We will open the book. Its pages are blank.

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ISSUE AND DATE

The Ingenuity of

Asking Questions

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Hi ,

One of the most creative acts that you can engage in for a creatively calibrated New Year is also one of the easiest: The act of asking a question.

Allow that question to simmer, incubate, and ricochet off your vast inner world of collected experience. Consider that there are more answers to your question then the first obvious ones and watch yourself veer off into the elsewheres of possibilities, into novel resourcefulness.

Creativity requires time for subconscious connections and associations, for concepts to combine into those coveted moments when the bow of thought. . .slides along the strings of discovery and sends out an "aha" seemingly from no-where. Chances are it came from a question you were asking.

Join me on January 8, 2013 for Creativity Realignment to Kick off a Mischievously Satisfying New Beginning to 2013

Asking Questions is Convenient.

You can ask questions anywhere:

In a closet with a bear

In a line for underwear

In a greasy corner diner

In the mountains of caroliner

While spacing out in conversations

Or holidaying to other nations.

[Okay.. I'll stop.]

Here are some questions the Muses suggest you ask for the New Year:

1. What worked last year? Can I do that again?

2. How do I want to feel in the creative process? Playfully curious? Mischievously quirky? Anticipating discovery? Boldly sure? (If you enjoy the process, the product takes care of itself - plus, guess what? Life is mostly process.)

3. What would it feel like to be effortlessly engaged in and delightfully obsessed with my creative passion? (Pause now and consider that question.)

4. What is one small way I can make my writing/art/music/life fresh?

5. What interesting thing will:

The character in my book do next?
My art unearth?
I discover during the creative process ?
Take me in a new direction in my writing?

6. How can I make this a little more uniquely me?

These questions asked frequently are more likely to get you where you want to go than New Year's resolutions.

Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.

~Oscar Wilde

See events below for more ways to make creativity a priority in your new year.

Getting Your Creativity ON in 2013

Twice Weekly

The Muse is IN Writing Club

Experience original creative writing prompts that explore listing, unfinished sentences, mind-mapping, associations and as starters that make writing easier. Keep your regular maintenance in tract with the writing prompts from Jill's new book and the ones that didn't fit in the book. Be contagiously inspired to stay true to writing, including regular incentives. Invest $10 a month in your writing (less cost than one movie- but a bunch of creativity). More here

Every Friday 8am pacific/9 mtn/10 central/11am eastern

Parallel Universe Time Free Call to help you get to your creative bliss in real time. Bring something you've been putting off. Get ready for magic as I hold the space for you to get to and focus on your creativity. Click here to sign-up

Tuesday, January 8, 2013 4pm pacific/5 mtn/6 central/7pm easten (optional follow-up on Jan 15)

Creative Realignment Journal Workshop This is how I move through my creative blocks and avoid gravitating toward fear, procrastination, and lack of focus. Discover what it's all about. See all the value you get for only $29. Really. This will save you hundreds of dollars of therapy... believe me.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013 5pm pacific/6pm mtn/7central/8 eastern

Book Release Celebration Teleconference! FREE

Jill's new book, The Muse is IN: An Owner's Manual to Your Creativity will be discussed and demonstrated. There shall be laughter. Sign-up. Recording will be posted if you cannot make it.

Tuesdays, January 15-April 2, 2013

Muse Facilitator Training with Janet Whitehead and Jill Badonsky

Celebrate creativity by running groups with kindred spirits for another stream of joy and income. Experience a journey to take your own creativity deeper. . Go here for more on THAT.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013 7:30 p.m. (Replaces the previously scheduled January 12 party)

The Muse is IN: Book Release Party

Warwick's Bookshop 7812 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037.

Cross Streets: Between Silverado St and Wall St

Monday, January 21, 2013

Free Teleconference about the upcoming program starting in March:The Company Muse: Business Building for the Reluctant Marketer

For anyone who is resistant, rebellious, lost, and unfocused in the area of getting business for whatever company you are running from selling potholders to getting clients for coaching. The Company Muse explores blocks from the inside out and uses Kaizen-Muse Creativity Tools to make marketing gentle, fun and creative. With Dawn Kotzer and Jill Badonsky. Sign-up here

February 13-May 29, 2013

Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching Certification Training

Become a Certified Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach. The small step method of Kaizen meets up with the Modern Day Muses' intuitive/playful practicality in this 17 week coaching training designed to teach students how to be experts in busting through the overwhelm, fear, procrastination, perfectionism and self-sabotage that blocks creative progress in any area of life. Save $100 with early registration, ends January 13. More here on KMCC

February 15-17, 2013 Canyon of the Eagles, Austin, TX or

March 15-17, 2013 Amara Resort, Sedona, AZ

Cowgirls and Crayons: Unleashing Your Creativity

Have fun exploring the archetype of the spunky, wild woman to have a greater connection to your creative courage, authenticity, confidence, focus, and drive. Allow yourself to experienc the restoration of getting out of town to a beautiful, pampering location. Using creative writing, SoulCollage(R), expressive art, movement and story-telling. With Kat Kirby and Jill Badonsky

Retreats button

July 9-13, 2013 Creativity Retreat in Taos, New Mexico

The Annual Electric Skies & Creative Thunder: Empowering Your Creative Self

Experience the magic of exploring a deeper experience of your creative voice and an easier commitment to keeping it flowing at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House in the enchantment of Taos.

For those interested Retreats more here

Introducing the Release this Week of:

FINALLY! phew.

Includes descriptions and step-by-step instructions for the gizmos, conditions, tools, and daily maintenance needed for creative genius to operate like a well-oiled machine. Trouble-shooting advice for procrastination, overwhelm, perfectionism, ruthless inner talking, self-sabotage, fear and more. Enjoy!

Please write me if you would like to be a part of my blog-tour which includes your links included in my newsletter, website, and social media. All you need to do is come up with three questions about the subject of Keeping Creativity Running or use a template of information that I provide. Write info@themuseisin.com Optional: Include a drawing of the book.

Release Party on the Phone January 9, 2013

Book Release Celebration Teleconference! FREE

Jill's new book, The Muse is IN: An Owner's Manual to Your Creativity will be discussed and demonstrated. Sign-up. Recording will be posted if you cannot make it.

January 16, 2013 7:30 pm San Diego Book Release Party and Champagne Celebration

Warwicks in La Jolla

Available at Barnes and Noble, amazon, and independent book stores.

Available in San Diego at Warwicks in La Jolla and The Grove in South Park.

See the booktour schedule here!.

Illustrated 2013 creativity desk calendar here

Henry Miller Quote for the New Year