Who Knows You’re Writing?
by Brooke Warner
An original She Writes mantra was “friends don’t let friends write alone.” Over time it got adapted to “writers don’t let writers write alone.” Either way, the message is the same: If you care about someone, don’t let them write alone. And if you want to cultivate a good writing practice, and be kind to yourself, then don’t let yourself write alone either.
Look, writing is inherently a solitary act, but there are all kinds of ways to be a writer and not do it in isolation. As we inch ever closer to our JanYourStory writing challenge, we’re inviting you to try on a new way of being a writer. And that’s to write out loud.
One of the most underrated steps in a writing challenge isn’t Day One; it’s telling someone you’re doing it. So, to write out loud with us in January, first start by telling someone (or a lot of people) that you’re doing the challenge. Lucky for you, for this challenge, we have a meme for that at the end of this post. Grab it and share it.
After that, invite a friend. This isn’t just saying on social media, Join me! But rather, it’s reaching out to someone you know. Perhaps you’ve heard them mention in passing that they’re working on something. Maybe they’ve posted online that about writing or wanting to write. Maybe they’re someone from a past class, or someone we met at a writing retreat. Most of us have these people in our lives, so you might send an email or even a direct message to say: Hey, you want to do this writing challenge with me? You never know what might happen. You might spark an unexpected writing buddy relationship, or at least someone to check in with during the challenge itself.
The thing about writing out loud, which does require you to go out on a limb and make a declaration, or be vulnerable enough to ask someone to join you on this adventure, is that it increases your chances of success. Having people in your corner gives you accountability, and has the effect of you taking your writing more seriously. This is the power of letting other people in on your process.
Grant touched upon the myth of the “lone writer” in last week’s newsletter. This notion that “real writers” do it alone really has no merit. Every successful writer I know has some form of support—even if it’s quiet. The truth is while writing may happen alone, perseverance rarely does. And community will help you sustain that.
Now we get to JanYourStory, and the challenge to write every day in January. Once January starts, don’t dim your light. Use the challenge to share your insights about writing and what you’re learning. Inside our Community, people are going to be sharing every single day, and it’s encouraged and celebrated. Out on your social media feeds, share away, too. Maybe there you don’t post every day in January, but certainly periodically. Celebrate a writing streak, or post your occasional total word count. Make it fun, and take the high-fives! All of this creates momentum, and the momentum will keep you going through and to the end—and beyond.
Here’s a little call to action for those of you who want to take an action to share or invite a friend but you’re not sure where to start.
• Text one friend today and say: “I’m doing a writing challenge this month. Wanna join me?”
• Tell someone who feels safe that you’re doing a writing challenge—not someone who will critique or minimize.
• Notice how it feels to be witnessed.
Writing is not just about getting on your computer and being alone by yourself with your thoughts and creativity and your memories. Writing is and has always been about connection. Leo Tolstoy wrote, “Art is the passing of feelings from one human heart to another.” This may be the hope we carry—that our writing will touch others. But long before we reach that outcome, we can touch and be touched by others while we write.
Memoir Nation is a place where no writer has to write alone. If you have a friend you want to invite, please do. If you don’t, we’ve got good news for you. Friends are waiting in the community, and if you come write with us and participate in JanYourStory, connections are yours for the taking.
Come explore and connect and write with us. We’ll see you many/most days in January!
If you want to commit to your memoir, join JanYourStory—and write 500 words per day every day in January!
Are you already signed up? Thank you! And spread the word by sharing this meme. Invite your friends. The more people who participate, the more fun we’ll all have.
Thanks for sharing with an author or writer in your life . . . ⤵
We’re excited to announce that Amanda Knox will be teaching for us at Memoir Nation in January. Save the date - January 20th!
