Hello Reader,

Back e January, a couple of friends and I hosted a creative reset one afternoon. We each led an activity and mine was one I've done many times before both for myself, my writing pals, and my clients. It's an activity where you write down your doubts, fears, and disappointments and then burn them in order to acknowledge them, then set them free.

Even though I'd done this exercise many times, this particular time, a memory emerged of another time that fire had led to a major upheaval in my writing life--one that happened nearly 25 years ago, the first time I attempted to write and submit a memoir piece. Even though it was devastating at the time, the experience helped me find new ways to raise my voice and tell my story all these years later. The realization I made when I cast my doubts into the fire in January changed the trajectory of my business and my writing.

This weekend, I was over on the #AmWriting podcast with my mentor and friend Jennie Nash talking about what I've come to realize was my writing origin story. Check it out: https://overcast.fm/+AAGXmwmiskM​

Finding Your Origin Story

As soon as we wrapped our conversation on #AmWriting, Jennie and I knew we'd created something that would resonate with readers. But I never expected it would resonate enough that someone would create a lovely written and illustrated response that challenged readers to reflect on their own origin story/stories: https://kelceyervick.substack.com/p/whats-your-origin-story​

So if you have a little bit of time this week, it might be worth spending some time reflecting on why you write and what events from your past spur you on when things get tough. Maybe, like mine, it's a particularly painful memory. But it could be something happy too--maybe a success that reminds you "I can do this!" or a reader sharing how your writing has impacted them.

No matter what your origin story is, knowing it will help keep you focused on the big picture of why you write!

What I'm Reading

As many of you know, my family has been in the midst of a huge transition. We launched our youngest to college in Oregon. Sent our oldest back to Atlanta for his sophomore year. Then my husband and I moved home to Colorado after a 14 year absence. It might not surprise you to hear that I'm exhausted. Or that it's been hard to concentrate on reading, let alone writing. I knew I would need something highly diverting to get me through the past month and thank goodness my pal Rachel Solomon recommended the Finlay Donovan mystery/thrillers at her recent book launch for the delightful Past Present Future! Although there are definitely thriller elements here, they are not scary (as you know, I am a chicken when it comes to scary!). But they are page turners that will make you laugh, cheer for Finlay and her sometimes over-the-top-adventures, and delight you if you, like me, love some good publishing adventures sprinkled into your fiction. Check them out!

Find Your Writing Roots

I know many of you got a lot out of my free Story Scaffolding Live webinar this spring. Although I won't be offering it again until next year, my friend and colleague Dani Abernathy is doing something similar this month that I thought you might enjoy it.

Dani is a book coach and Enneagram teacher who helps deep thinkers and feelers write the stories they need to tell so their readers can feel seen and can see others.

One of her superpowers is helping folks write better books by embracing themselves.

On September 13 and 15, Dani’s gifting you the foundation of her year-long mentorship FOR FREE.

The Find Your Writing Roots Workshop will teach you to embrace yourself, discover what your story is really about, and find your writing purpose.

You’ll come away from this workshop with more confidence in yourself, greater clarity about why you’re writing, and practical tools to ground your writing journey.

​Head on over to Dani’s website to learn more and register for the workshop.​

Dani teaches things you might not have heard anywhere else, so I know you’ll get a ton of value from this time with her.

​Go ahead and register now.​

Hope you have a wonderful week!