S2:E2 Nurturing Creativity During Hard Times

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Hey listeners! Nat here to regale you with this month's episode update. What are you in for? Probably one of the best interviews on the podcast to date--but we'll get to that in a second.

PJ and I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to you for tuning in and being a part of our community. COVID-19 has brought about some unprecedented times, but it has also reminded us how grateful we should be for the wonderful things we still have--like writing friends, video chats, and wine. Speaking of wine...

WRITE & WINE CHATS

Throughout the month of April, we are inviting the writing community to join us for Youtube live streams on our channel. If you don't like wine and want to drink something else (or nothing) that's ok too!

Each Thursday night at 8:00 PM EST we will be chatting writing and participating in sprints to help spark creativity. We'd love to have you with us! Visit our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClshtzf0VNG5tkj9EAHIkXA and don't forget to subscribe!

WRITING COMMUNITY NEWS

Amazon has delayed shipping on books and halted new stock in the wake of COVID-19. This means that many authors won't be getting sales in a time when books are being purchased more than ever unless...

YOU BUY INDIE OR BARNES & NOBLE!

Support your favorite authors as well as debuts by ordering from these bookstores. Some will offer curbside pick up and most will ship directly to your house. Personally, I have a very long list of books to add to my shelves over the next few months because I have no self-control.

We realize that right now money may be tight for MANY people, so if you can't afford to support businesses with your $$, you can do so by posting about them and encouraging others who might be interested!

#REVPIT

It's that time of year again! On April 18th the submission window for the annual REVPIT contest opens. If you have a polished manuscript, this is a great opportunity to work with an editor for eight (8) weeks and get it ready to query. Make sure you check out the editor wishlists at reviseresub.com and prepare beforehand as they only take 100 applications per editor!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH NADINE KENNEY JOHNSTONE

Nadine Kenny Johnstone was the PERFECT guest amongst the COVID-19 crisis, though we suspect she rises to the level of any topic. We got to chat with her about protecting and nurturing our creativity (as artists in general) during times of hardship and as she has a book coming out that addresses that very topic you can imagine she had some really helpful things to say.

I've described this interview as a balm for my creative soul and it is absolutely that.

As a writing coach and memoirist, she also had some amazing insights for our nonfiction listeners out there...but fiction writers should tune in too! Her advice will be incredibly helpful for writers of all kinds!

Her memoir Of This Much I'm Sure explores her own journey of infertility and is worth a read this month (and every month) as the last week in April is National Infertility Awareness Week. Find out more about that here: https://infertilityawareness.org/

GETTING CRAFTY

We dug deeper into "How to keep going when the going gets tough" for our getting crafty segment this month. As writers ourselves, PJ and I have been in much the same boat as you might be--a little bit stuck and uncertain.

For me personally, focus has been an extreme struggle and it's hard not to get down on myself for taking longer to do things...and sometimes not doing them at all.

I won't spoil this segment as it is truly worth the listen, but here's one takeaway:

Forgive yourself. None of us know what's coming next or how we'll personally be affected by this crisis. It is OK to give yourself a break.

All the best,

Nat