As you read this I'm getting ready for a film shoot I'm on tomorrow as 1st assistant director. So amaze-balls fun and a step or two outside my comfort zone. So yah, lots of learning. and nerves.

Do you get that too - when you step a little outside your comfort zone?

A little bit of flutter in the chest or the stomach and a feeling of overall while all the things swirl around your head like those birds in a cartoon.

As a lifelong learner and a writing teacher and creativity coach, I see writers at every stage of the process.

Maybe you're at the beginning, wishing and yearning and wanting to write your science fiction or fantasy novel but it's hard to get started.

Deep breath.

And another deep breath.

I know from long experience that the beginning of a huge endeavor like writing a novel can feel incredibly overwhelming.

And I also know that if you're here reading this that you really want this.

And you may even be ready to take the next step into getting started.

Well...

I have a friend's offer to share with you, an upcoming bootcamp, especially for people are starting their novel and are new to this whole process.

So...

I highly recommend you check out Savannah Gilbo's upcoming bootcamp and take those first steps.

The beautiful thing about bootcamps is you are not alone.

I highly highly recommend that you learn in the company of other writers.

I would not be the writer I am today if I hadn't first decided - number one - to be committed to writing a novel no matter how long it took; and - number two - did it in the company of other writers.

(I don't mean literal company while I'm writing -- just in the company of other writer for critique groups, writing classes, and professional writing groups.)

While we may be alone with the words in the page, the typing (or dictating), and the ideas, we actually do not succeed in this industry alone.

We succeed because we work with other writers.

So, I highly recommend that you check out Savannah's upcoming bootcamp and see if it is right for you.

***

If you are a more advanced writer and you're searching for inspiration and ideas on how to take those next steps into finishing your novel, then...

I highly recommend that you join us at this Habits of Mind masterclass by my friend, Dr. Bailey Lang on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 11am PT. (Yes, there will be a replay!)

It's going to be an incredible hands-on workshop with someone who I consider a friend, who is very smart, very warm hearted, and really knows her stuff.

So the link to register for that master class is here:

***

No matter where you are in your writing journey, I believe in you. Don't give up. Maybe now is the time to recommit and go deeper in to your writing.

If you need in-depth one on one support, that's what I specialize in.

Just hit reply and we can set up a time to chat about it.

I am very excited about helping authors who have finished their first draft and who want to learn how to edit their own novels in the company of other writers.

I specialize in helping science fiction and fantasy writers because that's what I write and I'm really here for you.

You have something to say and you're here because you want to say it.

“Whatever the problem, community is the answer.”

I love this quote from Margaret J. Wheatley.*

I believe in it.

Even if these resources aren't the right ones for you, please let me know if you need help finding the right one.

There is a community out there to support you in being the author you want to be.

❤️