Happy New Year from 2020 SFWC presenter Suzette Martinez Standring! I look forward to presenting a new tool

Writers have the same goals: to move readers, to be vulnerable, and to share novel insights. If you feel it, you can convey it. But how is it possible when inner hobgoblins spew criticism even before the first sentence is tapped out? Defensive shrinkage from ridicule is common, and it shows in the writing. Do not be captured by fear. Instead, capture transformative moments to share with readers. How? By immersing yourself safely in those long ago moments through complete relaxation. 

Such relaxation has many synonyms: meditation, self-hypnosis, trance, daydreaming. Using this skill to enliven my own writing is something I discovered in 1990 when I was certified in hypnotherapy, purely out of curiosity as to the mind-body connection.Through hypnosis, one accessed the subconscious for origins to issues.This was done by relaxing the person through a soothing guided imagery. At that time, I also was struck by the direct parallel to good writing, which immerses a reader into an experience by drawing on the imagination and five senses.

When I began my professional writing career in 1997, I incorporated self-hypnosis is an active part of my writing process. My career includes authorship of two writing books and national syndication. I’ve given this workshop to 150 attendees at the Erma  Bombeck Writing Conference and at other venues, and the feedback is that this process accelerates writing insights.

I can’t wait to share this profound and creative experience with attendees in February.

Here’s to fresh ideas!

Suzette Martinez Standring