Just joining us? You're right on time! This journey has room for every voice, at every stage. Whether you're diving in today or circling back after a busy week, your story belongs here. Our 20,000-word challenge is designed to meet you exactly where you are. Jump in, introduce yourself in the comments, and let's soar together.
Celebrating Our First Week's Flight & Setting Course for Deeper Waters
What an extraordinary first week of our winter challenge. Your dedication to craft and community has been inspiring. From early morning writers to late-night creators, from memoirists processing life-changing events to novelists building new worlds, you've shown up with courage and commitment.
Week 1 Victories Worth Celebrating
Catherine making dedicated time for "The Support Group," her novel about redemption in purgatory
Judith persevering with her 48,000-word revision while caregiving
Tracy discovering the joy of writing from her own thoughts rather than endless research
Susannah finding balance between her medical memoir and family life
Jill capturing those precious early morning moments for "Pages of the Heart"
Beautiful Moments of Connection
Sara and Anjali's writing check-ins keeping each other accountable
Amy discovering that even 200 words between projects adds up
Kat's insight about treating herself as her own best client
Anjali sharing writing time with her ten-year-old son, both immersed in their stories
Looking Ahead to Week 2
Whether you're crafting essays about California fires like Sara, exploring spiritual journeys like Susannah, or world-building like Kat, keep showing up. Your daily practice matters. As Tracy wisely asked, "When do I have enough?" The answer: You have enough right now, in this moment, to keep going.
Important: Mark Your Calendars!
Join us for our Mid-Flight Check-in on January 29th (Lunar New Year) - a perfect time to assess our journey and gather strength from our community.
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛Week 2, day 7: Hi all! I'm back in the cabin and all geared up for my rewrite of...get this...my Flight School posts. That's right (write), when I started FlLight School, I had no idea what I was doing. Now I do and will go back over the rest of the challenge, comb through and tighten what's here. My goal is to align all the writing with my mission and vision. Flight School isa landing perch for writers seeking strong community, powerful (practical) teachings, and unwavering support of earnest writers seeking to earnestly create great, transformative work!
This is a new page for our challenge. This meeting will charge you all up for the coming weeks, is an opportunity to share and connect with your fellow writers LIVE! I look forward to seeing you all!
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛Week 2, day 6: Hi all! Still on the road and have a moment of wifi up at Mt. Angel Abbey before I head in for noon chant with the monks (such a gift) a couple hours of silence and a spiritual guidance session that helps me make sure my ego isn't overtaking my thoughts (ha!). A day with the Big Guy in essence to fuel me for another month of teaching and writing and thinking and writing a bit more.
Remember, two days until our catch up meeting on Wednesday AM @ 8:30!
Week 2, Day 6: so much fun. I've been sick and mostly in bed for three days going on four. Haven't written a word. Going to attempt it today though staying put today also. Grrrr!!!
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛Week 2, day 5: Today is a travel day, I'm out of town and will be out until late tomorrow! Managed to get to a computer to post this update. Hello Saturday. I hope you are all flourishing and getting work done. Share your highs and lows today.
High: I'm in a much stronger conversation with the Big Guy than I was when we started this challenge. I cannot believe how much stronger and I'll (perhaps) share how/why when we meet on Wednesday.
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛Week 2, day 4: So many great comments in the chat below! Well done everyone. You're sharing both victories and challenges and all that helps to move you forward on this path.
"...a writer is a writer not because she writes well and easily, because she has amazing talent, because everything she does is golden. In my view a writer is a writer because even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of promise, you keep writing anyway.”
The past couple days I was taking care of a very sick cat crises, my roommate and her two kids were sick to varying degrees, I took a friend to a doctor's appointment, I canceled an art day planned with a couple friends at my house and I had to cancel the overnight stay of another friend and her son......due to these unexpected crises. I've been feeling like, what the heck just happened? In the middle of all this I ate too much chocolate and too much popcorn, with lots of butter!, as I snuggled with my cat zoning out watching Netflix........
Yet, within all of the pulling away of my attention in unplanned directions, I also pulled out a big thick folder of old writing and read through a bunch of pieces that gave me inspiration and a feeling of hope.........hope that, yes, I do keep writing, evidenced in the voluminous amount of writing I have done.......and hope in knowing I will continue to write......
