I'll post pictures as I create each journal.
Happy journaling!
Karen
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I've decided to use some composition notebooks to make different journals. I am so scattered and need to get more organized. I plan to use these topics as tabs in my books. I'll post pictures as I create each journal. Happy journaling! Karen Some of you may be asking, "But that is a lot of journals to carry around!" Well, I solved this problem by carrying just a very small composition book and notecards in my purse. I can jot notes on these throughout the day and then paste them into my journals when I get home. You can also use Post-It notes.
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I recently heard about this project based out of Brooklyn, N.Y. It is a traveling art show (basically). You order a sketchbook from them and fill it up however you wish - with sketches, photography, mixed media, etc. Then you send it to them and they include it in a traveling book tour that spans the world. Your book will ultimately be kept in a library.
While they send you the sketchbook - it is small (5x7), - you can do whatever you want to it. You can rip out all the pages and add your own, rebind it however you want, etc. It sounds interesting, and I think I may try it. Each book has a theme, and you can choose what theme you want your book to be. The choices for 2014 are Strange Neighbors / Borders and lines / A simple place / Accidents / Found! / Dudes and latitudes / To the last page! / First aid kit / Say words out loud / Paper airplanes / This list... / Atlas of... / Greetings from… / 32 Days / This is not about you / This is not about me / You can find out more details and order your sketchbook here. Join The Storytellers on Facebook for more on writing life stories.... Happy sketching! Karen An Interview with Alex Procho, author of Tales of the Brooklyn Hobo (photo taken in 1989) Where are you from? I was born in Brooklyn New York, but I lived in Woodridge, New York from age 1 to 10. I consider Woodridge my birthplace and home. What inspired you to write your book? All the people I told my stories to insisted I write a book. After the reception I got from them, I realized I had to write a book - for myself and others. Do you work with an outline, or just write? No outline. I just wrote according to how I felt at that moment - when I felt inspired. A Zen thing. If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel that you would change? I wouldn't change anything, but certainly add many things. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? I like Bookshelves of Your Mind because I add some of my philosophy at the time I was writing. And as years go by it might change a little thru experience. Also the Oregon Bound chapter because it was such a unique experience of ups and downs How did you come up with the title? My freight train experience and my travels reminded me of the famous hobos of the past, and of that feeling of not wanting to settle down. At 15 years old I read a book, The Social Construction of Reality. I realized I could live life on my terms. I am free in my own pursuits. That is what the hobo represents. He's not just a bum. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? Maybe add to the experiences of feelings I got from drugs and alcohol, what the feelings were like with withdrawal, detoxes and rehabs. What was the hardest part of writing your book? Getting into a flow of thoughts and feelings, most importantly the experiencing of the pain again and the witnessing of my past subjectively and objectively, and accepting it and continue writing. Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? Most importantly to not let your emotions run the show, and being aware of your beliefs and willingness to change them if necessary - minus the ego and emotions Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme you’d love to work with? More of my eastern philosophical experiences, with the heaven and hells in my mind idea. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? That spirituality and enjoying the fullness of life without alcohol and drugs is possible with an open mind. You don't necessarily have to follow others, listen and watch and be yourself. And by all means, take risks; don't let fear control you. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers? My best writing came when I didn't force myself but rather when thoughts and feelings were spontaneous in the moment (sometimes with the help from outside influences). When thoughts and feelings are in sync, they rise. Go with the flow. Worry about the numerical order of things later. What books have most influenced your life most?
What book are you reading now? The Heart Of The Buddha's Awakening, and No Fear, No Death by Thich Nhat Hanh. Do you have any advice for other authors? Read, read, read. Fixed thoughts and ideas will keep you close minded. Diversify what you read - spiritual, philosophy, psychology, and the great authors. Take literature classes. Expose yourself. The more you learn not to be stuck, you unlearn. With meditation also you can free your mind, then you become limitless. When the thoughts and feelings flow, keep going. You can edit later. Thoughts come and go, like clouds. They're easy to lose. Let go. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? I learned that a good photographer can sit down anywhere and create a good picture. That takes an open mind, and learning to be in the moment and then creating. There's no boundaries, no fear. Risk it…that is Zen. Read about it. It will change you from staying stuck. That is what fun and happiness is. Spontaneity? Creativity is letting go. Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series? I'm trying to find a theme, maybe to progress to the future, where I am today and envision my Utopian future. I will never give up on letting go of the past and create new possibilities for myself and others. I mean the reason we are here is to share, they say, whom ever they are. There's a novel in every man. I want to share my greatest spiritual moments and visions for a greater awakening. Giving is the greatest gift. You've got to give what you've got to get what you need. Where and when do you prefer to do your writing? In nature, which clears my mind. The ocean, mountains, and rivers. Otherwise it becomes the spontaneity of the moment. And that is where my night flights come in. In the deep of the night, whenever the moment is right. I don't force it. What are your pet peeves?
