Creativity and Inspiration Format: MP3 Download or USB Flash Drive These lectures were audio recorded at the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshops between 2010 and 2018. Download the MP3 files today or have them shipped to you on a USB flash drive. Listen to these wonderful speakers recorded live.   THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES ALL OF THESE PRESENTATIONS: Drag Races, Detours and Destinations: Finding the Power in Your Creative Journey Panel moderated by Dr. Nancy Berk, featuring Kathy Kinney, Katrina Kittle, Leighann Lord and Jessica Murnane Creative success rarely happens overnight. Ask any “overnight sensation,” and they will remind you of the years of hard work that led up to those late night shows and paparazzi moments. So how do you know when you’re in the right place? Is it best to tiptoe or dive into the experience? When do you embrace or ignore the critics? And what about shifting gears? Is dreaming big ever a detriment? This panel will help you identify strengths and weaknesses, look at your obstacles in new ways and discover alternative shifts and strategies to give you power and options on your writing journey and beyond. Inspired: The Art of Writing with Humor and Heart T. Faye Griffin This lighthearted and highly interactive workshop is an entertaining primer on the rapidly growing genre of inspirational humor writing. Audio and visual materials will be employed to engage participants in fun and thought-provoking writing exercises, readings and gentle critiques. Landing a Book Deal: Creative Ways to Grow Your Brand Jessica Murnane Erma Bombeck quipped, “I have always felt cookbooks were fiction, and the most beautiful words in the English language were ‘room service.’” Jessica Murname landed a cookbook deal because food helped her heal — and she had a story to tell. She’ll share how she went from “landing page to finding a publisher.” Her workshop will cover the importance of a “hook” and a sharable concept when pitching, proposing and writing a book; positioning yourself as an expert (even if you’re still technically a beginner; meeting your audience where they are; and growing your brand before and after getting the deal. How to Uncover Your Own Voice and Get it Down on Paper Kathy Kinney and Cindy Ratzlaff Using a series of improvisational writing techniques and a simple kitchen timer, this hands-on workshop will help you get past your self-criticism, reveal your unique voice and help you incorporate that voice into your writing. You’ll learn how to use your voice to paint a clear picture for readers, helping them experience who you are, where you are, who you are to the others in your scene and what makes this day so important in the story. Come prepared to write without self-editing and to give your imagination a good workout. Wit, Wisdom and a Good Naked Workshop Joni Cole Don’t worry, there’ll be no shedding of clothes, but this lively, interactive session will expose the creative process in all its glory. Come prepared to write in response to guided prompts, and share aloud your efforts for inspiration and appreciation. Takeaways: insights into how to confront the dreaded blank page, and how to nurture a more productive, positive creative process. Bring something to write on, and leave any self-doubts at the door. How to Uncover Your Voice and Get It Down on Paper Kathy Kinney and Cindy Ratzlaff Using a series of improvisational writing techniques and a simple kitchen timer, this hands-on workshop will help you get past your self-criticism, reveal your unique voice and help you incorporate that voice into your writing. You’ll learn how to use your voice to paint a clear picture for readers, helping them experience who you are, where you are, who you are to the others in your scene and what makes this day so important in the story. Come prepared to write without self-editing and to give your imagination a good workout. The Message of You: The Power and Humor of Your Story Judy Carter A seemingly ordinary day is filled with hidden stories that contain laughs, drama and a powerful message — all waiting to be uncovered and turned into comedy gold. In a fun, creative and interactive workshop, best-selling author and comedian Judy Carter will give you writing prompts that will show you how the stories from an ordinary day can turn into a TED talk, an essay or your memoir. The Real Hollywood Dream Is in Your Purse: How to Use a Smartphone to Create an Empire Cathryn Michon Though some mistakenly think dreaming of being a creative artist in Hollywood is a long shot, and you need to live in L.A. or New York to realistically pursue mass media, nothing could be further from the truth. The rise of social media has leveled the playing field like never before in history — and anyone can turn their creativity into a media empire. Just ask Psy, who with one deliciously crazy music video (Gagnam Style), turned himself into the world’s most-watched pop star ever! Discover how to use your smartphone, Twitter feed, Facebook fan base, Tumblr blog and other new media to market yourself and promote your writing — whether it’s your blog or book — to build an audience, develop leads, attract mainstream media attention and perhaps even land a contract, or better yet, to monetize and distribute your content without old media middlemen. The most powerful writer in Hollywood, E.L. James, started as a self-published fiction