What Do You See?

5 Things I Want to Share With You

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Hi there, writers!

I’m enrolled in a great writing program with

Jeannine Ouellette

, in which she recently suggested - upon seeing that many of the writings to a recent prompt had been true and personal - that we strive to see beyond ourselves and notice the details that surround us, or that might surround a fictional character. She wasn’t saying that interiority isn’t important in a story, but that exteriority can be just as important. Reading her comment, I was struck by how often I rely on that interiority. 

So it’s been my goal of late to really pay attention in my daily movements to the things that surround me and to put descriptive language to it, even if just in my head. I invite you to do the same! 

I’m so excited to announce that I’m starting a series of monthly workshops available to all paid subscribers. On the first Saturday of every month, we’ll gather on Zoom for an hour and tackle a topic related to First Draft Craft. 

The first one is on November 2 at 10am. Topic: How to Write a Scene. A replay will be available. I hope you’ll join me! Click here to learn more ». 

Without further ado, here are five things I want to share with you this week!

📖 What I'm reading: 

• The Nest, by Cynthia d'Aprix Sweeney - our October Reading Like Writers Book Club pick!

•  I also just finished Somewhere Beyond the Sea, the sequel to the beloved The House on the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. These books are pure joy and love and delight. 

📚From the bookstore:

Here are your independent bookstore bestsellers this week. »  

For reference, the ABA bestsellers are based on actual sales from independent bookstores across the country (vs. the NYT lists, which are compiled in a dark room by elves).

And here’s what’s on my Staff Pick Shelf at the store right now!

A few of these are permanent fixtures...

📺 What I'm watching: 

• We just finished Season 4 of Slow Horses (Apple TV). I cannot stress how much I love this show. 

I’ve also been loving:

• English Teacher (Hulu), 

• Bad Monkey (Apple TV)

• Colin From Accounts (Paramount+).

I tried watching Doctor Odyssey because Joshua Jackson is aging like a fine, fine wine but alas, it gave me the same feeling as eating a box of Peeps. 

🎧 What I'm listening to:

Funny Story by Emily Henry. The tender and genuine romance by Henry combined with Julia Whelan’s sublime narration is a true match made in heaven. 

What do you recommend? Please let me know!

✍️ Around Writing Town:  

I have set a goal of receiving 100 rejections to flash fiction and nonfiction submissions between now and the end of next summer. 

I can’t control whether a story lands on an editor’s desk at the right moment for them, but I can control whether or not I sent it. 

Stephanie’s current submission rejection tally: 1/100. 

How will you make your writing experience playful this week? Leave a comment and let me know! 

Finally, from me to you:  

There is no “right” way to write. There is only your way. 💗
Warmly,
Stephanie

P.S. Feeling stuck? I have 4 openings remaining in October for Booster Sessions! Grab your 50-minute brainstorming call with me now. Click here to learn more! »

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