In a moment that asks a great deal of us, let's pay attention to what strengthens our capacity to think clearly, stay grounded in our values, and act with integrity.
That attention sits at the center of what we do here in the LitFriends community.
We return to it through:
reading
writing
conversation
shared practice
We work to stay oriented when the world pulls at us from every direction.
It's a novel whose kindness and complexity feel like a necessary counterpoint to what many of us are encountering right now. Not escapism. An artful reminder of value-inhabited humanity.
Another reason this book matters:
Allen Levi published his first memoir at 70 years old.
It is never too late to write the story that matters.
As we decide how to speak and how to show up, we must also attend to our inner lives.
Read what fills you up.
Make time for your creativity.
Build practices that keep your soul strong enough to meet the world as it is.
Writer Clubhouse Studio SessionThis is where that attention becomes practice.
Alignment means discerning how your writing life can grow in ways that actually nourish you.
What you want to explore
What you want to start
What you want to finish
And doing that in ways that honor your talents, passions, and chosen values.
This is not a traditional writing workshop where one piece of writing gets torn apart.
It is
a writing studio.We use the IN and OUT method to establish practices that support both journaling and a sustainable writing life where we complete projects and get them out into the world, what ever that looks like for our purposes.
We go IN to reconnect with your authentic voice through focused lessons and writing exercises.
We go OUT, looking beyond ourselves for inspiration, strategy, and specific craft guidance.
You will leave with:
words written down
clarity about what matters most
momentum to keep your creative engine running
Wednesday, January 21
7:00 pm CST
75–90 minutesIf you can't attend live, the session will be available for you to engage with on your own time.
To make this an easy yes, the special introductory price for our first Studio Session is $10.
LitFriends Community Celebration
Please join me in congratulating Kimberly Anne, a member of the LitFriends community and a former student of mine, on the publication of her first memoir:
Notice that I wrote a blurb for Kimberly.
This is part of what LitFriends is about.
When members of this community do brave, honest work, we show up for one another in visible, tangible ways.
Aging Anthology Update
As promised, here's an update on our anthology.
We have received dozens of exceptional essays and continue to invite more submissions.
In
February and March, upcoming
Writer Clubhouse Studio Sessions will focus on the literary personal essay. These sessions will work directly with the skills required to shape lived experience into essays that stimulate thought and evoke emotional response.
Not sermons.
Not anecdotes.
Essays with gravitas.
We will not publish this anthology until it is filled with work that demands to be read.
If you are considering submitting, these sessions are designed to support that work.
You can also help by sharing the
call for submissions with writer friends who may be a strong fit.
Welcome to New LitFriends
A warm welcome to everyone who joined us through the recent Kindle bundle giveaway.
The winner, selected at random, is
Kate V., who has been notified by email.
Thank you to everyone who participated.
The Conversation Continues
These recent pieces are designed to help you think more clearly, speak more honestly, and stay grounded in your values, especially when it would be easier to go quiet.
You may want to spend time with these:
Am I Too Old to Write a Book?
If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to begin, finish, or publish meaningful work, this piece draws on science and story to offer a grounded, encouraging answer.
With Gratitude
Thank you for being part of LitFriends. Your presence here matters.
With appreciation,
Amy Lou Jenkins
LitFriends: literary insights to fuel revolutionary expressions, narratives, and discourse.
P.S. Your free download of Every Natural Fact and the Book Club Kit remains available. You're welcome to share this entire newsletter with anyone who might enjoy our community.
