Writing the Life Poetic

Introducing The Path of Possibility in Writing and in Life!

All good things must come to an end, and this blog -- thanks to your company here -- has been one of the very best parts of my writing life! Today, I am officially stepping down from posting here. Instead, the conversation about the life poetic will continue over at the brand new Path of Possibility in Writing and in Life.

Why the change? As my new book, The Productive Writer, was taking shape, I found myself at a crossroads of identity. My collection of poems and my book Writing the Life Poetic both anchored me solidly in the realm of poetry. The realm of poetry is my first language, and there are many other realms in which I live and write these days. So the question became, what is the scope and shape of who I am, what I write about, and the service I want to give my community of writers today? The answer came very quickly.

I realized that what I've been trying to accomplish in everything I write and all of my classes is simply: to help people align themselves with possibility. Whether you're writing a poem or a marketing plan, trying to get up the nerve to do a little freewriting, read publicly or send out a book proposal, what interests me is how I can help you follow that desire into action...making the possible far more probable. What I've found is that we're so used to getting in our own way, we may have no idea how very likely our dreams and intentions may be. My goal is to help poets and writers find a greater alignment between their writing and their lives--by tending all that is possible along the way.

So, without further ado, I invite you to come on over to The Path of Possibility in Writing and in Life and enjoy your free party favors!

You can download a free "Productivity Power Tools" workbook companion to The Productive Writer. (Just look for the link in the center column.) Plus, if you sign up to receive email updates, you'll get the free, 10-week email series, "10 Ways to Boost Writing Productivity."  This would also be a great time to sign up for the free, Writing the Life Poetic e-zine, which comes out six times per year and features inspiration, insight and information from 10 of my favorite poets and people.

You'll also find information about five new, online classes that I'm very excited to offer in a new, interactive classroom forum.

Poem-A-Day Challenge: Break Through Your Resistance
January 1 to January 31, 2011

Poetry for the People Level 1
January 10 to February 21, 2011 (six weeks)

Poetry for the People Level 2
January 12 to February 23, 2011 (six weeks)

Productive Writing Revolution: Set Your Sights and Hit Your Targets
February 28 to April 11, 2011 (six weeks)

Break into Business Writing: Make a Living as a Writer
February 28 to April 11, 2011 (six weeks)

And, of course, you'll learn all about my books, who I am, and my thoughts on being 40.

The best part of blogging is making friends whom I then get to meet "live" sooner or later! I'm headed to Washington, DC, New York, NY and to bookstores and writing communities throughout Oregon in the coming months. If there's an event on my schedule that works for you, I sure would love to see you! 

It's an exciting time to be a writer. I am honored to be traveling with you, and I look forward to supporting you as you walk your own, unique writing path.

The word is the way,

Sage Cohen

Pre-order The Productive Writer today and get a FREE workbook!

Efficient systems, effective strategies and powerhouse attitudes to fuel your writing life are just a click away!

Today is amazon.com spike day for my new book, The Productive Writer. If you're planning to purchase The Productive Writer at amazon.com, I sure would appreciate it if you would order yours today! Strong sales right out of the gate can help give this book a solid foothold, and your help is invaluable. 

If you pre-order The Productive Writer today, send me a copy of your receipt and I'll email you a copy of my Productivity Power Tools workbook!

Thank you for supporting my book. And thank you for investing in yourself. May 2011 be an intention-come-true year for you.

To your success!

Free, 60-minute teleclass from writing coach Marla Beck

"Overwhelmed Freelancer? 5 Simple Steps to Balance, Bliss and a Booming Writing Business"

a free 60-minute teleclass from writing coach Marla Beck

Wednesday, November 17 9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern

Are you overwhelmed by the day-to-day demands of running your freelance writing business?

• Struggling to find time to query or prospect?
• Exhausted, off-track or unfocused?
• Book proposal perpetually taking a back seat?
• Writing just to pay the bills?

