Podcast appearances and mentions of sarah selecky

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.I've got some news...this week I am going back to producing the show on a WEEKLY basis, instead of doing Seasons of 12 episodes. Expect more writerly goodness to come!I'm so excited to introduce you to the wonderful Sarah Selecky — award-winning author, beloved teacher, and founder of the Sarah Selecky Writing School. In this heartfelt conversation, Sarah and I dive into the rich and beautiful connection between creativity, mindfulness, and the writing life.Sarah shares how she's come to see writing not just as an art form, but as a contemplative practice — a way of being present, tuning into curiosity, and connecting with wonder. We talk about her brand-new book, Story is a State of Mind: Writing and the Art of Creative Curiosity, where she distills decades of her teaching and personal writing practice into a thoughtful, encouraging guide for writers who want to nurture both their intellect and intuition.During our conversation, Sarah and I explore something I know many writers struggle with — the balance between structure and creative freedom. She shares how her early writing grew from intuition rather than structured plotting, and what it looked like for her to learn how to bring structure into her storytelling without losing the sense of mystery and discovery that makes writing feel so alive.Sarah even offered a simple, beautiful exercise you can try — using pen and paper to list words starting with a single letter — to help ease into creativity without judgment. It's such a refreshing reminder that sometimes, the smallest rituals can gently open the door to deeper creative work.We also talked about the power of community — and how important it is for us, as writers, not to try and do this alone. Sarah shared her journey from solitary writer to community builder, and how her online space, Centered, grew out of a desire to support writers in a way that feels nourishing, intuitive, and sustainable. I love how Centered invites writers into a creative life rooted in wonder, rest, and shared joy — not hustle or competition. I've been part of this community and can highly recommend it!You can join in a workshop Sarah is offering through Centred on May 14th, with Amy T. Won, entitled Creative Contemplation Through Wonder, for just $20 as a drop-in fee.Throughout our conversation, what touched me most was Sarah's emphasis on giving ourselves grace. Writing creatively isn't easy — it asks us to bridge the worlds of structure and imagination in a way that's neurologically complex and deeply human. If you've ever struggled to trust your own creative instincts or felt overwhelmed by the pressure to “get it right,” this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. I hope you'll find inspiration here to be gentler with yourself, reconnect with your love of words, and savor the deep, sustaining beauty of the writing life.Welcome back to the podcast -- I'm so glad you're here!

Sarah Selecky is So Lucky.

In November 10th, 2009 Michael hosted a poetry reading night and invited author, Sarah Selecky, and poet, Erin Robinsong, to choose and read poems that highlight the importance of art to spiritual practice. He opened the evening by talking about the profound ways that language can either keep us stuck in a false representation of the world or open us up to new possibilities. Recorded on November 10, 2009.

"Writing isn't therapy, but it's therapeutic. Writing isn't magic, but it's magical."~ World famous author, Sarah SeleckySarah Selecky is a Canadian writer who founded the Sarah Selecky Writing School a decade ago. Her core course "The Story Intensive" has transformed writers from all over the world and given them a new view of how to write from the heart. She teaches how and why writing doesn't have to be done alone in a heavy or miserable state of being. That we can connect to and focus on the love of our topic, or write about things that make us feel joyful. There is a contemplative message in all of her work along with a deep reverence for the natural world. Sarah shares evidence about the new science of writing and how when writers create together in community, the signal gets so much stronger and the volume of creative source goes way up. Sarah will be joining Radiant Jane Retreats as a guest teacher in Tuscany April 24-30, 2022. Details here!Listen to Seasons 1 and 2 of Ferocious Compassion at https://thejanereeves.com/podcast/Follow Jane Reeves and Sarah Selecky on Instagram!www.thejanereeves.com

