What Happens to Your Writing Practice During Catastrophe?

in this issue…

small essay on times when writing gets set aside

invitation to an Open Mic

update on DNA anthology

4 days to register for flash essay workshop

do you live near Beloit?

e-sale continues

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What Happens to Your Writing Practice During Catastrophe?

I have a secret. It’s that I don’t actually practice one thing that I expound.

If I preach anything to writers with whom I’m lucky to work, it’s to set up a writing practice and write regularly—

• daily if possible

• at the same time every day if possible.

One of my great struggles as a writer has been exactly this, setting up a practice and sticking to it, no matter what. I’ve never been able to say something on the order of, “I write from 5:30 to 7:30 every morning,” although a part of me wants that.

One of my excuses is that writing has been and is my profession. It’s how I live my life, how I support myself and my family. Even if I am not sitting at my desk every day at the same time, in my chair when the spirits peek around the door jamb, I’m in my chair hours a day. Sometimes, when on a deadline or when a project is hot in my heart, I work 16 hours a day.

Secondly, I’m showing up for my journal daily, and even if it’s me processing a messy life, I tell myself that it’s writing.

This Subject Matters

I’ve written about this a bit.

In the post “Why & How to Create a Writing Habit” I report on tips I found in James Clear’s book Atomic Habits.

Another of my favorite books on the topic is Seth Godin’s The Practice: Shipping Creative Work.

A year ago I wrote a post called “How to Find Time to Write.”

Chaos and Catastrophe

I knew when 2024 began that it would be a year of upheaval. I had already glimpsed topsails of change on the horizon.

What I wasn’t expecting were changes I didn’t see coming, like multiple hurricanes and days-long rainstorms that left my home without power, and a newborn who needed to come live with me.

And you know what?

I did not write every day.

Last Week

For many of us the election was a catastrophe. The results threw us into disarray. Routine and schedule were impossible, given the heartbreak.

Generation Breaks

I think there are plenty of times in our lives when we simply cannot keep up the daily practice.

Most of the time we do what we can.

• So, do what you can.

• Keep trying to clear space for the work, for greatness.

• Keep trying to give this vision a portion of every day.

• Think about living a life in service to something bigger than this short life. Think about how to move society along. Think about your purpose.

• Think about leaving a legacy, even a body of work.

Some People

I will report that my partner Raven Waters, painter, did actually paint every day during the hurricane and its aftermath. He painted every single day.

His trick is that sometimes he isn’t working on a 6-foot masterpiece. Sometimes he’s splashing watercolor on a sidewalk scene he quickly sketched the evening before.

But every day he paints.

Still My Goal

Perhaps one day I’ll be there. Every day I’ll at least open a working document and add a sentence, maybe a page, maybe even 20 pages.

Now

The hurricane is fading into memory. My partner and I have adjusted to a baby, and we’re switching her between us every three hours. We spend every other night on duty.

And I’m back in the saddle, writing.

My Zoom background is a tonalist landscape by Raven Waters.

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You Are Invited to an Open Mic

Writers from my Magical Craft course invite you to attend an online Open Mic that will showcase short pieces of their powerful writing.

These are always uplifting, inspiring events, and we hope you join us.

The Open Mic will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19 beginning at 7 pm, live via Zoom. The link is below, and I’ll post it again next week in Rhizosphere.

I hope you tune in to listen, hear what others are thinking about, and return to your own work more inspired.

Rhizosphere is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: STORY ONLINE OPEN MIC

Time: Nov 19, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84693436738?pwd=5rcvj42cRAHPOeEhfJgSs911HwTdOQ.1

Meeting ID: 846 9343 6738

Passcode: 759375

Update on DNA Anthology—I’ll Still Take Your Story

I have received 20 submissions for an anthology about shocking DNA results and how people and families dealt with them. I have not had a chance to read or begin editing any of these 20 essays, but I have scanned enough to know that you’ve sent me some powerful stories.

If you need more time to get a DNA story finished, please let me know. I’m still deep into construction work on this volume. In fact, I don’t know if I even have enough pieces for an entire volume. As soon as I get to reading and editing, I will know more.

Therefore, please feel free to keep working although the deadline has passed.

I’d be delighted to receive an essay from you, even if we are past the deadline.

“Master the Flash” Short Workshop

Want to Try the Micro | Flash | Short | Tiny | Brief?

Nov. 17, 2024

12-3 p.m. Eastern US/Canada Time

$55

You have 4 days to register for the flash nonfiction workshop that’s set for Sunday, Nov. 17 from 12-3 pm Eastern US/Canada Time. CNF includes memoir and essay.

Tuition is $55.

Flash is a potent and highly publishable form that you’ll fall in love with, if you haven’t already. I highly recommend getting good at this form.

Registration is at my website, here.

Magical Craft Course Starts Jan. 2025

I’ve set dates for my course called Magical Craft of Creative Nonfiction to start Jan. 14, 2025 and run every Tuesday evening 7-9 Eastern US/Canada Time for 8 weeks.

If you want to commit to a longer container for practicing your craft, you can register here. There is no application process, only your desire to move forward.

Offer to Do Speaking Engagements Free Within 4 Hours of Beloit, Wisconsin Jan. 20 to March 10, 2025

I’m proud to be the Mackey Chair at Beloit College in early winter, from Jan. 20-March 10, 2025. During that time I would be honored to do readings or workshops in the region. For example, Cyn Kitchen has set one up at Knox College in Galesburg for Feb. 21.

If you are in a 4-hour radius of Beloit, Wisconsin and you’d like to have me read in your series or even at a house party, hit me up. There’s a big chance I’ll do it! Or suggest a venue and I’ll propose a reading.

Craft & Current Is a Different Kind of Writing Manual

Copies of Craft & Current are still sailing out my door and into yours. The e-book is a hot item right now because it’s on sale. A copy is $4.99. If an e-book will be useful to you, this is a great time to get yours. Order direct from me, here.

See above. One is scheduled for early 25, and I’d love to have you.