tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68069773838984219122024-02-20T00:16:44.782-08:00#Write2TheEndAmi Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-712296729039066872017-06-07T13:57:00.001-07:002017-06-07T13:59:18.412-07:00Retreat Notes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Lodge... the Lake... the Laughter!</i></td></tr>
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The inaugural Write2TheEnd Writer's Retreat is over. What a wonderful weekend, shared with truly amazing writers!<br />
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Ami and Kim were thrilled to have Yi Shun Lai and Shawna Ayoub-Ainslie join us as facilitators. Retreat participants basked in the glow of so much solid, actionable information.<br />
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I know of at least three people who came with creative blocks who had those blocks lifted. (I was one of them!)<br />
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A huge thank-you to the staff (especially the cooks) at Camp Cedar Lodge for outdoing themselves in making our Retreat a success. We had a wide range of dietary needs -- from vegan and vegetarian to gluten free to ketogenic -- and the food was <i>wonderful</i>!<br />
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A special shout-out of thanks to our participants. You came from all over the Midwest, from Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. You threw yourself into the camping experience. Even when it got cold (Because, Michigan. In May.), you never complained. Not once. About anything. Rather, you rallied. You adapted. And you wrote your way through.<br />
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Shawna, in one of our opening night exercises, had everyone write a letter to themselves from two days later. In the letter, we were to identify what we accomplished, what we hoped to achieve, and what breakthroughs we experienced throughout the retreat. And it worked! For many participants, those letters were practically prescient, in the best of all possible ways.<br />
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Some participants flew the Flag of Solitude and sequestered themselves to write their hearts out. Others took advantage of our excellent faculty and attended every single workshop offered, soaking in all the information they could.<br />
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Our esteemed faculty was made of awesome. They made themselves readily available to everyone, answering questions and offering feedback for <b>hours</b>. We can't thank you enough for your dedication and encouragement.<br />
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(Side note: extra w00ts to writer and editor YiShun Lai who discovered shortly after the Retreat that her novel <i>Not a Self-Help Book: the Misadventures of Marty Wu</i> is a semi-finalist for the <a href="http://www.thurberhouse.org/thurber-prize" target="_blank">2017 Thurber Prize for American Humor</a>. CONGRATULATIONS ALL OVER THE PLACE!!)<br />
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Actually: "YAAAAAAAYYYYY!!" is a rather apt illustration of how I felt about the Retreat. From movie night to a rather rainy campfire, from literally writing in the dark to experiencing a monumental breakthrough, I am overjoyed and honored to have had a part in the first Write2TheEnd Writer's Retreat. Here's hoping those who attended find themselves inspired for many months to come.<br />
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<br />Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-66874299480126772752017-05-16T09:41:00.000-07:002017-05-16T09:41:05.320-07:00WriteAway Spring Writer’s Retreat: Events Schedule<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f81bd; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Friday, May 19</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> <br />
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5:30 <b>Welcome</b> (wombat not included)<br />
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Participant Introductions<br />
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Faculty Introductions<br />
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Mini-Intros:<br />
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6:30 <b>The Art of Story Structure </b>(Hands-on “art” projects) – Ami (30 min)<br />
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7:00 <b>One Page “Attunement”</b>: Goal setting and self-definition (we are writers!) through epistolary practice.– Shawna (30 min)<br />
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7:30 <b>Tripping the Light Ekphrastic</b>: Welcome to the weird, wonderful world of ekphrastic writing. – Yi Shun (30 min)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There will be s'mores... Oh yes. There will be s'mores...</i></td></tr>
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8:00 Open Mic / Wine and Snacks / Mingling (Campfire, weather permitting)<br />
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9:30 <b> Night Writer</b>: Step into the dark recesses of your mind for this dream-narrative night-writing mini session with guided body meditation. -- Shawna (30 min)<br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>Saturday, May 20</b></span><br />
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8:30 <i>Breakfast</i><br />
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9:00 Private Consults<br />
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9:15 Private Consults<br />
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9:30 <b>Session I: Mining Life and Other Taboo Practices</b> / Shawna (1.5 hours) “You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better,” says Anne Lamott. Life informs art, but where do we take inspiration, and where do we draw the line? Practice diving deeper into true narratives whether for use in fiction or nonfiction. (1.5 hours)<br />
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11:00 <b>Session II: “Help! I’m in a Fug!” What to Do When You Get Stuck</b> (Characters, plot, and everything else) / Yi Shun (1.5 hours) From characters to plot lines, sometimes writers get stuck. It's not a writer's block, it's a temporary waystation. Learn ways to get out of the fug, and how to quickly move on from your hiccup.<br />
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12:30 <i>Lunch</i><br />
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1:00 Private Consults<br />
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1:15 Private Consults<br />
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1:30 <b>Session III: Finding Your Voice</b> / Shawna (1.5 hours) Whether writing to a genre or from a character’s perspective, finding the right voice can make or break your piece. Experiment with different points of view and narrative techniques using expressive writing practices in order to find the “just right” voice for any writing project.<br />
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3:00 <b>Session IV: Revision from the Editor's Desk</b> / Yi Shun (1.5 hours) Ever wonder what happens over there in Mordor--I mean, editor-land? In this session, you'll learn what editors look for: What makes our ears go up; what makes our ears lie flat in apprehension; what makes us salivate and what makes us pant in anticipation. (Maybe it's not Mordor, but it can be a zoo.)<br />
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4:30 <b>Session V: Five Easy Filters</b> / Ami (1.5 hours) A layered approach to building multi-faceted, memorable characters with distinctive voices. Bring a scene from your work in progress and engage in a variety of exercises to help you lose your voice... so your characters can find theirs.<br />
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6:00 <i>Dinner</i><br />
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7:00 Open Mic / Snacks / Mingling<br />
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9:30 <b>Pajama Party / Movie Night</b> Featuring one of Ami’s
favorite writing-related movies; a little-known comedy that tackles such
things as an artist’s responsibility, writer-as-provocateur, and what
constitutes taking things too far. Hopefully, useful discussion will
ensue. If not, at least there will be popcorn...<br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Sunday, May 21</b></span><br />
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10:00 <i>Brunch</i><br />
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Wrap-up / Final remarks<br />
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Checkout by Noon<br />
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Note from Ami and Kim: (Events and topics are subject to change. Just sayin'...)</div>
Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-44647159001170317312017-05-15T12:07:00.002-07:002017-05-15T12:07:28.726-07:00The Retreat Starts... NOW!It’s hard to believe that the <a href="http://write2theend.blogspot.com/p/writeaway-writing-retreat.html" target="_blank">WriteAway Spring Writing Retreat</a> at Camp Cedar Lodge is less than two weeks away!<br /><br />Kim and Ami are looking forward to reconnecting with old friends and to meeting new ones. We can't wait to welcome you to the Retreat and pledge to do everything in our power to help you climb whatever writing mountains loom before you.<br /><br /><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>The Retreat Starts Now</b></span><br /><br />We are blessed to have such wonderful faculty join us on this adventure and we want to make sure you make the most of your time with them. <br /><br />In signing up for the Retreat, you have taken a bold step toward making your writing a priority. (Haven't signed up yet? There are still a few spots open. Just click the Buy Now button and join us!) But there is no need to wait to get started. Here are two ways you can start your Retreat today:<br /><br /><i>1.) Get to Know the Facilitators</i><br /><br />We’ve got some amazing writers and editors coming to work with you. In addition to scheduled workshops**, we’ve set aside time for each participant to have one-on-one sessions with both Yi Shun and Shawna. These women have vast, varied writing and publishing experience which they are happy to put at your disposal.<br /><br />Don’t be like me, who once famously went to a retreat and then spent most of the first day holed up in my room, reading up on the facilitators. ::doh!::<br /><br />Familiarize yourself with some of <a href="http://thegooddirt.org/" target="_blank">Yi Shun</a>’s and <a href="http://honeyquill.com/why-the-spire/" target="_blank">Shawna</a>’s published works. Browse the magazines they edit. Look for strengths they have that can help improve some of your weaknesses. Then, over the next few days, make a list of questions you have for each of the facilitators. [It should go without saying that if you have any questions for me or for Kim, write those puppies down as well. We’re all here for you!]<br /><br />This way, you’ll be better prepared to ask questions that can help you. However, feel free to ask Yi Shun if she brought her wombat costume...<br /><br /><i>2.) What’s Your Line?</i><br /><br />Choose one paragraph from your project -- the opening is a good choice; so is the last paragraph, right before the muse abandoned work for the day and flew off to play. Send it to Ami at the Write2TheEnd email address she used when she sent your Welcome under the Subject: "What’s My Line." We’ll use it as a Retreat ice-breaker. <br /><br />You’ll see...<br /><br /><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>What to Pack / What to Wear</b></span><br />