Today's episode is the second part of my interview with Sarah Selecky of the Sarah Selecky Writing School. Sarah and I dive in by discussing the process of giving feedback in the writing school, which places a heavy emphasis on primarily giving positive feedback. All students highlight what's really working in each other's stories, to hone their minds on what they do well so that they can continue to develop their skills. Any criticisms of someone else's work are delivered only with the writer's permission and are couched in terms of constructive criticism.  At the end of the episode, Sarah drops an exciting hint regarding a TV show project that she's working on, so stay tuned for forthcoming news on that front! To learn more about Sarah, visit the links below: Sarah Selecky Writing School Instagram Sarah Selecky Writing School Facebook Sarah Selecky Podcast https://www.sarahseleckywritingschool.com/ To learn more about my coaching, photography, podcast, and to stay connected, visit me at: Alisha Crossley Website Alisha Crossley Photography Website Alisha's Amazon Favorites List Alisha Crossley Photography Instagram Alisha Crossley Official Instagram To learn more about The Artisan's Advantage Signature Course, click on the link below: The Artisan's Advantage Signature Course  

I had such a wonderful conversation with my guest today, Sarah Selecky. Sarah is the author of Radiant Shimmering Light, This Cake Is for the Party, and the founder of the Sarah Selecky Writing School, a creative community for thousands of writers around the world.  Topics we will discuss during Part 1 of this conversation are: The love for storytelling in the south Why Sarah started her own writing school, instead of becoming a professor or teacher The path to obtaining her MFA and whether it was worth the money and time Sarah's writing process and when you should do your editing To learn more about Sarah, visit the links below: Sarah Selecky Writing School Instagram Sarah Selecky Writing School Facebook Sarah Selecky Podcast https://www.sarahseleckywritingschool.com/ To learn more about my coaching, photography, podcast, and to stay connected, visit me at: Alisha Crossley Website Alisha Crossley Photography Website Alisha's Amazon Favorites List Alisha Crossley Photography Instagram Alisha Crossley Official Instagram To learn more about The Artisan's Advantage Signature Course, click on the link below: The Artisan's Advantage Signature Course

Sarah Selecky is a force of nature. She is the author of the novel Radiant Shimmering Light and the short story collection This Cake Is for the Party, which was a finalist for the Giller Prize, shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize, and longlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award. She earned her MFA from the University of British Columbia. In 2011 she founded the Sarah Selecky Writing School, which has become a creative community for more than 13,000 writers from around the world. Her mission? To inspire us to embrace the power of wonder and write what we most want to read.Get your FREE JOMO™ Guide and more at jomocast.com.Learn more about Sarah Selecky at sarahselecky.com.Music by Thomas J. Indge See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today's guest, Sarah Selecky, is an author and the founder of the Sarah Selecky Writing School. Listen in as she talks about: - how creativity is magic - ways of being present in your life/work - how creative writing is a skill that can be taught - why slow is smooth, and smooth is fast - how it can (and should) feel like you're "breaking your life" to make space for writing and creating sometimes Sarah's voice is so calm and soothing. But the passion with which she speaks, AND the way in which she makes creativity accessible, makes this a must-listen episode. It feels like hearing a great story, taking a business masterclass, and enjoying a relaxing meditation all-in-one. "These divisions that our culture presents around making art and living a good life are false." - Sarah Selecky Listen in to find out why and ignite your creativity. ----- Sarah helps writers center their relationship with writing so they can do the creative work they long to do. To find out more, visit: www.sarahseleckywritingschool.com or https://www.instagram.com/sarahseleckywritingschool/. ----- Find out what kind of business owner you are at caryngillen.com/quiz. Your answer will let you know areas where you're killing it and the places where there's room for growth in the 3 Pillars of Business Your Way. Can't wait to hear about your results! ----- Finally, EPISODE TRANSCRIPTS can be found here: caryngillen.com/transcripts.