author. The power is in your purse (or backpack!). Learn social media tips from author/screenwriter/director/actress/entrepreneur Cathryn Michon, who created a “movie-ment” with her small, independent film, Muffin Top: A Love Story, now available on Netflix and multiple other platforms. Introduction to Memoir: Write What You Know Susan Pohlman Everyone has a natural writer within, and everyone has something meaningful to say. Our lives hold many tales, but how do we bring our personal and family stories to life on the page in a compelling manner? This interactive workshop, tailored for less experienced writers, will explore the art and craft of memoir writing and include writing exercises to help you narrow your focus, be authentic — and take readers on an emotional journey of the heart. You CAN’T Write a Book! David Braughler You don’t have the time. What would you write about? Who would even want to read what you’ve written? How many writers have talked themselves right out of publishing a book? (And whose name did you just mutter under your breath?) David Braughler works with authors to help them turn their stories into published books. Under direct coercion of many of his authors, he is currently co-authoring a tongue-in-cheek book, You CAN’T Write a Book, that addresses many of the rationalizations he’s heard over the years from reluctant authors. In this publishing boot camp, he will address some of the bigger culprits — along with ways to move past them — so that you can self-publish your book. You’ll leave feeling a little less guilty about not writing, along with a clear plan on the steps you need to take to successfully self-publish, price and market your book. Finding Your Writer’s Voice Sharon Short Tailored to more advanced writers, this interactive session will help writers develop a deeper understanding of what makes a compelling writer’s voice — and how to bring yours to life on the page. In this session, writers will learn to demystify the concept of “voice,” using examples from literature, film, music and even one’s own speaking style and voice. Through writing exercises, you’ll learn how to identify, embrace and apply your unique voice to your own writing — whether it’s fiction, memoir or humorous essay. Hairdo Monologues: When Monsieur Chemo Styles Her Hair: How Stories Transform Lives Patricia Wynn Brown Performer, writer and producer Pat Wynn Brown, our workshop emcee, believes in the healing power of stories, the arts and humor. When she created a Hair Theater® show featuring breast cancer survivors, doctors, hair professionals and performers, a new idea ignited. The reaction to the show from the sold-out audience was so overwhelmingly positive that Pat knew she needed to bring her message of hope and strength in the face of adversity — and the proven rejuvenating elixir of laughter — to a larger audience. With funds raised on Kickstarter and through the creativity of videographer Alan Beavers, the show came to life on a DVD. The piece is now inspiring, entertaining and transforming lives across the U.S., England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, France and even South Africa. This session features a viewing of the video and a chat with Pat about how public funding our own projects — and telling our stories — take us from being a victim of life’s adversities to stars of our own life script. Self-Hypnosis: A Tool for Vivid Storytelling Suzette Martinez Standring Emotion is the heart of any story, and one’s heart guides the writer to the genuine lesson of an experience. Feel it, and then convey it. Too many write from a distance. A safe, guided imagery exercise will lead you to a memory, reveal its key emotion, and allow you to mine that inner picture for details. Vivid images enhance storytelling, and “learned relaxation” unlocks the imagination. Award-winning columnist Suzette Standring was certified in hypnotherapy in 1990 and applies meditation and guided imagery techniques to her own work. Creative Exercises to Inspire Writing Karen Walrond A presentation of ideas for creative exercises to help inspire the writing process. We'll talk about technical exercises, like mindmapping and morning pages, creative exercises like photography and journaling, and unusual ventures like meditation, or lifelisting or even juggling. You'll discover that exercising creative muscles that have nothing to do with writing can spark unexpected literary innovation. Hypnotic Recall Fills the Creative Well Suzette Standring Use self-hypnosis to dive into one's inner pool of creativity. Emerge with vivid, five-sensory details for writing. The subconscious is the storehouse for emotions and pictures vital to authentic writing. It's all there, deep inside. This popular workshop will include self-hypnosis basics, writing applications, and a guided imagery exercise to "take you there." Finding the Authority to Write Kyran Pittman Do you live in secret fear of the day someone demands to see your Artistic License? Do you have trouble putting the word "writer" in the occupation blank? Are you dogged by an internal heckler who wonders just who you think you are anyway? This workshop will help you with the answer, as you examine why you write, and for whom, through a series of hands-on exercises designed to help you claim the authority to write. Think of it as a chiropractic adjustment for your soul. Ah…much better. Finding Success off the Beaten Path Dave Glardon