This free, one-hour teleclass is for you if you're ready to: realize your full potential as a writer and business owner finally take control of your time, energy and attention relax, knowing that you know exactly what to do to achieve your financial and writing goals

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I felt really energized and motivated after the call! - Margarita Tartakovsky

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You'll discover: how to instantly harness more time, focus and energy for the important "big picture" projects you keep putting off three essential business practices to boost your productivity and your bottom line how to take control of your business so you can devote more of your time and talents to doing what makes you happiest

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"In just a few sessions, Marla coached a new niche out of me and encouraged me to pursue my own writing projects in the midst of a very busy freelance business. I've seen tremendous benefits from her coaching -- she's a real gem in the uncertain, crazy world of publishing." - Kate Reilly ---- Reach your writing goals by taking control of your attention, time and energy. This free, one-hour teleclass will give you empowering, practical solutions to get you started.

Register: http://www.coachmarla.com/teleclass.html

St. Francis, the sow and Chris Guillebeau

Galway Kinnell writes in the poem St. Francis and the Sow, "...everything flowers, from within, of self-blessing; / though sometimes it is necessary / to reteach a thing its loveliness".

Returning to that innate blossoming of self-blessing takes most of us most of our lives--if ever at all. Reteaching myself loveliness is why I write (and teach). It is also why I feel a kinship with and a reverence for Chris Guillebeau, the blogger and author who has been "challenging authority since 1978."

Guillebeau is one of the most coherent people I have ever experienced. His integration of who he is, what he does, and what he offers to his "small army of remarkable people" has created a momentum of leadership and authority that is inspiring, informative and, simply, remarkable. He invites people to do as he does: set your own rules, live the life you want, and change the world. In this way, Guillebeau is reteaching each of us the loveliness that was our birthright: that I am and you are a whole person capable of unfolding to our greatest potential.

In my 40 years on earth, I have observed the majority of the people around me, myself included, fragmented into the small selves, ideals and dreams we feel we are allowed. Disconnected from our sense of authority and power, our options seem few, and inspiration is scarce. Until, that is, we take our lives back, name and claim our passion, and risk shedding old ideas and walking unprotected into the wilderness of our own, personal passions.

If you want to call your soul back -- or line up even one little, jilted feather that is limiting your flight, I'd recommend reading The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau. Guillebeau will invite you back into the truth that your life can be remarkable. He will bring you back to what you have always known, but may have forgotten: that it is your birthright to do meaningful work that nourishes you and the community you serve.(He will also explain exactly how to go about this, and help you see how possible it is to actually do so.)  Most importantly, Guillebeau will get you so excited about living an authentic life that you may find yourself effortlessly taking a step forward into your own, greatest desires -- then another. And another.

You may be familiar with the Marianne Williamson quote that begins, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?"

By presenting a thoroughly exhilarating alternative to this life-shackling fear, Guillebeau's The Art of Non-Conformity invites the reader to welcome all that we are--then use the force of our alignment to move where we were always meant to go.

Isn't it time to reteach yourself your loveliness? I, for one, want to see you live you live the life you were meant to live, not just the one you believe you are allowed to have.

Break into Business Writing: Boost Your Income and Creativity

A Workshop with Sage Cohen and PDX Writers

Why think small (and earn small) when you can write for love AND for money--and when each type of writing can benefit the other? A day job that utilizes writing skills can be an ideal way to keep up your chops and fill your inspiration fuel tanks while making a respectable living.

 

This workshop for writers of all genres will introduce a writing for love + writing for money lifestyle mix that can help:

• Earn a solid income that funds your creative pursuits.
• Cultivate skills that benefit writing craft and business savvy.
• Equip you with publishing skills and mindset.
• Make you a great candidate for finding an agent and a publisher.
• Use your time most effectively to accomplish all of the writing (and living) that matters most to you.

Plus, it will offer all of the basics for how to get started as a copywriter--from finding clients to establishing a scope of practice to setting prices to building long-term relationships.

