50,000 Words In 30 Days
NaNoWriMo 2021, Week One
First, some housekeeping.
I’ve started sharing a weekly journal prompt. I hope you will take five minutes to jot down your thoughts. Feel free to share what comes up for you in the comments below or shoot me an email. I love hearing from my readers!
Hello Friends,
This week marked the beginning of National Novel Writing Month, and once again, I’m throwing my hat in the ring.
I’ve tried it a few times, once in 2017 and again in 2018, and didn’t get very far, but this year I think I’ve got a shot. I want to take my project running every street in Santa Barbara and use it as a way to tell my story.
Day one was great; day two, however, had me questioning everything. My inner critic was having a great time bouncing around in my head, saying, “Who do you think you are? No one wants to read these sad stories!” But I pounded the words anyway.
I came across these ten writing tips from Elizabeth Gilbert just when I needed them.
#9 “Every writer starts in the same place on Day One: Super excited, and ready for greatness. On Day Two, every writer looks at what she wrote on Day One and hates herself. What separates working writers from non-working writers is that working writers return to their task on Day Three.”
This Week On The Blog
It’s too early for this when your kid asks you existential questions before you’ve had your coffee.
Are you enjoying this content? Why not share it with someone?
Just Finished
Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
Want to read more, exercise more, eat more mindfully, or meditate regularly? Every wonder why you can’t stick to something you know will be good for you?
This book is very high on practical and actionable steps that help you set up systems to build habits to reach your goals. The analogies and stories used are simple, sparse, and move the reader towards action.
I took a long break from self-help and productivity books like this. I think I got burnt out on them during my time as a coach with Beachbody. All of the books I read had some helpful information, but I got tired of white dues ignoring their privilege and waxing on and on about themselves.
This book had me implementing some of the steps in my daily life even before I finished the book.
If you are beginning to think about New Year’s resolutions, have a big goal in mind, or just want to have smoother morning routines, this book is for you.
Ten Links to Ponder
22 People Share What Makes Them Feel Most Creative (Wit & Delight)
If you have ever enjoyed going for a run without fearing for your life, read this article from 2020 (Runner’s World) and listen to this podcast. (Longform) The trial of the three men accused of murdering Ahmaud Arbery has begun, and I think we need a reminder of this young runner’s life.
Should you need a break from all things serious, read “I am the Oldest I Have Ever Been.”(Oldster) It is lovely and hilarious.
“In reality, there was no crime wave.”(Jstor Daily) How the news contributes to harsher punishments.
Critical Race Theory is the New Satanic-Panic in Right-Wing Politics (Book Riot)
The Joys of Tandem Reading (Vogue)
It turns out you really can’t judge a book by its cover. (Book Riot)
I wish I could visit these book stores in real life. (Screen Rant)
Did Covid Change The Way We Dream? (New York Times Magazine)
What are you reading or listening to this week? Please post your response in the comments below or tag me on Instagram @emilykathleenwrites