<br />At this moment, the <a href="https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USMI0479:1:US" target="_blank">extended forecast for May 19 – 21 </a>shows a high possibility of scattered thunderstorms, with temps around 70 during the day & mid 50’s at night. But it’s Michigan. So that <strike>could</strike> <strike>might</strike> will probably change.<br /><br />Michigan’s capricious weather notwithstanding, here’s a short list of suggested items to pack:<br />
<ul>
<li>Bedding (See the previous blog post for <a href="http://write2theend.blogspot.com/2017/04/now-i-lay-me-down-to-sleep.html" target="_blank">sleeping-specific packing considerations</a>.)</li>
<li>Towel & washcloth</li>
<li>Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, etc.)</li>
<li>Flip-flops or shower shoes</li>
<li>Clothes for 2 nights & 3 days (The Michigan mantra: hope for warm weather; plan for cold)</li>
<li>Pajamas (There will be a Pajama Party / Movie night on Saturday. Plus, you know, PJs for sleeping)</li>
<li>Sense of adventure</li>
<li>Sunscreen (we hope & pray you’ll need it)</li>
<li>Umbrella (we hope & pray you won’t need it)</li>
<li>Flashlight</li>
<li>Favorite writing utensils (pens or pencils & paper / computer / notepad / tablet...)</li>
</ul>
Looking forward to seeing you all! <br /><br /><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><i>** Workshops are optional. Always optional – if all you want to do is be left alone to write, with occasional breaks to eat, we’re cool with that. S’Ok.</i></span>Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-75331958266827586172017-04-19T09:40:00.002-07:002017-04-19T09:44:17.224-07:00Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep...<br />
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With just a month to go until the WriteAway Spring Writer's Retreat at Camp Cedar Lodge, Kim and Ami are giddy with anticipation. We can't wait to share a rustic weekend with you.<br />
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The lake! The woods! The clean air! The camaraderie of other writers! Can't you just *smell* the creativity?<br />
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~inhales.... <i>Aaaaaahhhhhhh</i>~<br />
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We have discovered that one question -- more than any other -- is on the minds of people planning to attend.<br />
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It's not "Tell me more about the faculty and facilitators." Nope. <a href="http://honeyquill.com/why-the-spire/" target="_blank">Shawna Ayoub Ainslie</a> and <a href="http://thegooddirt.org/" target="_blank">Yi Shun Lai</a> have solid creds that speak volumes.<br />
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It's not "What's the closest airport?" [The answer is Kalamazoo, MI. But Grand Rapids, South Bend, Detroit, and Chicago are all easy drives, too.]<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"I never want to hear the phrase 'business casual' again."</i></td></tr>
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It's not even "What should I wear?" Because everyone knows that <i>"women only"</i> and "<i>rustic"</i> translates as "Wear comfy clothes; no makeup or heels necessary." Whew!<br />
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Hands down, the biggest question on everyone's mind is a variation on "where will I be sleeping?"<br />
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We've discovered that "cabins" and "camping" mean very different things to people. Huh. Who knew?<br />
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So -- to those who wondered if you needed to bring your own rollmat and mosquito netting...AND to those who asked if there was electricity in the cabins or a concierge, the answer is the same: <span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;">no</span></b></span>.<br />
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The beds all have sturdy hardwood frames with standard twin size mattresses. During summer camp they are set up as bunks, but unless you really, <i>really</i> want to check top-bunk-sleeping off your bucket list, there is no need for anyone to do any climbing.<br />
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Tall, four-tiered, wooden shelves stand in the cabin like trees in a forest, providing handy storage for important items like writing utensils, flashlights, and a deck of Exploding Kittens.<br />
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</span> <span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><b>Bring your own bedding.</b> <b>And your own towels, washcloths, and toiletries. </b></span>The concierge is you.<br />
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To help you visualize, we went to Camp Cedar Lake and made up two "demo beds":<br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>Exhibit A: The Intrepid Explorer</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips9Qt8v1Xrgvh02l4nWbPCLuUeW__MCrD0hSQQrGI95wTSeigqbUzFhOk_7obXaZy2Jj5PEoCOBfNxnkBbKuO5s1EKdygzAeAjCLTE0brTb_vjGPhyphenhyphenUBVwISnDovdvc4xM-HlQX9mw3K2/s1600/SleepingBagBed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips9Qt8v1Xrgvh02l4nWbPCLuUeW__MCrD0hSQQrGI95wTSeigqbUzFhOk_7obXaZy2Jj5PEoCOBfNxnkBbKuO5s1EKdygzAeAjCLTE0brTb_vjGPhyphenhyphenUBVwISnDovdvc4xM-HlQX9mw3K2/s400/SleepingBagBed.JPG" width="400" /></a>This is the set-up for people who care more for function than form (<i>koff - Ami - koff</i>).<br />
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These hardy souls really couldn't give two rips about whether or not things color coordinate, as long as they do the job.<br />
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Essential Items<br />
<ul>
<li>Sleeping bag</li>
<li>Blanket</li>
<li>Pillow</li>
<li>Hanging flashlight </li>
<li>Large plooshy stuffed animal (optional)</li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Exhibit B: The Cozy Camper</b></span><br />
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Some people have an eye for beauty, elegance, and design. Instead of "gray," "blue," or "orange," they name colors things like "chickadee," "kingfisher," and "oriole."<br />
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Like Monty Python's infamous Knights of Ni, when they ask for a shrubbery, they want "one that looks nice." (<i>Kim: these are your people!</i>)<br />
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Though such aesthetes lean more toward spas than cabins when they go on vacation, they are no shrinking violets! They boldly bring civilization into the wilderness with them. <br />
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Essential Items<br />
<ul>
<li>Top and bottom twin sheets with matching pillowcase</li>
<li>Sleeping pillow</li>
<li>Decorative accent pillows </li>
<li>Down-filled duvet </li>
<li>Handcrafted vintage quilt</li>
<li>Retro flashlight</li>
<li>Fresh flowers (not optional) </li>
</ul>
Regardless of how you decorate, the #Write2TheEnd WriteAway Spring Writer's Retreat is a weekend to tap into your creativity in fresh, new ways. Meet other great writers. Add some tools to your Writer's Toolbox. Produce some serious wordcount. Soak up buckets of advice and ideas from our faculty. Spread those wings and fly...<br />
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There is still time to register: just click the "Buy Now" button and sign up via PayPal. Better yet -- save over 10% if register before April 20. We won't make your bed, but we'll do everything in our power to help make this the Writer's Retreat of your dreams!Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-34230635067069636142017-03-23T13:58:00.002-07:002017-04-07T10:49:28.148-07:00Announcing the #W2TE WriteAway Spring Writer's Retreat!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QonxtwbdxesOmYvlyOYy8kZpxVhuzGTqjvRyWltpx919IbpIFktDewzDckwFR6OOxNL4pWkR_z3iQ-FiNBhAfN-COy_vaL3hVRVdrn0onXzo9Z1MmwVEOwmcjD4U7hZKXHz6V6ar4XLP/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-04+at+11.39.11+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QonxtwbdxesOmYvlyOYy8kZpxVhuzGTqjvRyWltpx919IbpIFktDewzDckwFR6OOxNL4pWkR_z3iQ-FiNBhAfN-COy_vaL3hVRVdrn0onXzo9Z1MmwVEOwmcjD4U7hZKXHz6V6ar4XLP/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-04-04+at+11.39.11+AM.png" width="400" /></a>For several years, Kim and Ami have talked about putting together a writer's retreat.<br />
<br />
Our retreat would be in a place that encouraged creativity. A place that inspired. A place off the beaten track, full of natural beauty: hills... trees... maybe a lake...<br />
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We would eat meals together, share a few drinks, hash out ideas and projects.<br />
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We would bring in expert writers and facilitators with diverse skill sets who were both <i>accessible</i> and <i>willing to share their knowledge</i>.<br />
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Our retreat would offer workshops to benefit all levels of writers, from beginners to pros, helping participants hone skills and put new tools in their Writer's Toolbox.<br />
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Our retreat would also offer the Gift of Solitude: providing blissfully uninterrupted writing time from Friday evening through late Sunday morning for those inclined to become ornamental hermits.<br />
<br />
Ami insisted there must be readily available coffee -- lots of it. And dogs. And access to the sort of inspiration only horses can provide.<br />
<br />
Kim championed the importance of making the most of local wines. And social networking with other women writers. But mostly wine.<br />
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Finally, we realized:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The time for talking is over. </b></span></span></span></div>
<br />
With great excitement, we announce the <a href="http://write2theend.blogspot.com/p/writeaway-writing-retreat.html" target="_blank">#Write2TheEnd WriteAway Spring Writer's Retreat</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMj_BZrDd59BGx5KQ1cxPcRz-u0lhCc3GFDIvsLDkcq06FEDSSoEUY0_uHVrZ_feqV9sFVPMZZNZnPLSpMznA_u3g9LRWvZOtOrgPumNteCAxGbWXf3jLh2GA6Flj_fWKNDAobgRr6gp_/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-23+at+3.10.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMj_BZrDd59BGx5KQ1cxPcRz-u0lhCc3GFDIvsLDkcq06FEDSSoEUY0_uHVrZ_feqV9sFVPMZZNZnPLSpMznA_u3g9LRWvZOtOrgPumNteCAxGbWXf3jLh2GA6Flj_fWKNDAobgRr6gp_/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-03-23+at+3.10.04+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Aerial view of Camp Cedar Lodge in autumn.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From Friday afternoon on May 19 through Sunday morning, May 21, we invite you to join us at beautiful, rustic, Camp Cedar Lodge in Lawrence, Michigan.<br />
