What Happened This Week We did something radical today: we stopped asking "Did you hit the number?" and started asking "What progress did you make in the last 30 days?" This isn't semantics. It changes everything. --Some major breakthroughs in the SPRINT call today-- Replay in the classroom for PREMIUM folks. (not in there with us yet? UPGRADE and come next week.) We will be diving into our second month in a row... of the sprint... continuing momentum See you there. What have you accomplished so far? What are you focusing on this next round? CONNECT ON THE CALL Month 1 — June (Establish) Each writer sets their personalized 90-day objective on the first Tuesday. Sierra helps shape it so it's both specific and achievable. Members get to know each other. Show up. Build the habit. Month 2 — July (Deepen) Writing time stretches. By now the habit is forming. Mid-sprint check-in: are you on track for your 90-day objective? Adjust if needed. Month 3 — August (Land) Push toward your 90-day objective. The final Tuesday is a celebration share — what you set out to do, what you actually did, and what comes next. Cohort decides whether they're recommitting to the next 90 days.

On days when the words simply don’t come and inspiration goes on strike, what are your favorite ways to stir the dormant muse back to life? A few strategies for me are to stop fighting it and put the pen down (or close the computer) then head outside for a walk in nature, go to a group exercise class to raise my energy levels, or stroll through the fruit and produce aisles and dream up recipes (if i can’t get to a farmer’s market). Julia Cameron, author of “The Artist’s Way,” suggests doing just this- creating a mini “artist date” with yourself to spark creativity. Yesterday, i stood behind a waterfall and realized how easily i had shifted perspective by briefly changing my environment. How do you reignite the elusive writing muse?

📆 Check the calendar 📆 July - Book Thinkers Conference ~ Live in Boston Saturday & Sunday, 11& 12 July - ASK US ANYTHING: Publishing, Unfiltered Friday, July 17th @ 11 am eastern July - LinkedIn is Gold Chris Jordan Wednesday, July 15th @ 12 pm noon eastern August - Podcast Specialist / Jackie Lapin Wednesday, August 19th @ 12 pm noon eastern - She has worked with Joe Vitale, Don Miguel Ruiz and others you will recognize. Story Craft expert Laura Simms (TBD) stay tuned Which ones are you coming to?

Collaboration fosters creative ideas and discussions that are integral to the writing process. The exchange of constructive feedback moves writing forward and keeps us accountable. Open dialogue sessions also help us gain clarity. Writers can get too much “in their heads” when writing in isolation, which can lead to plot holes and confusion for the reader because it’s hard to see our own work with fresh eyes. It can feel vulnerable to share your work, but please do it-this is a safe space!

« So, tell me, what’s your book about? » -A simple question, but one that can often make writers freeze or fumble. It’s daunting to distill the essence of your work into one sentence, but it’s vital after writing the book, for the BUSINESS of your book- pitching it, selling it, and promoting it. Agents will require you to have a well-crafted one-liner, and for networking at conferences and queries online and in-person, you will need it. For fiction, think plot, not themes. If you called your best friend, how would you describe the quick « movie trailer » of your story? For non-fiction, it’s your key concept, core message, and key takeaway. If you could give one gift to the reader-one message, lesson, or action for them to take, what is it? And here’s a hint- this elevator pitch will also help frame your author talks, quotes for articles, and episode headlines for podcasts, so get that one-liner down! Need help deciding? Pick your top 3 and create a poll to get feedback. We’re all In this together!