Subject: Hi Friend, Take Up Space, Go Big

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Take Up Space, Go Big

Feb. 12, 2015

Hi Friend, Hello!

Hope you are all well and in your creative work. This week I'm talking about taking up space, taking time for your work, and stepping into the creative field to do the work.

art by Beth Barany
Take Up Space, Go Big

I do intuitive painting with Chris Zydel's Wild Heart Painting. The image above is a segment of my seven foot by seven foot painting, the center of it actually. This particular piece is still growing. It's as if the painting is talking to me, asking, no, demanding, to be bigger. 

But as I worked, I bumped up against a voice saying, "You can't do that; you can't take up that much space." I felt ashamed how I was taking up more space, like "you'll disrupt others;" like "that's not done;" like "what do you mean, 'you want more'?!"

I stuck with the painting, brushing color upon color. I know by now that the doubts and judgements I feel while painting, or writing, are to be noticed and acknowledged, but not giving credence.

I kept painting. I keep writing. And I breath, recognizing that for what I want to do and am doing -- write epic fantasy novels and enchanting, touching romance novels -- I need to be bigger than I am right now.

I stretch, I reach up as I paint. I swirl and swipe the paint, I mix and layer colors. I follow the sway of my heart and soul and leap into the unknown. During the time of the painting class, I'm absorbed by my painting. I'm inside it.

The same goes for my fiction. I'm deep in the edits of book 3 of the continuing adventures of Henrietta the Dragon Slayer. I'm swimming inside the story. I love it. Each time I sit down to edit, I stretch to be a bit more of who I am. Every time I edit, I face the challenge of the newness and the bigness of what I want to accomplish in this novel and trilogy.

In what way are you facing the bigness of your art and story? How do you experience this? What voices are you facing?

Hit "reply" and share your thoughts with me.

Much appreciated all you share with me
, ♥
Beth



More events from Beth Barany, Creativity Coach for Writers - land...
 February 2015: The final quarterly issue of the Author Entrepreneurship Magazine will be published. Coming soon! Topic: The Ins and Outs of Cover Design for Authors. (Delayed due to server issues; coming soon. Yep.)


What's next: I'm changing the focus and format a little for the magazine. Starting the beginning of April, I'll be posting weekly Q&As from other author entrepreneurs. If you are an author and help other authors as your business, and would like to be featured as a weekly guest, let me know. I'll put you on my list, and will be sending out the questionnaire some time in February. Thanks! 

For more conversation, you can join the Author Entrepreneurship Magazine Facebook group here: 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorentrepreneurship/




March 7, 2015: Beth and Ezra Barany presenting at the 3rd Annual Day of the Book presented by JFK University, Pleasant Hill Campus, Pleasant Hill, CA. This free event is open to all. 

Join us! http://yourbookstartshere.com/day-of-the-book/

7 Keys to Preparing Your Novel Before You Write

In this talk with bestselling authors and writing teachers, Beth and Ezra Barany, we will help you brainstorm the steps to create your novel – from character development to plot structure to story themes and world building — so that you can start writing your novel prepared. For beginning and advanced writers, we'll offer bite-sized exercises to help you stretch your imagination and get excited for the writing process.



♥ April 2014: 30-Day Challenge to Preparing Your Novel self-paced course.

Sign up here to be notified when registration opens: http://30daywritingchallengefornovelists.bethbarany.com/


June 2015: Beth Barany is sponsoring a Genre Novel First Chapter contest as part of the San Mateo County Fair Literary Stage. 

This contest is open to writers worldwide. 

Get ready! Polish your first chapter. Entries due: April 1st, 2015.

-- Entry instructions coming soon!

Prizes, of course!
1st Place Winner: Author Coaching Package (3 sessions) valued at $450 
2nd Place Winner: One Author Coaching session (valued at $150)
3rd Place Winner: A signed copy of The Writer's Adventure Guide by Beth Barany 

Rules
Submit chapter one (max 3,000 words) of your unpublished novel of any one of these genres: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction. No: Romance, Horror, Erotica. (NO SYNOPSIS OR PROLOGUE). You must include a one-paragraph Elevator Pitch. (Instructions here: (www.writersfunzone.com/blog/2014/09/08/start-novel-preparation-elevator-pitch) Open to unpublished or self-published authors only.

NEW THIS YEAR MULTIPLE NOVEL CONTEST ENTRY OPTION: Work may be also submitted to the Division 350 Publisher’s Choice novel chapter contest, but must keep with this contest’s 3000 word limit (separate entry fee applies).

Rules will be posted soon. See last year's here: https://sanmateocountyfair.com/contests/departments/literary-arts.



June 1-30, 2015: 30-Day Challenge to Preparing Your Novel live course. Sign up here to be notified when registration opens: http://30daywritingchallengefornovelists.bethbarany.com/.



July 2015Branding for Romance Authors (& Other Genre Novelists): How to Create an Online Presence, Network Using Your Author Blog, and Craft a Content Plan. An online course via Outreach International, an RWA chapter.

Sign up here: http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/#JUL.



♥ October 2015: Writing Retreat in Paris, France.

All the juicy details here: http://paris.bethbarany.com/.

Email me if you'd like to join us for this 7-day writing adventure in the City of Lights.

Enjoy my tips on travel & writing here:
http://www.writersfunzone.com/blog/category/travel-writing-2/.


If you have any questions about my author coaching, book marketing, or publishing services, just reply to this email and we'll help you out within 24 hours during business hours, Monday through Friday, when we're not on holiday.

All our best,
Beth & Ezra


ABOUT US
Beth and Ezra Barany are award-winning, best-selling novelists, who have worked with over 100 authors to help them get their books written and published.

♥ Happily married for over 15 years, we’re passionate about writing, storytelling, and guiding authors to achieve their dreams.

We offer coaching and change work sessions, consulting, and book marketing services, including a social media and online platform assessment and cover design, for novelists. 




Photo Credit: by c. 2014 Vivienne McMaster
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