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Showing posts with label #writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #writing. Show all posts

Monday, June 24, 2019

Heal Your Self with Journaling Power


I’m delighted today to welcome author Mari L. McCarthy to Thoughts in Progress to talk about her latest release, HEAL YOUR SELF WITH JOURNALING POWER, as well as recreating the magic of NaNoWriMo writing.

Mari is stopping by as part of the WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR. You can check out her complete tour below.

Mari’s international bestselling book, Journaling Power, started a movement. Now, Heal Your Self with Journaling Power is igniting a revolution!

You’ll discover the life-changing magic of journaling through moving personal stories told by just some of the thousands of people who have tapped into the proven therapeutic power of expressive writing.
          These are people just like you, and their challenges are the same ones you have.
          Heal Your Self with Journaling Power reveals the inner strength and grace that comes with living your life in the present from the inside out. It will help you transform your life and…
● Manifest everything your desire
● Fill you with uplifting positive energy
● Put you on a path to better health and wellness
● Give you the inspiration and motivation to live your best life
● Show you how to use journaling to solve your most pressing problems

The only right way to journal is YOUR way. Just grab a pen and paper and do it!

Print Length: 143 Pages
Genre: Non-Fiction/Self-Help
Publisher: Mari L. McCarthy
ISBN-13: 9780463807361
ASIN: B07R47JT1T

Heal Your Self with Journaling Power is now available to purchase on Amazon.com, Kobo.com, Barnes and Noble and also on Mari's website CreateWriteNow.com (where you can get a signed copy).

Now join me in welcoming Mari as she tells us “How to recreate the magic of NaNoWriMo in any month.” Welcome, Mari.

Every November, hundreds of thousands of writers from around the world participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). It’s free to sign up, and the only objective is to write 50,000 by the end of the month.

NaNoWriMo fans love the structure, rigor and accountability this month of intense writing gives them. Instead of saying, “I’d love to write a book someday,” you have a tangible goal, a fixed timeline and a supportive community to keep you focused. But NaNoWriMo is just one month out of the year. What do you do for the other 335 days?

Try adopting these practices to recreate the magic of NaNoWriMo throughout the year.

Sign Up for Camp NaNoWriMo

Camp NaNoWriMo is a virtual writer’s retreat with sessions in both April and July. Register your personal writing project, which can be a novel, a movie script, poetry or any other writing you are passionate about. Set a word count, between 30 and 1,000,00, and join a “cabin,” a 20-person online writing group. You can start your own cabin with a group of friends, or you can be randomly assigned to a group or request to be sorted by similar interests.

Keep On Tracking

Use an app to set and track your writing goals all year long. NaNoWriMo has a goal tracker that is available year-round, and others include WordKeeperAlpha and Pacemaker. You can also use the old-fashioned notebook and paper approach; set a goal for each week or month, and record your daily totals (words written, time spent, etc.).

Start Your Own Group

If you like the community aspect of NaNoWriMo, create it on your own by starting an accountability group. Reach out to people you know who also want to make time for their personal projects. They may be fellow writers, but they don’t have to be. Group members can work toward their individual goals, whether that’s recording an album, training for a marathon or filming a documentary. Have each group member set a clear goal for each week or month and set a regular time for your group to meet in person or check in virtually.

Write Offline

Take a break from your computer screen and make time to write by hand in your journal every day. Set a timer for a few minutes and let all of your stream-of-consciousness thoughts out on the page. Don’t pressure yourself to come up with any brilliant ideas – just write. Give yourself a well-deserved break and give your mind room to explore and play.

Praise for Heal Your Self with Journaling Power

Mari McCarthy's latest, Heal Your Self with Journaling Power, represents the voice of a warm friend who not only talks the talk but also has lived first-hand the transforming power of writing. Packed with focused, fun prompts to jump-start the journaling process, this book is a motivation and an uplift! I especially enjoy the stress-bucket exercise. Not to be missed." -- Melanie Faith, educator and author of In a Flash and Poetry Power

In a world of ever-present scary news, stress, and technology that distracts us from genuine human encounters, Mari McCarthy invites us to do something both simple and radical: pause daily to encounter our own souls. And she not only tells us to just do it, she shows us how with her own life story, the stories of others, and her many ideas about how to maximize the transformative power of journaling time. -- Kevin Anderson, Ph.D., Author of Now is Where God Lives: A Year of Nested Meditations to Delight the Mind and Awaken the Soul and The Inconceivable Surprise of Living: Sustaining Wisdom for Spiritual Beings Trying to Be Human.