<br />
That weekend, we will do everything in our power to help you indulge and nurture your Inner Writer. <br />
<br />
Our fabulous faculty includes:<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0vyZpKlGsc-5QcQczHYvg8YhyphenhyphenWKFzEbdqEG1xijf-UFNCqeVT-eeeHLtkAOct0tUjw3u2tbWlDk5khQwiPTodtYBLl1RR_FolBB-bsjmfoDqdHmZ_YC7QOkvDuX4gZ4HwhsobMB6M_Fd/s1600/YiSHun+Lai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0vyZpKlGsc-5QcQczHYvg8YhyphenhyphenWKFzEbdqEG1xijf-UFNCqeVT-eeeHLtkAOct0tUjw3u2tbWlDk5khQwiPTodtYBLl1RR_FolBB-bsjmfoDqdHmZ_YC7QOkvDuX4gZ4HwhsobMB6M_Fd/s1600/YiSHun+Lai.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yi Shun Lai</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Novelist, non-fiction editor, writing coach, and essayist <a href="http://thegooddirt.org/" target="_blank">Yi Shun Lai</a>.<br />
<br />
Yi Shun holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts. <span class="background-details">She is the non-fiction editor of the <i>Tahoma Literary Review</i>, the former fiction editor of the <i>Los Angeles Review</i> and has worked for a variety of publications including <i>The Atlantic</i>, <i>Audubon</i>, <i>AARP the Magazine</i>, and many more. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="background-details">Her debut novel, NOT A SELF-HELP BOOK: THE MISADVENTURES OF MARTY WU, published in 2016, is in its fourth printing and is taught in classes ranging from Critical Thinking to American Literature. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="background-details">Yi Shun is </span>a consultant in external communications with experience in journalism, social media and business strategy, copywriting, and line and developmental editing. She lives in the greater Los Angeles area.<br />
<br />
AND <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEB42V9hDzlbdphyLcjacN9FbXnZ-foSxXymFTagwe4oVp0hO32wMogVp4Drl8KUdu6mFQfF3eTL_mb4NLZ28KB5CJ8RUxMAevSQU4rX74sfxOEiN6O_05h_y_pa3kVs61mOAnkkOEidBs/s1600/Shawna+Ayoub+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEB42V9hDzlbdphyLcjacN9FbXnZ-foSxXymFTagwe4oVp0hO32wMogVp4Drl8KUdu6mFQfF3eTL_mb4NLZ28KB5CJ8RUxMAevSQU4rX74sfxOEiN6O_05h_y_pa3kVs61mOAnkkOEidBs/s200/Shawna+Ayoub+A.jpg" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Shawna Ayoub Ainslie</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Essayist, writing coach, consultant, survivor, and poet <a href="http://honeyquill.com/why-the-spire/" target="_blank">Shawna Ayoub Ainslie</a>.<br />
<br />
Shawna holds an MFA from Indiana University. Her work has been featured in the <i>Huffington Post</i>, <i>Art Saves Lives International</i>, and others. She is the former editor-in-chief of <i>Open Thought Vortex Magazine</i>.<br />
<br />
Shawna's work addresses themes of race, place, abuse, mental health, family, and faith. She founded the Writing Through Trauma series to help survivors of trauma shed their fears and heal. She resides in Bloomington, Indiana.<br />
<br />
Of course, Ami and Kim will be there too!<br />
<br />
The #Write2TheEnd WriteAway Spring Writer's Retreat is open to only twenty participants. For our inaugural session, it is open to women only. Ladies -- whatever your writing goals, we invite you to come and join us! Just click the "Buy Now" button at the upper right. Save $50 if you register before April 20, 2017!<br />
<br />
For more information, check out our <a href="http://write2theend.blogspot.com/p/writeaway-writing-retreat.html" target="_blank">WriteAway Spring Writer's Retreat</a> page.Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-36762446804766898252016-07-06T08:50:00.001-07:002016-07-06T08:50:41.715-07:00Join Novelist Yi Shun Lai & #Write2TheEnd for a Self-Help Book Swap!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF3Axmnc2XuiuWOVQWYgEn4k1U4Byq907c72L1ifWrhhQ4arOf_qlWTW5FfGlUwxpgj10x139D_iH3biiJTerXbDhdvNDhZAnS1ZUriOd-NwyvmuKrKwKhgJ2oxBj7xEADRBOWZEIdM55/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-24+at+12.44.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF3Axmnc2XuiuWOVQWYgEn4k1U4Byq907c72L1ifWrhhQ4arOf_qlWTW5FfGlUwxpgj10x139D_iH3biiJTerXbDhdvNDhZAnS1ZUriOd-NwyvmuKrKwKhgJ2oxBj7xEADRBOWZEIdM55/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-06-24+at+12.44.08+PM.png" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yi Shun Lai</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
YOU ARE INVITED to a SELF-HELP BOOK SWAP at the #Write2TheEnd offices at 420 Main Street in St. Joseph from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 14. <br />
<br />
#Write2TheEnd is honored to welcome writer and editor Yi Shun Lai to southwest Michigan.<br />
<br />
Lai is the non-fiction editor of the highly regarded Tahoma Literary
Review. She was, for a time, the youngest-ever writer for the legendary
J. Peterman catalog. And that was before "Seinfeld" discovered it. Her
most recent work is NOT A SELF-HELP BOOK: THE MISADVENTURES OF MARTY WU
(2016, Shade Mountain Press), a humorous epistolary novel.<br />
<br />
At the Book Swap, Lai will conduct a workshop on keeping an active
journal and will discuss her writing process. She will have a limited number of copies of
NOT A SELF-HELP BOOK on hand, available for signing and purchase. Light
refreshments will be served.<br />
<br />
“We have all been tempted by the Self-Help section of the local bookstore,” says Lai.<br />
“And we've probably also all acquired some gems and some duds. Did you get something out of your book and want to pass it on now? Or was it just not for you? Bring it to the Book Swap!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgA4R6WYNjZq8OWWqMq5EvKg0mIx3JUNE8t_aV61mRkfjHCFMH_jdhaTPKpOhqmdA-iOLOBXEuMdmeY9NH1nZ9ysAjBMebnUFIznQqrUoCgLpPuZodFpN1JI3mlkNrM3KyBQU06IBm7M4/s1600/YiShunLai+SelfHelp.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgA4R6WYNjZq8OWWqMq5EvKg0mIx3JUNE8t_aV61mRkfjHCFMH_jdhaTPKpOhqmdA-iOLOBXEuMdmeY9NH1nZ9ysAjBMebnUFIznQqrUoCgLpPuZodFpN1JI3mlkNrM3KyBQU06IBm7M4/s320/YiShunLai+SelfHelp.png" width="198" /></a></div>
Prior to the Self-Help Book Swap, On Wednesday, July 13, Lai will be featured in a booksigning and writer’s Q & A session at the Webster Memorial Library, part of the Van Buren District Library, 200 N. Phelps Street, Decatur, from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.<br /><br />She will be a Special Guest at the Webster Memorial Library’s Writing Workshop with Ami Hendrickson the evening of July 13 from 6 to 7:30.<br />
<br />
Lai will also appear at Women and Children First in Chicago, IL, on Friday, July 15.<br />
<br />
NOT A SELF-HELP BOOK details the life of Marty Wu, a compulsive reader of advice manuals who would love to come across as a poised young advertising professional. Instead, she trips over her own feet and blurts out inappropriate comments. The bulk of her brain matter, she decides, consists of gerbils "spinning madly in alternating directions.”<br />
<br />
Marty hopes to someday open a boutique costume shop, but it's hard to keep focused on her dream. First comes a spectacular career meltdown that sends her ricocheting between the stress of New York and the warmth of supportive relatives in Taiwan. Then she faces one domestic drama after another, with a formidable mother who's impossible to please, an annoyingly successful and well- adjusted brother, and surprising family secrets that pop up precisely when she doesn't want to deal with them.<br />
<br />
Mining the comedic potential of the 1.5-generation American experience, NOT A SELF-HELP BOOK is an insightful and witty portrait of a young woman scrambling to balance familial expectations and her own creative dreams. Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan, author of A Tiger in the Kitchen: A Memoir of Food and Family raves: "<i>A breezy and charming tale ... Anyone who's grown up immersed in a profoundly rich old-world culture and feels its constant pull will commiserate—and be entertained.</i>"<br />
<br />All of Lai’s southwest Michigan appearances are free and open to the public.<br />
<br />
#Write2TheEnd is an eight-week intensive writing workshop in St. Joseph facilitated by Ami Hendrickson and Kim Jorgensen Gane. #Write2TheEnd participants have succeeded in finishing novels, poetry chapbooks, non-fiction books, and more. #Write2TheEnd also conducts occasional short workshops. In addition to Lai, noteworthy authors #Write2TheEnd has hosted include Patty Chang Anker (Some Nerve: Lessons Learned While Becoming Brave. Riverhead; Penguin) and Ava Chin (Eating Wildly: Foraging for Life, Love, and the Perfect Meal. Simon & Schuster). Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-23994476557167782462015-07-06T09:38:00.001-07:002015-07-06T09:38:38.870-07:00Write2TheEnd On Your Summer VacationIt's summer! Time to enjoy the sun, the surf, the sand -- <i>the creative process!</i> <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2melK5UU4iuk84VDUm5RAXSBi0_uA2vNJvoy0KXp0ZI-OrKI9e7desYCc52QbIkgZIIAfRO-RxU-hb3jigVZRTOGb9CNJZTE1_jYcU9lkphmshxSa9_CyyJUTHhB6E6HlMY-24kln7IL4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-06+at+12.33.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2melK5UU4iuk84VDUm5RAXSBi0_uA2vNJvoy0KXp0ZI-OrKI9e7desYCc52QbIkgZIIAfRO-RxU-hb3jigVZRTOGb9CNJZTE1_jYcU9lkphmshxSa9_CyyJUTHhB6E6HlMY-24kln7IL4/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-07-06+at+12.33.06+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kick back, relax, and WRITE!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At #Write2TheEnd, we look forward to working with those intrepid souls who want to make this summer both productive <i>and</i> enjoyable. If that's you, you belong at our first #Write2TheEnd meeting of the summer session tonight. <br /><br />At tonight's kick-off meeting, each participant determines his or her personal, challenging, and above all <i>achievable</i> writing goal for a specific project this summer. Then, over the course of the next eight weeks, your #W2TE facilitators promise to do everything in our power to help you achieve that goal.<br />
<br />
You might only have the seed of an idea you wish to outline, set a word count, and begin writing. You might have a collection of diaries you wish to turn into a book. You might wish to write and compile parts of an existing poetry collection into a chapbook. You might have a completed first draft and you may be determined to complete the editing process this summer. Whatever your goal, we want to help you meet it.<br /><br />
What's special about #Write2TheEnd?<br /><br />In a word, INCENTIVE!<br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the end of the 8 week session, #Write2TheEnd pays you back $100 of your registration fee if you meet the challenging yet achievable goal YOU set for yourself on night one! (That's tonight!) </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">(<i>FYI: We LOVE giving writers money. Seriously.) </i> </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefDG_V1QbbwnIk5JBFi64O1fwi-4plTv1ekI0Tqpytbl0XLYMLq3SlJxanN9f1epirKZMsFVSoV4YU5Ll2w929Fiz2FfD_eHYeLXWqwy_A9Xfnp5yzjAwj5Iben_dlk0LA7Ya7xtDtj90/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-06+at+12.32.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefDG_V1QbbwnIk5JBFi64O1fwi-4plTv1ekI0Tqpytbl0XLYMLq3SlJxanN9f1epirKZMsFVSoV4YU5Ll2w929Fiz2FfD_eHYeLXWqwy_A9Xfnp5yzjAwj5Iben_dlk0LA7Ya7xtDtj90/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-07-06+at+12.32.14+PM.png" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We'll provide the map: You take the trip!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tonight (Monday, July 6, 6:30-8:30 PM) we'll help each participant determine an appropriate goal to pursue. And we will spend the entire summer (Mondays, 6:30-8:30 PM, through August 31st) supporting you and providing tools that make it possible for you to achieve that goal!<br /><br />More than anything in the world, we WANT you to succeed! And we do everything in our power to help you make it happen for yourself this summer. It is possible! You CAN achieve your goal! We'll teach you how. <br />