 

Through a series of guided exercises, you'll plant the first seeds of your copywriting future and prepare for next steps. You'll leave informed about what it takes to break into copywriting for businesses and inspired to get started.

Saturday, November 20, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $40.
Location: TaborSpace, 5441 SE Belmont, Portland, Oregon
Learn more and register.

"The Life Poetic iPoem Contest" deadline extended to November 1!

Sage Cohen, author of Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry (Writer's Digest Books, 2009) invites you to submit up to three poems that express the spirit of "the life poetic" to "The Life Poetic iPoem Contest" by November 1. Sage will be choosing 365 poems for inclusion in an iPhone app that features a poem a day for a year.

Following are the prizes and submission guidelines:

ENTER TO WIN:

First prize (value of more than $295)

• Free tuition in an upcoming Poetry for the People online class with Sage Cohen (non-transferable)

• Signed copies of three books by Sage Cohen: WRITING THE LIFE POETIC: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry, THE PRODUCTIVE WRITER: Tips & Tools for Writing More, Stressing Less and Creating Success, and LIKE THE HEART, THE WORLD poetry collection.

Second prize (value of more than $125)

• A review of your 10-page poetry manuscript + 1/2 hour editorial consult with Sage Cohen

• Signed copies of three books by Sage Cohen: WRITING THE LIFE POETIC: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry, THE PRODUCTIVE WRITER: Tips & Tools for Writing More, Stressing Less and Creating Success, and LIKE THE HEART, THE WORLD poetry collection.

Life Poetic prize (exposure = priceless!)

I will choose 365 winning poems, including first and second prize winners, to be published in the "Life Poetic" iPhone app, which will feature one poem per day and give users a panoramic experience of the "life poetic". Winners will receive one free copy of the "Life Poetic" iPhone app.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Poem specs:

• Please submit up to three unpublished poems.
  
• Each poem should have NO MORE THAN 20 lines.
• Poems should express the poet's interpretation of the theme "The Life Poetic."

Submissions specs:

• Submission should be a single Word doc that includes: cover letter + one poem per page (for a maximum total of four pages).
• Please include your name, email address, phone number and birthday (Month and day) on every poem.
• Cover letter should include one URL you'd like to appear as a bio credit after your name.
• Please name Word doc with your first/last name. For example, mine would be: sagecohen.doc.
• Send submissions to: Sage(at)sagesaidso(dot)com. You will receive confirmation within 48 hours of receipt.
• One submission of up to three poems per poet, please.

Deadlines:

• NEW DEADLINE: Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. PST on November 1, 2010. 
• Winners will be announced by January 1, 2011.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please ask them in the "comments" section here, and I will answer them for everyone. I can't wait to read your poems!

Make Your Story Sing (and Sell): a workshop with Sage Cohen and Jessica Morrell

Want to spend a delicious day at one of the most beautiful places on earth, learning how to make your language leap off the page? I'd like to spend that day with you! Let's do it.

Make Your Story Sing (and Sell)
a workshop taught by authors Sage Cohen and Jessica Morrell
The Center for Contemplative Arts, Manzanita, Oregon
October 23, 2010 -- 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $80

To me the greatest pleasure in writing is not what it's about but about the music the words make. ~ Truman Capote

Writers often believe that it takes a knockout plot or idea to see their work in print. Of course, what you say is important; but many writers don’t realize that how you say it matters just as much. The truth is that the beauty of your sentences and strength of your voice can help take a solid piece of writing from the slush pile to publication.

Stories are built of sentences, and sentences are built word by word. An artfully-crafted sentence can bring shivers of recognition in the reader, stir his or her emotions, build or release tension and take the action forward. When words are consciously chosen for impact, you can keep your reader on the edge of his or her seat from start to finish––whether you’re writing a personal essay, a piece of fiction or a how-to article.

