Hi all, I've recorded some original audio for this post and the subsequent Essay Camp days, with a little digression and commentary. I appreciate that you're all allowing me to rely on the material from previous sessions to a certain degree—otherwise it wouldn't be possible this month. So thank you, and thank you for joining or reading (and listening!) along xo
Summer, thought you'd be interested in knowing this.
When you discussed a September Essay Camp, I had set aside the time on my calendar. Even though it was bad timing for you, and it had to be delayed, I decided to have my own writer retreat. I went to my corner of the bedroom, where I'd set up a little roll-away table, and gathered some materials. Some of your previous prompts helped to get myself going on a project I'd promised myself for literally years to "get around to". (Ha ha.) But then, using the Five Things prompt, something happened, and I actually *did* start working on it that week, and have been keeping at it ever since then. Yes, life intervenes (family; illness, etc.) but I'm still at it. All because of your inspiration and support. And I'll be there next week, in my little corner, with my laptop and research materials, along with all of the Essay Camp participants. I don't know if I can thank you enough for Essay Camp. Count this as my first draft.
Mary! 😭❤️ I'm so glad that you went ahead and did it, and sorry that I wasn't able to lead it then. This is really such a wonderful and encouraging thing to hear. xo
this is funny, because i just returned my desk. my inlaws bought me this gorgeous desk but the holes were drilled incorrectly and it could not be properly assembled. i am getting another desk, but not immediately, so i am definitely writing in bed, on the floor, or at the kitchen table in the meantime. super excited for essay camp <3
Thank you so much for these guiding prompts! It’s my first time joining along and I’m using this weekend to get organised. Looking forward to being part of a community and even knowing other people (all across the world) are doing this brings a smile to my face.
Congratulations!! That is huge. And it's always nice to remind ourselves that our own writing exists outside of specific big projects. But really, huge congrats on finishing your novel!
So looking forward to this, Summer. Thank you for setting it up. I’m having trouble finding the feed on Bluesky though. I’ve tried all the versions of Essay Camp I can think of.
I think it does not exist yet, alas! Someone said they would try to make one, and I have to look into how that is going. I guess it is going...not great yet! Hopefully we can do it!
So wish I could join, made a promise to submerge myself wholly and completely in a new writing project beginning November. Got my snorkel and my flippers! Saisir le jour! x
Thanks for doing this summer. Love the Baldwin quote and the reminder of what you need and what you don’t. I also hope to share this with my creative writing students when we meet next Wednesday.
Hi all, I've recorded some original audio for this post and the subsequent Essay Camp days, with a little digression and commentary. I appreciate that you're all allowing me to rely on the material from previous sessions to a certain degree—otherwise it wouldn't be possible this month. So thank you, and thank you for joining or reading (and listening!) along xo
Summer, thought you'd be interested in knowing this.
When you discussed a September Essay Camp, I had set aside the time on my calendar. Even though it was bad timing for you, and it had to be delayed, I decided to have my own writer retreat. I went to my corner of the bedroom, where I'd set up a little roll-away table, and gathered some materials. Some of your previous prompts helped to get myself going on a project I'd promised myself for literally years to "get around to". (Ha ha.) But then, using the Five Things prompt, something happened, and I actually *did* start working on it that week, and have been keeping at it ever since then. Yes, life intervenes (family; illness, etc.) but I'm still at it. All because of your inspiration and support. And I'll be there next week, in my little corner, with my laptop and research materials, along with all of the Essay Camp participants. I don't know if I can thank you enough for Essay Camp. Count this as my first draft.
Mary! 😭❤️ I'm so glad that you went ahead and did it, and sorry that I wasn't able to lead it then. This is really such a wonderful and encouraging thing to hear. xo
I love this! 👏👏👏
this is funny, because i just returned my desk. my inlaws bought me this gorgeous desk but the holes were drilled incorrectly and it could not be properly assembled. i am getting another desk, but not immediately, so i am definitely writing in bed, on the floor, or at the kitchen table in the meantime. super excited for essay camp <3
Thank you so much for these guiding prompts! It’s my first time joining along and I’m using this weekend to get organised. Looking forward to being part of a community and even knowing other people (all across the world) are doing this brings a smile to my face.
Glad to have you!
So excited for this, thank you.
Looking forward to this. I'll have just sent my novel to an editor and need a distraction 😂
Congratulations!! That is huge. And it's always nice to remind ourselves that our own writing exists outside of specific big projects. But really, huge congrats on finishing your novel!
Aw thanks so much 💕
I’m moving the furniture around in my head getting ready for this 😉 I am excited 😊
I’ve been feeling a pull to write and this gives me the push I need to start. Thanks so much.
That's great Yvette! Welcome!
I’m looking forward to it!!
🎉✍️
I'm excited to dive in!
🙌
I so enjoy and appreciate your writing, even in the directions for Essay Camp.
This means so much to me, thank you.
So looking forward to this, Summer. Thank you for setting it up. I’m having trouble finding the feed on Bluesky though. I’ve tried all the versions of Essay Camp I can think of.
I think it does not exist yet, alas! Someone said they would try to make one, and I have to look into how that is going. I guess it is going...not great yet! Hopefully we can do it!
Thanks, Summer. I'm still trying to figure out Bluesky as well! Will keep my eyes open and if it happens, great. If not, we'll all survive.
So wish I could join, made a promise to submerge myself wholly and completely in a new writing project beginning November. Got my snorkel and my flippers! Saisir le jour! x
Thanks for doing this summer. Love the Baldwin quote and the reminder of what you need and what you don’t. I also hope to share this with my creative writing students when we meet next Wednesday.
Oh that is great, thank you!
Excited for this! And love hearing your voice--reminds me of a Bennington mini-seminar--so am nostalgic :)
Oh I love that! You know I am a Bennington girl <3
Excited for this one Summer! ✨