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Greetings, Writers!
Comic by Gemma Correll
This week from the CALS Writing Circle: writing during naptime, oodles of January publishing opportunities, everyday wellness for us everyday creatives, how to write when you don't want to, and why prologues get a bad rap. Also, writing with chronic pain, how to talk to people about your writing, and adding unpredictability to your story.

You'll find an extraordinary poem and reminders and links to our programs, too. 

Do you have good news you'd like to share? Did you publish, get an agent or contract, or other writerly accomplishment? Send me the details and I'll put it in the newsletter!

Deb
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Why I Don't Write During Naptime
"Whenever someone asks me for my go-to, tried and true writing advice, a lump will often form in the back of my throat. I know what they’re looking for. Little nuggets of wisdom such as you must join a writing group (meh), write every day (not really), read as much as you can (true), explore books outside your preferred genres (very true), don’t be afraid to scrap the whole thing and start fresh (very true but also very hard). The thing is, none of those things are possible for me without One Big Thing. And while I am happy to chat about the nuances of MFAs, em dashes, writing workshops, or facing one’s desk east or west, I can’t do any of that without childcare." Kate Baer on writing during naptime.  
January Publishing Opportunities
Featuring over eighty curated calls for submission and competitions. No fees to submit or apply. Paying opportunities only. Nothing that's limited to residents of a single city/state/province. The Practicing Writer 2.0: January 2023
Everyday Wellness for Everyday Creatives
How to Write When You Don’t Want To: An Uncommon Approach
"It’s early. The apartment is quiet. My calendar’s clear and my phone’s on Do Not Disturb. I’ve got all the time in the world to write… but I don’t want to."
Why Prologues Get a Bad Rap
"The advice in the writerly ether concerning prologues is vast and … well, not varied. Most of it revolves around telling authors simply, “Don’t.” Yet riffle through a handful of books on the shelf at any bookstore and you’re likely to see at least a few prologues—many of them in bestselling books and classics. So what gives? Is there a cabal of rogue prologuers defying the injunction? A secret password certain authors get that allows them to break this inviolate commandment? Are prologues okay or aren’t they?"
Writing with Chronic Pain
"One quick perusal of the sad garage sale that is Writer Twitter and you’ll inevitably come across a bio or pinned tweet where the writing advice is some form of “just do the damn thing!” Besides being dumb, that advice also lacks a lot of nuance, especially if you’re a writer with chronic pain."
How to Talk about Your Writing (So People Want to Read It)
"For anyone who hasn’t read it, which will be most people, you are the gateway to your writing. Being able to talk about it effectively can be the difference between an open door that invites your listener in, and a dead end or black hole that they avoid."
How To Add Unpredictability To Your Story
"When you think of a compelling read, the fact you couldn’t see any of the twists and turns happening is probably one reason why you couldn’t put the book down. Unpredictability in a story is such a fun feature to come across as a reader, and something any writer will benefit from in their own work, so here’s how you can!"
I Went Out to Hear
Leila Chatti

The sound of quiet. The sky 
indigo, steeping 
deeper from the top, like tea.
In the absence
of anything else, my own
breathing became obscene.
I heard the beating
of bats’ wings before 
the air troubled above 
my head, turned to look
and saw them gone.
On the surface of the black
lake, a swan and the moon
stayed perfectly 
still. I knew this was
a perfect moment.
Which would only hurt me
to remember and never
live again. My God. How lucky to have lived
a life I would die for.

“While at Annaghmakerrig, an artist’s residency in Ireland, a novelist I had become friends with encouraged me to stop working like ‘an American’ and leave my room sometimes. One night, he came and told me there were bats out by the lake which I should go and see immediately. As dusk was coming down, I was struck by the enormity of the silence, a quiet I have never since heard. The moment was lovely and so easily missed, like most miracles. Beauty everywhere, and it’s so brief, so absolute, it fills me with a tenderness that is, at times, unbearable—this miracle of living for a little while to see it.”
Coming to America Book Club
Join us for this cozy, virtual book club centered on the stories and experience of immigration to America. We meet via Zoom at noon on the last Wednesday of each month. You can read more about our upcoming meeting here. Contact rasmith@cals.org. Register

Free Upcoming Writing Classes at CALS

CALS Writing Circle: Journaling for Grief and Healing at Rooker Branch
Saturday, January 7

2-3:30 pm 

Grief journaling is a way of allowing ourselves the space for genuine healing to take place, whether we’re ready and willing to express ourselves to others or not, and is a recognized tool in the processing of grief. In fact, journaling is one method of helping people cope with any type of traumatic event. Join us and learn how to create and keep a grief and healing journal, including step-by-step instructions and prompts. To register, contact dmoore@cals.org or sturner@cals.org.

CALS Writing Circle: How to Write Memoir
Virtual
Tuesday, January 10, 17, 24

10-11:30 pm 

You don’t have to be famous for other people to want to hear your story! Many of our most beloved memoirs feature ordinary people–just like you and me! Join us virtually from wherever you are for this 4-part class as we learn how to write memoir other people will want to read, how to know what to write about, and more! Contact dmoore@cals.Register

CALS Writing Circle: Writer’s Lunch Generative Writing Studio
Virtual
Tuesday, Jan 10, 17, 24, 31
Wednesday, Jan 11,18, 25
Thursday, Jan 12, 19, 26

12-1:30 pm 

Having trouble finding the time to write? There's a lot going on; it's hard to manage a whole day of uninterrupted writing. Join us from anywhere on your lunch hour for some dedicated writing time. BYO work-in-progress or use the prompt provided. Come and go. Contact dmoore@cals.org. Now more days!  Register.

CALS Writing Circle: Memoir Writing for Seniors
Virtual
Wednesday, Jan 11,18, 25

10-11:30 am 

This ongoing class meets once each week and takes attendees aged 55+ through the steps of writing their own life stories. Students are given tools and techniques to help learn to write regularly and productively. Everyone is welcome; no writing experience is required. Contact dmoore@cals.org. Register

CALS Writing Circle: Writing all Year Workshop Group
Virtual
Saturday, Jan 14, 28

12-2:00 pm 

Are you looking for a writing workshop group? Led by J. Jobe, Writing All Year is a place to share your work-in-progress with other writers. We meet twice a month to give and receive encouragement, insight, and feedback in a safe and respectful environment. Our objective: to improve the work with kindness and compassion. If this sounds like something you’ve been looking for, please join us. Free. All experience levels are welcome. Contact jjobe@cals.org. Register.

CALS Writing Circle: Bullet Journaling for Writers at Nixon Branch
Saturday, Jan 21
2-3:30 pm 

Bullet journaling is a hugely popular method of organizing, documenting, and reflecting on your day-to-day life. It’s a customizable combination of journal, diary, notebook, to-do list, and more! Bullet journals are used by all manner of people, but they can be especially useful for writers. Join us to learn how to set up your bullet journal to use for writing goals, plans, and tasks, submission tracking, self-care, and more. To register, contact dmoore@cals.org or omitchel@cals.org.

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