<br />
The #Write2TheEnd welcomes our alumni from past workshops back for more! You know what you're getting into, and we're grateful for your continued faith in our process.<br />
<br />
For those who aren't sure, we offer a one week guarantee. If, before our next meeting (Monday, July 13th), you decide #Write2TheEnd isn't for you, for whatever reason, we will return your registration fee, no questions asked.<br /><br />You've got nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-39974010017690676552015-06-24T08:25:00.000-07:002015-06-24T08:25:19.833-07:00Networking, Ladder Climbing, and Writing to the EndOn June 29, beginning at 6:30 p.m., #Write2TheEnd will be hosting a content-rich mini-workshop full of ways you can <i>immediately</i> start Climbing the Writer's Ladder.<br />
<br />
Here's one of the ways: <span style="color: magenta;"><b>Networking.</b></span><br />
<br />
What does that mean? <br />
<br />
It means taking an interest in writers other than yourself.<br />
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It means connecting with them, being interested in their process, their journey, their books, and their lives. <br />
<br />
It means reaching out to them and making new friends.<br />
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It means attending a booksigning or a lecture, or a reading, or seminar, and supporting them.<br />
<br />
It means buying their book, <i>reading it</i>, and telling others about it.<br />
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What's it look like in practice? Well, if you were one of the people who packed Forever Books in St. Joseph for Ava Chin's booksigning earlier this month, you've seen it firsthand.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/22a3de2915be90d8d7373122c/images/d964fec5-d685-40db-857a-481b5b2fb81e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/22a3de2915be90d8d7373122c/images/d964fec5-d685-40db-857a-481b5b2fb81e.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>EATING WILDLY's author, Ava Chin, with Ami and Kim.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kim befriended Ava years ago in an online writing group on a topic both were interested in. When Kim found out that Ava was on a book tour, she lost no time in contacting Forever Books and adding a stop to Ava's itinerary.<br />
<br />
We spent a wonderful evening with Ava and her family, after which Ava dubbed us "The Thelma and Louise of writing coaching." (I suspect #Write2TheEnd alums will have no trouble deciding who is who...)<br />
<br />
Networking is about connecting on a human level with the person who
penned the words on the page. It's not about asking that person to do
something for you. It's about forging friendships; about giving instead
of taking.<br />
<br />
This Monday, Kim and I will touch on many of the topics we present in detail during #Write2TheEnd. We'll focus on giving participants the tools to help them progress from "where you are" to "where you want to be." <br />
<br />
We'll also provide a preview of what participants can expect from our #Write2TheEnd Summer Session, which begins right after the holiday, Monday evening, July 6th, 6:30-8:30 PM, at our offices in St. Joe (420 Main Street).<br />
<br />
Make this the summer you meet the writing goal that's niggled at you for years--you know the one! And we'll pay you to do it! <br />
<br />
What's special about #Write2TheEnd?<br />
<br />
When it comes to your Big Writing Project, we'll help you ACE IT:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>A</b>ccountability</li>
<li><b>C</b>ommunity</li>
<li><b>E</b>ncouragement</li>
<li><b>I</b>nspiration </li>
<li><b>T</b>OOLS!</li>
</ul>
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And then there's the famous #Write2TheEnd <i>incentive</i>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeZtm4iL3n8MwmvsMGYI30KuA4NDaW6TLLwCbxV1A72N0uTaUES7XdP0aw5p-tdn17cUN2m2mrwzaIXgrj4O1ugFmMsCuULZ8I1f9X2_b9CJIhfGoTDZu9Y8fcpZWmh-hRVzDwt9Dv44r/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-06-24+at+11.21.28+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeZtm4iL3n8MwmvsMGYI30KuA4NDaW6TLLwCbxV1A72N0uTaUES7XdP0aw5p-tdn17cUN2m2mrwzaIXgrj4O1ugFmMsCuULZ8I1f9X2_b9CJIhfGoTDZu9Y8fcpZWmh-hRVzDwt9Dv44r/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-06-24+at+11.21.28+AM.png" width="320" /></a>
#Write2TheEnd pays you back $100 of your registration fee if you meet the challenging yet achievable goal YOU set for yourself on night one!<br />
<br />
We help each participant determine an appropriate goal for him or herself (first class, Monday, July 6, 6:30-8:30 PM). And we will spend the entire summer (Mondays, 6:30-8:30 PM, through August 31st) supporting you and providing tools that make it possible for you to achieve that goal!<br />
<br />
More than anything in the world, we WANT you to succeed! And we do everything in our power to help you make it happen for yourself this summer.<br />
<br />
It is possible! You CAN achieve your goal! We'll teach you how. Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-8639200309865437642015-01-06T10:26:00.000-08:002015-01-07T09:18:30.268-08:00Write What You Want in 2015!<style>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Happy New Year, writers!</span></span></b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyTYFyasbYaYPhxYoOxRsrpOzkE9wG31Rb4Avn9jlpKGAvw5ynkK9hNKBOJDvps3nxcpi3OkUPO8mHLDeDBRwjOoOCuvJjQDSa7fQfQ2PAIi89fjp5sBb0oVc318vmyNTXFk3Wl1kHnxb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-06+at+1.18.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyTYFyasbYaYPhxYoOxRsrpOzkE9wG31Rb4Avn9jlpKGAvw5ynkK9hNKBOJDvps3nxcpi3OkUPO8mHLDeDBRwjOoOCuvJjQDSa7fQfQ2PAIi89fjp5sBb0oVc318vmyNTXFk3Wl1kHnxb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-06+at+1.18.44+PM.png" height="249" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I am writer! Hear me roar!</i></td></tr>
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Let's make 2015 your year! It could be...</div>
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-- The year you finish <i>that project</i> (you know the one...).</div>
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-- The year you find an agent. </div>
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-- The year you get published.</div>
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-- The year you call yourself a Writer.</div>
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To help you meet your goals, we proudly introduce the #Write2TheEnd Lunch & Learn Series.</div>
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Our first event: <b>Write What You Want in 2015</b>, will take place on Monday, January 19 (Martin Luther King Day), from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (or so).</div>
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Bring your friends, your lunch, and a pen. We’ll provide
water, coffee, tea, dessert, and an inspiring session designed to help you get your Inner Writer on!</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSWJeJDchz4zy4YMXRXauxm0LHGiCSisFHDg3e0smei67Z87qmSYE-cMY1KODRXo_JlTY-vDhzOTsJIAxuvgdseohmzTbA8Nv6Qony7maXZM6sg1PmRMOKRNkenrbUTf-fGLnhnJT-vw6/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-06+at+1.18.24+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSWJeJDchz4zy4YMXRXauxm0LHGiCSisFHDg3e0smei67Z87qmSYE-cMY1KODRXo_JlTY-vDhzOTsJIAxuvgdseohmzTbA8Nv6Qony7maXZM6sg1PmRMOKRNkenrbUTf-fGLnhnJT-vw6/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-06+at+1.18.24+PM.png" height="320" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The world awaits my magnum opus!</i></td></tr>
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At <b>Monday's Lunch & Learn</b>, you'll draw inspiration from some local success stories. And, as with all of our #Write2TheEnd programs, you'll walk away with tools you can immediately put to work. </div>
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Among other things, we'll explain how to:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Determine what project to focus on first</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Recognize a good idea</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Set attainable goals</div>
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</span></span></span>Challenge yourself </div>
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</span></span></span>Acquire needed skills</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Prepping & pre-writing</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Writing</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Editing</div>
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</span></span></span>Polishing</div>
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</span></span></span>Querying</div>
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</span></span></span>Marketing</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Build a support network</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Find your fans</div>
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To register, click the button below. Space is limited to the first 20 registrants. </div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">What: Write What You Want in 2015 #Write2TheEnd Lunch & Learn</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">When: Monday, January 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Where: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/420+Main+St/@42.105853,-86.480129,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8810c6a176ff0e0f:0x5dba5f744c7434c" target="_blank">420 Main Street</a>, St. Joseph, MI</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Cost: $35 / person </span> </div>
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<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Write What You Want in 2015" />Write What You Want in 2015<br />
Mini-Session — $35</td></tr>
<tr><td><input name="on1" type="hidden" value="Monday, January 19, 2015" />Monday, January 19, 2015<br />
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.</td></tr>
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</form>
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As always, tuition is free for alumni of #Write2TheEnd (TM) Writers
Workshops. </div>
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Child care may be arranged. If you need child care, please let us know in advance.</div>
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We look forward to seeing you. </div>
