Just in case you needed to hear it, you are. After another quite stressful freelance summer (a running theme it seems), coupled with general life hiccups, I’m finally feeling more secure in my work for the rest of the year and hopefully beyond. The strain that waiting and being worried about finances put on me has been pretty huge. And as usual, it’s my writing that’s suffered. As soon as the uncertainty passes, I feel like I can make space for my stories again, keeping them in the front of my mind so they develop as I go through my day. Here’s hoping I can settle back into a routine and make some progress. But I’m being kind to myself as I go. Making plans, setting goals and keeping everything in perspective. Because life is always throwing things at all of us and we need space to deal with that too.
A promise I have made to myself is to prioritise my own writing practice. To do this, I’m checking which projects I want to keep, which freelance jobs I could maybe let go and all with an eye on rest and living life. One thing I still love are my writing chats and helping others, so I want to make this one of my main focuses aside from my main job.
So my mentoring sessions will keep going, and at a reduced price of £25. These chats are called ‘Your Writing Life’, and are a chance to discuss your goals and intentions and to make a plan to move forward. Through September, these can take place on Mondays between 10am-7pm. To book, pop over to my website here.
I’ve so enjoyed the sessions I’ve had over the summer. And there are certain things that crop up again and again. Mainly funding, finance and writers feeling like the work they do isn’t valued. Community, and a lack of people to share problems and ideas with. And confidence, in accessing an industry that feels like it wants us to fail. I can’t fix these things, but I hope I can help you find a way towards a kinder, more sustainable practice that works for you. And keeps the spark for writing burning.
I’m off to have a doughnut and watch a very silly film with my feet up (the dreaded dodgy ankle has given way again!).
Happy writing and hope to write with you soon!
Sarah x