Writing from the Ground Up

You are here, and I am glad.

You have a story in mind but you don’t know where to start.

You feel overwhelmed by the thought and spend a lot of time dealing with negative self-talk, overwhelm, and procrastination.

And helloooo, imposter syndrome!

Starting to write is hard. Especially if you’re new to it, or have been stuck, or just haven’t done it in a while, but even if you’re starting something new. It can feel daunting, thrilling, scary, exciting, overwhelming, and impossible.

Introducing Writing from the Ground Up

Writing From the Ground Up will help you lay the groundwork for a solid story and/or writing practice.

I’ll be your writing friend who gets it, and can nudge you in ways that challenge you, but not defeat you.

Because, at the end of the day, what is most important to me is that you write your story and put it into the world. Our stories matter. All of them.

Including yours, dear one. 💗

Here’s what you can expect around here:

Free subscribers: Weekly posts, including craft and mindset tips and a monthly round-up of things I’m enjoying and recommending. And occasionally some extra stuff, too, like video conversations with writers, book studies, pep talks, and more.

And for less than the cost of a single latté each month, you will also receive:

• access to the Groundwork for a Story - a full library of prompts and strategies to help you create a solid story that will impact your reader.

• opportunities for one-on-one coaching and writerly community through pop-up coaching, quarterly cohorts, and more.

• 10% off my one-on-one coaching services.

---

💫 Great Starting Places💫

The Groundwork for a Story: This is the foundation of my writing craft teaching.

Great Resources for Writers: This is a frequently updated post with tons of recommended resources around Substack and beyond!

Here’s an example of a recent WRITER’S MINDSET post.

Here’s an example of a recent WRITING CRAFT post.

---

Hi, I’m Stephanie.

Helloooooo! 👋

Here is what I believe:

1. Your story matters. You deserve to write it and you have a reader out there who needs it.

2. There is no "right" way to write (but there are some things that can help).

3. You can write with a schedule that fits your life.

4. Self-doubt is part of the process, and it doesn’t need to keep you from writing.

5. The deeper you understand your story, the more your reader will be impacted by it.

6. Your story will only get written if you write it.

7. You’ve waited long enough to become the writer you’ve always wanted to be.

8. We writers need community. 🌻

I believe in the power of story to impact both the person telling it and the people receiving it in a positive way. Stories are how we grow to understand each other better and in doing so create a more empathetic and compassionate world.

Toward this end, I support ALL writers, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, neurodiversity, nationality, how they live, who they love, or how they move their bodies through this world.

A few more things, in case we are meeting for the first time:

• I wrote a book once, and my stories, essays and articles have been in some places.

• I have worked with writers of all ages for three decades.

• I also work at my local indie bookstore.

• I’m a married mom of emerging adults.

• I was an elementary teacher in a former life.

• My last name is pronounced det-lefs. (In case you were wondering!)

• I have an anxious dog and three shady cats. Photos of them are likely to appear.🐾

• I’ve been a writer as long as I can remember.

Guess the decade!

Listen, I am beyond glad that you allow me to take up a little space in your email inbox. I love talking with writers, so feel free to reply or comment on any newsletter with what you’re thinking about! When you’re ready, I’ll be here.

If you don’t mind, please take a quick moment to forward this newsletter to someone you think might appreciate it. 

I appreciate you, and I’m glad you’re here. Have a beautiful week.

Warmly,
Stephanie