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 StoryAs 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 ReadingAs 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 RootsI 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. Hope you have a wonderful week! |
Julie Artz works with both award-winning and newer authors across the publishing spectrum from Big Five to small and university presses to indie and hybrid. She is an Author Accelerator-certified Founding Book Coach, a sought-after speaker and writing instructor, and a regular contributor to Jane Friedman and Writers Helping Writers, and a regular instructor for AuthorsPublish, IWWG, ProWritingAid and more. Her work as a Pitch Wars and Teen Pit mentor, a former SCBWI Regional Advisor (WWA), and her memberships in The EFA, the WFWA, AWP, and the Authors Guild keep her industry knowledge sharp. A consummate social and environmental justice minded story geek, Julie lives in an enchanted forest outside of Redmond, Washington, with her husband, two strong-willed teenagers (when they’re not off at university!), and two naughty furry familiars. She’s built a thriving book coaching business based on her values, her editing chops, and her knowledge of story. Check out her weekly newsletter, Wyrd Words Weekly, and subscribe today.
Hello Reader, This morning, I woke up before six when sirens raced past on the main road at the top of our neighborhood. I admit I grumbled a bit. But then I remembered that part of the reason my husband and I moved away from our little retreat in the woods was so that we could be in town, closer to neighbors, activities, potential new friends. And that helped me reframe, even if I was awake before the sun. Writing can be such a solitary activity, so writing in the woods, far away from...
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