The most important lesson illustrated in Heal Your Self with Journaling Power is that anyone can enhance their health and wellbeing through the therapeutic power of expressive writing. This is the definitive book that shows you how. So just grab a pen and a pad of paper and do it! —Mike Bundrant, Co-Founder, iNLPCenter.org
Testimony from Casey Demchak, copywriter and consultant; also featured in Chapter 8, "Design Your Future" of Heal Your Self with Journaling Power: 

For those not familiar with Mari, here is a bit of background on her.

Author Mari L. McCarthy
Mari L. McCarthy is the Self-Transformation Guide and Founder/Chief Inspiration Officer of CreateWriteNow.com. She is also author of the international-bestselling, award-winning book Journaling Power: How to Create the Happy, Healthy Life You Want to Live.

Mari began journaling to relieve the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) over 20 years ago. Through journaling, Mari was able to ditch her prescription drugs and mitigate most of her MS symptoms. Now she teaches people throughout the world how to heal, grow, and transform their lives through the holistic power of therapeutic journaling.

She lives in a gorgeous beachfront home in Boston, where she has the freedom, flexibility, and physical ability to indulge in all her passions, which include singing and recording her own albums.


  Blog Tour Dates
June 17th @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Stop by Women on Writing's blog The Muffin and read an interview with author Mari McCarthy and win a copy of her book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

June 18th @ Karen Brown Tyson's Blog
Visit author Karen Brown Tyson's blog today where you can read Mari McCarthy's guest post about why you might still be experiencing writer's block.

June 19th @ Conversations Live with Cyrus Webb (Originally Aired June 12th @ 10:30 AM EST)
Cyrus Webb interviews Mari McCarthy of Create Write Now about her latest bestseller Heal Your Self With Journaling Power.

June 20th @ Look to the Western Sky
Visit Margo's blog today where you can catch her review of Mari McCarthy's incredible new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

June 22nd @ Lapidus 
Visit Lapidus, words for well-being association, where you can read Francesca's review of Mari McCarthy's eye-opening book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power. 

June 23rd @ Life Like a Galaxy Girl
Stop by Alanna's blog today where you can read her review of Mari McCarthy's new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power. 

June 24th @ Thoughts in Progress
Do you love the energy in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)? Well, if you do, you will not want to miss today's post at the blog Thoughts in Progress where Mari McCarthy shares her tips on how to recreate the magic of NaNoWriMo in any month.

June 25th @ Bev Baird's Blog
Make sure you stop by Bev's blog today where you can read her review of Mari McCarthy's book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

June 26th @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdra's blog today where she highlights Mari McCarthy's new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

June 27th @ The Frugalista Mom
Make sure to Rozelyn's blog and read her review of Mari McCarthy's book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power. Plus enter to win a copy for yourself!

June 29th @ Coffee with Lacey
Grab your coffee and visit Lacey's blog today and read her thoughts about Mari McCarthy's powerful new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

June 30th @ Wild Woman Writer
Visit Anne's blog today where you can catch her review of Mari McCarthy's inspiring new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

July 1st @ Choices
Visit Madeline's blog today and read Mari McCarthy's poignant guest post about our conversations with our inner critic and how to silence them.

July 1st @ Writing Through Life
Be sure to stop by Amber's blog and read her interview with author Mari McCarthy and also enter to win a copy of the book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

July 2nd @ Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde
If you are in need of a new book in your life, make sure to stop by Lindsey's blog today where you can read her review of Mari McCarthy's new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

July 2nd @ The Frugalista Mom
Stop by Rozelyn's blog again today where you can read Mari McCarthy's guest post about why we procrastinate and how to avoid it.

July 3rd @ The World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole's blog today and catch her thoughts about Mari McCarthy's book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

July 5th @ Bring on Lemons
Make lemons into lemonade today when you visit Crystal's blog today and read her thoughts about Mari McCarthy's new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

July 7th @ One Sister's Journey Keeping it Real
Visit Lisa's blog today where you can read Mari's blog post about disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with yourself.