If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you? Alan Watts, Pema Chödrön and Carly Simon Where is one place in the world that you would really love to visit someday? I am a botanist. Therefore the Amazon. The people and the plants and trees. What is one of your favorite quotes ? There are 3.
Tell us three books you just recently read and would recommend
What are 3 of your favorite movies
Tales of the Brooklyn Hobo is a haunting and engaging tale of the adventures of a Brooklyn man who sets out to explore the country and finds heartache, wonder, and a new sense of self in the Age of Aquarius. Tales of the Brooklyn Hobo chronicles Alex’s adventures as he hops a freight train in Nebraska, is harassed by the federales in Mexico, has a gun pulled on him by a tearful Oregonian cowboy, encounters God while tripping on LSD at Woodstock, and finds love in all the wrong places. Intermixed in the narrative of the past are journal entries (called Night Flights), which address the author’s struggle with Bipolar Disorder and drug addiction. A native of Brooklyn, NY, Alex has traveled the country extensively in his quest for truth and identity. He has battled addictions - his own and the people around him - for as far back as he can recall. Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, Alex reveals with candor and humor how the disorder has affected his life. He also gives his audience a glimpse into his battle to come to terms with his addiction to pain pills and alcohol. You can purchase the print or Kindle version here. English teachers often move into Creative Writing activities this time of year. I have several great workbooks for teachers to use with their middle and high school students. They are available in print and ebook form. The digital edition is perfect for projecting on the screen or Smart Board for whole class viewing. The print version can be used to photocopy individual pages or have students order their own copy for use in class.
This series includes characters, settings, and conflicts suitable for a fantasy/sci-fi story. Coming Soon: Christian Stories Series (teaching values and morals). This activity works well as an individual project, but is more fun if done with a partner or a group. Alternative use: Set up a Basket Story learning center. There are three sets of cards here: characters, settings, conflicts. Each set has 12 cards. You can use a plastic bag, an envelope, a box, or a basket for each group. Print out a packet of three sets for each basket. The number of baskets you make up depends on the number of groups you have in class. There are an infinite number of stories that can be created with these cards because you never know what card you will pull next! The students love this, even students who say they hate creative writing. This activity is set up in such a way as to give students a huge opportunity for using their imagination. For instance, perhaps they pull the following cards – young boy, tree house, broken. They can choose any time period, any season, any weather, etc. as long as they use those three cards in the story. The conflict ‘broken’ means that something must be broken – the tree, the tree house, the boy’s heart, the boy’s leg, something in the treehouse or on the ground, etc. Once they set the conflict, students must decide how the character will react to that conflict. Will he deal with it himself or bring another character to help him (pull a new card from the character set)? Directions for students: Take one card from each set (character, setting, conflict). Begin creating a story from these three items. Whenever the group feels a character, setting, or conflict needs to be added to the developing story, they will draw out another card from the particular set. All items pulled must be used and no substitutions are allowed! Continue pulling cards and writing the story until time is up and the teacher calls for stories to be wrapped up (a resolution written). Students may set the actual time period of the story at any time they wish (past, present, future). WANT THE COMPLETE SET ALREADY PRINTED, CUT, LAMINATED AND READY TO USE? You can order that here in my store as well. Ebook $1.99 Ready to Use Set $6.00 I am participating this year in the Documenting Your Life Project. Such a great idea! It is a mix of day planner, journal, and art journal - I love it! The artists give weekly prompts to participants. We all had so much fun just making our planner/journal/artjournal. This week we were assigned to draw our front door (or use whatever medium). I did the challenge already, but I will spend the rest of the week doing it again in different mediums - I just love to see how many ways I can interpret something. :) I decided to make my whole art page a door. I painted the page with Neocolor crayon, then attached some scraps of stationary paper I had. I added my New Year's Day quote and then used gloss gel over the page. Nothing fancy...been sick for a week, but it felt good to do something artsy!
This is what I've found for January. I am sure there are many many more! Send me a link to YOUR workshop!
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Navigating my way through the world of independent publishing and marketing. Loving the journey! Archives
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