My memoir is newly out in paperback if you are interested in more stories about becoming a writer. Or order any of my novels via your local independent bookstore. Hi friends. I’ve been thinking a lot about being in the middle of my life lately. I turn 52 later this year, so I’m in it, baby, I’m in the center. I think technically I might be late career when it comes to my writing, although I truly think I’ve only written half the books I’ll write yet in my life. (I picked twenty as a goal arbitrarily but sure why not? That’s a fine number to shoot for.)
Just so grateful for your writing and work, and your willingness to share with us. Last year's #1000wordsofsummer was one of the first times I focused on carving out daily time to write just for me -- not to be of service or for something greater, but for my own devotion to writing as a person again. It was a gift. This year, I hope to use it to shape and work on a new book project; regardless, knowing others are sitting down and getting to the page is a gift. I cannot wait for the book; thank you thank you.
Thank you Jami! The possibilities you create in that #1000 word container are fantastic. I found out about it last year from one of my virtual office water cooler pals, and I tend to think of this as a bigger water fountain, where I go to help slake the thirst for imagined company that soloworking carries.
This year I'll be somewhere in the midst of writing my book about bread. So glad the community you've nurtured will be in a book in January!
I’m thinking maybe I’ll try yet another novel, but in a different way. A different spirit. A novel that exists free of all the pressure I put on myself to accomplish or impress. As someone creeping up very close on that big 50 mark, I’m feeling that same sort of anxiety. What have I done? What do I have left to do? So writing a novel FOR ME might be one way through those feelings. At least, I hope.
Jami, thank you once again for the generosity with which you offer #1000words of summer. In the past, those days have been a great opportunity for me to generate early draft pages. This summer, I think my goal is different: I am likely to be focusing on revising. I'm eager to see how the structure of #1000words works when I'm in that mode!
If all goes well we'll be getting a new puppy in June. So I think my #1000words (if I have time to get them in!) will be all about puppy growing and changing, and how that overlaps and intersects with both our lives and that of our current dog. All notes for a book to come on dogs and mountains.
Thanks for this piece, Jami. Congratulations on the paperback release!
As Bevy Smith says, #itgetsgreaterlater!
I finished a novel late last year and have been working on trying to find it a home. I'm also at work at the beginning of 2 other novels. Starting is the most fun when you have no idea where the characters will take you. Sometimes I forget that part in the middle of editing.
#1000wordsofsummer is such a great project for northern European summers since our days are so gloriously long for a few months. Looking forward to trying it this year!
I'm in-progress on a novel and will definitely be using that time to work on it. Look forward to the community aspect of 1000 words—it really helps to not feel alone in it!
Mar 16, 2023·edited Mar 16, 2023Liked by Jami Attenberg
OMG, your fantastic post really hit me on several levels. I'm also finding myself in that (sometimes dreaded) midlife spot. I don't hate it as I believe that any age brings advantages and disadvantages. But I have my moments when I think about all the things I wanted to accomplish by now (and didn't), and all the mistakes I made regarding my writing career. Lately, I think a lot about how many books I write in a certain time. I'm pushing myself more than I used to. 💗 Your #1000wordsofsummer always appear at the right moment. This year on my birthday... this might be a sign of some kind.😊 And thank you, THANK YOU for enriching my writing life. ~ 💗💗
And here you come again, Jami, right on time--write on time?--with the exact right question. I finished the third draft of the novel I started a couple of years ago, w/the help of #1000 words, & I'm starting to query. That means, at least for now, it's in a finished/put it down/leave it alone space. & I just realized, yesterday, that I don't have a plan for what comes next. Something must, though. So thanks for the prompt to think about what comes next in such an open-ended way. I'll be busy making space for whatever comes.
I’m new to this space. I’m glad I found it. Jami, loved that photo and how it feels like love. I’m working on a memoir about our experience fostering and how love and loss live side by side - and my gratitude for our experience even if it didn’t go quite liked I thought it would (I think that’s sort of what I’m doing. I’m also kind of processing grief so not 100 percent sure.)
I’m about 40,000 words in and not all those words are good so something like this could probably give me a boost to the finish line- I also am a teacher so a summer writing challenge is perfect. Thank you!
Love this post! I also love marking off those dates in my calendar. Normally I use this two weeks to make headway on whatever I'm in, and that's a good strategy. But my favorite is writing new material. So I'll be doing that! Something sparkly and new, probably new scenes in another draft of my current book, which I hope to finish by the end of May. But more than anything, I want to have fun these two weeks, leaning in, playing, and writing new things that send the work forward, but with 30K people instead of forward, alone. There's some brilliance, and much-needed ease in that. Thank you, Jami!
I am brand new to the 1000 word project and the timing couldn't be more perfect! I have threads started on a project that has changed forms as many times in three years. June 17 will be my focus to commit to the best of those threads and be off and running. Thank you for this supportive community!
