For me, even though my own school days are long over, the start of fall still feels like a reset. A time to begin — or restart — projects. What are your goals for the fall? What are you working on — writing-related or not?
I started aerial hoop classes in February around my 62nd birthday as a new athletic and creative challenge alongside much younger classmates who do not judge. The aerial arts school - Body and Pole - has a seasonal student showcase at a venue in NYC for all levels. I signed up to perform a 3 and half minute act! Rehearsals start next week to prepare a group of us for a version of a recital!!!
working on my memoir and various essays. my goal is to get halfway through my next draft by the end of the year. i have a bunch of travel plans and some medical stuff that means that's as far as I'm likely to get. So i'll just do the best i can!
Oh, fall - the time of fresh starts and clean new notebooks! (That said, I haven't written in a notebook in years!). My plan, aside from adjusting to having a kid back at home (post college) after two years of an empty nest, is to light a fire under my memoir-in-essays project. Have an agent sorta interested, and I have a lot more writing to do, too.
Thanks! But let me emphasize my "sorta" above! What I have is an agent generally interested in working with me, who thinks what I've written so far is great, but who is clear about how tough a sell breast cancer memoirs are. That said, she's reaching out to some editors she knows who buy this type of book to see what they think, which will probably mean, "thanks but no thanks," but I'm waiting to see -- and still writing!
I'm getting back to a novel I started several years ago. Family illness, my illness, and job loss kept me from consistently working on it. Things seem to have calmed down and I look forward to some serious writing this fall.
I'm starting the fall semester with a bang: a sinus infection that prevents me from going on campus today to teach. I have a heavy load: eight courses at five schools, plus running a Holocaust Center, advising two graduate independent studies, and co-editing a literary magazine. Still, I aim to participate in two weekly generative poetry writing events and then there are my own writing family history workshops on Sundays. Writing will be the only way to keep myself sane. I have two full-length poetry collections nearing completion and a bunch of short stories and essays making their way out into the world. Is it wrong to already wish for Thanksgiving break?
My kids (9&10) are starting school for the first time (we've homeschooled the last four years.) Which opens up a whole new world of free time for me! I'm in my second to last semester of an MFA program and giving myself permission this fall to dedicate my daytime hours almost fully to finishing the first draft of my novel as well as writing more short fiction/personal essays to submit to various outlets. I'm really looking forward to seeing what I can accomplish with so much more time on my hands.
I actually just decided that I'm going to do a reset this September. I've been feeling burned out and overwhelmed and like I'm spinning my wheels. Instead of continuing to kick up dust, I'm going to pause all of the things that aren't absolutely necessary and create some spaciousness to see what emerges. I'm going to sit still. Or putter around. Maybe go through some archives of art and writing. Maybe clean out the closets. Maybe read novels. We'll see.
I hear you! I'm on a writing and marketing hiatus from now through the first week of October for everything that's not already committed and time-locked. I hope to redefine my goals and strategies into something more manageable. And rest. Lots of rest.
I'm going full steam ahead this fall with revising my novel and seeking a literary agent. I'm also going to try my best to read at least one new woman author every other month.
Just wrote about this subject today! It's funny how I make resolutions in the fall but never in the new year. One of my goals involves my writing, and another is my closet. Gotta stay well-balanced, right?
I'm exploring the relationship I have with my mother, who I was uncomfortable with for many years. There is a poetry to how my connection to her has changed and still is. It's all very dynamic and profound.
This summer I started meeting with a group for generative writing weekly and I have another group that meets 2x/mo. I am generating a lot of writing and hope to edit and send some out this fall. I also want to dedicate more time to writing and posting for my Substack.
I’m in a challenging phase of the year. The plan is to out in a lot of work. I might pivot by allowing myself to be mentored professionally to help me make change and find direction in my business. I hope this phase I will embark on will be as lovely as the fall season. 🍁🍂🍃
I'm finishing a book proposal for my memoir that's already written. I don't know if I'll need it, but the exercise is helping me clarify my pitch for the book. Also submitting modified excerpts to journals.
I hope to finish the exploratory draft of my novel and begin revising.
Wow! That's huge!
Thank you!
I'm performing in an aerial student showcase and querying journalists to report on it. :-)
That sounds fascinating. What's an "aerial student showcase"? Tell me more!
I started aerial hoop classes in February around my 62nd birthday as a new athletic and creative challenge alongside much younger classmates who do not judge. The aerial arts school - Body and Pole - has a seasonal student showcase at a venue in NYC for all levels. I signed up to perform a 3 and half minute act! Rehearsals start next week to prepare a group of us for a version of a recital!!!
working on my memoir and various essays. my goal is to get halfway through my next draft by the end of the year. i have a bunch of travel plans and some medical stuff that means that's as far as I'm likely to get. So i'll just do the best i can!
