Sept. 2, 2016
Oakland, California
Hi Friend,
For the last few weeks, I've been go through what my colleagues at the Berkeley Psychic Institute call "a growth period."
This is a nondescript term for what I experienced mostly as binge watching Quantum Leap and Enterprise. Common thread: Scott Bakula, the actor, and his convincing portrayals of so many characters in Quantum Leap, and his leadership qualities in Enterprise.
Other experiences: Feeling like a two-year-old throwing a tantrum mixed with periods of enthusiasm, focus, and drive.
Friends have been reflecting back to me that I'm going through deep change.
Yes, I know, I said. Change even I can't see.
You know how it is... It's scary to be in a transformational state with no idea where you're going.
The caterpillar becoming the butterfly comes to mind.
What I do know is I'm dedicated to being a novelist.
I love spending time with my characters. I love giving them life on the page.
I love giving their stories to my readers and enchanting them into my worlds.
It's a gift for me to craft these stories, that then are a gift to my readers. I love imagining my readers deep into my stories, transformed by the tale.
If you only remember one thing, remember where we parked.
No, that's not it.
If you only remember one thing from today's newsletter, remember that you are a creative being, infinitely resourceful even in the darkest moments, and that you have a deep reason for being a novelist.
Hold onto that reason, even if you can't articulate it.
But do attempt to put into words. Paste it one your wall, or on a post-it, even in it's messy, approximate state.
Words are approximations after all of experience.
That's okay.
That's the magic of what we do.
We novelists are magicians, crafting tales, people, experiences, out of these black squiggles marching across the page.
So write me -- hit reply -- and tell me why do you write? Why do you write fiction?
Reach for the answer and see what you discover that's bubbling up from your depths.
I want to know.
♥
Congrats to the scholarship winners for the October 2016 Plan Your Novel course, Dive In level: Prinko H. and Edna H!
We look forward to having you in the course and supporting you in planning your novels.
♥
(If you have a student coupon code, be sure to use it. Email me if you misplaced it. :) )
♥ UPCOMING EVENTS
September 14, 10 am PT: Special TED-Practice Talk
Free and open to my community. I will be practicing a potential TED talk with my community as a graduation from my speech writing class with KC Baker.
Zoom call-in details coming soon.
This call will be recorded, but private for my use only, since it's a practice talk.
September 27, 5 pm PT: Special Community Webinar on Getting Ready for Nanowrimo
Free and open to my community. Ezra and I will be sharing some fun tips on how we get ready for Nanowrimo. We'll also be announcing winners, giving away prizes, and generally having a great time with you.
Zoom call-in details coming soon. This call will be recorded and available to all who sign up for it.
October 1-31, 2016: Plan Your Novel live course
If you've been stuck on planning your novel, the problem may be that there isn't enough conflict; that you don't know your characters well enough; or, you've lost your why. Or something else. Like not knowing where to begin.
In our Plan Your Novel course, we give you a roadmap, help you heighten your conflict, help you get to know your characters better, and encourage to discover your why alongside your character's motivations.
If you want to have fun while planning that novel you've always wanted to write, and get ready for National Novel Writing Month that starts November 1st, then come join us. We'd love to have you!
Sign up here:
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