In this episode I speak with author Sarah Selecky. Sarah is author of 2 critically acclaimed books and founder of a creative writing school. Sarah gives us insights on how to be more creative in our work and life. We talk about the importance of understanding ourselves and our emotions and how this can help spark creativity and give us an idea of what you should be creating. Sarah shares some different exercises she does with her students to allow their creativity to flow. We talk about the inner critic and how it hinders creativity. We talk about the nature of the inner critic or ego and how to develop a better relationship with it that allows more creativity and risk taking.Sarah talks about writer's block or just any blocks that stop us from creating. She tells us the different types of resistance we feel to creating and why they stop us from doing what we want. She gives us some tips on how to overcome this resistance and start creating again. She also goes on to talk about the flow state, dreams and synchronicities and how they are a part of the creative process.www.sarahseleckywritingschool.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode is part of the Happy Campers Interview series. Since April 2020, Nicole Rivera has been hosting an online writing community intensive called the Happy Campers Club. Now Nicole is writing the Stop Writing Alone book about all of her experience with writing community, and wanted to the perspective from the members in the club. This is one interview toward that end.   Tammy Breitweiser returns to the Stop Writing Alone podcast to discuss all things writing community — from her own PUSH Groups and courses she leads for writers, to the places and spaces she finds constant inspiration to write.    Mentioned in this episode:   Previous Episode with Tammy Breitweiser Episode 64: https://stopwritingalone.com/2020/04/02/episode-64-tammy-breitweiser-the-accidental-inspirationalist/  Tammy Breitweiser's PUSH group sign up https://mailchi.mp/7a65558c8526/push  website/blog https://tammysreadinglife.wordpress.com/  Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/f99ff5fdfc67/newsletter-sign-up  IG https://instagram.com/inspiretammyb?utm_medium=copy_link  Twitter https://twitter.com/tlbreit?s=21  Short story collection https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C6WBQ34/ref=nodl_  The Wayhome Tarot https://shopeverydaymagic.com/products/the-wayhome-tarot  Secret Library Podcast https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com  Sarah Selecky https://www.sarahselecky.com  Story A Day https://storyaday.org  Music for coffee break from freesound by lemoncreme https://freesound.org/people/Lemoncreme/sounds/186942/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2205774733034348/ Stop Writing Alone Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/Stopwritingalone  NV Rivera YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpPlp1EVzQhDFPdGp5w2KoQ?view_as=subscriber  Stay connected to learn about all Stop Writing Alone stuff -- get on Nicole's email list: https://mailchi.mp/ff8df93e57dc/penpals  Buy Nicole a coffee (AKA support the podcast!) https://ko-fi.com/stopwritingalone   Places to connect to the STOP WRITING ALONE community and introduce yourself: Stop Writing Alone FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/stopwritingalone/ Join the Stop Writing Alone with Nicole Rivera FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2205774733034348/ Stop Writing Alone website: https://stopwritingalone.com/ Join the Stop Writing Alone email list: https://mailchi.mp/ff8df93e57dc/penpals  Stop Writing Alone Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/stopwritingalone/  Nicole's Twitter: https://twitter.com/nv_rivera  The Stop Writing Alone voice number (call to introduce yourself!): (646) 907-9607    When you find a group of people who lift you up on a daily basis, it is important to share their awesome. Here are links to the women in Nicole's Mastermind group (currently going by the name The Voxer Vixens!). Please support these women who do so much to support Nicole on a daily basis! Kim A. Flodin https://www.kelekilove.com/  Lisa Murray https://ihavedreamsdammit.com/ Claire Oldham West https://slimmingstories.podbean.com/ Johanna Jaquez-Peralta https://www.instagram.com/latina_livin_keto/ Emma Isaacs https://www.instagram.com/emmaisaacsdesign/ 

Author Sarah Selecky joins us on the podcast this week. Not only is Sarah a Giller nominated author, but she is also a business owner, writing coach, and mentor, and she talks to us about her writing process and how overcoming her own writer's block inspired her to start a writing school. We also chat about the craft of writing, the author community, and her writing competition, The Little Bird Contest. Learn more about this episode!