And....... in this process I organized some chaos around my 'work' stations that were beginning to block my flow. Hallelujah! : )
Oh...Tracy. I love this.. "due to these unexpected crises. I've been feeling like, what the heck just happened? In the middle of all this I ate too much chocolate and too much popcorn, with lots of butter!, as I snuggled with my cat zoning out watching Netflix........"
I wonder if you just found the answer to the question "What is enough?" within that folder. So cool!
Yes, perhaps I did........ I keep getting this feeling that the answer is like a Tao meditation........ the idea that we always have enough right now and there is always more to be had....... we are right where we need to be and we continue to be heading somewhere....... enough is here in the now and there's always more ahead..... something like that : )
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛Week 2, day 3: While I wait on what I'm supposed to be writing now...I'm going to do some revisions of a couple smaller bits. That's the best way I know, during a "surprise redirect" to keep the writing muscle strong. Reading through your updates and feeling swells of gratitude for the challenge. And you!
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛Week 2, day 2: Revision on my "biggest surprise" which wasn't last week but yesterday...I'm (as I suspected) not going in the right direction. 🤦🏻♀️ That's okay. What's a measly 11,000 words. Nothing! And that's the writing life. So, now it's a couple days of quiet listening. Whatever I will write, I am sure it will be lovely...perhaps the novel is ready to stop simmering on the back burner? 🤞🏼
Ahh, the life of a creative! It feels like one is constantly "sketching" (coming from a visual art perspective) and, often, tossing things out, or going in a different direction. But it all seems integral to the process and the stuff that "didn't work out" ends up in the foundation of the the stuff that did, in some way or form. Quietly cheering for you and everyone else on the journey.
Week 2, days 1, 2, and 3:
What surprised you most about Week 1?:
I didn't have a lot of surprises last week. Except for a day of client work, I kept to my schedule of writing at least 2 hours each day. Sometimes, I'm a bit frustrated by how slow I can be even when I have consistency. Anyway, I squeezed out ~2,500 words, but I also spent some time to go back and polish a chapter (to share with my husband, before sharing a part of it with studio). I'm always nervous before sharing my work with Rudy!! He's a potent combination of being incisively smart and critical. I guess my surprise was that he liked the chapter, but it's been a few days and I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop LOL.
What are you hoping to discover in Week 2?
I just want to keep writing! I'm finishing my current chapter. A few things unfurled in unexpected ways, so now I have to make some new decisions for how to tell the story next.
How has the community supported your writing practice?
I love the thought of everyone writing and working towards their goals, regardless of the challenges they're facing. We've all got things going on, but it's really cool to hear and support each other pursing our goals.
That is a great question! I really enjoy talking to him about my story (he's one of the rare people who loves to listen to other people's projects and stories). Sometimes, I like using him as a sounding board because he's great about pointing out things that might not make emotional or logical sense, also pointing out places too lacking in details. I like bringing him on as my "male perspective" resource lol. I really love that he always tells me to not fear about being "too much" and urges me to have the confidence to just go for it. Like I should never be ashamed.
Okay, but here was a big one for me:
Many months before I took Bones of Storytelling, I showed him a preliminary draft that I'd spent a lot of time working on. He said it in different words, but basically, it was something like, 'This is great, but there's not a lot happening here.' Despite the 8000ish words, here was a reader I hadn't hooked at all. Upon more prodding, it appeared that my draft had too much exposition and not enough scene (in blackbird lingo), and not enough plot to catch his interest. It made me think of creative writing in a completely different light: Had I been too indulgent with the exposition? How can I create a more effective hook for the reader? What is my inciting incident, and how does it connect to the greater plot of the story?
So it shined a blaring light on my conception/awareness of writing stories. Over time, it's felt consistent with what I've learned through Bones and Scene & Exposition, as well as reading some of my favorite novels.
I will say, however, that it was a hard lesson to learn so early in the process. Like I wish I started with Bones or something!! I think this is more my shortcoming with being a perfectionist and also newness to getting feedback, but I definitely got overwhelmed. I was feeling really vulnerable to even just share with him, and here he was, (genuinely kindly) pointing out all the big structural flaws. All these unknowns to solve!! I ended up doing the "un-recommended" thing of starting over, and it was a slog. (To his credit, he did say I should just keep on writing--so I take full responsibility for this decision.)
