Hi ,

“When people went on vacation, they shed their home skins, thought they could be a new person.” – Aimee Friedman

We hope you’ve had a chance to relax and enjoy the summer. We’ve been watching the forums seeing some of you jet off to exotic locations, and others enjoying a good staycation. This is your reminder that time off is important. Taking time for new experiences all fill the creative well. 

This is your encouragement to change something up in your routine. Try writing in a different place, go out to a restaurant you haven’t tried before, give a new hobby/activity a try, plan a pot luck with friends, visit a museum, or watch a foreign film! What things would your character enjoy? Perhaps give one of those a whirl. Try on a new person persona and see how the world might look different. 

It may be the hazy, lazy days of summer, but we still have some things planned to keep you busy. 

Workshop Wednesdays - 10am PST

August 6: Mind Mapping with Jacqui. If you find yourself feeling stuck or want to explore possibilities, come harness the community hive mind. Jacqui will lead brainstorming from everything from plot challenges to character details. 

August 13: Craft Topic: Breaking the Rules with Eileen. People talk about the “rules” of writing (never open a book with a character waking up, or describe themselves by looking in a mirror.)  What are the rules and how do you break them when it makes sense for your story? 

August 20: Breaking the Rules- Deep Craft Dive with Jenny. Want to chance to put that craft discussion in practice? Understand how it might work with your manuscript? Now’s your chance!  

August 27: Blue Pencil with Bonnie. Here’s your chance to get up to 750 of your manuscript words, synopsis or query letter looked at by the community and share feedback with your fellow writers.

Events:

GENRE MEET-UPS/ ACCOUNTABILITY GROUPS: Be sure to check the events schedule for the regular genre meet-ups and weekly accountability groups. Be sure to join those communities (they’re all listed down the left side of the main page) so that  you know when events are coming up. Even with vacations and patio times we’ve got plenty to keep you busy.

Speaking of trying something new...

As some of you may know, Eileen is a regular presenter at the Surrey International Writers' Conference and Stephanie is the Volunteer Coordinator. The conference is happening October 24-26th, 2025. Stephanie is always looking for more volunteers – for both the in person conference and the online conference. Volunteering is a great way to meet new writer friends and test out if you'd like to attend the conference in an upcoming year.

Sign up to volunteer for the Surrey International Writers' Conference by August 4th by clicking this link:

https://forms.gle/2iFhuSxnZwV2BtsG8

And bonus volunteer opportunity, Stephanie is the new Volunteer Coordinator for Word Vancouver, happening at UBC Robson Square in downtown Vancouver on September 20, 2025.

Sign up to volunteer for Word Vancouver by August 15th by clicking this link:

https://forms.gle/btz8tR8GTkYeKLaG6

Feel free to pass those links along to anyone who may be interested in volunteering, especially students who may be looking for volunteer hours!

Remember your sunscreen and be sure to try and new ice cream flavour this month! 

xo

Eileen and Stephanie