Are You Joining the Secret Sabbatical Society?
AKA Start Small!
This summer my son will be home with me, and the majority of my time and attention will be spent caring for him. I’m going to take a break from Instagram and Substack, and I won’t be taking on new clients. (Current clients, don’t worry. I love you. I’ll make time for you!) Taking Instagram and Substack off my list will free up a lot of time. Having less deadlines will help me focus on caring for my son, and I know the client work will flow when I’m back at my desk in the fall. This is a chance to trust the way my life is unfolding and let the universe work on my behalf, while I’m busy doing other things.
I could try to juggle it all, but I think that would make my whole family miserable. Instead I’m trying to look at this forced break as a secret sabbatical.
Working on my personal projects will help me…
⭐️Feel like me!
⭐️Give me something that’s all mine
⭐️Escape
⭐️Have a sense of accomplishment
⭐️Set myself up for success in the fall
⭐️Adapt to the schedule I’ve been given, even if it’s not the schedule I envisioned
At the end of the summer, I’ll have a manuscript ready to send to my agent.
I’ve been doing this so long now that my brain knows just what to do when there’s a moment to daydream. I’ll put it all in my notes app or in my reminders. Then when I get a longer stretch, I’ll start working it into the manuscript. It’s not going to look exciting. It might not always feel magical. But I know how to make real progress by working in pockets of time.
Want to join me? 💛
Start Small will help you focus on your writing this summer, whether you’re dreaming about writing a picture book, long to write a novel, or have a NF idea you’ve been thinking about. 🙌
You’ll get a workbook with super practical MINI ASSIGNMENTS that will help you take action and get words on the page.👏👏👏
You’ll also get access to our private voxer room, so you can meet other writers and cheer each other on. I’m so excited about the writers who have already signed up! They’re wildly creative and warm, encouraging people who can offer top-notch pep talks. There are memoir writers, picture books writers, middle-grade authors, and more. Some are moms. Some are not. All are welcome! 👯♀️
And all summer long I’ll personally be checking in to see if you are MAKING PROGRESS! I won’t be reading any manuscript pages, but I will be answering questions and cheering you on. 👩💻
You can ask me anything and get real-time feedback, which is 🔥🔥🔥 for my coaching clients.
Doors close TOMORROW!
Ready to join the Secret Sabbatical Society (aka Start Small)?
If you enjoyed this post, please forward it to your favorite creative mothers. And if you’re a writer on Substack, consider recommending Nebula Notebook, so your readers can join this warm community too.
PS—The fastest way to grow as a writer is to book a manuscript critique or a creative coaching session with an expert.
My clients get agents, sell books, and win awards. They also learn how to find ease and joy in the creative process, so they can keep going when life gets hard.
