...or: could you use a better inner coach, instead? Remember the Olympic games in Paris, when the media was flooding us with feel-good stories about quirky folks who had dedicated their life to pursuing excellence in one, extremely niche activity…and everyone thought it was cool? Good times. I was struck by the US Gymnastics team’s comments about how much happier they were, now that they had new coaches—coaches who motivated them with praise and love, rather than fear and shame. Oh, and they...
28 days ago • 2 min read
I always thought that an artist’s was the hardest life of all. Its rigor—not always apparent to an outside observer—is that an artist has to navigate forward into the unknown guided only by an internal sense of direction, keep up a set of standards which are imposed entirely from within, meanwhile maintaining faith that the task he has set himself to is worth struggling constantly to achieve. This is all contrary to the notion of bohemian disorder.” Lucian Freud (via Austin Kleon) If you’ve...
5 months ago • 2 min read
On the US Coast Guard’s website, there’s a whole page dedicated to why and when to wear your life jacket. tl;dr: always wear a life jacket if you are on or around water. read this article online I think our writing is exactly like that life-jacket: something not to be ignored and neglected because when we need it, we NEED it. How does a life jacket help? By providing buoyancy if you unexpectedly find yourself in the water. By providing buoyancy if you purposely jump into the water to save...
7 months ago • 3 min read
“Any rejections to celebrate, this month?” I was at my first ever in-real-life writers’ group, and the organizer started the meeting by handing a microphone around the room, and asking people to celebrate what they’d achieved in their writing life, since they last met. Celebrate rejections? What kind of group is this?!, I thought, sure I was in the wrong place. It was the one of many ways I’ve had my expectations upended, on this writing journey. The longer I’ve stayed in the writing...
7 months ago • 1 min read
I’ve been neglecting you. Last year you told me you’d like to receive something writing-related from me on a Friday, for reading and acting-on, during the weekend. And I did nothing with that information. Until now. So I’m committing to sending you a little 'something for the weekend' on Fridays, this year. Let’s get started. First, a letter from me, then some writing prompts. Onward: Elephant In The Room Writers tend to be a pretty progressive lot. Our self-imposed job is to think about why...
7 months ago • 2 min read
As I'm planning my StoryADay calendar, I'd like to know how I can best support YOUR writing journey in 2025. What do you want in your inbox, from StoryADay in 2025 Writing prompts Writing craft articles Short Story Reviews Writing Life inspiration Live/recorded workshop More Challenge! Thanks for playing along. Keep writing, Julie P. S. Have you joined in the 5-Day Mini-Challenge to get you set for the New Year? If not, you can catch up here.
8 months ago • 1 min read
At some point, you signed up to hear from me: maybe for writing prompts (like these), maybe for inspiration and recommendations (like this), or maybe for something else entirely. As I hatch plans for the coming year, I'd love to know how I can help you, best? What do you need more of? What could you take less of? How can I help you pursue your dreams? I'd love it if you'd fill out this 2-question survey (People often find that answering the questions helps them clarify where they need to...
9 months ago • 1 min read
Phew. After Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday, I hope you took a well-deserved break from your inbox, and maybe read something or wrote something nice. I just wanted to give you a heads up that the StoryADay Podcast is back in production after a small break, and tomorrow morning you can find an episode that talks about planning your year end review and goal-setting for 2025. Here's the podcast homepage Keep writing, Julie P. S. On Monday I'm hosting a planning workshop for the...
9 months ago • 1 min read
You know that moment in the story when the hero has lost everything, and the odds seem stacked against them, and all seems lost? Imagine if that was the end of the story….what a terrible way to live! But in the stories we love, the hero looks at herself in the mirror and says ‘what am I doing?’. Someone says one word, and suddenly she sees all the clues in a new light and finds the final piece of the puzzle. Or he realizes, for the first time, the strength has been inside him all along. Or...
9 months ago • 2 min read