July 8th @ A Day in the Life of Mom
Want to inspire your kids to journal? Visit Ashley's blog today and read Mari McCarthy's guest post featuring imaginative journaling activities to do with kids. 

July 9th @ Bev Baird's Blog
Visit Bev's blog again where you can read Mari McCarthy's guest post about mindful journaling for mindful eating. Don't miss!

July 9th @ Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde
Visit Lindsey's blog again where you can find out more about Mari McCarthy and her book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

July 10th @ Lapidus
Join Francesca at Lapidus again where you can read Mari McCarthy's guest post about why journaling is part of self-care.

July 10th @ Look to the Western Sky
Make sure you visit Margo's blog again and read Mari McCarthy's guest post featuring more imaginative journaling activities you can do with your kids.

July 12th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog
Stop by author Anthony Avina's blog today where you can read his review about Mari McCarthy's inspirational book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power

July 12th @ Bookworm Blog
Visit Anjanette's blog today where you can read her interview with author Mari McCarthy and also be sure to check out Mari McCarthy's guest post about journaling power for emotional health.

July 13th @ A Day in the Life of Mom
Make sure your day today includes visiting Ashley's blog where you can read her thoughts about Mari McCarthy's life-changing book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

July 14th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog
Do you procrastinate too much? Well, visit Anthony Avina's blog again today where you can read Mari McCarthy's guest post on how to use your favorite types of procrastination to your advantage.

July 15th @ Strength 4 Spouses
Do you like to journal? Stop by Wendi's blog today where author Mari McCarthy talks about journaling power for mental health. Don't miss it!

July 16th @ Reading Whale
Visit Caitlin's blog today and read her interview with Mari McCarthy as they talk about Mari's book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

July 17th @ Michelle Cornish Blog
Stop by Michelle's blog where she reviews Mari McCarthy's book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power. You can also check out her interview with Mari and find out more about the author!

July 19th @ Strength 4 Spouses
Do you love journaling? Well if so, you will want to visit Wendi's blog where she shares her thoughts about Mari McCarthy's powerful book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

July 19th @ Bookworm Blog
Visit Anjanette's blog again where you can read her review of Mari McCarthy's book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.

July 21st @ Jill Sheet's Blog
Visit Jill's blog today where you can read Mari McCarthy's blog post about overcoming writer's block. Don't miss this if you are struggling with staying inspired!

Thanks for stopping by today. Have you ever signed up for NaNoWriMo? If so, did it work for you or not?
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Monday, April 1, 2019

I Can Finally Tell You


Happy April Fool’s Day. Hope you don’t have any bad jokes played on you today. I will say this post IS NOT an April Fool’s joke. It seems unreal to me, but it’s true.

I have been working on a special project for well over a year with only a few people online knowing what I’ve been up to. Because of this project, I haven’t posted as often as I used to, I haven’t been reading or listening to books as much, well I just haven’t been online as much (even to answer emails. Several months ago, I said I’d get back into the swing of things soon and I’d let you know what I’ve been up to.

Well, today is that day. I can finally share with you what I’ve been doing. A part of me is extreme excited to tell you about it and the other part is reluctant to say anything. My news is like a single raindrop in an ocean of things going on in the world today.

The thing that has keep me busy and my mind occupied for so long and continues to do so to an extent --- I’ve been helping a friend write a book about his life and career. The book is entitled IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE. It has taken months of interviews, compiling stories and over 200 photographs, drafts, and rewrites to get to the final product. It was published locally in early March and just this past week went live online.

Before I tell you more about the book and the man it’s about, I want to just say – authors are unbelievable (and I don’t consider myself an author by the way). As a journalist for many years, I know writing can be difficult at times. From blogging for several years, I’ve learned a bit more about what authors go through when writing. But having said that, I never really realized just how much work goes into writing a book, getting it ready to publish and even after it’s published. I can’t even begin to image the real work involved because most authors are creating characters, settings, worlds, relationships, adventures, etc. I compiled a story from interviews about true events. I didn’t have to create anything. So, I’m in awe of all authors now more so than ever.

