Day 9 of our Writing Challenge
Because someone else in the world wants to read what you have to say…
Today, you will write.
Today’s newsletter has been generously created by the incredibly talented author Amanda Retta.
Find her Substack here and her Instagram here.
Today you will write because you find joy in it. Even when it feels daunting. Even when your brain feels foggy. You know at the end of that writing session, you feel clearer. Your thoughts are down. Your creativity is flowing. And you know you did something for yourself. Today, you will write because someone else in the world wants to read what you have to say. Your words aren't going to be for everyone, but they'll be for someone. You will write because even if you don't share anything, even if the words don't make sense and are strings of half thoughts, the words are better out on paper than they were trapped in the prison of your mind. You will write because at the end of the day, you are not writing for anyone else but yourself.
— Amanda Retta
See you tomorrow x
— Loren @ Paperbacks & Co.
Today’s Writing Prompts
Journaling Prompt – Because I suffer from anxiety, I want you to participate in an activity that I regularly have to walk myself through. I find that this helps with my writing too, because when I feel like a piece I've written isn't good enough or doesn't resonate enough, I start to get imposter syndrome and question why I'm even doing this. Write out 3-5 things that you worry about. These are fears you have or thoughts that give you anxiety. Then breakdown why you're worried about them. Are you afraid of failing? Are you afraid of judgement? Then write down what will happen if those worries are true and how you will make sure they do not come true (if possible). "If I fail, this will never get done. If this doesn't get done, someone is upset. But if it doesn't get done today, I can still finish it tomorrow."
The idea is to get to the core of these anxieties and help either realize that they are not as large of a burden as we have made them out to be or to help us realize that even the largest obstacles are still possible to overcome.Fiction Prompt – And then because that first prompt can be daunting, this one is more fun: Try to remember a dream you've day - it can be a daydream or one during your sleep - and write out a short story based on that. How did you get to where the dream starts? What's the conflict? What characters are involved? Practice setting a scene so that a reader can picture where this dream took place. Pick out the details in the room and the notable features of a person's face.
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…
🥳 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…
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