The Writer's Connection(sm),
a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach(sm)

"The Creative Process of Writing is a
Liberating and Therapeutic Experience"

virtualwritingcoach.com
May 2003

In This Issue:

1. Preview
2. Publisher's Note
3. Leading a Balanced Life
4. Getting into Action

1. Preview

The Writer's Connection explores the creative process of writing and the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and actions. We are an interactive community of authors and readers who share ideas to enhance our knowledge, skills, and experiences in writing fiction in any genre, but our emphasis remains mystery and suspense thrillers.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers writing tips for authors, coaching suggestions, editing, and marketing information.

Topics are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton and represent only his ideas on producing your first manuscript, and are provided to the general public. Because we are an interactive community of writers, other viewpoints are welcomed and may be printed in future monthly newsletters with permission from Keith Barton.

2. Publisher's Note

May, 2003

Dear Writer's Connection Subscriber,

This issue features leading a balanced life that borrows from the MentorCoach Pillar Metaphor and the Coactive Coaching "Wheel of Life."

3. Leading a Balanced Life

Below many aspects of your life are encompassed in ten areas. Take each dimension (or area) and ask yourself, "How fulfilled am I with this dimension?" In the margin outside each pillar, assign yourself a score where "0" is "no fulfillment or satisfaction at all (aka "lousy") and "10" is "completely fulfilled." Note a 10 does not mean it cannot be improved or that it will not require continuing attention to maintain this level of satisfaction. It means that, for he moment, you are feeling complete fulfillment in this arena. You can also split a section in half. For example, you could assign "Home/Office Environment a "7" at the office and a "2" at home. As you assign your numbers, also include a number to indicate how much fulfillment would be ideal for you in each dimension. Finally, assign a third number of how much actual fulfillment has been achieved in that area and what you were doing at the time of your highest number. As an example, you might assign 2, 8, 5, for professional in which 2 is where you're at now, 8 is your ideal, and 5 is the highest level achieved. Describe what each would look like to you. What kinds of activities would you be involved in?

The ten life dimensions are:

1. Professional (0-10) _________________

2. Financial (0-10) ____________________

3. Physical (0-10) _____________________

4. Spiritual (0-10) _____________________

5. Social Support (0-10) ________________

6. Intimacy (0-10) _____________________

7. Family (0-10) ______________________

8. Learning/Growth (0-10) ______________

9. Home/Office Environment (0-10) _______

10. Play/Fun (0-10) _____________________

Your next task is to pick an area to work on. It may not be the lowest score, but have the most meaning to you. For example, your score of play and fun might be '2.5' but you are more interested in professional growth that may be a '3.5' for you. Now draw a line '0.5' steps above your current assessment and make that your target goal. By doing this you set a goal that is attainable.

Now write three action steps to help you achieve that goal. The action steps should be short-term (less than a week), measurable, and under your control. Some might few this approach as simplistic and too behavioral, but it forces you to pick an area of your life that is now unmanageable, and forces you to take responsibility for change.

Remember that you, the client, are the expert. Your coach will provide a sounding board for your 'life assessment' and allow you to work at your own pace in those areas you deem a priority for change.

Our next issue will discuss creating the story: the plot and hook.


4. Getting into Action

"Getting in to Action" is a monthly feature of The Writer's Connection. In this section of our Newsletter, we will discuss action steps the writer can take to improved his/her knowledge base in writing novels.

"This Month's Recommendation(s)"

1. Buy Marty Seligman's book on Authentic Happiness, Free Press, 2002. You can order this through Amazon.com. This book is quite instructive on what positive psychology can do to help us realize our potential or lasting fulfillment.

2. Write an interview with yourself about what your goals are for the next year.

3. Read a novel by one of your favorite author's. Look carefully about why you like this author's novels. What draws you to this author?


Subscription Information:

The Writer's Connection is a free publication. If you want to continue to receive this Newsletter, you can SUBSCRIBE at Virtual Writing Coach.

Be assured your name and email address are confidential. We do not sell, rent or share our mailing list with anyone.

Contact Information

Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Voice: 281-893-5405
Fax: 281-893-1735
Web: http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com
E-Mail: keith@virtualwritingcoach.com
(c) Copyright 2003 A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.

Distribution Rights

The Writer's Connection (sm) is copyrighted, but you may retransmit or
distribute it to whomever you wish as long as not a single word is changed, added, or deleted, including the contact information. However, you may not copy it to a web site.

Republication of The Writer's Connection (sm) in paper media is encouraged and permitted by individuals, organizations and associations, as long as the issue is reprinted in its entirety, without change, and includes the contact information.

With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue to fit your space requirements. Republication also is encouraged under other circumstances. However, the advance permission of A. Keith Barton, Ph.D. must be obtained in the event that changes in the text are desired.

The Writer's Connection Mission:

The Writer's Connection is dedicated to helping first-time authors create their first manuscript for publication and to offer an exchange of ideas and opinions from our readers who might be interested in becoming authors.

The Writer's Connection™ is a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach and Keith Barton, Ph.D. and a registered trademark.

We would like The Writer's Connection to be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments, topics you would like addressed, or can suggest additional resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time. Send your e-mail to
keith@virtualwritingcoach.com.

Please forward this issue to anyone you think would find The Writer's Connection interesting and beneficial. Your recommendation helps us keep growing, and ensures an excellent exchange of information and techniques.

Archives

You can read previous issues of The Writer's Connection at our archive at http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com/archive.html.

About Keith Barton, Ph.D.

Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist for over thirty years. He is currently enrolled in MentorCoach and is accepting new clients. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina, consultant to Fortune 500 companies in executive development, founded and managed Texas Community Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing group home services to persons with mental retardation, and for the past 13 years founded and runs a clinical practice in Northwest Houston. He writes part-time with the goal of completing one novel a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate interest in helping others become attuned to their creative powers of storytelling.

Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family therapy and health psychology. He has published articles, made presentations and conducted workshops about:

Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self-esteem
Communication skills
Marital/relationship enrichment
Wellness issues
The relationship between psychology and spirituality

© 2003 The Virtual Writing Coach and Keith Barton.