The next four weeks are really going to be about producing a harvest. That means we’re going to focus on a particular project that maybe you’ve been putting off, or started and stopped. Being a writer In Bloom is all about being a finisher. And we all know that sometimes that can be a struggle. So the purpose after these four weeks is to have some type of finished product by the end.
You can catch up from last week HERE.
Finding the courage
Fear is one of the most irrational yet crippling feelings that we experience. It is the expectation of the worst and it often goes unvalidated. Think about the number of times fear has come back void to you. The test you were afraid to take. The job you were scared to apply for. The person you thought you could not live without. You made it. You made it through no matter how scary and intimidating that thing may have looked. You probably felt amazing once you accomplished it. You felt like there was nothing in the world you couldn’t do because you overcame this, until the next thing to be fearful of came along.
What are you afraid of when it comes to your writing? The vulnerability? The criticism? You don’t know if you are a good enough writer? Why? Why are you afraid of those things and do you think your reasoning would hold up in a court of law? Is it truly a reason to tell God, no thank you, I’ll take another gift?
What I’m getting to here is that I hear and understand your apprehension, but they just aren’t good enough. The number one thing that I tell writers is that your work is bigger than you. That is how you begin to overcome fear. Your writing is not just so you can feel good. Which believe me is a major plus to this craft. Writing helps me cope in so many ways. But it would be a sad gift if it only could affect one person. You have to write for the little girl lost and confused in the foster system. You have to write for the future generations that will reflect on your work during the current political climate. You have to write for the next person coming after you who isn’t sure that writing is a sustainable career.
Try this affirmation:
My writing is not just about me, but the impact, the changes in perspectives, and the healing that will take place as a result of my words.
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” - Brene Brown
To go any further in the process you will have to first agree that you will be courageous. Success favors the courageous in every lane and writing is no different.
What Medium?
We are doing more writing now than we have in the past. There are options. Where do you want to go? This is the foundation, the ground. I started blogging over seven years ago with no direction, no plan, no nothing. But I’m also thankful for that time. No pretenses or monetization strategies or any of the things that now convolute our ability to just write. It’s not about a strategy right now, but I do want you to pick a medium.
What are you looking to produce in the harvest season? I think it’s easiest to focus on one thing here. Make a decision for the duration of this work. Here’s the thing, it doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. Think in reference to:
Blog
Book
Email Newsletter
Instagram Series
Twitter Series
Article Pitch
The most important part here is to have a place to put the seed. To begin sharing your words beyond the pages of your notebook.
The theme that you selected from the previous section, let’s build that into an outline. It doesn’t have to be complete, but I want you to break out some sub-topics that we can begin to dig into.
Example Topic: Homebuying
Outline:
Deciding I was ready to purchase
Getting a pre-approval
Finding the right fit with an agent
Deciding where to look/non-negotiables
How I finally made it to closing day
What’s the Goal?
I think that determines the medium. So often we jump into things without any idea of what our personal goal is. Your goal determines every other step. Maybe you just want to increase your social engagement. Maybe you want to create sample chapters for a book proposal. Maybe you just want to jump because there are things you’ve been wanting to write that you simply have not had the courage to complete. Maybe you want to prove to yourself that you can actually be consistent with putting your pen to the page.
When I was younger, I wanted to write stories and then I grew to just wanting to impact people with my words. That was the original goal which seemed to blossom into so much more. It led to some amazing things. It led me to become a better writer, understanding myself better, and learning what I actually wanted out of life. Writing has given me a lot. What will you give with your writing?
Within the next year, I see my writing …
What will best help me achieve that?
Where do I need to open up?
To be a writer in bloom for me is to …
For my project for this month, by the next session, I will have …? (EX. TK number of chapters, captions, filled in outline points.)
Writing/Job opportunities
Nina Bahadur is helping with Glamour Mag’s culture section for a few weeks. Seeking some thoughtful essays from teachers or parents about school reopenings. Pitch nina_bahadur@condenast.com, ideally by 8/11, please!
Literary Hub is looking for an Editorial Fellow
https://lithub.com/apply-to-be-our-editorial-fellow/
The Counter is looking for a Senior Editor and Senior Staff Writer
Netflix is hiring a Community Manager for their Latinx social properties.
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/1954945828/
Axios is hiring an Associate Editor, Newsdesk.
https://boards.greenhouse.io/axios/jobs/2279598
Ashley Simpo is looking for Contributors interested in working on 1-2 tech articles per month. Enter your info into the database.
https://forms.gle/XZsrxQJA9AfEiRpa9
Staff Writer, Personal Finance
https://gizmodo.com/careers/job/2249388?gh_jid=2249388
Social Media and Communications Specialist
https://itsherhub.com/job/social-media-communications-specialist/
Self Spoken is hiring a Social Media Manager and a Copywriter.
TED (As in TED Talks) is hiring a Social Media Editor.
To Be Read
Elizabeth Acevedo, Author of Clap When You Land is the YA Author I Needed as a Teen.
Breakdowns, Blowouts, and Shade: 5 Valuable Lessons I’ve Learned From Failed Friendships
10 Ways to Personalize Your Query Letter to Agents
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