Just so grateful for your writing and work, and your willingness to share with us. Last year's #1000wordsofsummer was one of the first times I focused on carving out daily time to write just for me -- not to be of service or for something greater, but for my own devotion to writing as a person again. It was a gift. This year, I hope to use it to shape and work on a new book project; regardless, knowing others are sitting down and getting to the page is a gift. I cannot wait for the book; thank you thank you.
Thank you Jami! The possibilities you create in that #1000 word container are fantastic. I found out about it last year from one of my virtual office water cooler pals, and I tend to think of this as a bigger water fountain, where I go to help slake the thirst for imagined company that soloworking carries.
This year I'll be somewhere in the midst of writing my book about bread. So glad the community you've nurtured will be in a book in January!
I’m thinking maybe I’ll try yet another novel, but in a different way. A different spirit. A novel that exists free of all the pressure I put on myself to accomplish or impress. As someone creeping up very close on that big 50 mark, I’m feeling that same sort of anxiety. What have I done? What do I have left to do? So writing a novel FOR ME might be one way through those feelings. At least, I hope.
I haven’t heard of this until now. I can’t wait to get in on it! Thank you.
Jami, thank you once again for the generosity with which you offer #1000words of summer. In the past, those days have been a great opportunity for me to generate early draft pages. This summer, I think my goal is different: I am likely to be focusing on revising. I'm eager to see how the structure of #1000words works when I'm in that mode!
If all goes well we'll be getting a new puppy in June. So I think my #1000words (if I have time to get them in!) will be all about puppy growing and changing, and how that overlaps and intersects with both our lives and that of our current dog. All notes for a book to come on dogs and mountains.
Thanks for this piece, Jami. Congratulations on the paperback release!
As Bevy Smith says, #itgetsgreaterlater!
I finished a novel late last year and have been working on trying to find it a home. I'm also at work at the beginning of 2 other novels. Starting is the most fun when you have no idea where the characters will take you. Sometimes I forget that part in the middle of editing.
#1000wordsofsummer is such a great project for northern European summers since our days are so gloriously long for a few months. Looking forward to trying it this year!
Thank you, Jami! I hope (pray) that by the time this rolls around I'll be writing the last chapter of my Anne Frank book - due at the end of June!
I'm in-progress on a novel and will definitely be using that time to work on it. Look forward to the community aspect of 1000 words—it really helps to not feel alone in it!
OMG, your fantastic post really hit me on several levels. I'm also finding myself in that (sometimes dreaded) midlife spot. I don't hate it as I believe that any age brings advantages and disadvantages. But I have my moments when I think about all the things I wanted to accomplish by now (and didn't), and all the mistakes I made regarding my writing career. Lately, I think a lot about how many books I write in a certain time. I'm pushing myself more than I used to. 💗 Your #1000wordsofsummer always appear at the right moment. This year on my birthday... this might be a sign of some kind.😊 And thank you, THANK YOU for enriching my writing life. ~ 💗💗
I'm excited to write with everyone here. It's my hope to finish my memoir with the push that this beautiful challenge will provide in June!
And here you come again, Jami, right on time--write on time?--with the exact right question. I finished the third draft of the novel I started a couple of years ago, w/the help of #1000 words, & I'm starting to query. That means, at least for now, it's in a finished/put it down/leave it alone space. & I just realized, yesterday, that I don't have a plan for what comes next. Something must, though. So thanks for the prompt to think about what comes next in such an open-ended way. I'll be busy making space for whatever comes.
I’m new to this space. I’m glad I found it. Jami, loved that photo and how it feels like love. I’m working on a memoir about our experience fostering and how love and loss live side by side - and my gratitude for our experience even if it didn’t go quite liked I thought it would (I think that’s sort of what I’m doing. I’m also kind of processing grief so not 100 percent sure.)
I’m about 40,000 words in and not all those words are good so something like this could probably give me a boost to the finish line- I also am a teacher so a summer writing challenge is perfect. Thank you!
Love this post! I also love marking off those dates in my calendar. Normally I use this two weeks to make headway on whatever I'm in, and that's a good strategy. But my favorite is writing new material. So I'll be doing that! Something sparkly and new, probably new scenes in another draft of my current book, which I hope to finish by the end of May. But more than anything, I want to have fun these two weeks, leaning in, playing, and writing new things that send the work forward, but with 30K people instead of forward, alone. There's some brilliance, and much-needed ease in that. Thank you, Jami!
I am brand new to the 1000 word project and the timing couldn't be more perfect! I have threads started on a project that has changed forms as many times in three years. June 17 will be my focus to commit to the best of those threads and be off and running. Thank you for this supportive community!
Thank you for all the work that goes into 1000 words, and all the other ways you build a writing community.