I hadn't planned to have Sarah on this season, since we've had so many episodes together, but when it came time to wrap recording, it felt wrong. We came to this episode without notes, without a specific topic other than to explore what was nourishing each of us as writers at this point in time.As we come to the final weeks of the madness that has been 2020, Sarah and I also explore what our goals have been for writing at this point, and how our metrics for success have changed.This is one of the richest conversations I've had about writing recently, and I'm delighted we went ahead and recorded anyway. This is a chance to reflect on what writing means to us, as we look back over a year of writing under unprecedented circumstances. It's also a chance to consider what we want writing to be for us going forward. Enjoy this final interview for season 3. Next week, we wrap with a solo episode to conclude for 2020.Visit this episode's show notes page here: https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/sarah-selecky-s3-ep13 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Author Sarah Selecky talks with Steve about the different forms of story, how storytelling can improve your sales, and why it's the best way to talk to the humans you're trying to reach. Sarah has her MFA, is the author of two different books, and the teacher and founder of Sarah Selecky Writing School, an online program for writers looking to make writing a habit and improve their craft and technique. She relates to the protagonist of her latest novel, who struggles with showing up online authentically while trying to sell art. Where most people recognize The Hero's Journey—and The Heroine's Journey—as a dominant story structure, Sarah knows those aren't a writer's only options. She walks Steve through a few different forms because she believes it's important to analyze them objectively, both as a writer and a business owner. Sarah believes the story is always smarter than you are. Her challenge is finding a way to honor the idea of what a story is without feeling too beholden to a set form. She wants her readers to keep turning her pages, but not to have to follow all the rules all the time. To do so, she asks the story what it wants to be and lets it play out in a way that allows her to find joy and love in the process—not fight it. Sarah Selecky Writing School is a combination of learning to love the craft of writing and mastering techniques. Sarah has her students look for the good in other's writing so they can spot and articulate it more easily, which she believes will help them bring more of that love and language to the page.You can learn more about Sarah here:https://www.sarahselecky.comhttps://www.sarahseleckywritingschool.com Read the books mentioned in this podcast:Radiant Shimmering Light by Sarah SeleckyThis Cake is for the Party by Sarah SeleckyThe Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph CampbellThe Heroine's Journey by Maureen MurdockThe War of Art by Steven PressfieldEnroll in the QuickStart Academy today to learn how to develop and implement a proven growth strategy that grows your ROI, your business, and your confidence. Learn more HERE.Thinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout's secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show (https://cash.app/$stevemfbrown)

What happens when you achieve a dream, then want to change your life? Writer Sonia Ruyts answered this question—and waded through liminal space—when she decided to close her brick-and-mortar yarn shop to pursue writing. On today's episode she shares fresh ideas for establishing consistency in your writing practice, how she navigates self-doubt, the exercise she always starts her writing day with, and the intersection between slow fashion and creativity. MEET SONIA Sonia Ruyts holds a BA in Theatre from the College of Idaho. She is a former pastry chef and yarn shop owner who has returned to her first love: writing. Sonia explores themes of identity, loss, and transformation in her nonfiction writing and is currently at work on her first collection of essays. Sonia lives with her wife and two children—and their ever-expanding collection of pets—in the Pacific Northwest. Connect: SoniaRuyts.com Instagram Poshmark EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS How to navigate a cocktail of grief and shame The foolproof way Sonia starts almost every writing session Why studying English in college intimidated her (and the major she chose instead) How she pivoted from pastry chef to yarn shop owner The moment Sonia realized she wanted to close the store by the time she turned 40, and how she navigated the transition that followed Avoiding and procrastinating vs. needing true rest How choosing certain clothing items can help us connect with others, give us confidence, and help us feel comfortable during uncomfortable situations like readings, workshops, and more LINKABLE MENTIONS Business coach extraordinaire, Megan Flatt Love and Trouble: A Midlife Reckoning by Claire Dedeier Ethical fashion brand Elizabeth Suzann, and its popular Harper tunic “The List of Words” exercise from Sarah Selecky