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Here's to the best 2015 imaginable. Come, #Write2TheEnd with us! </div>
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Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-6590401766935150002014-11-11T09:16:00.001-08:002014-11-11T09:16:42.156-08:00Write2TheEnd: Epiphanies, Priorities, and What's Next?We wrapped our fall session of #Write2TheEnd last night with an epic THREE HOUR dinner at Ryebelle's with our new and forever *Writer* (with a capital W!) friends.<br />
<br />
We were one participant down because SHE WAS GIVING BIRTH to our first #W2TE baby!! Even so, I can't believe none of us remembered to get a picture of our gathering! *head desk* Or of our participants with their certificates!! Ugh!<br /><br />Ah well. I guess we were too happy that Ken was able to join us in Real Life this time. For most of our meetings he participated via Skype from his travels in South Korea and China for his son's wedding! We are so proud of and impressed by his devotion to his project (which he completed), and by the support he received from his wife and family when he asked for it. <br /><br />This is a lesson for us all in any creative endeavor. Our loved ones want to help and offer their support. Sometimes (always) we just need to verbalize what it is we need in order to receive it so we can meet success.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtnsXVmIEphhDoUOoptg6htFxeYOl-cnoEWKNJ8bPwjQrbgrA0s6LRimefYz5cRkDY1PreNGeE_dmY8Ah7NGdtPu_QkfS5n7bndJYzN1fCPnjYseYnemviqMD1Ns5RYcLcCiRV4wf3_fF/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-11+at+12.00.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtnsXVmIEphhDoUOoptg6htFxeYOl-cnoEWKNJ8bPwjQrbgrA0s6LRimefYz5cRkDY1PreNGeE_dmY8Ah7NGdtPu_QkfS5n7bndJYzN1fCPnjYseYnemviqMD1Ns5RYcLcCiRV4wf3_fF/s400/Screen+Shot+2014-11-11+at+12.00.37+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Same sun: going down in Michigan; rising in South Korea.</i></td></tr>
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What Ken did right, and what we can all do in our daily lives, is he made his writing *work* a priority, even on the other side of the world.<br />
<br />
He had a moment of pure joy and self-acceptance when "Writer" popped out of his mouth in response to customs asking for his profession -- which delighted us almost as much as seeing the sunrise from South Korea mirroring the sunset in southwest Michigan. Surreal. <br /><br />Another epiphany we discussed: it's important to choose a project to focus on that speaks to the soul of the writer. If you are successful in getting a piece published, if you enjoy fame and notoriety from your work, you will speak about, think about, live, eat, and breathe your story for years to come.<br />
<br />
Think of Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville (or Cheeseburger in Paradise, Heaven-forbid), of Lynard Skynard's Free Bird. Artists perform their biggest hits at every gig to the end of their careers -- they damn well better love them! It's so much easier to do the work -- to succeed -- when you're doing it for yourself, when it feeds your soul, versus because you *should.*<br />
<br />
As to what's next for #Write2TheEnd? We began with a goal of building a community of working writers. Thus far, we have worked only with local writers. We LOVE working face-to-face with each and every one of our participants. We want to keep our class size small so we can truly make a difference, so we can offer each paying participant a one-on-one, so that we can continue to over deliver and adjust our instruction so it best meets the needs of those who show up to learn during each season's session. <br /><br />Sadly, we won't be offering an 8-week winter session. We are committed, however, to keeping our growing community supported and active and, most importantly, WRITING, throughout the holidays and winter months. If you are hungry for a driven, supportive, knowledgable writing community to help you move forward in your writing career, we hear you. If you are not local to Southwest Michigan, we hear you, too. We will offer a very limited number of remote opportunities to participants in #Write2TheEnd Mini-Courses. Stay tuned for more information. <br /><br />Something we didn't expect when we began working with local writers in September was how fond we would become of these Writers who invested in themselves -- and in us -- because they believed they had a story to tell. We didn't anticipate holding back tears when it was time to say good-bye. We didn't anticipate looking at each other like proud parents when one of our participants delivered her completed chapbook to us as a thank you, or how the hairs on our arms would stand at attention when we could identify her use of some of the tools we taught, how her writing moved us and stayed with us on our drive (or walk) home, as we breathed in the aromatic fumes of a homemade soup, or kissed our children goodnight, making us savor moments and glimpses and hold these tight against our hearts.<br />
<br />
However could we have known what teaching you has taught us? What it has gifted us? We can't wait for our next 8-week session in the spring, and we can't wait for the next time we are lucky enough to #Write2TheEnd with you. Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-57234330778925049582014-09-29T07:41:00.000-07:002015-01-07T09:16:25.936-08:003 Ways to Boost Your Writing Career Before You Are PublishedWanting to be a writer is like wanting to be a marathon runner. The training necessary for success starts long before the actual event.<br />
<br />
You're not published yet? No matter. While waiting for the presses to roll (or the pixels to align), here are a few things you can do to jump-start your writing career:<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">1.) Own the power of your words.</span></b><br />
<br />
Say "I'm a writer." Audibly. With integrity and authority. Go ahead... I'll wait.<br />
<br />
How difficult was that? Did you feel like an imposter? Did you weaken the impact with a little laugh at the end? Did you speak at a different decibel level than normal? Did you hiccup into upspeak?<br />
<br />
The words we speak have tremendous power. If we can't say words with confidence, chances are that we'll never act to make those words a reality.<br />
<br />
The power of our words can be a double-edged sword. Wield them with care. Beware of speaking anything into existence that can damage your fledgling writing career. "I'm a loser." "I'll never get published." "My book stinks." "I can't handle rejection." These will suck the life from your writing faster than a carb-starved dieter can suck the filling from a Krispy Kreme.<br />
<br />
If you write and submit that writing for possible publication, you will get rejected. This is a universal truism, as immutable as Planck's constant or the certainty that if you drop your toast it *will* land peanut-butter side down. Rejection stinks, but it doesn't mean your book does. It means you have to keep on saying "I'm a writer," keep on learning, keep on revising, and soldier on.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5zbzbyXp2fslGhcKFTGmXbS0zEfrKQc4wZveUJC5pIKm-ZzQhK0ueKks03fqUC_ECJy3LnTE-thD68AVOX_0u54Zf8uzYiRSB02L9BVFDi_NX4fy3nQ7L8R7h_VSlSvN9IEGTOEmhVmd/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-29+at+10.01.58+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5zbzbyXp2fslGhcKFTGmXbS0zEfrKQc4wZveUJC5pIKm-ZzQhK0ueKks03fqUC_ECJy3LnTE-thD68AVOX_0u54Zf8uzYiRSB02L9BVFDi_NX4fy3nQ7L8R7h_VSlSvN9IEGTOEmhVmd/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-29+at+10.01.58+AM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>You otter be writing!<br /> Crack those knuckles & get to work!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Saying "I'm a writer" has great value. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. In addition, when said in response to the question "What do you do?" it can lead to fascinating conversations and connections that would otherwise go unexplored.<br />
<br />
A writer writes. That's the definition of the word. A swimmer swims. A runner runs. An otter... otts? There is no exam that must be passed, no certificate of authenticity, no licensing board that determines who gets go define themselves as "writers."<br />
<br />
The only requirement? Well, that leads me to #2...<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #134f5c;">2.) Write.</span></b><br />
<br />
Often. Daily, if possible. <br />
<br />
Polish your manuscript, by all means, but set a deadline for putting that work aside and beginning work on something new.<br />
<br />
It is critical to have an answer to the age-old industry question: "What else do you have?" <br />
<br />
The publishing world abounds with stories of writers whose first project sold wasn't the first project finished. This is actually the norm. The standard. Who knows? The project you are shopping now might need a reader base before it finds a publisher. It's very possible that your <i>next</i> project is the one that will establish that base. So -- get to work! <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20jkNqau-eKgwiOjpkRwoubn-MzdO3IwOPR466mwNytw4InufKn1-uDYWmi8-ZKNoeGXHDxAzU1pq2L-6fAwdLOi3hNmcdLfRTL5TjOJPy-ltVTFkzaiQGo_aPSoqgEAKe4StQlYpYBBh/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-29+at+10.29.33+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20jkNqau-eKgwiOjpkRwoubn-MzdO3IwOPR466mwNytw4InufKn1-uDYWmi8-ZKNoeGXHDxAzU1pq2L-6fAwdLOi3hNmcdLfRTL5TjOJPy-ltVTFkzaiQGo_aPSoqgEAKe4StQlYpYBBh/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-29+at+10.29.33+AM.png" height="316" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Some are chicks. Some only aspire to be chicks...</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="color: #351c75;">3.) Ax "Aspiring."</span></b><br />
<br />
You know your social media profiles -- the ones you hope and pray the Powers That Be will stumble across, read, and become desperate to sign your witty self to a lucrative publishing contract? Now is the time to run -- don't walk -- and delete "aspiring" as a modifier to "writer." Few things scream "unformed egg-contained chick" more.<br />
<br />
"Aspiring" means "I hope to be... someday... when I make it a priority and turn the television off and get off of Facebook and have a plan."<br />
<br />
Make today the day you quit <b>aspiring</b> and begin <b>perspiring</b>. Roll up your proverbial sleeves, set a targeted date for completion, and get to work.<br />
<br />
Perhaps today is the day <b>aspiring</b> takes a back seat to <b>conspiring</b>. Perhaps it's time to stop sitting around waiting for the world to come knocking at your door and instead make a plan for your success. Take a class. Find a critique partner. Solicit advice from publishing pros. Start building your network and enlarging your circle of influence. Soon, you may discover that the progress you are making in your writing is <b>inspiring</b> others as well as yourself...<br />
<br />
<br />Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-69724119113469598832014-09-18T09:59:00.000-07:002014-09-18T09:59:17.796-07:00The Simplest Way to Write to the End<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><i>"I have a ton of great ideas. I start stories all the time, but never finish any." </i></span><br />
