Get Your Piece of the Literary Pie & Feed Your Muse!

Above: The blueberry literary pie--designed to feed the muse and bring together those who have a passion for writing.

This week I got my piece of literary pie--along with other Big Bear authors Rita S. Robinson-Campbell & Joan Cline (aka William Sarabande) and Kat Blanc. We all took a couple hours from our busy schedules to get together for lunch.

The literary pie is actually the recipe of Patry Francis, author of the Liar's Diary. The rules are that you have to thank your muse (and feed her) and get together with others of the literary mindset to do it. I included the literary pie recipe on the Fawnskin Flyer last year. So, I baked the pie and we all got together for good company, good conversation, and good food.



Above: Fawnskin authors (left to right), Joan Cline, Rita Robinson, and Diana Guerrero.

Did we talk about writing? Yes, but that was not the focus of the afternoon. We chatted about all kinds of topics and yes, we thanked our muses and fed them--so we all expect to be more creative and productive than usual.

When I conducted seminars on creativity we followed the guidelines of Julia Cameron. Part of the process included taking a day off to fill the creative well. Sometimes we get too busy to make the time to do so.

I have to say that I've been guilty of that lately and the break to spend time with other working writers to talk about anything that came to mind was fun and refreshing. Below are the books our little lunch group has written.

If you are working on your writing, I'd suggest taking a break. Get together with a group of writers or avid readers and indulge in a bit of literary pie--to feed your muse and stimulate your taste buds!

Books by Fawnskin Author Diana L Guerrero


Books by Fawnskin Author Joan Cline aka William Sarabande


Books by Fawnskin Author Rita S Robinson


Books by Big Bear Author Kat Blanc


Thanks to Patry Francis for the recipe...here is her book:

Typography Video

Just for fun...

What is your process?

From my Authors Guild Bulletin:

Norman Mailer claimed that it took him 20 years to learn to write. "I moved from being an amateur to being a professional. A professional can do a decent day's work even on a bad day. You have to work. It's as hard to write as it is to learn to play the piano well.

I keep hearing the same questions over and over again and so thought I it would be a good thing to start answering them here. One of the biggest questions is, how do you become a writer?

You write.

Yep, that is it. You probably didn't want to hear that answer.

So is it simple? My first inclination is to say that if it was that easy more people would be doing it instead of talking about it.

Writers write because they can't help it.

When I first met with a screenwriter to discuss a cooperative project he told me, "You are a writer." I laughed and asked why he said that. "Because you are always writing something." Turns out that he was paying attention to something I still had not realized.

So write--and if you want to get better and become a published author continue to write. AND read, learn about the craft, write more, and spend time meeting and getting to know others who write.

The Alliance of Writers attracted a wide variety of people when we met regularly. At one time we had over 130 participants (18-26 weekly regulars). With the growth came change. Suddenly there was a mix of serious writers--and those who just wanted to talk about writing.

Writers write, they do talk, but they spend more time writing.

Which one are you?

One of the Alliance members was worried about her skill level as she began to query editors and publishing houses. When she read, the group members all morphed into five year olds in excited anticipation of story time. She called me up and paced as we chatted, and as she lamented about her lack of skill, out of my mouth came these words:

Anyone can right but not everyone has talent--you have talent.

She does have talent but she isn't published--YET. This woman is so talented it is scary. In the meantime, she writes, edits, and writes more.

Talent doesn't necessarily mean you will have success. Can you forge ahead and develop skills and make it anyway? Yes, I believe you can.

Even with three books out, I still feel that I am not as strong of a writer as I might be--but I still write. I write every day. Is it perfect? No, but I write anyway.

Is there a magic formula to writing? A specific time? Place? Ceremony?

Yes, sit down and write!

Virtual Tour: Karen Mehringer & Sail Into Your Dreams

Don't miss this event:

EVENT:b Sail Into Your Dreams with Karen Mehringer
DATE & TIME: Friday, July 6th at 3:00pm Pacific
FORMAT: Simulcast! (Attend via Phone or Webcast -- it's your choice)
TO ATTEND THIS EVENT, CLICK THIS LINK NOW...
http://instantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=378093

Buy the book and bring your questions. Karen was a member of the Alliance of Writers and is now touring with her new book...find out how she made her dream of being a writer come true!

This event is offered at no charge.