Greetings!


"Honesty will never break you."
~ Kate Hudson

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In my writing workings, I encourage honesty and getting down to our emotional truth. Right now I want to be completely honest with you. For decades, I have been creating monthly newsletters. Most often it is a fun task, while at the same time, it's also a discipline and ritual. In full transparency, sometimes it feels like a chore. It's not always easy coming up with fresh subjects, but I try to make a habit of it. It's easier when a month is connected with a particular holiday, but if the month doesn't remind me of anything in particular, it makes my job more difficult.

I find the summer months a little like that. Perhaps my psyche is telling me to take my summers off, as is done in many countries around the world. However, I have not committed to that yet. So, when a month does not remind me of something in particular, I capture a lesser-known holiday. This month, I'd like to remind my readers that
August 2nd is National Coloring Book Day. This holiday resonates with me because next to journaling, coloring was one of my favorite childhood activities. I can still smell the fragrance of crayons and feel the energy of sharpening my crayons on the little sharpener on the back. My childhood passion stayed with me through my adulthood, when I began coloring mandalas. Coloring is a meditative and calming activity, and gets us out of our heads. It can also be a ritual prior to our writing practice. I'd be interested in knowing your pre-writing rituals, or, if you're not a writer, what activities bring you peace during chaotic times.
dianaraab.com


  • Write a letter to someone whose birthday is in August.
  • Write about your favorite childhood activity.
  • Write about what makes your heart sing.
  • Write about someone who you miss.
August 4, 2023
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
“Write. Heal. Transform.”
Summerland, CA
Click here to register

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September 19 – 23, 2023
“Writing for Bliss: What’s Your Story?”
Austin, Texas

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October 7, 2023
12 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
"Write. Heal. Transform."
Mystic Journey Bookstore
2923 Main Street.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Details to follow

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December 5, 2023
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
“Let’s Write: Creating Harmony During the Holidays”
Santa Barbara Public Library Downtown
Faulkner Side Gallery East
Santa Barbara, CA
Details to follow

United By Metal. (poem) Deep Overstock. Issue 21. ROMANCE. July 2023.

Love and Will Across the Lifespan. (article) Wayward Literature. July 2023.

Mourning My Dog’s Passing.(poem) Remington Review. Summer 2023.

Home As Sanctuary. (article) Pure Slush. 2023.



The Path to Kindness by James Crews
(poems)

This wonderful anthology will make you smile and remind you of the power of kindness. Crews is a master at making the reader feel better about themselves and the universe. His poems are simple in their message and tend to be uplifting. They're accessible and touch real feelings that we all experience. In addition to his own gems, he has joined forces with other esteemed poets, such as: Cornelius Eady, Ellen Bass, Dorianne Laux, Molly Fisk, and Mark Nepo to name a few.

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How to Love the World by James Crews (poems)

This is award-winning collection of poems was compiled by the infamous poet, James Crews, created during the pandemic. While we always need love-positive affirmations, we especially needed it then. This collection brings together powerful feel-good poems by esteemed poets such as: Amanda Gorman, Joy Harjo, Ross Gay, Naomi Shihab Nye, and Tracy K. Smith to name a few.

Buy two copies: one for yourself and one for someone you love!
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You’re receiving this newsletter because somewhere on this life's journey, our paths have crossed.