At #Write2TheEnd, we hear this from writers all the time. This, too:<br />
<br />
<i><span style="background-color: #6aa84f;"><span style="background-color: #93c47d;"><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">"I have this story I'm dying to tell. I started it years ago. I've started it several times, but can't make myself finish it."</span><span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
There are a million things we could say about sticktoitiveness, evaluating an idea's merits, and choosing one's projects wisely...<br />
<br />
...but all that would just fill up space, without getting to the real core answer.<br />
<br />
How does one finish a writing project? Do one of two things:<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhent6vHBY33DS_0TcnEjPp75FofJlRw3IaHvNl-40L0jPpFFYFQmd6dDV2d0Y5ILwjdM1qSZU4M384DibgfIztiabOsdvWWN7Pv9DtefNWLIUUGuzNzWsVH_Vp0xlc03tn2FKs92Q0Foty/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-18+at+12.39.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhent6vHBY33DS_0TcnEjPp75FofJlRw3IaHvNl-40L0jPpFFYFQmd6dDV2d0Y5ILwjdM1qSZU4M384DibgfIztiabOsdvWWN7Pv9DtefNWLIUUGuzNzWsVH_Vp0xlc03tn2FKs92Q0Foty/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-18+at+12.39.58+PM.png" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>If it's within your grasp, take it!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
1.) <span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Pick the lowest hanging fruit</b></span></span>.<br />
<br />
Perhaps you have a plethora of stories all banging about in your head, clamoring for attention. Perhaps you suffer from "Magpie Syndrome" and are easily distracted from one project by others that look shinier, easier, more fun (funner?), or more worthy. <br />
<br />
Ok, then. Choose the story that is closest to being done -- the one that won't take much to push it over the edge to completion.<br />
<br />
Now, look at the calendar. Give yourself a deadline. Make it reasonable so you don't set yourself up for failure, but ambitious enough that it challenges you. Sometimes all it takes to finish something is a concrete challenge we deem worthy of accepting.<br />
<br />
<i>Work on nothing but that</i> until it is finished, edited, polished, and ready to send out into the cold, cruel world.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
OR<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ640gPEXzUD4H_WPnm3cUqOmUvu4hMm_e8e4l4TQH-zbW7ZOnLC3T9sySxRM6V-xOi8ErPL0jKnrr_FG0xOXjL6V0VrMw3H1Qb81Gp5SmfhVT6MHGgxpfzqKXgXQaSpGjA-QgjFUspEWP/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-18+at+12.56.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ640gPEXzUD4H_WPnm3cUqOmUvu4hMm_e8e4l4TQH-zbW7ZOnLC3T9sySxRM6V-xOi8ErPL0jKnrr_FG0xOXjL6V0VrMw3H1Qb81Gp5SmfhVT6MHGgxpfzqKXgXQaSpGjA-QgjFUspEWP/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-18+at+12.56.22+PM.png" height="220" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Om nom nom. Writing is *delicious.*</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2.) <span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Feed your soul.</b></span></span> Choose the project that most speaks to you. The one you can't stop thinking about. The one you *have* to write.<br />
<br />
You know the one.<br />
<br />
Perhaps you’ve felt writing was frivolous, or bought into the notion that there were other, more worthwhile things you should be doing with your time. Many of us were nurtured to seek more lucrative than creative pursuits, but writing calls us anyway.<br />
<br />
So go ahead: give yourself permission to get the words out of your head and into the world.<br />
<br />
Take that project out of the bottom drawer (or your hard drive), dust it off (or update it to the latest version of Word), look deep into it's eyes and make it a promise...<br />
<br />
<i>Promise to work on no other creative endeavor</i> until it is finished, edited, etc.<br />
<br />
Notice a common thread?<br />
<br />
Yeah.<br />
<br />
<b>Commitment.</b><br />
<br />
Working on multiple projects at a time is like fighting a war on many fronts. It disperses your creativity rather than distilling it and concentrating it, making it far too easy to lose focus, drive, or passion.<br />
<br />
Want to finish something? Then it's time to overcome your commitment issues.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Pick one.<br />
<br />
Roll up your proverbial sleeves and get to work.<br />
<br />
Stick with it.<br />
<br />
Wrestle with it.<br />
<br />
See it through. Then move on to another.<br />
<br />
We never said the advice was <i>easy</i>, but it is <i>simple.</i><br />
<br />
<i>What's the best advice you ever heard for finishing something? Tell us!</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Adapted from a <a href="http://museinks.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-simplest-advice-for-writing-to-end.html" target="_blank">MuseInks blog post</a>.</span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></i>Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-32396506698585263482014-08-17T15:35:00.002-07:002014-08-20T13:17:02.256-07:00The End... And a New BeginningThe inaugural #Write2TheEnd Writers Workshop kicked off with a bang. Practically every genre of writing -- poetry, memoir, non-fiction, and fiction -- was represented in the Summer, 2014 session.<br />
<br />
We met weekly. Some participants had never finished a book before. Others had publishing experience, but wanted to challenge themselves to produce something new. Some were introverts; some extroverts. Some had never comfortably called themselves "writers" before.<br />
<br />
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We all discovered that a lot can happen in eight weeks:<br />
<br />
A mother of two can become a mother of three...<br />
<br />
A parent can experience a life-threatening crisis...<br />
<br />
Family members can require long-distance assistance scouting and purchasing a home, and help coordinating a major household move.<br />
<br />
Friends and family can come to visit -- and stay... and stay...<br />
<br />
Medical crises can result in hospital stays... or rehab... or, sadly, death...<br />
<br />
ALL of this, and more, happened to our #Write2TheEnd participants this summer.<br />
<br />
And we STILL wrote.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>No Ifs, Ands, or Proverbial Butts</b> <br />
<br />
We stretched ourselves, setting goals at the beginning we knew were ambitious. Then life set in. Yet we persevered.<br />
<br />
We wrote our proverbial butts off.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMekyxcnGyWHUu58D2nhfkinQQ2PZrei8sztwz7joK8s0M_v8YUPes6sOTvj5gdlFKgBhTiYMmrvzqgpCmyahLHJ1R_-LJFwEOyv99NH4z-jBBguZGXcJz-zH4gh6VuCfpCFbKvCAzo8dH/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-20+at+4.10.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMekyxcnGyWHUu58D2nhfkinQQ2PZrei8sztwz7joK8s0M_v8YUPes6sOTvj5gdlFKgBhTiYMmrvzqgpCmyahLHJ1R_-LJFwEOyv99NH4z-jBBguZGXcJz-zH4gh6VuCfpCFbKvCAzo8dH/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-20+at+4.10.37+PM.png" height="136" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kim & Ami are facilitators, but Ben is The Great Motivator</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also kicked proverbial butt. I am honored to report that #Write2TheEnd participants have a 100% success rate for our first session.<br />
<br />
One participant has two children under the age of 3 and another on the way. Yet, she wrote over 60,000 words on her novel <i>and met her goal! </i><br />
<br />
One participant is a natural introvert who lives an hour away. She took a leap of faith, never missed a meeting, completed an entire poetry chapbook to enter in a contest <i>and met her goal!</i><br />
<br />
As facilitators, Kim and I both felt that a high point of our whole summer was handing out certificates of completion -- and crisp, new $100 bills -- to each writer whose goals were met.<br />
<br />
Here's what one of our participants had to say about her experience:<br />
<br />
<i>"I've tried several times to write this book for over 6 years, but never gotten very far. This summer, I did it! I wrote it! I had my money's worth out of the workshop already by Week 5!"</i><br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's keeping you from leaping?<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's another perspective:<br />
<br />
"<i>The #Write2TheEnd writer's workshop has been an incredible experience for me. I began the workshop with a started project. By the workshop's conclusion, my project was finished and ready for submission.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Throughout the workshop, Ami and Kim were encouraging. They made me feel my project was important and worthy of completion. They held me accountable for getting an adequate amount of work done each week so that my project would progress in a timely manner.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Kim and Ami are wonderful facilitators. They presented me with many useful tools which will continue to make me a better writer. </i><br />
<br />
<i>I'd recommend #Write2TheEnd writer's workshop to anybody with a writing goal to achieve. I truly did Write2TheEnd."</i><br />
<br />
All writers interested in finding out more about how #Write2TheEnd can help you finish writing or editing that pet project (you know the one...) are invited to a free Meet and Greet on Monday, August 25, at 420 Main Street in St. Joseph, MI. <br />
<br />
Our Fall, 2014, session kicks off on Monday, September, 15 at 6:00 p.m. Sign up today!<i> </i>And come Write2TheEnd with us!<br />
<br />Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-77587771563445268152014-06-23T03:00:00.000-07:002014-06-23T05:53:14.563-07:00Write Like You Mean It: How to Escape the "Hobby" LobbySince last Monday, I've heard from several writers applauding Kim's excellent exercise for exorcising doubts (see: <a href="http://write2theend.blogspot.com/2014/06/introducing-doubt-box.html" target="_blank">Introducing the Doubt Box</a>).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/15164389928331501665" target="_blank">Suzanne Fluhr</a> had this to say about it:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
...[M]y husband views my writing as a hobby (I'm a recovering lawyer). This
makes it more difficult for me to see it as more than a hobby even
though it feels like it deserves a weightier descriptor. I'm going to
find a big ol' doubt box and banish my doubts there. Thanks for sharing
this idea.</blockquote>
Doubt Box notwithstanding, Suzanne's "hobby" comment resonated with me. Like a big, thundering, bring-out-your-dead gong.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQL9-3_94J867hmjN5k2bfqCO48haaQ03_zphwPIVYqUv4dpOMoGOxqrJJtbqybuTOJwhQMaP056DvPxgh7cZXwLl8U06n3_FMpdJO_N1Yggs1oo7p72_ripZmGR6LDAiul73UpvLinqw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-22+at+1.46.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQL9-3_94J867hmjN5k2bfqCO48haaQ03_zphwPIVYqUv4dpOMoGOxqrJJtbqybuTOJwhQMaP056DvPxgh7cZXwLl8U06n3_FMpdJO_N1Yggs1oo7p72_ripZmGR6LDAiul73UpvLinqw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-22+at+1.46.36+PM.png" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A hobby is a creative way to pass the time...</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ah, yes, the "hobby" label. Are you as familiar with that particular <i>bete noir</i> as I?<br />
