Hello hello! Kim right here, one of many writing coaches at Firefly.
There’s this factor that occurs to me each September.
It’s that January-first-new-year vitality, solely higher, as a result of I’m not feeling compelled into making a decision that I’m by no means gonna hold.
It simply seems like — starting.
This makes complete sense contemplating that for many of the first 25 years of my life, September was a brand new starting: kindergarten, grade 1, highschool. Now as an grownup, there’s one thing comforting about getting again right into a routine after {the summertime} pell-mell of actions, outings, canine walks, festivals, and grocery buying.
This 12 months, that fresh-start vitality was even greater than ordinary as a result of it’s my birthday in September, and it’s a giant one. I turned 50! It was not possible to disregard the query — what’s beginning recent this fall?
In fact, I began fascinated by writing.
One of many questions that we hear so typically from writers is: How do I get myself to jot down extra?
How do I get my butt in that chair? How do I simply do it?
I wrestle with this myself. I’ve tried so many issues.
All of those labored… for a few week.
It lastly dawned on me that sure issues do work for me, and that possibly I must be doing extra of these issues as a substitute of making an attempt to make issues work that by no means have.
Reality is — the one factor that will get my butt in that chair is different folks.
That’s the principle (and generally solely) ingredient for me. Generally it’s a giant group and different occasions it’s a small one. Generally it’s in individual and different occasions it’s on Zoom. What issues is simply that they’re there.
I spent so a few years making an attempt issues that don’t work, and simply felt actually disillusioned when it didn’t occur.
Now that I’m trusting my instincts, and doing what feels proper, I’m means extra glad and productive.
We created this in the course of the peak of Covid once we had been all caught inside. I’ve stored it going as a result of it simply works so effectively for me.
It’s a 5-day program the place a bunch of writers collect again and again for lengthy and brief writing classes. Some are facilitated, some aren’t. Some are within the morning, some are within the night. All are non-compulsory. The entire thing ends with a giant Open Mic evening and celebration on the finish.
I can’t say this sufficient — Push Week is my glad place. It’s the place I get to jot down in good firm, keep on the right track, and indulge my want for brief, intense writing spurts.
I gained’t be one of many primary facilitators this time round, as a substitute I’m gifting myself this time to be a participant.
It’s a birthday reward to myself. I can’t think about a greater one.
