Writing Solves Everything (A Love Letter)
Okay, maybe not everything. But almost everything
Undogmatic writing advice and encouragement from an unconventional romance author. If you’re in need of instruction and inspiration for your writing, read on. Upgrade to paid for classes and access to a friendly, vibrant writing community. And if you like what you read, drop a heart or share it with friends.
The Weekly Memo
First of all, monthly prompts came out yesterday. Twenty-eight days of writing inspiration. Paid subscribers get a PDF to download and print out.
OOH is Wednesday. It gets more rollicking by the week, but we tackle serious writing issues, too. It’s just that we have fun doing it. 11 AM Pacific; paid subscribers get the link in their inboxes the morning of.
I wrote a post with suggestions to regulate your nervous system, vital in these times.
We’ve had a last-minute cancellation for our Wells workshop in May. Would you like to take their place? Of course you would. What’s not to like about a writing workshop in England? More here.
My friend Angie’s new mystery is up for pre-order, see Book section below.
Hi lovies,
I am a firm, fervent believer that there is no problem (story-related or life-related) that cannot be helped by taking it to the page.
Relationship issues? Angsty teenager-in-residence issues? Problems with your boss? Pull out your journal and start writing. It’s not going to change things instantly, but it will no doubt help you find some ways to proceed.
Story problems? (Not of the math kind.) Pull out your notebook dedicated to side writing about your novel and have at it. (Although the very best thing you can do is to write in the actual story itself.)
Philosophical life issue problems? (Such as, what is the meaning of life? Are we here on earth just an experiment for some crazy gods somewhere? Why do heating pads make everything better?) Take them to the page.
Over and over again in my life and career, I realize that if I just allow myself to get there, I’ll find it in the writing. (I wrote more about this here.) But I must add some important qualifiers to this bromide of mine:
Knowledge and writing are not the same
As in, all your research about structure and character and how to write perfect dialogue and setting does not write the novel for you. Telling you because a friend told me. Haha.
Thinking and writing are not the same
Yes, writing a novel demands thought. Lots of it. But thought is not the same as actual writing, and sometimes often thought manifests itself as you write. All that staring out the window you do while you claim to be dreaming up stories? Nope, doesn’t count.
Planning and writing are not the same
Sometimes I think of a thing I need to do. My first inclination is to write it on my to-do list. But lately I’ve been realizing that it usually takes only a small bit of extra time, if any, to just freaking go do it.1
It’s like when I explain freewriting to people. The point is to write, people. Not to research, not to think, not to plan. You’ll find it in the writing. Trust me on this and get thee to the page.
Love, light, and good writing,
Charlotte
P.S. I’d love to hear your comments on anything in this newsletter!
Fall in Love with Articles and Resources
This one is for the dog lovers. I’m sorry, I had to include it. Because: “all dogs have at least one weird thing,” and it’s about the wonders of dog strollers.
“Writing is one of the few tools that can reliably change how you think.” I liked this article from Ness Labs, Anne-Laure LeCunff.
Some interesting techniques in this one.
Okay this is random I know but I have an obsession with following ocean rowers. (I’ve posted about this before.) My girl Milli Abrams, knitter and bad ass extraordinaire, finished and this livestream of her arrival is touching and inspiring.
I listened to this podcast on the treadmill on Friday and found it informative.
Fall in Love With Books
A Whiff of Murder, by Angela M. Sanders. Amazon Bookshop. My friend Angie’s latest is up for preorder. It’s her first hardback release and the reviews are great. It’s a spinoff from her Witch Way librarian series, and set in a nearby coastal town I love, Astoria. Can’t wait!
The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake by Rachel Linden, Amazon Bookshop I’ve read Linden before but kind of forgot about her. Rediscovered her while looking for comps. This is a light-hearted, fun read, set in the PNW and Italy. What’s not to like? Light-hearted and fun is what we need at this moment. So far, I’m all in. Update: It got a little slow in the middle (as books often do) but then it picked right up and I enjoyed it.
In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams, Amazon Bookshop. Yes I’m reading all the lightweight romances because that is what these times call for. I’ve just started this one and I’m not sure how much I like the main character but I admire the way she creates a cast of back-up characters so I’ll stick with it.
Fall in Love with Other Things
A Stroll Down Memory Lane: odd bits of arcana from my life
I went on a tear to organize my desk (which doesn’t happen often) and found a box with a random selection of arcana from various times of my life.
Left to right:
—My father ran a printshop in downtown Portland from the time I was a kid to when I was a young adult. I worked there off and on through all those years, too. Note the classic logo. This card has my Mom’s name on it.
—Copy of a poem written on the beach at Arch Cape many years ago by a woman named Mrs. Snow. She wrote a poem in the sand every morning and has inspired a character who does the same in my current WIP. Read the Note I wrote about it here.
—My student body ID card from my MFA days at Spalding.
—Little-known fact these days: I’m a licensed minister. Yes, I can marry you. I’ve conducted…I don’t know how many weddings, I’ve lost count. Haven’t done it for quite awhile, though.2
—The bookmarks from my Emma Jean’s Bad Behavior release. She’ll be back soon.
—One of the most adorable photos that exists on the planet. It’s my two oldest grandchildren when they were wee babes. They are annoying/wonderful teenagers now and I love them even more fiercely.
I read somewhere that if your task will take two minutes or less, skip the to-do list and get it done.
And the thought occurs…I think every couple whose wedding I officated is still married. Through no effort of my own!
Read, enjoyed, and shared on social media. :) And the Spalding ID was a blast from the past!
I love your insistence that the answer is usually waiting on the page, not in another round of thinking about the page. The distinction between planning and actually writing is one so many of us need to hear again and again. There’s something energizing about the idea that movement creates insight, not the other way around. Your tone makes the whole process feel doable instead of intimidating. It’s the kind of encouragement that nudges writers back to their desks instead of deeper into procrastination.