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We are in a New Moon phase in Pisces which marks the beginning of a new cycle. Thus, I wanted to share some of the themes of this new moon with you, and some writing prompts to help you take advantage of it. 

We are in the first week of Pisces season, which may have you feeling a bit dreamy and emotional. For any of us writers, this could be a great thing. Something to take advantage of in our work. Put those dreamy, emotional, watery words onto the page. Don't worry if they seem weird or strange or uncomfortable; just play. Take the risk and have some fun.

And with risk comes faith. This is one of the positive energies of Pisces. Faith. Faith, as in taking a leap of faith. Also acceptance.  Accepting imperfections in ourselves. And to take this into your writing/creative practices, accept the imperfections in your work. Making mistakes is not a bad thing in art; in fact, it is a good thing, and sometimes, through those happy mistakes, you work even harder, and your art becomes even better. We learn from these so-called mistakes. So let go of being perfect, take a leap of faith, and allow yourself to be in the moment. When we accept our imperfections for what they are, part of our perfect imperfections, it sure is a lot easier to accept others' imperfections as well. 

Like with all new moons, this is a great time to set intentions. For your life. For your art. For your work. And this new moon might offer even more potent soil for your to plant those seeds. 

The themes of this new moon are commitment, connection, and love. 

LOVE. This is a great week to connect and attract love into our lives. Not just romantic love, but the love of friends, humanity, spirit, and the universe, and let us not forget the love for ourselves. 

And let's not forget the love for our creative endeavors. To find that knowing that you are in the right direction. To run with your idea. To put it all down on the page. Just go for it. But not from a place of trying, because we know that's your ego**, but instead, just do it—just work. Just write. Just create. Let it come from your heart. 

CONNECT. It is also a beautiful week to connect in a way that aligns your intentions with your heart. Take the love you can feel for yourself and express it out into the world through your intentions, actions, and your words.  

BALANCE. I have to love myself, is a great mantra indeed until you take it too far. Until you love yourself to the detriment of others or yourself. You overindulge in the name of self-love. I deserve this chocolate cake, massage, facial, first-class airline ticket, and pricey piece of jewelry I can’t exactly afford because this bad thing happened to me because he broke up with me. She disrespected me, so I deserve . . . or what about this: I finished writing this chapter, so I'm going to . . . 

It's great to give ourselves what we desire, but this week, you might want to try taking a moment before you do. Take a moment, a breath, a pause and determine if what you're about to do is practicing self-love or self-indulgence. In other words, before you reach for that piece of cake, call that person to complain, send that email, or book that facial, or whatever it is, first check in with your heart.  I have found that it is in that moment of pause, is where all the miracles in my life are born. 

And what about balance in our creative practices? When is it too much work and no downtime? If you take a moment and check in, you'll notice. You can feel when you're in the flow, and you keep going. You can feel when you're stuck, so maybe you loosen up, let go, take a walk, a bike ride, a spin class, read a book, or go to the library or the museum. Do something to create space in your body/mind, and soon you will be back in the flow zone. 

MINDFUL.  We always want to be mindful. Of course. But this week, look at the areas of your life where you feel stuck and a bit stubborn. 

Here are some writing prompts that might support you in tapping into the energy of this new moon. They might also support you in regard to any creative projects you're working on. So use them as they best suit you and I hope they support you.
  • Where in my life do I feel stuck? 
  • How can I overcome this feeling of being stuck?
  • Have I done all I can do? 
    • If the answer is yes, then ask for guidance. Maybe you need a little help from Source, spirit, the Universe, the Light, or whatever it is you believe. Often when we try to do things alone—without the support of the Universe (etc.)—we hit a wall.  When we shift from doing things alone to doing things with the support of a power greater than ourselves, asking for help, something shifts, the wall crumbles, we move forward . . .  as if by magic. 
  • How can I express love this week? For myself, others, and the world. How can I show up as love in the room? When you show up as love in the room, you can’t help but make a difference. 

You may feel more space in your body after completing these writing prompts. You may find that you are no longer feeling stuck in your creative endeavors, and you may also feel more connected to your heart. So, now is the perfect time to set intentions. To plant seeds in the rich fertile soil of your heart!  I invite you to do this in writing. It's a powerful exercise. 

Happy Planting. 
Happy Pisces New Moon

Write On, 
Carolyn


**  "The moment you stop trying to say something is the moment you'll have something to say. Trying is your ego. Letting go is your heart."  ~~ Carolyn Ziel
Did you know that I offer private editing and writing support? 

If you are ready for a little more, a person deep dive into your voice, reach out, I'm here for you!