Always! Just the best you can :)
Oh, fall - the time of fresh starts and clean new notebooks! (That said, I haven't written in a notebook in years!). My plan, aside from adjusting to having a kid back at home (post college) after two years of an empty nest, is to light a fire under my memoir-in-essays project. Have an agent sorta interested, and I have a lot more writing to do, too.
An agent is interested? That's fantastic! Can't wait to hear more, Denise!
Thanks! But let me emphasize my "sorta" above! What I have is an agent generally interested in working with me, who thinks what I've written so far is great, but who is clear about how tough a sell breast cancer memoirs are. That said, she's reaching out to some editors she knows who buy this type of book to see what they think, which will probably mean, "thanks but no thanks," but I'm waiting to see -- and still writing!
I'm getting back to a novel I started several years ago. Family illness, my illness, and job loss kept me from consistently working on it. Things seem to have calmed down and I look forward to some serious writing this fall.
I'm glad things have calmed down! What's the novel about?
Hi Jessica. It's a historical novel taking place in Boston in the 1800s. A lot was going on back then. An interesting time.
I'm starting the fall semester with a bang: a sinus infection that prevents me from going on campus today to teach. I have a heavy load: eight courses at five schools, plus running a Holocaust Center, advising two graduate independent studies, and co-editing a literary magazine. Still, I aim to participate in two weekly generative poetry writing events and then there are my own writing family history workshops on Sundays. Writing will be the only way to keep myself sane. I have two full-length poetry collections nearing completion and a bunch of short stories and essays making their way out into the world. Is it wrong to already wish for Thanksgiving break?
That is a lot on your plate. All of it sounds fantastic, but yeah so much. Definitely try to find writing breaks whenever you can!
My kids (9&10) are starting school for the first time (we've homeschooled the last four years.) Which opens up a whole new world of free time for me! I'm in my second to last semester of an MFA program and giving myself permission this fall to dedicate my daytime hours almost fully to finishing the first draft of my novel as well as writing more short fiction/personal essays to submit to various outlets. I'm really looking forward to seeing what I can accomplish with so much more time on my hands.
Oh, I remember that feeling when both kids were in school for the first time! So liberating! I hope it all goes well for you and your family.
I actually just decided that I'm going to do a reset this September. I've been feeling burned out and overwhelmed and like I'm spinning my wheels. Instead of continuing to kick up dust, I'm going to pause all of the things that aren't absolutely necessary and create some spaciousness to see what emerges. I'm going to sit still. Or putter around. Maybe go through some archives of art and writing. Maybe clean out the closets. Maybe read novels. We'll see.
I hear you! I'm on a writing and marketing hiatus from now through the first week of October for everything that's not already committed and time-locked. I hope to redefine my goals and strategies into something more manageable. And rest. Lots of rest.
Wonderful! It is so important to take these pauses sometimes. <3
Yes, listen to what your body and mind are telling you. I feel this every once in awhile. Resets can be so powerful and necessary.
Thank you. I am feeling that urge and I’m at a stage of my life where I listen to it!
I'm hoping to finish my novel draft and to carve out a few days for a solo cabin or hotel stay to read, write, and eat snacks all by myself.
Ooh I did that a few months ago and it was so lovely and refreshing. I hope you're able to make time to do it! You won't regret it :)
Oh, that sounds absolutely wonderful!
I'm going full steam ahead this fall with revising my novel and seeking a literary agent. I'm also going to try my best to read at least one new woman author every other month.
Just wrote about this subject today! It's funny how I make resolutions in the fall but never in the new year. One of my goals involves my writing, and another is my closet. Gotta stay well-balanced, right?
I love fall goals! New Year's goals? Not so much!
Trying to get back on track. My fall goals are to re-establish my writing practice and participate more in the substack community.
Those are wonderful goals! Just take small steps :)
I'm exploring the relationship I have with my mother, who I was uncomfortable with for many years. There is a poetry to how my connection to her has changed and still is. It's all very dynamic and profound.
This summer I started meeting with a group for generative writing weekly and I have another group that meets 2x/mo. I am generating a lot of writing and hope to edit and send some out this fall. I also want to dedicate more time to writing and posting for my Substack.
I’m in a challenging phase of the year. The plan is to out in a lot of work. I might pivot by allowing myself to be mentored professionally to help me make change and find direction in my business. I hope this phase I will embark on will be as lovely as the fall season. 🍁🍂🍃
Mentorships can be so productive and make us feel less alone. I hope it works out for you!
I really hope so too. 🙏
I'm finishing a book proposal for my memoir that's already written. I don't know if I'll need it, but the exercise is helping me clarify my pitch for the book. Also submitting modified excerpts to journals.
That's great! I've heard that it's an extremely useful exercise to do a book proposal, no matter where your book journey takes you.