Happy Holidays Awesome Writer,
I don’t know about you, but as the end of a year draws near, I always take the time to do a little assessment of how I did in sticking to my intentions and commitments for the year. In 2019 one of our biggest goals at The Narrative Project was to help as many writers as possible get their stories OUT of their bodies and onto the page. I believe that through storytelling–fiction AND nonfiction–do we understand one another. Make no mistake, our work at The Narrative Project is all about making the world a better place through the skillful writing of stories. And I think we did good work in 2019.
Let me tell you about one writer who touched my heart this past year. “R” was in her late 60s before she came out as transgender. She told me early in our 9-months together that she came into the program to get the trauma of being belittled and abused out of her body. And this she did. Month after month she wrote and wrote until by the end of the program she’d logged more than A HUNDRED THOUSAND WORDS and had completed her draft. She’d chronicled every step of her journey toward freedom and self love and finished the program ready to start revisions. As we met for our coaching sessions, I could see that retelling hard stories was taxing but also invigorating for R. She was FINALLY in charge of the narrative of her beingness. At the end of the program, she wrote this to me: “I could only say… that it has totally transformed my life.”
When I read those words in her email to me, I sat at my computer and cried tears of gratitude–not only because we’d supported R in experiencing a transformation, but because I KNEW that everyone who’d been writing alongside her had been transformed by their own stories and hers, as well.
You see, when we write honestly and bravely, we change… and so do our readers. Really listening to–really hearing–one another is what I believe changes the world into a better place.
I chalk up 2019 as one of the most powerful, life-changing years of my life because I had the privilege of watching the book dreams of SO MANY writers become reality.
“You either walk inside your story and own it or stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.” -Brene Brown
What could top this last year?
Well, keep your eyes open, because The Narrative Project has EVEN MORE support planned to help you get your books done in 2020! Check out our lineup and save some dates on your calendar.
Just for fun, let’s celebrate 2019. Holiday Party in the Seattle area at Razzi’s Pizza:
Dec 14, 2019 at 4pm, Razzi’s on Greenwood, Banquet Room
If you can get to Seattle, come join the Narrative Project in person for a holiday pizza party! Come dressed as your favorite author–even if that’s yourself! Donation $10 for pizza. No host drinks.
Where: 8523 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
Literary Adventure in Valparaiso, Chile: Virtual information meeting
December 19, 6pm. Where? Online.
When you travel with the eyes of a writer, the world shows up to tell you stories and teach you wisdom you couldn’t gain in your own backyard. Consider joining TNP as we travel to poet Pablo Neruda’s playground to: Explore the different micro-genres of travel writing, practice the writerly art of deep observation, learn to write “place” and “character” that POPS off the page, get technical support in building your author’s platform, visit Neruda’s inspired home on a hill, and to see some of the most fascinating street art in the world. We plan to have a crazy, interesting adventure.
“Let the world change you and you can change the world.” Che Guevera, The Motorcycle Diaries
Sign up here to join us for a VIRTUAL information meeting about our upcoming writing retreat in Valparaiso, Chile, one of the most interesting and creative cities on the planet. Sign up to find out about travel dates, itinerary, content of the retreat, and costs.
Monthly Virtual Mastermind Your Book Sessions
**FREE** Second Thursday of Every Month. Next one is January 9 at NOON Pacific Standard Time.
Join us on your lunch hour from ANYWHERE once a month to MASTERMIND YOUR BOOK! During this FREE hour, you have the opportunity to work with TWO of our coaches to find the “what and the so-what” of your book. We help you uncover the story arc and the theme of your story so you have a map for your writing moving forward. Especially if you’re stuck, you’ll want to join us!
SIGN UP HERE.
Book Launch of True Stories, Volume 2
Jan 10, Third Place Books Ravenna at 7pm, PST.
The Narrative Project is proud to announce THE RELEASE OF OUR SECOND ANTHOLOGY!!!!! The 26 authors in this volume are participants in TNP’s nine-month Get-Your-Book-Done program. The culminating work of these writers is deeply moving, profoundly honest, and celebratory of their growth throughout the program. Every piece portends what is to come in their own full-length books.
Location: 6504 20th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
ONLINE **FREE BONUS**: Write Like Water: How to find and follow the natural path of your story with Laurel Leigh
Jan 14, 6pm Pacific Time
With in-house book publishing credentials as well as fifteen years as a freelance editor for clients in the U.S. and Sweden, Laurel Leigh‘s skills as a structural editor and script doctor are highly sought by multiple publishers, producers, and individual authors. She has acted as project manager for numerous titles published by Chronicle Books and is a much published author herself with a Master of Fine Arts from San Francisco State University. Laurel is a long-time friend of The Narrative Project and is offering a two-hour FREE workshop to our writers which we are opening to the public. JOIN US TO LEARN ABOUT HOW GOOD STRUCTURE MAKES FOR A GOOD STORY!!
To register for this FREE VIRTUAL CLASS, sign up HERE.
BOOKS THAT HELP OTHERS: A virtual six-week deep dive on writing non-fiction books aimed at helping people
Starts Feb 7, 10am Pacific Time
This is a 6-week deep dive designed to help you get started on your “helping others” book. If you have a how-to, self-help, or creative non-fiction book aimed at delivering information this class will help you determine what kind of book you’re writing, organize your material, define your audience, develop chapter structures, and consider publication options. This is a paid class and is offered by invitation only.
TO REQUEST COURSE AND COST DETAILS (AND GET AN INVITATION TO JOIN THE COURSE), RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL WITH “Help Me Help Others” IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
**FREE** Two-Day LIVE Get-Your-Book-Done Retreat in SEATTLE
Feb 8 and 9, 9:00am to 5pm both days.
How long have you been working on your book? How many conferences have you attended to give you inspiration? How many books have you read to help you hone your craft?
So… where’s your book?
Let us help you liberate the book you’ve got inside of you!!! Join us for a two-day FREE retreat to:
*Find out why YOUR story is important and needs to be written.
*Learn about the four stumbling blocks writers face and how you can crash through them.
*Practice the #1 way to calm your inner critic.
*Discover the TOP 3 ways to keep your butt in the chair–even when you’re resistant or confused.
*Mastermind your book and walk away with a CLEAR MAP of how to get it done!
*Experience break-out sessions with writing coaches to help you work through stuck spots in your material.
Register here: https://www.thenarrativeproject.net
You will receive a confirmation email and link to a private page with all the workshop details. If you don’t get an email confirmation, please email anni@thenarrativeproject.net and let us know.
Let us help you get your book done!!
Location info: Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Dr NE, Kenmore, WA 98028.
