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Today, you will write.
Today’s newsletter has been generously created by the incredibly talented author Katie Rouse.
Find her website here, and instagram here.
Today you will write. You will turn towards a blinking cursor or a blank page or a three-ring binder. All are the same type of heavy. And they also are the same type of hope. Hope that your story matters, your words matter, your project matters. Hope that maybe one day you’ll share these words. Hope that they are healing you just as much as they might be healing a reader one day. You are the first reader.
Today you will write, because you are a writer. You are an author, even, already–if you are working with your words, you are an author. A published or unpublished book can’t change that immutable fact. You are a writer because you write. You are an author because you hold out hope and also a hammer to your work, always seeking to make it better. And it’s making you better, too. More true to yourself. More aware of what you’ve always wanted to say. More present with yourself as well as your words.
— Katie Rouse
See you tomorrow x
— Loren @ Paperbacks & Co.
Today’s Writing Prompts
Journaling Prompt – What feels heavy today? What feels hopeful? How do you hold both, in this season or others?
Fiction Prompt – Write a character sketch of someone who knows exactly what she wants to say. Who’s she saying it to? How long has it taken for her to say it? What happens next?
Poetry Prompt – Write a poem from the perspective of your present self, watching your younger self write for the first time.
Use the artwork at the beginning of this newsletter as a visual prompt to inspire some writing – whether a personal essay, or fictional short story, or poem…
An Interview with Author Katie Rouse
What is one of the best ways you’ve invested in yourself as a writer?
Taking a class on memoir structure, which led to three extra semesters as we started writing our newly-structured memoirs-in-process chapters and giving and receiving feedback. It also gave me some really great friends who have been there for me (from afar) and who’ve let me be there for them in different ways.
When are you most inspired? What circumstances lend themselves to “good” writing days where the words are just flowing?
Usually, I’m most inspired when I’ve set aside a good chunk of time for writing, either through a power hour or simply stopping my work for the day. And something that can really help is meditating beforehand. My favorite meditation for writers is this one on Insight Timer.
How do you celebrate your writing milestones along the way? Why is it important to?
I think it is so important to celebrate milestones, no matter how big or small, because it reminds you that you can do this. And it’s often important because it can fuel more writing or submitting. Ways I do this include:
Keep emails that aren’t cut-and-dry rejections. One submission let me know that I was a finalist for a contest entry. Did I win? No. Do I hold onto that like a milestone? YES. I applied for three retreats that I might never have considered otherwise because of this one email. It felt worth it to me because of that tiny piece of feedback.
Print off copies of drafts-in-progress as you prep for another draft. Rereading is important, and to get off the screen and in your hands, makes a difference. Bind them. Honor them. I’ve done this for three drafts at this point, and seeing those old binders on my shelf is motivating to me.
Take breaks when you hit a milestone like a finished draft or a word count you were aiming for. We are so bad at resting, but we need it to remain creative and not burn out. Take a break even when you don’t hit a milestone. Maybe you just hit a wall. It could be your brain signaling that it needs a minute. Give yourself grace, throw out deadlines, and remember that you and your body come first.
🥳 Celebrating Our Wins 🎉
Did you get some writing done today? Why not share your progress in the comments?!
Link to your blog post, share your word count, or even just jump in with a little text celebration…
Know a writer who could benefit from a little extra motivation? Why not gift them £5 membership here?
Absolutely lovely, Katie!