I guess we all have to start somewhere! These days, with more knowledge under my belt from Bones and S&E, getting/seeing feedback from Studio, and reading with more awareness, I feel much more comfortable with constructive criticism. It's a tool, not a judgement on me, so I appreciate critiques given in earnest (And fyi, I so appreciate the feedback from studio!). I'm also just better about living with imperfection. I'd rather have a silly, undercooked thing than nothing. My beginning chapters are still a mess, but that's okay, I'm going to finish my first draft first :]
Week 2, Day 2: My biggest surprise is that I didn't write here every day. I'm running up against a part of me that has way overscheduled myself and, I guess a therapist might say I'm distracting myself from what I really want to do. I don't know. I'm slowly extracating myself from other things
I did finish my Fire writing and sent it to the Huffington Post. I have not heard back. If I haven't by the weekend, I'll publish it on my Substack.
I'm hoping to discover the writing part of me taking over and prioritising my week. I think because I'm doing a lot of revision of writings from the past year, it doesn't have the excitement and passion of putting down words for the first time. So....I have to do it anyway!!!
This community...well I know you are all there. It was lovely checking in with Anjali and I hope we can actually do it at the same time this Saturday. I haven't made as good use of the community as I have with the past two challenges. But I do know you are there...writing, making time for your writing, and basically dealing with similar challenges as I am.
📰!! Yay and bravo on your submission. HUGE accomplishment. And wow, what an interesting observation: "it doesn't have the excitement and passion of putting down words for the first time." This says so much about process. YOUR process, right? That thrill with the new. Oh, I know this all too well. Love that new pair of shoes--fresh out of the box. That new pair of earrings I saved up for. Getting to eat at that new restaurant everyone is talking about. But...writing is about re-writing and so, what to do? What to do? It will never be new. It can't be. Where is the joy then. To be honest, I don't have an answer to this...community? What do you guys say? Where do you find joy in your revisions?
I find joy in reading and re-reading in different moods and contexts. If I’m my usual optimistic self with fresh coffee before dawn, protected in a quiet house with all asleep, including our pup, I read my writing through a focused, analytical lens. This changes if my mood is somber, or I’m between cases, or in a distracting coffee shop. I take in the sentences differently. My joy is reading a line that is too much or not enough, or a paragraph that takes me to a different place. The mood or changed context offers a new perspective and ideas to employ and that is exciting.
1. My biggest surprise in Week 1 was my willingness to jump in and commit to this challenge. Usually I shy away from this type of thing, not wanting to commit/be held accountable, but this one really spoke to me, and I'm so glad I did!
2. For week 2, I'm hoping to discover that as I put more time into my writing, I'm able to get more out of it. I have noticed that the more I write, the more I'm *able* to write, so I really want to lean into that.
3. Reaching out and actively participating in this community has helped me hold myself more accountable, and hearing the positive comments is amazing. Love that this community has nothing but support for each other. It's a nice place to spend time right now.
This is how we roll, we have to cheer each other on. Without that support, and smart support we are lost.
Loving this: "I have noticed that the more I write, the more I'm *able* to write, so I really want to lean into that." Yes. It's a muscle. You are getting stronger with each day of creation. 💪🏼
1. What surprised me the most was how it's possible to cobble together scenes even when I could not work for long periods of time.
2. I hope to paint vivid scenes of some key wildlife encounters and point the four in the right direction. (It's been a lot of fun describing wildflowers, and such a good practice for me to look at photos and remember what I've seen so I can describe it to readers.)
3. We're all in this together, which is a terrific motivation!
Excellent. Blasts of work (like wind sprints) build strength in different parts of our creative process. Thank you for sharing this. And it's true. Love this idea of painting. Be sure to put a pic on the chat! I want to see.
I love that: It sounded lame. This is a huge reveal. You are not to be relied upon to judge your own work so now..bring that to class. Or just set it aside. When we are judging our work, that means it's getting really good. I know that seems counter intuitive, but I found it to be true. Good isn't the point, no. Writing in scene, adding concrete and specific details and descriptions, and flowing line to line...that's all good writing.
In week one I was most surprised with my consistency, that being my biggest challenge.
In week two I hope to discover my consistent momentum carrying me further down the track and deeper into this story residing inside of me looking for ways to surface.......