Tammy Breitweiser, the “accidental inspirationalist,” is a master at taking self-imposed challenges and transforming them into new habits and massive productivity. From her own 100 Rejections Project, to her participation in various online challenges available to all of us, Tammy shows us how to turn be writers with a capital W! Ready to join the Happy Campers Club for only $30 -- one dollar a day https://mailchi.mp/be83521f036a/happycamperclub Mentioned in this episode: Tammy Breitweiser on Medium https://medium.com/@tammybreitweiser  Tammy’s Twitter https://twitter.com/tlbreit?lang=en  Tammy’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/runnertammyz/?hl=en  Tammy’s Reading/Writing Life https://tammysreadinglife.wordpress.com/  Weekend Coffee Share https://medium.com/the-partnered-pen/weekend-coffee-share-5c6970b1406f  Ralph Fletcher http://ralphfletcher.com/  Windy Lynn Harriss https://windylynnharris.com/  Jenna Britton https://www.jennabritton.com/  Story a Day https://storyaday.org/  What No One Tells You About Writing https://medium.com/@tammybreitweiser/what-no-one-tells-you-about-writing-c52d143b038e  Sandra Cisneros https://www.sandracisneros.com/  THE ARTIST’S WAY https://juliacameronlive.com/  Keep App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.keep&hl=en_US  BIG MAGIC https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/books/big-magic/  Sign up for Happy Campers Club: https://mailchi.mp/be83521f036a/happycamperclub Two Sylvia’s Press https://www.twosylviaspress.com/index.html Sarah Selecky https://www.sarahseleckywritingschool.com/daily-prompts/ The 100 Day Project https://www.the100dayproject.org/ Creative Life Scholars https://creativelifescholars.com/ Typewriter Tarot https://www.typewritertarot.com/  NV Rivera YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpPlp1EVzQhDFPdGp5w2KoQ?view_as=subscriber  Stay connected to learn about all Stop Writing Alone stuff -- get on Nicole’s email list: https://mailchi.mp/ff8df93e57dc/penpals  Buy Nicole a coffee (AKA support the podcast!) https://ko-fi.com/stopwritingalone   Places to connect to the STOP WRITING ALONE community and introduce yourself: Stop Writing Alone FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/stopwritingalone/ Join the Stop Writing Alone with Nicole Rivera FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2205774733034348/ Stop Writing Alone website: https://stopwritingalone.com/ Join the Stop Writing Alone email list: https://mailchi.mp/ff8df93e57dc/penpals  Stop Writing Alone Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/stopwritingalone/  Nicole’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/nv_rivera  The Stop Writing Alone voice number (call to introduce yourself!): (646) 907-9607    When you find a group of people who lift you up on a daily basis, it is important to share their awesome. Here are links to the women in Nicole’s Mastermind group (currently going by the name The Voxer Vixens!). Please support these women who do so much to support Nicole on a daily basis! Kim A. Flodin https://www.howinthehellpodcast.com/ Lisa Murray https://ihavedreamsdammit.com/ Claire Oldham West https://slimmingstories.podbean.com/ Johanna Jaquez-Peralta https://www.instagram.com/latina_livin_keto/ Emma Isaacs https://www.instagram.com/emmaisaacsdesign/ 

Every time Sarah Selecky and I get together to talk about writing, I feel a little high afterward.This conversation was no exception and, in many ways, this one had me buzzing more than any of the ones we've had before. Sarah was the first person to convince me that revision wasn't a dirty word and that it could even be something enjoyable.The thing that gets in the way of enjoying the process is the pervasive belief that revision is something you make happen. That as the writer you have to take the material of your book so far and force it into a shape that is pleasing and effective. There is a very grinding quality to this approach.As Sarah and I remind ourselves and each other in this conversation, there are plenty of creative processes we can model ourselves after that do not look like a construction site, where we press on with timetables and a foreman checking his watch constantly. Instead, Sarah shares how she uses nature as a model, a force that is is just as powerful, if not more so, and one that plays by decidedly different rules. Follow along and learn the magical way to revise, one that leaves you uplifted rather than depleted, and let yourself be surprised by escaping the grind entirely. Have fun listening to this one -- we certainly had fun making it for you.Full show notes with links: https://secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/sarah-selecky-s2-ep6 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to another edition of The Avid Reader. Today our guest is Sarah Selecky, author of Radiant Shimmering Light, her latest work, published by Bloomsbury late last year. Sarah’s previous work included This Cake Is For The Party. She has been teaching people how to write receptively since 2001 in a small workshop that developed into a writing school that now boasts an international celebration. She has since opened The Story Incentive, a creative writing and mentorship program that runs each fall. As she has often said “writing creatively demands a special kind of attention; it needs to be laced with kindness and benevolent boundaries. Sarah tries to bring inspiration, peace and creative satisfaction to writers… She even sends letters of support and instruction to her students once a month. She loves Fabriano paper and dark chocolate, which I mention only because I love both as well. So, to Radiant Shimmering Light. Lilian Quick is a 40 year old woman who lives in Toronto, barely making ends meet on a sporadic check by check basis. She is doing her best to achieve personal enlightenment, while at the same time following a recipe for self-promotion and commercial success. A tricky row to hoe. Somewhat mystically, Lillian has always seen auras around animals, and this sense is heightened as the book goes on, and she uses that talent in her profession of drawing pet portraits which include the glowing hues that surround her subjects. What’s so fascinating about this book is that it has been called a satire, but it is difficult for me to envision it as one, since what it satirizes is not that much different from what we see in our world on a day to day basis. That doesn’t take away from the fact that this book is really hilarious and as Lillian bumbles through her life, she finds herself in situations that may not be so much different from our own, and since laughter is such an ineffable quality, that laughter arises in part from what we see of us in her. So just as Lillian is about to perhaps “make it” she comes across an old friend Florence (from her childhood) who now goes by the name of Eleven and runs what might be called either a Ponzi or pyramid scheme. Eleven is beautiful, charismatic and either a self aware self promoter (or not). Some women are easy targets and that may be so because they have been denied the empowerment that they so richly deserve. Lillian’s voyage, partly with Eleven/Florence and partly and courageously on her own, make this book both a powerful and comic exploration for both Lillian and us.

