In Case You Need Permission (A Love Letter)

I hearby grant it to you

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Photo by cyrus gomez on Unsplash

Hello lovelies,

Earlier this week I read a post from Jami Attenberg about having a side project and how sometimes she has two projects going at once while she sees which one has more juice for her. I breathed a bit of a sigh of relief, because right now I’m working on two fiction projects and I felt like I’d just been told that was okay.

I’d been given permission.

And then I realized that is what I strive to do for you, my beloved readers.

Give you permission.

We all need it. We all labor under silly misbeliefs and misconceptions, ideas about the way we should do things, which way is right, etc. And those silly ideas can stall your writing as fast as you can say why did I ever think I could be a writer?

So while enlightening you about craft is important, getting you to get words on the page has always been my first goal. And maybe on this winter morning, you might need some permission. And so I’m going to give it to you.

To ignore the dirty dishes and go write
To pants to your heart’s content
To plot like you’re building a scaffold to hold up the world
To rise early to write
To stay up past your bedtime to write
To write fast
To write slow
To write to market
To write something new and veery different
To not show your work to anyone
To find a trusted critique group or crit partner
To let go of beliefs that hold you back
To say goodbye to people who hold you back
To ditch a life that holds you back

What did I miss? I know there’s more, much more. I could go on all day with the things we writers tell ourselves we can’t do. So whatever it is, I give you permission for it.

Life is short, the world is f#$^ed up in so many ways, and it’s up to us to find ways to change it. And if there’s anything I believe (and I’m weird about hewing to beliefs) it’s this: creativity can change the world. So there: you not only have permission to drop everything and go write, I order you to the page. If anyone complains, tell them you’re saving the world.

Love, light, and good writing,

Charlotte

P.S. I’d love to hear what aspect of your writing you’ve needed to get permission for lately. Comment below—and please note that I’ve included a handy commenting button. Thanks to my wonderful friend Marna for pointing out that the process of commenting is not that clear here on Substack. So all you have to do is click that little purple button below and it will take you right to the comment box. You don’t have to register or anything!

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Books

The Island, by Ragnar Jonasson. I was in a book drought and made a huge effort to get to the library to pick this one up when it came in. Glad I did—I read it in less than two days. Full of fascinating characters, suspense, and the exotic setting of Iceland. I loved it and will read more of his books.

The Five-Star Weekend, by Elin Hilderbrand. This book was on the lucky day shelf in the library so I picked it up, too. She has rabid fans who line up to see her when she does events in Nantucket, but I’m usually more meh about her work. I do like the setting though (Nantucket, of course) so I’ll keep reading for now.

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Articles and Resources

Deepen your characterization with wounds and contradictions, from Barbara O’Neal.

And while we are on the topic, here’s a post on direct versus indirect characterization.

Write a bold beginning for your story

And for fun, the official video for the song, Tiny Dancer by Elton John, who just got his EGOT. This was created for a fan contest celebrating the fifty-year friendship and collaboration between Elton and Bernie Taupin and won—and now is the official trailer. It’s fun and sweet and life affirming in all the best ways.

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Events

Creative writing workshops in France and Italy next year. (England is now full.) See all here. And let me just add: future you is going to be sooooo happy that you committed to a week in Céret, France, or Perugia, Italy to further your writing career and your world travels! Reply to this email if you want to learn more.

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Coaching

I’m revamping my book coaching offerings and creating a website, so stay tuned. One of my plans is for a Plan Your Writing Year package. (Been too busy with clients to get it going, but it will be apropos any time of year.) More soon, but if you’re interested in any kind of coaching, reply to this email.