The community supports my writing practice in that I am a people person......I love solitude but with too much solitude and disconnect from other living human beings I find myself seeking connection in ways that aren't necessarily helpful to where I am heading. I'll be exploring this pattern of mine as it swirls within the bigger lanscape of my story.
I woke up this morning with a sentence in my head.....do the work.....that's what I am here to do and this community helps to continually pull me back into the work......Thank you!
1. What surprised me most about Week 1 was the profound connection I felt on a spiritual level. It was like everywhere I turned, my writing revealed deeper meanings that I hadn’t anticipated. It’s incredible how that happens when I really dive into my work!
2. As I look forward to Week 2, I'm excited to establish an even better daily writing practice. I can’t wait to uncover even more about the deeper messages writing my memoir is trying to share.
3. The community has been such a vital support for my writing journey. It’s amazing to have a space filled with encouragement and positive vibes where I can grow and feel motivated. Sharing this experience with others makes all the difference! Thank you all!
Thank you for this update, Karina. Yes, it's a remarkable thing to have a cheering section. And we are cheering for you. Man, I feel you about the spiritual nature of the work and the community. Yes, something is swirling about us here (I certainly feel it myself). It's a lift to something better that we can know. At least that's what I felt when I stopped with the book I was writing. Stop and give this to something larger than yourself. Stop...and give it more time. Now, revelation after revelation.
Good luck all! I'm not sitting in for this one. I made the difficult decision to (temporarily) prioritize a few other time-sensitive things over writing for the next few months. I'm still writing each day but am not emphasizing word count. For now. I will be back at it with gusto soon enough though! Sending you all love and many great days of writing! <3 <3
Thanks for sharing your difficult decision! I feel I have continually prioritized other things..... and many times that's what is needed. I am at a time in my life now where I feel privileged to be able to prioritize writing more consistently and now the challege of actually doing that! I wish you well in the coming months : )
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛Week 2, day 1: Welcome to week 2, and I'll take a crack at the questions that start us out.
1. I was surprised that in Week 1 the writing was harder than I expected. I was zipping along, stalled out and kind of putt, putt, puttered. I suspect that means I might be going in the wrong direction but will power through to 20,000 since I've been here before. Send good writing vibes.
2. This week, I'm hoping to get my groove back but trust that it will all reveal itself in the fullness of time.
3. You all have helped in that I am here, for you and with you, every single day! In being there for you, I'm there for me. THANK YOU. 💗
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛Week 2, day 7: Hi all! I'm back in the cabin and all geared up for my rewrite of...get this...my Flight School posts. That's right (write), when I started FlLight School, I had no idea what I was doing. Now I do and will go back over the rest of the challenge, comb through and tighten what's here. My goal is to align all the writing with my mission and vision. Flight School isa landing perch for writers seeking strong community, powerful (practical) teachings, and unwavering support of earnest writers seeking to earnestly create great, transformative work!
NOTE: Today we hit the end of week two just in time for our Zoom tomorrow. If you haven't signed up yet, do it! https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1Djg16QCSOqXxIw82GwrQw
8:30 a.m. Wednesday Morning!
This is a new page for our challenge. This meeting will charge you all up for the coming weeks, is an opportunity to share and connect with your fellow writers LIVE! I look forward to seeing you all!
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛Week 2, day 6: Hi all! Still on the road and have a moment of wifi up at Mt. Angel Abbey before I head in for noon chant with the monks (such a gift) a couple hours of silence and a spiritual guidance session that helps me make sure my ego isn't overtaking my thoughts (ha!). A day with the Big Guy in essence to fuel me for another month of teaching and writing and thinking and writing a bit more.
Remember, two days until our catch up meeting on Wednesday AM @ 8:30!
Week 2, Day 6: so much fun. I've been sick and mostly in bed for three days going on four. Haven't written a word. Going to attempt it today though staying put today also. Grrrr!!!
That's a low! I'm so sorry! Sending healing vibes from the top of a lovely Benedictine hill. 🙏🏽
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛Week 2, day 5: Today is a travel day, I'm out of town and will be out until late tomorrow! Managed to get to a computer to post this update. Hello Saturday. I hope you are all flourishing and getting work done. Share your highs and lows today.
High: I'm in a much stronger conversation with the Big Guy than I was when we started this challenge. I cannot believe how much stronger and I'll (perhaps) share how/why when we meet on Wednesday.
Low: I don't have enough hours in the day!
