Reading your travel journal allows you relive possibly the best moments of your life, if you record those fave days when they happen. Gift yourself with the most personable souvenir by writing your vacation stories, whether a staycation to enjoy local sites or a road trip out west. Your recorded memories are more valuable during this unique summer with COVID-19 virus, even if you just spent more time with family.
Hint #1: Write every evening
Carve out ten to fifteen minutes every evening to write about your day. When you wait a few days to write, you lose some of the memories. Capture the moments while they are fresh in your heart and mind.
Hint #2: Feelings over facts
Focus on writing about how you felt during the day. (You can refer to travel books or Google for facts.) What meant the most to you and why? What new food did you eat? What inspired you? What did you experience or learn that will change you for the rest of your life?
Hint #3: Small, unlined journal
Use a small--yet sturdy--journal with unlined pages, especially when flying or backpacking. My writing mentor taught that unlined paper engaged the right hemisphere of the brain for greater creativity. Also, make sure your pen has plenty of ink.
Hint #4: Handwritten
Reading your own handwriting, as opposed to typed pages, may bring back the moments with greater flare. Just write clearly enough for yourself.
In Judy Santilli Packhem's The Case for Cursive: Connected Letters, Connected Thinking, brain mapping "shows that during cursive writing both the right and left hemispheres of the brain are active. This is something that is not present either while keyboarding or writing in print." This synergy improves language and memory functions. Some brain researchers believe such left-right hemispheres integration increases our innovation and problem solving.
July Book Signing in Georgia
(Left) Patricia DiBona, Dibona Designs Art
(Right) Mary Ursits, Life Force Energetic Art
Yes, I'm wearing a gold unicorn horn to celebrate Shemuse of the Mystical Aria novels.
New Review
"I finished reading
Mystical Aria: Seeking the Gallion Queen in one sitting. What a wonderful, powerful, and delightful book! I just couldn't put it down. Jean Guthrie wrote this novel for children, but adults would be well served by reading it. The lessons learned are for all. The award that the book received is well deserved."
I'm excited about participating in an online conference sponsored by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators July 31 - August 4. SCBWI's Summer Spectacular features Judy Blume, Grace Lin, Nancy Paulsen, Lin Oliver, and Henry Winkler!
SCBWI provides exceptional training, support, and networking for authors and illustrators of children's books.
If our destiny is out of this world--like visions of machine modifications or future events--do we owe an explanation to anyone? Should we live the path leading to that destiny despite anger or fear from those who don't understand?
If everyone stepped into their destiny without fear, could we live in peace like the Gallions?
Thank you again for supportingMystical Aria series. If you have questions or suggestions,click here to beam me a message.
