wonderfully conscious and creative month!

Filed under: IACCW News — Julia @ 9:00 am

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The Importance of Internal Validation for Conscious Writers

July 7, 2018

A few days ago I met up with a friend and colleague who’s just finished the first draft of the book she’s been working on for more than a year.

She was delighted to have completed the manuscript on time, and even more importantly, feels elated by the way it has turned out.

Having not written anything longer than articles and blog posts before, initially she wasn’t sure if she had what it takes to write a full length book.

Now she’s done so in a way that feels to her like “mission accomplished”, and whatever happens from this point on, nothing can take away her strong sense of creative achievement.

Internal Validation

In a recent post on The Creative Power of Deadlines, I shared my own experience of feeling an immense degree of internal validation when I completed the manuscript for my book Conscious Writing.

There’s nothing quite like the inner sense that you’ve created something from nothing in a way that’s delivered the deepest and most authentic expression of your message in the best way you’re able to at the time.

To continue reading
click here

Filed under: Articles — Tags: blog, book, conscious writing, creative, write, writing — Julia @ 10:00 am

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IACCW Member Event: How to Write a Highly Successful Book Proposal

June 28, 2018

Julia McCutchen interviews Lisa Tener

People often ask whether it’s still possible for a first time author to get a book deal with a major publisher. The answer is a resounding YES!

If you’ve read the books about book proposals but aren’t sure how to apply the specifics to your book, or if you wonder what’s going through an agent’s or publisher’s mind as they read each section of the proposal, look no further.

By the end of this interview you will understand:

5 secrets for 6-figure book deals
What agents and publishers really want to know
Everything you need to write a highly successful book proposal
How to think like an agent or publisher
The 3 biggest mistakes to avoid
The easiest, most effective and quickest ways to build your author platform

Author Expert and Award Winning Book Proposal Coach Lisa Tener specializes in helping experts, enlightened entrepreneurs and others write and publish a compelling how-to book, self-help book or memoir—taking them step-by-step through her unique process. She teaches on the faculty of Harvard Medical School’s CME publishing course, at national writing conferences, and in her own private book writing courses. She is a published author and creator of the Stevie Award winning Bring Your Book to Life Program. See www.lisatener.com

FREE ACCESS on the Broadcast Date of
THURSDAY 5 JULY

Our Events are FREE for all IACCW Members.
Join now to listen to this interview PLUS
ALL of the interviews from 2017 and 2018!

To read more and join
click here

Filed under: IACCW Events — Julia @ 9:58 am

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