XO
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛Week 2, day 4: So many great comments in the chat below! Well done everyone. You're sharing both victories and challenges and all that helps to move you forward on this path.
"...a writer is a writer not because she writes well and easily, because she has amazing talent, because everything she does is golden. In my view a writer is a writer because even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of promise, you keep writing anyway.”
~ Junot Diaz
Keep writing! You've got this.
The past couple days I was taking care of a very sick cat crises, my roommate and her two kids were sick to varying degrees, I took a friend to a doctor's appointment, I canceled an art day planned with a couple friends at my house and I had to cancel the overnight stay of another friend and her son......due to these unexpected crises. I've been feeling like, what the heck just happened? In the middle of all this I ate too much chocolate and too much popcorn, with lots of butter!, as I snuggled with my cat zoning out watching Netflix........
Yet, within all of the pulling away of my attention in unplanned directions, I also pulled out a big thick folder of old writing and read through a bunch of pieces that gave me inspiration and a feeling of hope.........hope that, yes, I do keep writing, evidenced in the voluminous amount of writing I have done.......and hope in knowing I will continue to write......
And....... in this process I organized some chaos around my 'work' stations that were beginning to block my flow. Hallelujah! : )
Oh...Tracy. I love this.. "due to these unexpected crises. I've been feeling like, what the heck just happened? In the middle of all this I ate too much chocolate and too much popcorn, with lots of butter!, as I snuggled with my cat zoning out watching Netflix........"
I wonder if you just found the answer to the question "What is enough?" within that folder. So cool!
Yes, perhaps I did........ I keep getting this feeling that the answer is like a Tao meditation........ the idea that we always have enough right now and there is always more to be had....... we are right where we need to be and we continue to be heading somewhere....... enough is here in the now and there's always more ahead..... something like that : )
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛Week 2, day 3: While I wait on what I'm supposed to be writing now...I'm going to do some revisions of a couple smaller bits. That's the best way I know, during a "surprise redirect" to keep the writing muscle strong. Reading through your updates and feeling swells of gratitude for the challenge. And you!
Thanks for being here.
Thanks for sharing.
THANKS for steaming ahead. 🚂
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛Week 2, day 2: Revision on my "biggest surprise" which wasn't last week but yesterday...I'm (as I suspected) not going in the right direction. 🤦🏻♀️ That's okay. What's a measly 11,000 words. Nothing! And that's the writing life. So, now it's a couple days of quiet listening. Whatever I will write, I am sure it will be lovely...perhaps the novel is ready to stop simmering on the back burner? 🤞🏼
Ahh, the life of a creative! It feels like one is constantly "sketching" (coming from a visual art perspective) and, often, tossing things out, or going in a different direction. But it all seems integral to the process and the stuff that "didn't work out" ends up in the foundation of the the stuff that did, in some way or form. Quietly cheering for you and everyone else on the journey.
Week 2, days 1, 2, and 3:
What surprised you most about Week 1?:
I didn't have a lot of surprises last week. Except for a day of client work, I kept to my schedule of writing at least 2 hours each day. Sometimes, I'm a bit frustrated by how slow I can be even when I have consistency. Anyway, I squeezed out ~2,500 words, but I also spent some time to go back and polish a chapter (to share with my husband, before sharing a part of it with studio). I'm always nervous before sharing my work with Rudy!! He's a potent combination of being incisively smart and critical. I guess my surprise was that he liked the chapter, but it's been a few days and I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop LOL.
What are you hoping to discover in Week 2?
I just want to keep writing! I'm finishing my current chapter. A few things unfurled in unexpected ways, so now I have to make some new decisions for how to tell the story next.
How has the community supported your writing practice?
I love the thought of everyone writing and working towards their goals, regardless of the challenges they're facing. We've all got things going on, but it's really cool to hear and support each other pursing our goals.
Love this about the husband..what does he say that is so helpful? What is the least helpful thing he says?
That is a great question! I really enjoy talking to him about my story (he's one of the rare people who loves to listen to other people's projects and stories). Sometimes, I like using him as a sounding board because he's great about pointing out things that might not make emotional or logical sense, also pointing out places too lacking in details. I like bringing him on as my "male perspective" resource lol. I really love that he always tells me to not fear about being "too much" and urges me to have the confidence to just go for it. Like I should never be ashamed.
