Introductory Comments
Surviving Winter

The sun is lower, the hours of light are fewer, the temperatures are falling. Sounds to me like signs of winter. (I use the term a bit loosely; this is California, after all, but everything's relative.) For me, it's a mixed bag. I live in CA because I need warmth; I crave it, in fact. And I truly miss that glow of sunshine that's so lacking (see above, 'relative'). But I must admit winter's lower temps and decreased light give me a compelling reason for staying inside and chained to my computer. I always get more done in winter - how about you? So as I station myself close by my desk, (making sure to get up and move around for the sake of my back) I stare wistfully out the window and await the return of warmer, sunnier days. However, as my ancient, now-defunct Apple IIC used to warn me when I would try and print out an inordinately long document, 'This may take some time.'

If you have some feedback on how you feel about the above, feel free to e-mail me I'll be sure to respond - and with your permission, to include your comments in the next newsletter.

And speaking of winter holidays...

It's not too early to think about holiday gifts, especially for the travelers - armchair and otherwise - on your list. As a special offer to my subscribers, I am making autographed copies of Travels With My Lovers' available for the discounted price of $12. per copy plus S&H until Dec. 31, 2006. Just shoot over your email request to: emwriter@earthlink.net. Thanks!

Media and Event Update

Another 'Travels' Review
While I was participating in Lea Schizas's Muse Online Conference last month, I happened to notice a review of Travels With My Lovers by Lea's assistant Kristin Johnson on myshelf.com. I was delighted to see that Kristin really 'got' the book and its themes, and I'd like to share the review with you. For your reading pleasure, go to: http://www.myshelf.com/literary/03/travelswithmylovers.htm

Thank you, Kristin. 'Travels' lives!

Promoting 'The Guide'

My dear friend Viveca Stone-Berry has been hard at work putting the finishing touches on her project, the 'Fatigue Be Gone Jumpstart e-Guide'. Check out http://www.fatiguebegone.com/ for details, and be sure to read Viveca's personal story

For and About Writers
Brand-new website for Journalers

Jan Siegel, whom I met through my friend Linda Peitzman, coordinator of THAT Network for Businesswomen in LA, has just announced her new journaling product at her website. Here is what Jan has to say about 'the journal where talkative people can vent their brilliance':

'We have just launched our website and product!!!!!! We are quite excited and hope to be the "talk of the season"! We have begun our efforts to get our product out there. Speaking about journaling has been strongly suggested utilizing our humorous approach.'

Please take a look and let me know if you have feedback about Jan's efforts to bring humor to journaling.

A Thank-you from Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Carolyn was kind enough to include this in her latest newsletter 'thank-yous':

'**To Erica Miner, for including my successes in her newsletter. Newsletters are a wonderful way to reach your own fan base and the fan base of others in a personal way. I'd say Erica's letter is primarily about journaling and travel but she also reaches lots of writers.

Carolyn, who is one of the most savvy promoters I know, also wrote to me:

'This will run in my next newsletter. That's something else I always try to do is reciprocate with a link of some kind.'

Many thanks to Carolyn for keeping the flags flying and for her acknowledgment.

New! 'From My Readers'

As a way of thanking my subscribers for their loyalty in continuing to read my newsletter, I'd like to start including your feedback. This month, I've got comments from Jenny Russell, one of my San Diego Writers/Editors Guild colleagues. She is holding aloft the banner of promoting journaling classes and wrote about motivation:

'It's always nice to get your newsletter and get motivated again.'

Thank you, Jenny. It's nice for me to know I've been of some help. You are spot-on about the importance of motivating in journaling.

I welcome feedback from any and all of you. Please feel free to drop me a line.

Professional Writing Tip
An exercise for you

This month, I'm asking for you to come up with some answers to the question below. With your permission, I will share your answers along with my own answers next month. Just a little stimulus for those gray November days...

So the question is:

Which famous authors and/or celebrities, past and/or present, have rediscovered themselves through the creative process of journaling or diary writing?

Sharpen your wits, and send me your answers. Thanks!

Next month: further research into your replies.

A closing thought

'I'm a great believer in luck - and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.'
Thomas Jefferson

(Thanks to the SDWEG monthly newsletter for bringing this to my attention.)

Until next time.

Best regards,

Erica Miner

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