My mind is a pretzel!

Why do people spend more time stretching and exercising their bodies than their minds when it is the brain that controls everything the body does?

The thought came to me the other day while doing my morning yoga. I was lying on the ground, body twisted in a shape resembling a deform pretzel, attempting to do a little of both. With two children yakking in my ear and two big dogs hovering over my head trying to assess the situation, my mind was racing not relaxing! So, yes, when I was supposed to be clearing my mind from all thoughts, I had this one.

I need to find new ways to twist and stretch my mind as a writer. Sure, I’ve never been accused of being short on imagination (in fact, my imaginative mind has gotten me into trouble more than a few times). And coming up with new ideas doesn’t usually pose a problem either. But… what if I were to do these mind-stretching exercises and they allowed me to move further outside my comfort zone as writer? Or they might help me to develop a clearer sense of who I am as a writer and what my true voice is. And maybe, just maybe, I might find a perfect niche for me – possibly one I would have never before considered.

So, my search begins. I’m off to delve into the unknown depths of my semi-twisted mind and find ways to twist it some more. Wish me luck! I’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, please share your thoughts and tips. What mind-stretching exercises work best for you as a writer, artist or musician?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Twin Trinity Media / Accentuate Services
michy@twintrinitymedia.com

TWIN TRINITY MEDIA ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF ELEMENTS OF THE SOUL

TEXAS, USA – July 3, 2009 Twin Trinity Media, part of the Accentuate FAMILY of Author Services, announces the Accentuate Writers Anthology Elements of the Soul has gone to print and will be released late this summer. The collection of short stories and poems is a compilation of the winners of the Accentuate Writers Short Story Anthology and Poetry Contest that took place in 2008. Writers braved tough competition to vie for a place in the anthology, a royalty contract, cash and merchandise prizes.

The stories and poems in Elements of the Soul were written on four themes: Fire & Ice, Winds of Change, April Showers and Summer Heat. Contestants’ submissions were judged on use of theme, adherence to submission guidelines and quality of the story and writing. In addition to the contest winners’ stories, two authors were included in the anthology as Editor’s Picks and received royalty contracts.

The Accentuate Writers Short Story Anthology and Poetry Contest, now in its second year, gives writers an opportunity to obtain critiques, a chance to win cash and merchandise prizes, and a publishing contract. Anyone is eligible to enter the contests for a small fee, but only the best work rises to the top and is included in the Accentuate Writers Anthology.

“The Accentuate Short Story Contest was the first writing contest I ever entered,” says winner Jo Brielyn. “Until then, I knew I was a writer but always doubted my worth. After becoming a semi-finalist with my first entry, I gained helpful writing pointers and the confidence to submit again. The second time around, I placed third in the contest. Now, I’m realizing my dream of becoming published in a book. The Accentuate Writers Forum and its contests are helping me to reach outside my comfort zone and expand myself as a writer.”

Authors for Elements of the Soul include: Steven Thor Gunnin, Jennifer Walker, Rissa Watkins, Lindsay Maddox, George Kramer, Lucinda Gunnin, Jo Brielyn, M. Lori Motley, Susan Sosbe and Laurie Darroch-Meekis. The anthology also features talented poetry winners whose prose will fill the pages between stories with wonderful imagery and substance. Michelle L Devon, author of In a Perfect World and The Path: A Series on Redemption and Sensual Awakening, who is a contributing author to other anthologies herself, edited the book and contributed to the foreword.

Elements of the Soul is currently available at a special pre-order price of $13.00, which includes shipping and handling, taxes and a specially made bookmark. Orders can be placed at THIS LINK.

Accentuate Services has been in business for over fourteen years and is dedicated to providing services to authors, from publishing consulting to editing and writing coaching. Other ventures that are part of the Accentuate FAMILY of Author Services include Unsent Letters, Recipes & Recovery, Erotic Anthologies, and the Accentuate Writers Forum, with other projects in the works. Visit the website at www.AccentuateServices.com.

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Twin Trinity Media / Accentuate Services
c/o: Michelle L Devon
1305 E. 36th Street
Odessa, TX 79762
Toll-Free: 866.641.8130
Michy@twintrinitymedia.com
http://www.accentuateservices.com