Okay, but here was a big one for me:
Many months before I took Bones of Storytelling, I showed him a preliminary draft that I'd spent a lot of time working on. He said it in different words, but basically, it was something like, 'This is great, but there's not a lot happening here.' Despite the 8000ish words, here was a reader I hadn't hooked at all. Upon more prodding, it appeared that my draft had too much exposition and not enough scene (in blackbird lingo), and not enough plot to catch his interest. It made me think of creative writing in a completely different light: Had I been too indulgent with the exposition? How can I create a more effective hook for the reader? What is my inciting incident, and how does it connect to the greater plot of the story?
So it shined a blaring light on my conception/awareness of writing stories. Over time, it's felt consistent with what I've learned through Bones and Scene & Exposition, as well as reading some of my favorite novels.
I will say, however, that it was a hard lesson to learn so early in the process. Like I wish I started with Bones or something!! I think this is more my shortcoming with being a perfectionist and also newness to getting feedback, but I definitely got overwhelmed. I was feeling really vulnerable to even just share with him, and here he was, (genuinely kindly) pointing out all the big structural flaws. All these unknowns to solve!! I ended up doing the "un-recommended" thing of starting over, and it was a slog. (To his credit, he did say I should just keep on writing--so I take full responsibility for this decision.)
I guess we all have to start somewhere! These days, with more knowledge under my belt from Bones and S&E, getting/seeing feedback from Studio, and reading with more awareness, I feel much more comfortable with constructive criticism. It's a tool, not a judgement on me, so I appreciate critiques given in earnest (And fyi, I so appreciate the feedback from studio!). I'm also just better about living with imperfection. I'd rather have a silly, undercooked thing than nothing. My beginning chapters are still a mess, but that's okay, I'm going to finish my first draft first :]
Week 2, Day 2: My biggest surprise is that I didn't write here every day. I'm running up against a part of me that has way overscheduled myself and, I guess a therapist might say I'm distracting myself from what I really want to do. I don't know. I'm slowly extracating myself from other things
I did finish my Fire writing and sent it to the Huffington Post. I have not heard back. If I haven't by the weekend, I'll publish it on my Substack.
I'm hoping to discover the writing part of me taking over and prioritising my week. I think because I'm doing a lot of revision of writings from the past year, it doesn't have the excitement and passion of putting down words for the first time. So....I have to do it anyway!!!
This community...well I know you are all there. It was lovely checking in with Anjali and I hope we can actually do it at the same time this Saturday. I haven't made as good use of the community as I have with the past two challenges. But I do know you are there...writing, making time for your writing, and basically dealing with similar challenges as I am.
📰!! Yay and bravo on your submission. HUGE accomplishment. And wow, what an interesting observation: "it doesn't have the excitement and passion of putting down words for the first time." This says so much about process. YOUR process, right? That thrill with the new. Oh, I know this all too well. Love that new pair of shoes--fresh out of the box. That new pair of earrings I saved up for. Getting to eat at that new restaurant everyone is talking about. But...writing is about re-writing and so, what to do? What to do? It will never be new. It can't be. Where is the joy then. To be honest, I don't have an answer to this...community? What do you guys say? Where do you find joy in your revisions?
I find joy in reading and re-reading in different moods and contexts. If I’m my usual optimistic self with fresh coffee before dawn, protected in a quiet house with all asleep, including our pup, I read my writing through a focused, analytical lens. This changes if my mood is somber, or I’m between cases, or in a distracting coffee shop. I take in the sentences differently. My joy is reading a line that is too much or not enough, or a paragraph that takes me to a different place. The mood or changed context offers a new perspective and ideas to employ and that is exciting.
1. My biggest surprise in Week 1 was my willingness to jump in and commit to this challenge. Usually I shy away from this type of thing, not wanting to commit/be held accountable, but this one really spoke to me, and I'm so glad I did!
2. For week 2, I'm hoping to discover that as I put more time into my writing, I'm able to get more out of it. I have noticed that the more I write, the more I'm *able* to write, so I really want to lean into that.
3. Reaching out and actively participating in this community has helped me hold myself more accountable, and hearing the positive comments is amazing. Love that this community has nothing but support for each other. It's a nice place to spend time right now.
This is how we roll, we have to cheer each other on. Without that support, and smart support we are lost.
