JANUARY - what's your word for the new year, {{contact.first_name}}?
Dec 29, 2022 8:33 pm
"Life's not about expecting, hoping and wishing, it's about doing, being and becoming."- Mike Dooley
Hello ,
There’s something magical about a new year. What it is about a new calendar makes us feel that all things could be possible is a mystery. The truth is that every single day gives us a chance to head our lives into a new direction. What’s required is a decision to act, to take steps toward what we want to accomplish. And of course, to remember to have fun along the way.
We’ve said for a long time that writing is a journey. There’s no finish line in a creative life—but we can promise you it’s going to be a heck of an adventure. We hope that TCA is going to be your road trip buddy this coming year.
We’re excited for 2023 and already have a lot of exciting things planned. Be sure to check out the events page to see what’s listed. A reminder that Eileen Cook and Liza Palmer will be teaching a course coming up at the end of the month. Details and the link to register are below.
Highlights from December
Catch the replays!
12-week year virtual retreat with Crystal
Complex PTSD workshop with Judy Derksen
How to handle author biz end of year with Crystal
Orientation of new features in the community space with Crystal
How to get the feedback you want and need with Eileen
Traditions and your character with Eileen
Chat with bestselling author Liza Palmer with Eileen
Coming up in January
Book marketing on social media with guest Shelby Leigh (Sat, Jan 14)
Wondering how book marketing works on social marketing? Trying to figure out how to use Instagram or TikTok to find readers and build your writer brand? Shelby is here to help! She'll be giving us some tips and suggestions and taking your questions.
Reigniting Your Creative Spark with Eileen Cook and Liza Palmer (Sat, Jan 28 & Sat, Feb 4)
For so many of us, creativity felt like home.
It was not only where we found ourselves, but the playground where we let our hopes and dreams run wild. Creativity became the warm, crackling fire in the hearth that sustained us during life’s ups and downs.
But, what happens when it feels like the fire has gone out?
This gentle, but impactful workshop creates a map back home. A way to release the guilt, and embrace the joy of creativity.
Reading as a writer book club with Elissa McColl (Thu, Jan 26)
This month we're discussing Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
HER PERFECT LIFE IS A PERFECT LIE.
As a teenager at the prestigious Bradley School, Ani FaNelli endured a shocking, public humiliation that left her desperate to reinvent herself. Now, with a glamorous job, expensive wardrobe, and handsome blue blood fiancé, she’s this close to living the perfect life she’s worked so hard to achieve.
But Ani has a secret.
There’s something else buried in her past that still haunts her, something private and painful that threatens to bubble to the surface and destroy everything.
With a singular voice and twists you won’t see coming, Luckiest Girl Alive explores the unbearable pressure that so many women feel to “have it all” and introduces a heroine whose sharp edges and cutthroat ambition have been protecting a scandalous truth, and a heart that's bigger than it first appears.
The question remains: will breaking her silence destroy all that she has worked for—or, will it at long last, set Ani free?
We meet on Zoom to discuss the book from a writer's perspective.
- What worked in this book?
- What didn't work?
- What did we learn about the craft from reading this book?
- What could have been improved?
Everyone is welcome to join in the discussion, even if you haven't read the book, but it's more fun if you've read the book!
These sessions are never recorded, so that we have more freedom to discuss honest thoughts about published work.
Crafty Critique Club (Jan 3 to 9)
Here’s your chance to get feedback on a focused area of your story. Members submit a couple of pages for feedback and give feedback to others in the Crafty Critique Club.
January's workshop topic is queries and synopses. There's one spot left as of sending this email. You need to be available to engage and provide feedback between January 3rd and 9th.
If you're not a member of The Crafty Critique Club (it's hidden to protect people's words), direct message Lynette Van Steinburg, Jenny Graham Lang or Bonnie Jacoby for access.
Your drop-in Q&A (with Steph Candiago)
Tue 3—Drop-in Q&A publishing tools & tech
Mon 9—Drop-in Q&A indie publishing
Tue 17—Drop-in Q&A publishing tools & tech
Mon 23—Drop-in Q&A for indie publishing
Tue 31—Drop-in Q&A publishing tools & tech
Your author biz (with Crystal Hunt)
Wed 11— A discussion about genre: what are you really writing?
Wed 25—Just One Thing: Trying new things
Your story craft (with Eileen Cook)
Wed 4—Happy Hour: Openings (Crafty Critique Club topic this month)
Wed 11—Happy Hour: Characters and their surroundings
Wed 18—Happy Hour: Characters and their surroundings in action with Tracey Thillmann
Wed 25—Happy Hour: Adverse childhood events in action for fiction
Your hot seat (with member facilitators)
Tue 3—Motivation & Accountability Mastermind (facilitated by Janee)
Thu 8—Motivation & Accountability Mastermind (facilitated by Bonnie J)
Tue 10—Motivation & Accountability Mastermind (facilitated by Janee)
Thu 15—Motivation & Accountability Mastermind (facilitated by Jenny)
Tue 17—Motivation & Accountability Mastermind (facilitated by Janee)
Thu 22—Motivation & Accountability Mastermind (facilitated by Bonnie J)
Tue 24—Motivation & Accountability Mastermind (facilitated by Janee)
Thu 29—Motivation & Accountability Mastermind (facilitated by Jacqui)
Tue 31—Motivation & Accountability Mastermind (facilitated by Janee)
Genre meet-ups & open mics
If you're new around these parts and haven't found all your genre peers yet, find your people by joining the communities that match your interests!
See all the communities you can join right here:
And then meet up with them at these events.
Wed 4—Children's & Middle Grade Writers Hangout (with Janee)
Wed 11—Children's & Middle Grade Writers Hangout (with Janee)
Wed 18—Children's & Middle Grade Writers Hangout (with Janee)
Wed 25—Children's & Middle Grade Writers Hangout (with Janee)
Sun 8—Memoir Community Meet Up & Open Mic (with Vig)
Sun 22—Memoir Community Meet Up & Open Mic (with Vig)
Sat 14—Mystery authors Meet Up (with Eileen)
Sat 21—Romance Writers Rendezvous (with Crystal)
Tue 24—Historical Fiction Meet Up (with Jenny)
NEW!! Sat 28—Bloggers Unite Meet Up (with Crystal)
Writing sprints
The writing room is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are several times every day when you can be pretty sure to find at least one other person in the room to keep you company. No matter where you are in the world, we’ve got you covered!
We'd love to see you in one of our events this coming month.
Happy writing,
Stephanie, Eileen, Crystal and all our fabulous member hosts and facilitators