Join two inspiring writing teachers and authors for a deep dive into the possibilities of language. Through a mix of writing exercises, inspiring examples, generous handouts and personal instruction, writers of all genres will learn how to make potent language choices that will bring your great ideas to life and increase your odds of publication.

Instructor Bios:

Sage Cohen is the author of Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry, The Productive Writer: Tips and Tools for Writing More, Stressing Less and Creating Success (forthcoming in December 2010) and the poetry collection Like the Heart, the World.

Jessica Morrell is the author of Thanks, But This Isn’t For Us, A (Sort of) Compassionate Guide to Why Your Writing is Being Rejected; Bullies, Bastards & Bitches, How to Write the Bad Guys in Fiction; The Writer’s I Ching: Wisdom for the Creative Life, Voices from the Street; Between the Lines: Master The Subtle Elements Of Fiction Writing; and Writing Out the Storm. Find her at thewritinglifetoo.blogspot.com.

How to Enroll: Send a check for $80 to Jessica Morrell, P.O. Box 820141, Portland, OR 87282 Please include your email address and a phone number. A confirmation email will be sent when your check is received along with further instructions.

What to Bring: Please bring writing materials, two colored highlighter markers, two-three paragraphs of a writing sample, and questions about language and craft.

Get your productivity infusion here

Want to be more productive in your writing life -- in just a few minutes? You can learn common mistakes to avoid by checking out this free, online article at Writer's Digest: "Top 10 Pitfalls Writers Should Avoid".

The companion, print piece "10 Ways to Be a Productivity Pro" is featured in the "Big 10" (September) issue of Writer's Digest -- available now in your favorite bookstore. This is a first-of-its-kind issue, with a wide range of satisfying suggestions and insights from bestselling authors such as Jodi Picoult, Sherman Alexie, Natalie Goldberg, Chuck Palahniuk, and many more.

Both articles offer a quick snapshot of the range of tips and tools, strategies and systems that will be offered in my latest book, The Productive Writer, for writers of all genres, forthcoming in December of this year!

To your productivity!

Reading Local is seeking short fiction and nonfiction from Portland writers

Hi, folks! Arthur Smid is helping Reading Local Portland find short stories to publish. He asked that I share this invitation with you -- and I'm doing so because I love Reading Local and appreciate their good work in service to our community. I hope you'll participate! Here is Arthur's note:

By seeking out emerging talent, requesting stories from established writers, and accepting submissions, the online literary journal at Reading Local Portland will create awareness among writers of their contemporaries and build an audience for new work. The goal is to provide an online page of Portland-based literary fiction and narrative nonfiction.

Beginning in September, Reading Local will publish one new story (up to 1,500 words) each week from writers living in the Portland area. We are not able to pay contributors at this time. Authors retain all rights and own their work. Send your story (up to 1,500 words) with a brief bio (and link to your website) to smidarthur(at)gmail(dot)com.

Become a productivity pro with two, new articles in Writer's Digest

Want to be more productive with your writing process and results than ever before? I have two, new articles that may help.

Check out "10 Ways to Be a Productivity Pro" in the "Big 10" (September) issue of Writer's Digest -- available now in your favorite bookstore or purchased here. This is a first-of-its-kind issue, offering a wide range of satisfying suggestions and insights from writers including Jodi Picoult, Sherman Alexie, Natalie Goldberg, Chuck Palahniuk and many more.

My companion piece, "Top 10 Productivity Pitfalls For Writers To Avoid" is available for FREE on the Writer's Digest website. Together, the two articles give you the "do's" and "don'ts" (according to me) of productivity in the writing life!

Both pieces offer some of the greatest hits (and tips) from my latest book: The Productive Writer: Tips and Tools for Writing More, Stressing Less and Creating Success -- to be released in December of this year.

What are your favorite productivity tips and tricks? I'd love to hear what keeps your writing (and publishing, promoting, and platform-building) going strong in the comments below!

Wishing you peace, poetry, productivity and prosperity,

Sage