<br />
I'm guilty of telling myself that something as enjoyable as writing (no matter how much the words make me wrestle with them, I thoroughly enjoy the process) must somehow be self-indulgent, and must therefore take a back seat to things like laundry... and making meals... and running errands... and saying "yes" to whatever friends need when they call and begin a conversation with "since you don't have a real job..."<br />
<br />
Not long ago, the realization that I had no problem making it a priority to finish <b>clients</b>' writing projects, but continually put my own on the back burner, smacked me upside the creative head.<br />
<br />
Appalled at how cavalier I was toward my own writing, I resolved to allow myself to value my creative endeavors more highly. To schedule non-negotiable time for them in my week. To make my writing a priority. <br />
<br />
Then I read about <a href="http://theweek.com/article/index/256575/the-two-words-that-will-lead-you-to-success-and-happiness" target="_blank">Charlie Munger selling himself the best hour of his day</a>, elevating his personal pursuits and putting them on a par with his paying clients, giving himself permission to validate his own interests. That resonated enormously with me. I took a page from Mr. Munger's playbook and resolved that, for at least three days a week, I would dedicate the best, most creative part of my day to my own project.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsvmT3LoAPBIorjB9H6yRSoYJf34wrJpJUAj2GtPmegMHphjYTZk_bKY9FWCav_zqxhWL3vU8eqyR_-jLbFswWzbmUizLz7Jyz-dTbL1-BMPydZqxM61JLlJRUD8d_L-9Skor1MN5Xw_X/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-22+at+7.46.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsvmT3LoAPBIorjB9H6yRSoYJf34wrJpJUAj2GtPmegMHphjYTZk_bKY9FWCav_zqxhWL3vU8eqyR_-jLbFswWzbmUizLz7Jyz-dTbL1-BMPydZqxM61JLlJRUD8d_L-9Skor1MN5Xw_X/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-22+at+7.46.47+PM.png" height="241" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>... but writing well takes WORK.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yes, client work still gets done. Yes, life still encroaches. (When, for instance, one's mother falls and fractures bones in her face and is life-flighted to a distant hospital, one's creativity suffers a setback.) But, barring emergencies, that time is MINE. Not mine to do with as I please. Not at all. I guard it jealously. That time is mine to work on my current Pet Writing Project.<br />
<br />
I do not squander the time on social media, or answering email, or even answering texts or phone calls. I do not do laundry. I do not run errands. I do not clean, or cook, or do any of the thousand and one things I have allowed to distract me in the past. I am "on the clock," so to speak, and I do my darndest to make the most of it.<br />
<br />
The payoff of the decision to stop treating my writing like a guilty pleasure was immediate. I now approach the day with my Pet Project at the top of my to-do list -- and, as a result, have made more progress on this project in the past three months than I have in the past three <i>years</i>. God willing, it will be finished by the end of July. And that, I don't mind telling you, feels goooooooood.<br />
<br />
Paying myself the best part of my day has allowed me to banish the "hobby" doubt permanently. For the next two months, I challenge you to make your writing a priority and pay yourself in a similar manner. Kim and I would love to hear what happens when you do.<br />
<br />
Here's granting you permission to fully embrace your writing aspirations!<br />
<br />
Onward and upward!Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-80097879748700579482014-06-17T18:44:00.001-07:002014-06-17T18:46:58.800-07:00Introducing The Doubt BoxLast night kicked off the Summer, 2014, #Write2TheEnd Writers Workshop in St. Joseph, Michigan. We met the writers who had signed up, learned what their goals are for the next eight weeks, and discussed initial strategies for achieving those goals.<br />
<br />
(At #W2TE, every participant who meets his or her self-determined goal by the end of the workshop receives $100. Co-facilitator Kim Jorgensen Gane and I are committed to doing everything in our power to help participants get that hundred bucks.)<br />
<br />
I'm the Roll-Up-Your-Sleeves, No Excuses, Get To Work type. I love to present writers with tools for organizing their content, improving their productivity, and making the creative process easier.<br />
<br />
In a sense, I'm the Activities Organizer. But Kim is the Emotional Core. Case in point:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgzflURJQ49phxMhq4jo156bsHleQqpV-Unnc-BuWXao5z6gG3A8Ix9-CCG0Ey6ONlVemLEKpdWfXmioYhv0hWbf0ru0Sdf7jZxEZ9B6hvV3_MZaHL_cubUiAPgtvwxEyWm2No0yg32v8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-17+at+9.28.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgzflURJQ49phxMhq4jo156bsHleQqpV-Unnc-BuWXao5z6gG3A8Ix9-CCG0Ey6ONlVemLEKpdWfXmioYhv0hWbf0ru0Sdf7jZxEZ9B6hvV3_MZaHL_cubUiAPgtvwxEyWm2No0yg32v8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-17+at+9.28.57+PM.png" height="227" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>How big must it be to hold all your doubts?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we were preparing our presentations, Kim mentioned an exercise she had planned. She brought out a lovely, little blue box with a hinged lid. "This is the Doubt Box," she told me. "I'm going to have people to write out the doubts that are holding them back on the project they want to finish. Then they'll divest themselves of those doubts and put them in the box for the duration of the workshop."<br />
<br />
I did not laugh. But I am a lousy actor, and "You've got to be kidding" must have shown clearly on my face.<br />
<br />
"What?" said Kim. "Don't you like the Doubt Box?"<br />
<br />
"It's not that I don't like it," I told her. "Exercises like that -- touchy-feely things -- just don't resonate with me. But that doesn't make them less valid. So, by all means, hit them with the Doubt Box. Oh, and by the way, can we burn the doubts at the end of the workshop? I can get into that. Because... fire!"<br />
<br />
Kim humored me and nodded. So I am totally looking forward to the Doubt Flambe of the final session. But I digress...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwqEmw2-pbGJscYAPl5w79h98MsStjhr-9dJGdDeck7wEZHCCvndrHX2QpQ9YOEo8rXadC3w9AwDHgdOPrO5iurFDG7DEkl0HG07aOvGRBsAaUoh_BrKn0_ONbSxLsmmZPDAqKWLunmbU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-17+at+9.23.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwqEmw2-pbGJscYAPl5w79h98MsStjhr-9dJGdDeck7wEZHCCvndrHX2QpQ9YOEo8rXadC3w9AwDHgdOPrO5iurFDG7DEkl0HG07aOvGRBsAaUoh_BrKn0_ONbSxLsmmZPDAqKWLunmbU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-17+at+9.23.33+PM.png" height="305" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Don't carry your doubts with you. <br />They'll weigh you down as you venture into the unknown.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During our first session, Kim talked about the importance of writers allowing themselves to see themselves as artists. Of claiming creative time and jealously guarding it against the vagaries of life. (No, she didn't use the word "vagaries." I'm paraphrasing.) She talked about the realities of unpublished writers sometimes seeing their work as frivolous, or themselves as frauds.<br />
<br />
Then she brought out the Doubt Box.<br />
<br />
As soon as she mentioned it and named it, before she'd even had a chance to fully explain her plan for it, our wonderful #Write2TheEnd participants grabbed pen and paper and began writing. <i>They got it</i>. Immediately.<br />
<br />
The Doubt Box quickly accumulated pieces of paper -- each one a doubt that was weighing someone down, keeping that person from charging into the fray and tackling the writing endeavor that fed her soul. As the Doubt Box filled, the participants grew noticeably more positive -- more ready to get to work.<br />
<br />
This. This is what #Write2TheEnd is all about. It's about finding ways to help writers commit to a project they love. It's about networking with others who share similar goals, but who may not have the same core approach as you. It's about being willing to divest yourself of doubts, and get writing.<br />
<br />
What doubts are weighing you down? You can put them in a Doubt Box of your own. Share them below, then let them go. Put them in the comment box, and get them off of your back and out of your mind! <br />
<br />Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-48165124787967330172014-05-21T17:02:00.001-07:002014-05-21T17:02:18.353-07:00An Invitation to Southwestern Michigan WritersIf you're a writer in Michigan's Great Southwest this summer, you’re invited to Write2theEnd!<br />
<br />
The #Write2TheEnd Writers Workshop(TM) is a summer course for writers like you who are itching to commit to That Project (you know the one) and see it through.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4oV1YWipCz5DBnv285vZm_2sycyc4RzECeL8nFrUwdf3swc7eEzpVK0mH00OAeJRDUK3ebmOizb5PdORmSOJkaa5cSpF1JRONgdSw4zdwwiXkRAODKcwwKMPKHxxf5Z2dl6dJQuuMaL-/s1600/420+Main+St+Joseph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4oV1YWipCz5DBnv285vZm_2sycyc4RzECeL8nFrUwdf3swc7eEzpVK0mH00OAeJRDUK3ebmOizb5PdORmSOJkaa5cSpF1JRONgdSw4zdwwiXkRAODKcwwKMPKHxxf5Z2dl6dJQuuMaL-/s1600/420+Main+St+Joseph.jpg" height="148" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The place to be if you're a SW Michigan writer this summer.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
#Write2TheEnd will provide tools, inspiration and accountability that encourage participants to complete either writing or editing a major project. We will focus solely on helping writers accomplish their quantifiable goals on a specific project in a specific time frame.<br />
<br />
We invite you to join Write2theEnd facilitators Ami Hendrickson and Kim Jorgensen Gane at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/420+Main+St/@42.105853,-86.480129,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8810c6a176ff0e0f:0x5dba5f744c7434c" target="_blank">420 Main Street</a> (the old Masonic Temple at the corner of Elm and Main in downtown St. Joseph) on Wednesday, May 28, at 6:30 pm, for a FREE, no obligation, informational meet & greet.<br />
<br />
The #Write2TheEnd Writer’s Workshop will take place on <b>Monday afternoons and evenings </b>(regular meetings will take place from <b>6:30-8:30 p.m.</b>, with support hours/writing space offered before and after) through the summer. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM3NhmrcBvDaPsp6aCOXTCC9434HN5C_qtfGu2bt3MqsjSR3hKhjQMYMgw47wttuTXtsk8ui0_rk6r8gtuLWF8Duk7weSXECwsY23TAgv1SlI2PYFM0j94AKV39n4vwXqslRrmonwgbyr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-21+at+7.28.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM3NhmrcBvDaPsp6aCOXTCC9434HN5C_qtfGu2bt3MqsjSR3hKhjQMYMgw47wttuTXtsk8ui0_rk6r8gtuLWF8Duk7weSXECwsY23TAgv1SlI2PYFM0j94AKV39n4vwXqslRrmonwgbyr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-21+at+7.28.16+PM.png" height="320" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's time to fill that blank page...</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Participation is $495 (less than the cost of eight weekly rounds of golf or eight meals out at a good restaurant :D). The fee includes a full hour of individual, one-on-one coaching with each facilitator, to be scheduled over the course of the 8-week period. If you know this is for you, <i>reserve your spot now</i>, with the PayPal button at the top right of the page.<br />
