Your November Cool Contest Challenge was to create a recipe for writing.

George Akerley sent this winning entry:

"Recipe for Writing"

One needs the following ingredients: a dash of inspiration, a modicum of selfishness, a bale of freedom, a distinguishing palate, an eye of newt (after all, this is an essential part of many brews), one pot of gumbo (choice of chicken or seafood), 2 pounds of grammatical excellence, 4 quarts of sensitivity, 1 instance of acceptance of guidance, one inquisitive spirit and 7 days' hibernation from otherworldly cares.

Set aside the gumbo for those most hungry moments.

Season the freedom with the dash of inspiration and the inquisitive spirit, and add the mixture to the selfishness; boil for a minimum of one day, until reduced to an opening.

Once the opening has been revealed, take the 7 days' hibernation and the instance of acceptance of guidance to a quiet location. There, heartily mix in the modicum of selfishness with the sensitivity until it all comes to a roiling mass.

Bake for 3 days in a temperate climate to a crisp interior with a warmly welcoming desire for inclusiveness. At that point, use the grammatical excellence and the distinguishing palate to create a masterpiece of delectability.

Keep the eye of newt separate until convinced it is no longer needed.

Finally, enjoy an exquisite meal of gumbo with jalapeno cornbread on the side and a favored wine, as a celebratory last rite.

George Akerley is a freelance writer and editor, with his writing specializing in poetry and essay formats. He's had extensive experience in sportswriting, but his full-time careers as mortgage loan officer, husband, father and grandfather exceed his time limits to practice the art.

Everything that we experience in our world was created twice...first in the mind, and then, in reality.

And the creation in the mind begins as a single thought. Any thought, mixed with emotion, desire, imagination, and action has the potential to transform from an idea into its physical equivalent.

But take away any of those necessary ingredients, and the thought will fail to materialize in your reality.

Although all of these factors are necessary, it is my opinion that imagination is the most important. If you lack imagination, it is likely that your dreams will remain unfulfilled.

But fear not...you can develop imagination.

With practice, repetition, and focus, you can greatly improve your imaginative skills.

This is how you make the unseen visible.

Creating a clear mental image of what you want is the starting point of creating your own reality. For those that have challenges in picturing or visualizing objects, it may be helpful to know that it can be equally beneficial to "feel" the feeling that you would experience upon obtaining the object of your desire.

For example, if you are seeking a new job, you may struggle to "see" yourself in the new position, yet you may quite easily produce the feelings of pride or happiness that would result from being hired for this new job.

Replicating these emotions within you will help to crystallize the intended outcome in your mind.

Here are 5 1/2 steps to help you to activate your imagination;

1) Identify the goal or object that you aim to accomplish or attract

2) Create an inner stillness - This is achieved by slowing down your breathing, becoming quiet, and preparing your subconscious mind to receive instruction

3) Imagine your goal or desired object as you would if it had already materialized in your reality. Take some time to feel the feelings associated with this accomplishment.

4) Concentrate for a few minutes on the images or feelings that you are experiencing while in this moment. When I say concentrate, I mean exclude ALL other thought. Think only of your desired outcome for this step.

5) Believe. Create certainty by mentally telling yourself that your vision IS possible. Feel the sense of knowingness that permeates your being when you are certain that you can and will have that which you desire.

5.5) Repeat often!

Your subconscious mind acts upon the dominant thoughts that swirl around in your mind! Increase the frequency and quality of your visualizations, and soon you will be realizing your dreams.

It is not a matter of if...only WHEN!

Until next time, be creative!

J. Shoop
Your Visualization Coach TM
http://strategicviz.typepad.com/imaginative_insights

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Shoop
http://EzineArticles.com/?Making-the-Unseen-Visible---5-1/2-Steps-For-Improving-Your-Creative-Visualization-Skills&id=1736302

Christina Katz is the author of Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids and Get Known Before the Book Deal, Use Your Personal Strengths to Grow an Author Platform.

She started her platform "for fun" seven years ago and ended up on Good Morning America. Christina teaches e-courses on platform development and writing nonfiction for publication. Her students are published in national magazines and land agents and book deals. Christina has been encouraging reluctant platform builders via her e-zines for five years, has written hundreds of articles for national, regional, and online publications, and is a monthly columnist for the Willamette Writer. A popular speaker at writing conferences, writing programs, libraries, and bookstores, she hosts the Northwest Author Series in Wilsonville, Oregon.

CLASSES START JANUARY 14TH

Writing and Publishing The Short Stuff
Especially For Moms (But Not Only for Moms)!

Winter Class Begins on January 14th

Prerequisites: None

Finally, a writing workshop that fits into the busy lives of moms! You will learn how to create short, easy-to-write articles-a skill that will make it easier to move up to longer, more time-consuming articles when you're ready. Try your pen at tips, fillers, short interviews, list articles, how-tos, and short personal essays-all within six weeks. Now includes markets! Cost: $199.00. [This Class Filling Fast!]

