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Finding Faeries

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Finding Faeries

Tag Archives: writreat

SO Much More to a Writreat than Writing

25 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by Kathleen Palm in Thoughts, writing

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

brainstorming, friends, fun, revising, shenanigals, thoughts, unexpected joy, writers, writing, writreat

For the last few days I’ve been away. If you read my last post, you know where.

This was the first, but not the last meeting of the Shenanigals. A group of four writers who met on Twitter, then came face to face at a writers’ conference, and since then have become a source of support and love to each other.

Logo designed and drawn by Marjorie Brimer

I am lucky to be a part of this group. Seriously lucky.

Photo by a nice woman who was sitting by the pond…

So we spent a few days together, ready to write and chat and revel in general silliness.

I went with a manuscript that needs to be revised before I send it to a few critique partners. Others were thinking about notes from agents and editors. And one, dear Jamie, went through her entire book…again. A true rock star.

I didn’t know what exactly would happen. I didn’t really know what to expect, considering we had hung out at a writers’ conference, but never in this type of setting.

Writing did happen…

As did silliness…

Adoring a beautiful kitty…

Aw…Pepper! Photo by Jamie.

Watching a show called Botched…so much cringing…

Good food…

Deep discussions about, well, everything…

Much brainstorming about what we are all working on. The creativity was flowing freely…

Possibly a tattoo…

Okay, yes, a tattoo. Isn’t it wonderful? Go, Jamie! You handled that like a champ! You be the light in the world!

Yet, something happened that I wasn’t expecting. I went in with fear. Fear of these revisions. Fear of messing up this manuscript. Fear of failing.

As I sat around with these great people, my fear lessened. I started revising. And then I met chapter nine, learned that nothing happened in that chapter, faced that I had to rearrange things and fix it…panicked slightly…

But everyone gathered around and reminded me that I am pretty cool…and pretty talented…and to not be afraid.

So I did it. I faced chapter 9 and redid it. Let me tell you, it is so much better now. The words felt right as I wrote them.

Even though I still have to pick up the mess of restructuring the story, I am not afraid. I am ready. I am going to power through the rest of this story and get it sent to those fabulous readers, who are waiting.

All the memories. All the fun. All the learning about each other and building stronger bonds.

I carried fear in with me and left it there, dropped it and let it die. So no matter how much writing I did or didn’t get done, that is the best thing that could have happened for my words.

This is what’s best when writers unite. The bonds. The support. The willingness to chat about everything. The acceptance.

Shenanigals forever

And I might have a signed ARC of Rena’s new book WITH YOU ALWAYS…OUT IN A LITTLE OVER A MONTH! Okay…I DO HAVE ONE! You can be jealous.

 

I’m Going on a Writreat Adventure!

18 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by Kathleen Palm in Thoughts, writing

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

fun, magic friends, Rena Olsen, shenanigals, thoughts, With You Always, writers, writing retreat, writreat

A what adventure? You may ask, your face squashed in confusion…

A WRITREAT! Writing retreat!

I have heard of writers going off to write in far away places…or just a hotel down the street…by themselves or in groups, having time to write without the distractions of home. No kids who need rides or food. No laundry. No schedule.

I have heard of this magical experience, but never thought it would be me. BUT IT IS.

This week…well in two days…I will be leaving my hubs and kids to fend for themselves and driving to another state where I will be meeting up with three other writers! Rena, Jamie, Margie, and I, aka the Shenanigals, will have a weekend of writing, chatting, eating, laughing, and general silliness. Instead of getting on Twitter looking for support, I will have writers to smack me into working in the same room! I THINK THIS WILL BE MAGIC!

I need a little (or big) kick in the rear, because I have told CPs that this manuscript will be ready for them by the end of the month. AND THAT IS SOONER THAN I THINK.

I MUST DO THE REVISING.

And the four of us can celebrate (a little early) Rena’s next book…WITH YOU ALWAYS…RELEASE DATE IS AUGUST 7th!!!

I’m excited!

About the book…AND GETTING TO SPEND TIME WITH MY WACKY, BRILLIANT WRITER FRIENDS. They are so nice to let me tag along, because let’s be honest, they are soooooo much cooler than me.

So…I leave in two days and have things to do.

I CAN’T WAIT! THE TIME IS ALMOST HERE!

Sharing my search for magic in everything.

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Kathleen Palm, Author

Kathleen Palm, Author

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