Day 2, Winter 2023, Mini 1000
Hi friends.
Today we will write 1000 words. Because we are trying to make positive decisions in our lives today, this year, always, and writing these words is always a good use of our time.
When I sit down at my desk I have only two choices: to not write, or to write. Either leave the page untouched, or fill it with everything in my mind and heart. Either ignore my brain or listen to what it has to say. Nothing bad happens if I don’t write, it’s true. I’ll never make a mistake that I’ll eventually have to fix. I’ll never feel risky or nervous. But nothing good happens either. I’ll never get to that full feeling. I’ll never get to that joyous place. I choose to strive to arrive in a new place in my life, to try and achieve something just for me. So I choose to write.
Can you ask yourself why you decided to be here today? What are the choices that led you to this project, with all of us, opening this email, ready to write, on a Sunday in early January 2023?
And can you think about how the idea of choices translates to your work? If you’re writing fiction can you have your character make a choice — good or bad — today? Or remember one they’ve made in the past? Or if you’re writing memoir, perhaps ruminate on a choice you once made. Think about intersections, pivotal moments, moving forward in one direction or another. One solid choice can crack open a paragraph, scene, or even an entire book.
Hope you all had a good first day yesterday, and that today will bring you even more clarity on what you want to say. Now go write already.
Jami
Thanks so much for all the subscriptions yesterday. If you’re interested in supporting me or reading my work, you can also buy one of my books.
1420 done. About half of it is something, and the other half was something I had to write to get to the good stuff. Good luck today everyone!
"Nothing bad happens if I don’t write, it’s true. I’ll never make a mistake that I’ll eventually have to fix. I’ll never feel risky or nervous. But nothing good happens either. I’ll never get to that full feeling. I’ll never get to that joyous place." As always, in every letter there's the comment that speaks to me at some deep level, and today it's this one. Avoiding risk, avoiding that anxious feeling of 'what if this doesn't work' or 'what if I can't do this.' Not writing can feel better when those nerves are high. So this morning: 1340 words to say the nerves are worth it--aim for that full feeling, that joyous place. Thank you, Jami.