<br />
To ensure personal attention from both facilitators, the workshop is limited to 15 participants. Each participant will set a personal Ultimate Goal for the Workshop on Day 1.<br />
<br />
At the end, each person who has MET HIS or HER GOAL WILL RECEIVE $100 BACK.<br />
<br />
#Write2TheEnd begins June 16 and ends on August 4. <br />
<br />
We would love to have you join us on Wednesday the 28th. When you come, bring along with any other writers you think might benefit from writing to the end with us this summer! We look forward to answering any questions you might have then — or send an email to info (at) write2theend [dot] com for more information.Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-46157133405541048822014-05-20T20:13:00.001-07:002014-05-20T20:13:36.534-07:00Imagine You Can Write2theEnd<i>by Kim Jorgensen Gane</i> <br />
<br />
Writing has become my way to salvation--my way to myself. I can no more
imagine my life without writing than I can imagine my life without my
family, or without an appendage I've been accustomed to using my whole
life.<br />
<br />
For those
of you local to southwest Michigan who have followed my journey as a
writer and thought, "me too ... someday." That day is here.<br />
<br />
Editor, full-time working writer, and friend, Ami Hendrickson, and I
are here to support you, inspire you, light a fire under you—to help
YOU make someday today.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK5LN_rr_hrCrJzw5Kyn3GHcYaiCdRhv1662z7zY_Tb2kMLShnxvnIc4gX3yDLw5nQfdTW5IvXYXyUAe0pnVCqitFtQb8Nmw7tu9enB11cCc0VvGvb7vDWNq_TJjuL40ZLkw026uS4TU4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-20+at+10.00.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK5LN_rr_hrCrJzw5Kyn3GHcYaiCdRhv1662z7zY_Tb2kMLShnxvnIc4gX3yDLw5nQfdTW5IvXYXyUAe0pnVCqitFtQb8Nmw7tu9enB11cCc0VvGvb7vDWNq_TJjuL40ZLkw026uS4TU4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-20+at+10.00.09+PM.png" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
We're holding a free, no obligation informational meeting to
introduce you to our joint endeavor, #Write2TheEnd Writers Workshop™.<br />
<br />
On
Wednesday, May 28, at 6:30 pm, in the old Masonic Temple, downtown St.
Joe, at the corner of Elm & Main (420 Main St.), we will give you an
overview of our syllabus and answer any questions you may have. In
addition, you will leave with a small sample of what's to come; a
mini-tool you can employ immediately to help move your writing from
parked to forward.<br />
<br />
I've overcome and come to own the permission and the soul pieces of
writing for myself, and I believe I can help you do the same. I can
assist with transformational writing, with essays, persuasive writing,
blogging, and memoir. I can also help you see the value in being open to
coaching, which I believe is one of the greatest gifts we can give
ourselves.<br />
<br />
It’s difficult to be objective about our own creative
endeavors. It’s easy to fall in love with our own words. Someone who
truly has our best interests at heart—who believes in us—is invaluable
in helping us see our goals to fruition. And seriously, Ami blew my mind
when she introduced me to our first get-it-done tool. The <i>tools</i>,
the HOW, the discipline, the next steps, that's what I need and I look
forward to digging in to what Ami has to share, right beside you.<br />
<br />
If you're thinking, "this summer just isn't the time," then perhaps
you need to either give yourself permission to let go of your dreams of
being a writer and move on to something else wonderful &
fulfilling—but please do move on and actually <i>do</i>
something else—or give yourself permission to take this course and see
what you can accomplish right now. Chances are, if this opportunity
appeals to you and you let it pass, someday will never come. The excuses
only get better, believe me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEg8BO1JSWxzS3H5nBXCV36sLfsKcbOtBwuEpoLZnM2JVZzUsPuMzeFF4GgvOQQyIZdCO12sMGLOq4GE3ZLEiAYN5Q6OblH9pIZ57n6VdMM6FKuu3u_BsrMuosmYxx4ijD8egrVBG112ko/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-20+at+11.11.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEg8BO1JSWxzS3H5nBXCV36sLfsKcbOtBwuEpoLZnM2JVZzUsPuMzeFF4GgvOQQyIZdCO12sMGLOq4GE3ZLEiAYN5Q6OblH9pIZ57n6VdMM6FKuu3u_BsrMuosmYxx4ijD8egrVBG112ko/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-20+at+11.11.20+PM.png" height="320" width="174" /></a></div>
But consider this: how many summers have gone by since you first
dreamed of writing that great American novel or memoir or screenplay or
stageplay, or since you’ve let a completed project fester in a drawer?
This is the summer you could turn dreaming into finishing--into writing
to The End--Your End. If you could do it yourself, you would have by
now. You need a team, a tribe of like-minded individuals to help you
succeed in the goals we share.<br />
<br />
Is your life worth less than mine? Is it worth less than your
mother's, your father's, than your child's? There are many ways to
support and to parent and to care for others. Ami and I agree that
caring for ourselves—that leading fulfilling, joy-filled lives—is an
important way to care for those we love, and provides a beautiful
example for our children, and the joyful lives we hope they grow to
lead. <br />
<br />
Nowhere
else will you get such a powerful combination of tools, know-how,
practical and functional writing advice, combined with the coaching and
inspiration that will help you overcome your writing hurdles. There's a
reason Ami and I have found one another. We each fill the other's gaps
in ways that can help turn YOU into a powerful FINISHER where your
writing goals are concerned.<br />
<br />
We want this for you. We want this for you badly enough that we’re
willing to give you back $100 at the end of the eight weeks <i>when</i> you meet the goal <i>you</i> set on the first night. But we can't want it more than you want it.<br />
<br />
Join our Facebook group, even if you’re not local to southwest Michigan,
for free writing tips, engaging discussion, and inspirational posts.
And please, if you’re able, join us in person on Wednesday, May 28th. We
look forward to welcoming you, and any writer friends you’d like to
bring along. <br />
<br />
---> This is an excerpt from Kim's GANEPossible blog post. (<a href="http://www.ganepossible.com/gane-insight-blog/write2theend-your-end-with-this-southwest-michigan-writers-workshop">Read the post</a>, in which she also explains why she is happy to be wrong about the narrator of <i>The Book Thief</i> and why the movie makes her "wear the title of writer like a badge of honor.") Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806977383898421912.post-81727006243373910062014-05-11T17:59:00.001-07:002014-08-31T19:45:58.147-07:00The Writer's Golden Rule<style>
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<br />
Want to kick your writing into high gear, all the way to The End? (Whatever "the end" means to you.)<br />
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Want to finish a first draft?<br />
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Want to polish a completed draft that's sitting in a drawer or on your hard drive?<br />
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Want to write, polish and submit a short story for publication?<br />
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Want to self-publish your ebook?<br />
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Want to simply define yourself as a writer and produce something to show for it?<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">If you're like many writers, you know the real question isn't</span><b> <span style="color: black;">"W</span></b><span style="color: black;"><b>hat do you want?"</b></span></span> It's <b>"What are you going to do about it?"</b></div>
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You know there is a difference between <i>wanting</i> a thing and <i>doing</i> a thing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Many people <i>want</i> to write. They talk about it, fantasize about it, wish they had the time to do it. But they never take their dream of writing seriously enough to make it a reality.</div>
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And that is tragic. Because if <i>you</i> don't write your book, no one will. </div>
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Writing can be difficult. It's a solitary undertaking that non-writers rarely understand. But there is no escaping the Writer's Golden Rule...</div>
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<span style="background-color: #ffd966;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Writer’s Golden
Rule:</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ffd966;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No one is more
committed to my writing and my success than I am. </span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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Why not do what you've always wanted? Why not write to "the end?"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtUvjYIxZSoYE6BBV5-FVbglI-qBhyphenhyphenaw3qc4eQcfQ6o3k_xy2X0ijiT7tyIU8tbfaf49XEhNW0tbLDmYRnkcPqZudcsKtLVv97tzR5BVZ9_soqw8mS3GIpYrRm8xg_FnR6EvTi0AB-ljb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-10+at+6.40.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtUvjYIxZSoYE6BBV5-FVbglI-qBhyphenhyphenaw3qc4eQcfQ6o3k_xy2X0ijiT7tyIU8tbfaf49XEhNW0tbLDmYRnkcPqZudcsKtLVv97tzR5BVZ9_soqw8mS3GIpYrRm8xg_FnR6EvTi0AB-ljb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-10+at+6.40.37+PM.png" height="100" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
At a #Write2TheEnd Writer's Workshop, you'll become part of a small, dedicated community of up to 15 other writers -- just like you -- who have decided that nothing, <i>nothing</i>, is going to stand in the way of making their dream come true.<br />
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You'll meet weekly with facilitators who will cheerlead, troubleshoot, and provide clear, actionable suggestions you can immediately apply to your project.<br />
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At #Write2TheEnd, we won't hold your hand --<br />
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-- but we'll applaud every step you take toward the finish line. YOUR finish line.<br />
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It's true: No one is more committed to your success than you are. But a #Write2TheEnd Writer's Workshop introduces you to a whole group of people who come close...Ami Hendricksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16113842141579251283noreply@blogger.com2