An “emerging writer” sounds like they ought to be about 14 years old, right? If you spend any time perusing writing contests or calls for submission as I do, there are many of such opportunities for the emerging writer. To me, emerging denotes youth or just beginning, like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis. But what if we’re not in our youth—or one of the “30 under 30” or even “40 under 40” emerging writers that are heralded in the writing magazines or websites. It can be daunting for those of us who are not 30 or 40…because some of us are emerging as writers at 50 or 60.
A goal for me in all my classes is to affirm that, no matter how old one is, you can still be a writer. Maybe you dream of publication or maybe you write daily in a journal, but we are all entitled to a writing life. I gave a prompt in one of my writing groups recently and I felt one response nailed the writing life. What do you think? (Try writing to it yourself, too!)
Prompt: Describe your writing life. Use your all your senses.
Writing
Writing looks terribly like this moment…
And smells warm and lemony, like fresh laundry: a new start, a clean break.
Writing tastes like hot oatmeal, warm and grainy, full of small bits that all come together to make something bigger (and tastier) than itself.
Writing sounds like rain, drumming down on a tin roof,
Urgent and loud.
Always present.
Writing feels like a gentle squeeze from a dear friend.
Hard to forget, and always welcome.
~ Aimee Sarmiento
Writing Groups & classes at Writual
The writing class break continues . . . The summer flew by, didn’t it? I thought I’d have a full roster of classes by now, but I think I’ll focus on the writing groups and the upcoming retreat for now. I have some in-person workshops coming up later in the fall and I’m still toying with holding more grief workshops—deciding on a time, place and venue versus holding them on Zoom is factoring a lot into my decision. Please feel free to weigh in, though. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Email me.
If you’d like to join the Saturday writing group, click here.
A Day of Her Own - Women’s Writing Retreat
Take time to yourself to write and combine it with some gentle facilitation and connection with other writers in a veritable sanctuary of nature, comfort and hospitality. The main focus is to get some work done, so if you have a project that needs some attention or just some time to map out a writing schedule, please consider giving yourself this day.
For more info and to register: Click here
More Writing Opportunities
Many of you know that Brooke Warner is the publisher of She Writes Press, but she also offers many opportunities to writers in the form of classes and workshops. Please take a look at these two upcoming workshops, particularly if you are working on a memoir.
A Hotel Room of One’s Own (catchy title, huh? ;)
Sponsored by the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop and Anna Lefler the humorist-in-residence program is a residency specifically for emerging humor writers. (There’s that word again!) Check out the requirements at the link below. Applications are accepted September 5 - October 5, 2023.
Other Writers, Other Books
I think I may have mentioned this one, yes? Fast Fallen Women is the third volume in the Fast Women series edited by Gina Barreca and I’m tickled to have an essay included in this one (as well as the previous one, Fast Fierce Women). Don’t have your copy yet? Here’s a link. Also—check out the in-person and online events where you can hear Gina talk about the book—and other things.
Here’s another writer you should get to know: Amy Ferris.
Her new book, Mighty Gorgeous: A Little Book About Messy Love is full of full-on fierce support and encouragement throughout all of life’s messy situations. Amy’s strength, honesty and love will prop you up when you feel like slumping. Get this book!
And finally—if you’ve stuck with me this far . . . a little reminder about the importance of editing and proofreading. (And maybe photo composition . . . ;)
Thanks for being here.
xo
Cindy