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to another edition of The Avid Reader. Today our guest is Sarah Selecky, author of Radiant Shimmering Light, her latest work, published by Bloomsbury late last year. Sarah’s previous work included This Cake Is For The Party. She has been teaching people how to write receptively since 2001 in a small workshop that developed into a writing school that now boasts an international celebration. She has since opened The Story Incentive, a creative writing and mentorship program that runs each fall. As she has often said “writing creatively demands a special kind of attention; it needs to be laced with kindness and benevolent boundaries. Sarah tries to bring inspiration, peace and creative satisfaction to writers… She even sends letters of support and instruction to her students once a month. She loves Fabriano paper and dark chocolate, which I mention only because I love both as well. So, to Radiant Shimmering Light. Lilian Quick is a 40 year old woman who lives in Toronto, barely making ends meet on a sporadic check by check basis. She is doing her best to achieve personal enlightenment, while at the same time following a recipe for self-promotion and commercial success. A tricky row to hoe. Somewhat mystically, Lillian has always seen auras around animals, and this sense is heightened as the book goes on, and she uses that talent in her profession of drawing pet portraits which include the glowing hues that surround her subjects. What’s so fascinating about this book is that it has been called a satire, but it is difficult for me to envision it as one, since what it satirizes is not that much different from what we see in our world on a day to day basis. That doesn’t take away from the fact that this book is really hilarious and as Lillian bumbles through her life, she finds herself in situations that may not be so much different from our own, and since laughter is such an ineffable quality, that laughter arises in part from what we see of us in her. So just as Lillian is about to perhaps “make it” she comes across an old friend Florence (from her childhood) who now goes by the name of Eleven and runs what might be called either a Ponzi or pyramid scheme. Eleven is beautiful, charismatic and either a self aware self promoter (or not). Some women are easy targets and that may be so because they have been denied the empowerment that they so richly deserve. Lillian’s voyage, partly with Eleven/Florence and partly and courageously on her own, make this book both a powerful and comic exploration for both Lillian and us.