Found Voices--Next Level Writing Support™


We begin the week of February 27th and run through the end of March. This five-week series will help you move your work forward and learn more about character development, creating imagistic scenes, narrative action, dialogue, commentary, and more. 

TWO CLASSES TO CHOOSE FROM
Only six seats available per class

Reserve your spot now.

To Register, please Email me and let me know which class you want to join.
Email me if you have questions and want to make sure Found Voices Next Level Writing Support is for you.

Choose from:
Mondays February 27th thru March 27th 3:30 pm -- 6:00pm PST
 Or
NEW CLASS ADDED: Wednesday's March 1st thru March 29th 2:00 pm -- 4:30 pm PST

This class is now closed: Tuesday, February 28th thru March 28th, 8:00 am — 10:30 am PST.


Found Voices™—Next Level Writing Support begins NEXT WEEK!!!
The week of February 27th and runs for five weeks. (Through the week of March 27th)

Class times:
Mondays: Afternoon 3:00 to 5:30 PM PST 
Tuesdays: 8:00 to 10:30 AM PST Class is Now Closed
Wednesday afternoon, 2:00 to 4:30 PM PST

For more information, visithttps://www.carolynziel.com/found-voices-writing-support
To reserve your seat and register, please email: carolyn@carolynziel.com 
Indicate which class and which time works best for you. 



Cost 350

Found Voices™—Next Level Writing Support
 
You've found your voice. You've been practicing, studying, and writing. Maybe you've written so much that you now have the makings of a short story, novel, book of poetry, memoir, or something else you might want to develop, and eventually, you want to see this project to completion.
 
Found Voices™—Next Level Writing Support is just what it claims: Next Level Writing Support. It is beyond just copy-editing. In this class, we focus on the larger structures of your work—character development, specific themes you might want to focus on, tone, narrative action, dialogue, and more. We'll consider where you are and where you want to go with your longer-form work. 

Here's what one of my students, Mia, had to say after completing the class:

“I’ve learned how to utilize the tools you taught me in your Jack Grapes Method Writing© classes and implement them into my writing and stories. I learned how to write a compelling dialogue that flows. How to develop characters. How to add dialogue to a text and make it more vivid. How to show, not tell. How to format my text on the page. I have gained confidence and lowered the expectations of my first draft. Just write and edit later!” ~~ Mia L.

When I teach Jack Grapes Method Writing©, I focus on process. I teach you how to become a better writer using specific tools and assignments; ultimately, you uncover your authentic voice. You learn how to affect the reader using tonal dynamics. I teach you how to paint pictures with words and create evocative scenes. 

Here's some of what you'll receive: 

  • Professional editing and mentoring.
  • Focus and accountability—easy steps to attain your writing goals.
  • Personal attention, guidance, support, and, if needed, assignments tailored to you and your specific project. 
  • Community. Receive support and insight from your fellow students. 


Each week, you'll receive guidance and editing support tailored to your project and needs. 
 
"I asked Carolyn Ziel to help me edit a writing project; she was thoughtful, insightful, knowledgable, patient, honest and kind, and always enthusiastic! Her clear voice was invaluable.” ~~ Charles S.

"I learned more from Carolyn doing ONE writing exercise with her than I have learned in 20-plus years of taking writing classes!”~~ Tamara M.

Carolyn Ziel is a writer and a teacher and has been leading writing workshops since 2010 and has been teaching Jack Grapes Method Writing© since 2018. She is a member of the Los Angeles Poets & Writers Collective and has studied with her mentor Jack Grapes since 2008. She has also studied with Ellen Bass, Pam Houston, Dorianne Laux, Joseph Millar, and Pam Houston.  Her work has appeared in such journals as Diverse Voices Quarterly, CRATE Literary Journal, Cultural WeeklyThe Los Angeles Review of Los AngelesEdgar Allen Poet, ONTHEBUS, and FR&D. She has published a collection of poetry as simple as that and has been a contributor to the Huffington Post & Thrive Global. For more information, please visit Carolyn at www.carolynziel.com 

Found Voices--Next Level Writing Support™.

The cost is 350 for the series.


Journals 

If you're anything like me, you get stuck in the journal section of Target. Well, this year, I decided to make my own. AND Stay tuned for a special journal sprinkled with wisdom from my teacher, Jack Grapes, coming soon. 

I made these journals on Canva. It was challenging and a lot of fun. I invite you to check them out
HERE and if you like them, purchase them as gifts or fun little journals for yourself.


 
Carolyn Ziel Writer Coach Teacher Guide
Carolyn Rothstein Ziel
Found Voices™ The Podcast
Carolyn Ziel
Email
Copyright © 2023 Carolyn Ziel, All rights reserved.


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