Loving this: "I have noticed that the more I write, the more I'm *able* to write, so I really want to lean into that." Yes. It's a muscle. You are getting stronger with each day of creation. 💪🏼
1. What surprised me the most was how it's possible to cobble together scenes even when I could not work for long periods of time.
2. I hope to paint vivid scenes of some key wildlife encounters and point the four in the right direction. (It's been a lot of fun describing wildflowers, and such a good practice for me to look at photos and remember what I've seen so I can describe it to readers.)
3. We're all in this together, which is a terrific motivation!
Excellent. Blasts of work (like wind sprints) build strength in different parts of our creative process. Thank you for sharing this. And it's true. Love this idea of painting. Be sure to put a pic on the chat! I want to see.
1. My surprise was that consistent practice and letting go of it being good has helped the words flow easier.
2. In week 2, I hope to find some drama or conflict to write into the story. I wrote one this morning but it sounded lame.
3. I am enjoying the networking and supporting each other on our Substacks. I like being with others who enjoy a challenge.
I love that: It sounded lame. This is a huge reveal. You are not to be relied upon to judge your own work so now..bring that to class. Or just set it aside. When we are judging our work, that means it's getting really good. I know that seems counter intuitive, but I found it to be true. Good isn't the point, no. Writing in scene, adding concrete and specific details and descriptions, and flowing line to line...that's all good writing.
ok, this...This is why you are an incredible teacher. My first reaction was to set it aside. Now, I'm going to get it ready to bring to class.
Great! I'm thrilled. Cannot wait to see what gems lie within. 💎💎💎💎
In week one I was most surprised with my consistency, that being my biggest challenge.
In week two I hope to discover my consistent momentum carrying me further down the track and deeper into this story residing inside of me looking for ways to surface.......
The community supports my writing practice in that I am a people person......I love solitude but with too much solitude and disconnect from other living human beings I find myself seeking connection in ways that aren't necessarily helpful to where I am heading. I'll be exploring this pattern of mine as it swirls within the bigger lanscape of my story.
I woke up this morning with a sentence in my head.....do the work.....that's what I am here to do and this community helps to continually pull me back into the work......Thank you!
Love this, "do the work." That's a directive, isn't it. We are here. We've got you!
1. What surprised me most about Week 1 was the profound connection I felt on a spiritual level. It was like everywhere I turned, my writing revealed deeper meanings that I hadn’t anticipated. It’s incredible how that happens when I really dive into my work!
2. As I look forward to Week 2, I'm excited to establish an even better daily writing practice. I can’t wait to uncover even more about the deeper messages writing my memoir is trying to share.
3. The community has been such a vital support for my writing journey. It’s amazing to have a space filled with encouragement and positive vibes where I can grow and feel motivated. Sharing this experience with others makes all the difference! Thank you all!
Thank you for this update, Karina. Yes, it's a remarkable thing to have a cheering section. And we are cheering for you. Man, I feel you about the spiritual nature of the work and the community. Yes, something is swirling about us here (I certainly feel it myself). It's a lift to something better that we can know. At least that's what I felt when I stopped with the book I was writing. Stop and give this to something larger than yourself. Stop...and give it more time. Now, revelation after revelation.
Good luck all! I'm not sitting in for this one. I made the difficult decision to (temporarily) prioritize a few other time-sensitive things over writing for the next few months. I'm still writing each day but am not emphasizing word count. For now. I will be back at it with gusto soon enough though! Sending you all love and many great days of writing! <3 <3
Yeah but you just showed up so...you're here. LOL! Great to see you, even in bursts.
Thanks for sharing your difficult decision! I feel I have continually prioritized other things..... and many times that's what is needed. I am at a time in my life now where I feel privileged to be able to prioritize writing more consistently and now the challege of actually doing that! I wish you well in the coming months : )
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛Week 2, day 1: Welcome to week 2, and I'll take a crack at the questions that start us out.
1. I was surprised that in Week 1 the writing was harder than I expected. I was zipping along, stalled out and kind of putt, putt, puttered. I suspect that means I might be going in the wrong direction but will power through to 20,000 since I've been here before. Send good writing vibes.
2. This week, I'm hoping to get my groove back but trust that it will all reveal itself in the fullness of time.
3. You all have helped in that I am here, for you and with you, every single day! In being there for you, I'm there for me. THANK YOU. 💗