Being in awe of all authors, I want to say a very special THANKS to author Elizabeth Spann Craig for her help. She was extremely helpful in many aspects of my journey, especially in understanding about ISBNs and self-publishing on Amazon. Be sure to drop by her blog, you’ll find lots of wonderful tips and information. Thanks, so much Elizabeth, you were a tremendous help.

Now let me share a bit about the man behind IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE. His name is Gary W. McConnell and one of his motivations for wanting his story told is why I readily agreed to write it despite my insecurities in my ability to make the book a reality. He wants to encourage and show students in small towns that they can accomplish much more beyond their surroundings if they work at it.

I’ve known Gary all my life. Our parents knew each other. He was sheriff during many of the years I worked as a journalist, so I’ve also dealt with him in a professional capacity and covered many of the events he talks about in the book.

Deputy Gary McConnell (left) and his dad, Sheriff John Frank McConnell
To give you a short version of his story, Gary grew up in a small town, went off to college and came home to help his Dad (who had a stroke losing use of his right arm) when he was elected sheriff on the ticket of cleaning up moonshine in the county. Gary served as a deputy until his Dad died suddenly of a heart attack and he was then sworn in that same evening to fill his Dad’s term as sheriff. He went on to be elected the youngest sheriff ever in the State of Georgia and served the people for more than two decades.

Sheriff McConnell with murderer Samuel Tony West
He dealt with the various issues a sheriff deals with along with murders that drew national and international attention. The murder of an elderly woman and the brutal beating of her elderly sister made him ponder his career. Sometime after that he was asked by newly-elected Governor Zell Miller to serve as Director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and he accepted.

During his 12 years as GEMA Director, Gary led the agency during numerous major natural disasters, oversaw the State of Georgia’s involvement in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, directed the cleanup of a crematory malpractice, and helped implement numerous new programs for the state. After GEMA he worked with the Stimson Center and then in a private security and emergency management consulting position with the Innovative Emergency Management (IEM) out of North Carolina, where he still consults from time to time.

Speaking before the United State Senate
This short version doesn’t come close to explaining what Gary has accomplished (or some of the funny events he encountered), but with any luck shows you the motivation he hopes to inspire with his story. He’s a man with a good heart. I’m not saying he’s perfect and he’d be the first one to tell you he’s not. However, he has a great love and concern for the people of the small county we both grew up in and for people in general. He’s one of those few that when something needs to be done, he finds a way to do it while others are trying to get committees together to study how it should be done.

It has been a fun and even enlightening experience for me to write his story. I’m delighted to share that story with you and hope you’ll check it out. The book is available as an eBook on Amazon, as well as print on demand. It’s also on Barnes and Noble as a print on demand (at a cheaper price). In addition, we have print copies Gary is signing and I’m mailing out.

Here’s a brief synopsis of the book:
Growing up on a farm in rural Georgia, I never dreamed I would one day be testifying before the U.S. Senate encouraging the creation of Homeland Security. Along the way I was fortunate to help my Dad in his mission to eradicate moonshine in our county and then follow in his footsteps when I was elected the youngest sheriff in the state upon his death. During my years as sheriff I handled numerous murders that gained international attention and even believe to have had an encounter with Patty Hearst during her time with the Symbionese Liberation Army.
          Leaving the office of sheriff, I led the Georgia Emergency Management Agency during numerous major natural disasters, oversaw the State of Georgia’s involvement in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and directed the cleanup of a crematory malpractice.
          I’ve had the opportunity to meet with American Presidents, state leaders, and international officials on the issues of terrorism and disasters – natural and manmade. The funny, the sad, and the proud moments of my career have given me a great appreciation for the people around me.

Thanks for stopping by today and reading my ramblings, I know it’s much longer than my usual posts. I hope to be back online more soon but I’m still working on several projects associated with the book (setting up a website, putting a book trailer together, getting the book into audio format, designing book swag and such). So, it may still be awhile before I’m back full time as I’m learning about all these things as I go. Any suggestions on these areas is greatly appreciated.

Do you know someone like Gary that takes charge when things need to get done? I’ll end by saying he reminds me a bit of Buford Pusser without all the violence.
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