Sarah Selecky is a writer and educator who believes that good writing needs heart, consciousness, skill, and presence. Her community of writers is over 10,000 people strong and she approaches writing as both an art and contemplative practice. Her    method is a hybrid of literary craft and unapologetic love.  Sarah encourages feeling images and words as part of this process, facilitating a mind-body connection that merges  memory with imagination.  We are so excited to share this interview with you. This episode with Sarah takes a creative break from movement, but still flows in our exploration of mindfulness and embodied experiencing. Sarah shares with us her own creative process, the inspiration and foundations of her teaching method, and how stepping into the unknown intersects art, practice and life. She and Kathryn discover all kinds of correlations between writing,  meditating, mindfulness practice, creativity, teaching, learning, and discovery. Together they navigate conversation around the speed at which we are receiving information and our ability to digest it, as well as experience discomfort in the unknown  and that in riding these waves we can endeavour to  creating space for both curiosity and contemplation that allows both story and life to evolve and and unfold in their own way, in their own time, beyond all expectations.  Sarah shares a few exercises to help you cultivate a regular writing practice, and they pair articulate the importance of ritual in any stimulative venture.  Finally, Sarah lets us in on  some  interesting insights about her most recent book, Radiant Shimmering Light,  a story of spirituality and human connection in the age of social media and personal branding, and finding personal purpose in a saturated world. We learn how her creative trajectory of  imagining  a future beyond belief became a notion of reality over the course of the work and changed the entire timeline of the novel, speaking to the rapid and radical grasp of our time and  to that creative process of discovery. 

I don't know how else to say it. This episode is long.  But it's so good that we couldn't stand to cut anything out of it. As soon as I knew that Sarah Selecky's book, Radiant Shimmering Light, was coming out in Canada this week, I knew she was episode 100. And then I had to talk about the amazing books coming out this spring with Mary Laura Philpott. And I love talking to both of them, so we didn't cut it short. We went all out talking about everything we're excited about.  I know going over an hour asks a lot of people listening, but my hope is that these conversations are worth the time. I left talking to Sarah and Mary Laura buzzing with excitement and I expect you will, too. As always, it's a joy creating this show and it's an even bigger joy showing it off in its new home! Show Notes with Links  Sponsored by Audible and The Secret Library Podcast Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sarah Selecky is the author of This Cake Is for The Party, a finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, arguably Canada's highest literary award. The New York Times called her stories "utterly fascinating". Sarah is also the founder of the Sarah Selecky Writing School. I've always loved its tag line, Write what you want to read. I have to say, though, that I'm quite taken aback that Sarahs new novel, Radiant Shimmering Light, is exactly what I want to read. I couldn't put it down! I devoured it in two sittings stopping only to sleep. I was absolutely taken in by the story, the characters, the details and the familiarity of this work. This world is so familiar to me that when the scenes weren't totally cracking me up, it was because they were making me really uncomfortable. Radiant Shimmering Light is going to be found in the Womens Literature section of your local bookstore, what is often called ChickLit. For the past fifteen years I have read almost exclusively works of non-fiction. And I rarely wander the shelves of the bookstore looking for feel-good beach reads. But if you listen to this podcast, you need to buy this book. Sarah wrote this book for us. She gets us. She's one of us. She has written what we want to read, a story about us. Find out all about Sarah's work at sarahselecky.com

Annual Poetry Evening. Erin Robinsong, Sarah Selecky, Michael Stone read from their favourite poems. A wonderful evening of words to support practice. Recorded Nov. 30, 2010.

We've all been there: podcast bankruptcy. Having so many episodes stacked up in the queue to listen that it feels like the only way to proceed is to give up, delete everything and start over. Not to fear- this August, the Secret Library has your back. catch up on some of my favorite episodes from the show so far, or listen again and learn even more from these incredible guests now that you have more time writing since you last tuned in. I hope you enjoy listening and I'll be back with an incredible new calendar of episodes in September... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to episode 050 of The Zen Courses Show. I can’t believe it’s been 50 episodes already! In this episode we're going to take a trip down memory lane. You’ll hear the highlights from a year of interviewing online course creators, including my top takeaways and snippets from the most popular shows over the past year. I'll also share what I've been up to with Zen Courses. Ready? References and Episodes Mentioned: Jumpstart Your Course - A live program to help you get started with your online course ZCS 011 - Sarah Selecky of SarahSelecky.com ZCS 047 - Bob Reynolds of BobReynoldsMusic.com ZCS 044 - Caleb Pike of DSLRVideoShooter.com ZCS 043 - Courtney Sanders of ThinkAndGrowChick.com ZCS 003 - Darlene Hildebrandt of DigitalPhotoMentor.com ZCS 007 - Emma Holmes of SchoolofScratch.com ZCS 025 - Brent Weaver of uGurus.com Thanks for Listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving an honest review for The Zen Courses Show on iTunes! Ratings and reviews boost ratings & help new listeners find the show. I read every review and I'd love to read yours. Click here to leave a review. And, finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. If you have an Android phone, you can subscribe on Stitcher. Lastly, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone featured in this episode for sharing their story with us on The Zen Courses Show!

