DIANA L. GUERRERO’S ARK ANIMAL TRACKS OCTOBER 2004
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Volume 2, Number 10 September 27, 2004
Publisher: Guerrero Ink
E-mail: guerreroink@yahoo.com or website http://www.arkanimals.com
Copyright © 2004 Diana L. Guerrero. All rights reserved
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Welcome! October News & Tips
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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Tales From The Trips
2. October Events!
3. Learning Light Seminar October 30th
4. Tips for October
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1. Tales From The Trips
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September was filled with fun, visitors, and even a couple of weekend adventures. It also marked the official start of research and work on my new book (due out in 2006) and a new column scheduled to appear in a local California magazine in 2005.

One of my best pals, Elivia Melodey (www.elivia.com) arrived for a visit. Visitors are good for me because each one requires that I take time off. I enjoyed her humor and we always seem to balance each other out. She had just finished a 21-day juice fast and so we munched only the best foods, juiced it up, and watched at least one movie every night.

If that wasn’t enough, Elivia had me join her at the Whole Being Weekend in Idyllwild, California. The event celebrated its 30th year and is a gathering of spiritual leaders, healers, and other interesting souls. Elivia’s concert was the talk of the weekend and we had a great time sitting in the woods at her booth and chatting with people. We also attended an interesting sound healing workshop with a Shaman visiting from Peru.

My other great resting event was a visit to my favorite little spa in Desert Hot Springs. Boy was it still hot! Even so, I rested in the mineral pools and had a few swims. I even managed a trip into the sauna. After a weekend filled with relaxation I melted into bed when I returned…and the weather was a direct contrast. When the Santa Ana winds heat things up in southern California—Big Bear cools down. I actually had to light the pilots on the heaters and lit the fireplace to warm up the house!

Although I ended up missing the Men of Mystery luncheon, I was able to feast upon some great independent and foreign films at the 5th Annual Big Bear International Film Festival. I got to chat with Monikka Moreno (Left At Albuquerque) who was a finalist in the screenwriting competition. If you have not ever attended a film festival—plan on it. The creative energy and films are incredible. My favorites included: “A Night At Sophie’s” and the short, “Play War.”

The month ended on a high note of a visit with one of my friends from the pet industry. When we met her business was just getting off the ground. Now she is housed in a 10,000 square foot warehouse. Like many people I know, success has come after hard work, minimal living, and arrived when least expected. Other than chatting non-stop my favorite activity with her was moving from room to room in her luxurious home in Anaheim Hills—complete with its own movie theatre. Next time I am bringing the popcorn!

October is going to be a busy month and I’ll have lots to report!
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2. October Events
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Make sure you check my schedule for the latest updates. You can access the schedule from the main index page of www.arkanimals.com or www.allianceofwriters.com. If you are reading this at authorsden.com just visit www.authorsden.com/dianalguerrero. So far in October you can find me:

October 1, 2004 (Friday Evening)
Carolyn Myss Seminar at the Marriott in San Diego, California

October 3, 2004 (Sunday, 1pm-2:15pm)
West Hollywood Book Fair Panel & Signing: “Passion of the Spirit” with Johnathan Kirsch, Asma Hasan, Fred Miller, and Lisa Edwards. Book Signing sponsored by the Bodhi Tree all in West Hollywood, California.

October 9 & 10, 2004 (Saturday, Sunday, All Day)
Art Show with Cristốbal in Monrovia, California

October 18-24, 2004 Celebrate California Writers Week!

October 19, 2004 (Tuesday, 5:30pm)
Educator’s Night at Barnes & Noble in Temecula, California

October 30, 2004 (Saturday, 1-3pm)
"Meet Your Muse" at the Learning Light in Anaheim, California
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3. Meet Your Muse Seminar: October 30th
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Are you a writer, artist or other inventive talent? Learn how to delve deep into the creative well during this exciting new program. Participants will learn how to unlock their creativity during this interactive session. Discover and share:
• Methods to call on your muse
• How to nourish your creative self
• Practical tips for success.

“Meet Your Muse” will be held at The Learning Light located at 1212 E. Lincoln Avenue in Anaheim, California 92805. Course fee is $30 advance registration and $35 same day registration. For further information or to enroll call The Learning Light at (714) 533-2311.

About the Instructor: Diana L. Guerrero’s creative work has appeared around the world. This adventurous and innovative pioneer consults and lectures nationally on creativity, writing, and related topics. Guerrero is the founder and facilitator of the Alliance of Writers, a mixed genre writing group. She produces several writing events and teleseminars annually and publishes allianceofwriters.com. The Alliance of Writers Internet site features writing workshops, activities, tips and resources for both novice and veteran writers.
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4. October Tips:
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Last month was filled with creative interactions with other talented writers and business people. When writers get together they share stories, trials, and tips. One of the most naturally talented writers I know discussed her new critique group. She clucked about how great it was to have her work reviewed by others in the same genre. She went on and on about the different styles and weaknesses in her writing--and lamented about how she had so much work to do to get better.

I had to stop her.

This woman is one of the most talented writers I know--and she is oblivious to the fact. My comment to this is, “Anyone can write, but not everyone has talent.” She definitely has it.*

Yes, you do get better over time. Yes, if you are persistent you will slowly get to where you are going. Yes, if you consistently work at your writing you will get published and by default (and hard work) you get better at getting published. But there are some people that are just plan fabulous.

Even so, we writers are always our own worst critics. But this woman, at this moment, and most all the moments I have known her, is a naturally talented storyteller. She has her weaknesses, but the world stops to hear her share her written word. I’ve seen listeners sit on the edge of their chairs, hold their breaths, and grin ear to ear with excitement—just because she is going to share one of her stories!

Am I wrong? Perhaps, but I don’t think so. Great writers are not so common. She is great. She definitely does not know it, she has not been recognized yet, and maybe she is still too rough around the edges. Who knows? For the rest of us, well…

Writers write. We are driven. It doesn’t matter if you are a novice or a veteran—what matters is that you write and keep writing. Some people journal, write press releases, work on a website, construct a book, pencil a poem, or give birth to other projects. In the end, we all will work hard for the love of it, and in the end I hope we all enjoy our successes. Sometimes they are small and sometimes they are big.

She is reading this along with the rest of you. To all writers I say, “Own it.” Own your talent and keep working like hell since it will be your turn when you are ready. I don’t believe it is just the writing process or just clever prose—you have to be ready.

And on your journey make sure to sincerely compliment the writers and authors you know--or that you admire. Be specific (and truthful) and know that cheerleaders do our hearts good--and that we don’t hear the cheers quite enough.

So, “Write on!”

*This quote and others are now in my seminar manual for the “Cover Your Assets” workshop. If you have some witty wisdom or a quote to share, feel free to email me with it and I’ll try to include it in my next seminar…all quotes are cited anonymously.
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Good luck and stay tuned for the next newsletter!
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Thanks for joining me. If you have a topic you would like to see covered in this newsletter, please email your suggestion to: guerreroink@yahoo.com. If you would like to advertise or sponsor an event, contact me below.
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ARK ANIMAL TRACKS
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Copyright © 2004 by Diana L. Guerrero
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