Register at Register at Christinakatz.com

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Platform Building 101: Discover your Specialty

Winter Class Begins on January 14thPrerequisites: Writing and Publishing the Short Stuff is recommended or Permission from Instructor

Identifying your writing specialty is one of the trickiest and most necessary steps in launching a writing career today. This class will help you find your best audiences, cultivate your expertise, manage your ideas, develop marketing skills, claim your path, serve editors and become portfolio-minded. You'll learn how to become the professional you've always wanted to be and, most importantly, how to take your writing career more seriously. This class is discounted so that anyone who wants to take Platform Development 102 in October will take advantage of this important preparation stage. Cost: $199.00. [Priority to former students]

Register at Register at Christinakatz.com

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Personal Essays that Get Published with Abigail Green

Winter Class Begins on January 14th

Prerequisites: None

The popularity of reality shows, blogs, and tell-all books proves that it pays to get personal these days. Whether you want to write introspective essays, short humor pieces, or first-person reported stories, your life is a goldmine of rich material that all kinds of publications are pining for. Personal Essays that Get Published will teach you how to get your personal experiences down on the page and get them published. Students will learn how to find ideas, hone their voice, craft solid leads and endings, reslant their work for different markets, and submit their essays for publication. Cost: $199.00 [This class filling fast.]

Register at Register at Christinakatz.com

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Craft A Saleable Nonfiction Book Proposal

Winter Class Begins on January 14th

Prerequisites: Permission from Instructor

Most writers underestimate the comprehensiveness needed in a book proposal that will garner the interest of agents and editors. They also mistake the definition of platform and importance of alining their proposal to a solid track record. A two-time author, Christina has helped hundreds of nonfiction writers succeed over the past seven years. Now she's making her proposal-writing advice available in a six-week e-mail course to aspiring authors who want to nail the proposal the first time around. The best way to have a short, tight proposal that will impress agents and editors is to start now! Cost: $299.00 [Priority to former students]

Register at Register at Christinakatz.com

Author Debra Mullins is excited to announce that Gabriel MacBraedon, the hero from her novel, The Night Before the Wedding, has been nominated for Best Historical K.I.S.S. Hero in the Romantic Times 2008 Reviewers Choice Awards!

Congratulations, Deb!

Gabriel is definitely worthy of this nomination! Best of luck!

Debra writes historical romance for Avon. You can learn more about her books by visiting: Debra Mullins

I have to add that Debra has some of the most beautiful book covers. :)

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Author C.H. Admirand is excited to announce that her novel, Pearl's Redemption has been nominated for Best Western Romance at Love Western Romances.com

Readers can vote between December 1, 2008 and January 11, 2009.

This is the second year in a row that one of C.H. Admirand's novels has been nominated!

Please be sure to stop by and vote for Pearl's Redemption. You can learn more about C.H. Admirand and her books at: C.H. Admirand

Congratulations, C.H.! I love Celtic themes and your web site is gorgeous!

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Gifted Hands Writing

Gifted Hands Writing offers a a website, especially for those fond of writing and reading, to prepare you for the road ahead in 2009.

What you will find in our website is an exciting selection of topics related to writing, self-help, healing, and earning money.

Among our new offerings are books on grants, financial aid, and tips for making new beginnings in 2009.

So when you're ready for a new life experience, you can visit our website, and recommend our site to others and qualify for free give aways by doing so.

I highly recommend this site! Check them out at: Gifted Hands Writing

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The One Minute Writer

I came across this site and thought it was pretty cool. They have writing prompts and a timer that gives you 60 seconds to write about the prompt.

It's fun! Check it out at: One Minute Writer

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Dr. Wicked

This site has a fun web application called "Write or Die." First you choose a mode and time goal. You then have to start writing, but if you stop, there's consequences ranging from a gentle reminder to having your writing unwrite itself. It's really funny!

Check it out at: Dr. Wicked

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Literary Agent, Richard Curtis posted a very interesting and informative article about the economy and publishing. I hate to keep talking about the doom and gloom of the economy, but it's important to stay informed about the publishing industry so we can improve our odds of getting published.

You can read the article on: Richard Curtis article

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I found this article on Tor's web site. It was written by Jane Lindskold. In the article, Jane talks about what happens to your book after it's written and the process from editorial to production.

You can read it here: Jane Lindskold

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Agent-Query

Before I tell you about this site, it must be noted that this is NOT the same as Agent Query.

This site is run by Michael Wells, Ph.D. Michael is a published author and writing consultant. This site offers free, step-by-step guidance to finding an agent and getting published. He even has a fun quiz you can take to test your "Agent IQ."

I found a lot of useful information on this site and you can check it out at: Agent-Query

Again, this is different from Agent Query, this site has a dash in the middle.

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2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

This contest is for unpublished authors and the grand prize is a contract with Penguin. The winner also gets a $25,000 advance.

Open submissions for manuscripts begin in February 2009. You can also sign up for regular updates on the contest.

For information on the contest, please go to: 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

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JournalismJobs.com

This site has daily job listings for editors, reporters, freelancers, etc.

It also has great articles! Check them out at: Journalism Jobs

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Bobbie Christmas is the "Book Doctor" and Author of Write In Style, a triple-award-winning textbook for writers of fiction and nonfiction, available wherever books are sold. Bobbie loves to receive questions from writers and offer her expert advice. If you have any questions you need answered, please e-mail her at: Bobbie@zebraeditor.com

For the latest Q&A with Bobbie, go to AskTheBookDoctor on the CS4W site.

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If you have an announcement you would like to share with us, please send it to: sandy@coolstuff4writers.com with "Announcement" in the subject line.

I love to hear from you!

Peace,

Sandy

email: sandy@coolstuff4writers.com

phone: 732-276-6573

web: http://www.coolstuff4writers.com