Sarah Selecky is back! It's time to get into revision... I must admit, I was a little nervous to have this conversation with Sarah Selecky. As a NaNoWriMo winner five times over who then went on to leave each of those novels untouched in drawers and on hard drives, I am not a great champion of revision as an easy process. Sarah is back, having finished her own first novel draft and into the revision process herself. It was a total joy to discuss how she approaches revision. It felt so much lighter and more enjoyable than how I've felt about re-writing in the past. If you have revision fears or think you'll never write something that's really worth revising, this will be a conversation that will light you up as it did for me. May we all move on to second drafts together... Full Show Notes | Sponsored by Muse Monthly See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the beginning, there is the blank page.  We've talked a lot about the later parts of a book's life: publishing and distribution and design. This week we're going all the way back to the start.  How do you get a book down on the page? What happens when you face the blank page and there is nothing there? What's up with the feeling of having to make a story come out of your head? What do I do with that nasty critical voice that keeps bashing my work as I write? Where does it all come from, anyway? Sarah Selecky has been teaching students since 2001 how to deal with these and many conundrums that the writer faces when getting started on a project. We dive into the process of writing and all the magic that goes along with it.  I won't lie- I felt a little high after wrapping up this recording.  Want to dive into that novel you've been dreaming of writing? This is where you begin. This episode.  We want you to write that novel. It wants to exist. This episode will help you find it.  This episode is sponsored by MuseMonthly.com Shownotes at SecretLibraryPodcast.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today’s guest is Sarah Selecky, an author and entrepreneur. In this episode, Sarah gives us a peek insider her course, Story is a State of Mind. Plus, she shares strategies for teaching a creative process. If you want to create a course focused on creativity, process and transformation this episode is for you. In This Episode, You'll Learn: What the heck sprezzatura means! Sarah’s first business (hint: Nancy Drew) The adjustments Sarah made to her in-person course to teach it online How she uses themes and colors to organize her course How she uses linear thinking and creative loops to encourage progress How she pushed through the frustration of not knowing anything about technology (or how to use her camera!) to create her first course. How to guide your students through their struggle and fear (and why struggle is good) How she got prize winning author Margaret Atwood to be a guest teacher in her course Her tips on writing for instruction and engagement The secret to balancing the need for creative space with the pull of entrepreneurship Links Mentioned in This Episode: SarahSelecky.com Story is a State of Mind Typeform Little Bird Writing Contest Thanks for Listening!If you enjoyed this episode, please leave an honest review for The Zen Courses Show on iTunes! Ratings and reviews boost ratings & help new listeners find the show. I read every review and I'd love to read yours. Click here to leave a review. And, finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. If you have an Android phone, you can subscribe on Stitcher. Lastly, a special THANK YOU to Sarah for sharing her story on The Zen Courses Show!

Today I'm talking to my friend, Sarah Selecky, about the parallels between the writing and working with intuition. We also give metaphor the love it deserves. Sarah is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States and grew up in Southern Indiana and Northern Ontario. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia, and her writing has appeared in the top Canadian magazines and quarterlies such as The Walrus, The New Quarterly, and The Journey Prize Anthology, among many others. This Cake Is for the Party is her first book, which was a finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, shortlisted for the Commonwealth Prize for Best First Book, and longlisted for the Frank O'Connor Short Story Award. She is also the creator of the groundbreaking online writing program, Story Is a State of Mind, and online writing school, The Story Intensive, which includes collaborations with Margaret Atwood, George Saunders, and others. She divides her time between Toronto and the rest of the world. You can find Sarah at www.sarahselecky.com and on Twitter @sarahselecky. I am not a fiction writer but I want to be because of Sarah's course. It has made my speech writing better, my course writing better and my articulation better. It's a gift you should give yourself if you have to write for your work but you're "not a writer".  You're welcome.