What did I learn from these last 14 days of committing to this format? I learned that being full is not the same as being satisfied. I learned that the only way out is through, that in order to get where I want to go I have to start. I learned that I have at least six books in me, and that so much of them are scattered across various platforms and places and the work of finding them, sorting them, piecing them together is a bit of a slog but also has to happen for me to get anywhere. I learned (again) that you simply have to show up. I learned that you have to really want it. I learned that writing consistently for close to 15 years does amount to something. I learned that practice is practice, whether it’s mediation or yoga or writing. I learned that a morning walk is essential, for so many reasons. I learned that I already am a writer, that I already have a writing group, and that I already have an audience. I learned that I don’t know what I’m doing, at all or ever. I learned that like so many other things, there’s no way to do this right, and there’s no way to do it wrong. I learned that the external noise can keep you silent, muted, stupid. I learned that I have something to say. I learned that I just need to tell my story, and if I can do that, I’ll feel content, ready to die. I learned that we have so little time and we have forever. I learned that just nine tiny words can get you where you are going. Thank you, Jamie. Deep, deep gratitude and love.
Not every day was a #1000 words day, but every day was a focus on writing and renewed enthusiasm for the new work. Thank you for the inspiration and the cheering on and introducing me to some writers I didn't know. I'll do it again whenever you're ready.
And an enthusiastic YES! re: the "No Kings Day" protest tomorrow. Friends with signs here in San Diego.
Thank you Jami for an incredible event! I loved it and it helped me revise my novel, get one two stories out of it, and complete two journal entries to help me put in written words how I am feeling about life right now. I'm so grateful for you.
Thank you so much Jami. I look forward to this time every year. Not only do I love the image of 53,000 people pulling a thousand words a day from their minds to the page, but also the the exposure to writers whom I might never heard of if not for you. I now have a great summer reading list in addition to 15,331 messy words of my own. And yes, I'm going to a No Kings protest tomorrow.
Hi, Jami and everyone out there. I accomplished my main goal of perfecting my query letter and proposal to send to agents. And, after much mishegas, I sent it out yesterday to a top person. I completed this novel because of #1000wordsofsummer beginning in 2023. The spinoff Slack group turned into a bunch of cheerleaders who helped me meet my deadlines. So it's your doing. I didn't do it alone. Thanks and good luck to you all. 🧡
Thanks for this, Jami. This challenge continues for me for awhile, even though I may take a couple of days "off" first! The experience has been both inspirational and challenging for me since it has pushed me to explode my work in progress even as the fabric of everything I have taken for granted about the underpinnings of our country has exploded as well. I've taken the challenge of what is happening around me into the work--call it an inciting event? I'm looking at my writing through newly opened eyes with the door flung open to new possibilities.
What did I learn from these last 14 days of committing to this format? I learned that being full is not the same as being satisfied. I learned that the only way out is through, that in order to get where I want to go I have to start. I learned that I have at least six books in me, and that so much of them are scattered across various platforms and places and the work of finding them, sorting them, piecing them together is a bit of a slog but also has to happen for me to get anywhere. I learned (again) that you simply have to show up. I learned that you have to really want it. I learned that writing consistently for close to 15 years does amount to something. I learned that practice is practice, whether it’s mediation or yoga or writing. I learned that a morning walk is essential, for so many reasons. I learned that I already am a writer, that I already have a writing group, and that I already have an audience. I learned that I don’t know what I’m doing, at all or ever. I learned that like so many other things, there’s no way to do this right, and there’s no way to do it wrong. I learned that the external noise can keep you silent, muted, stupid. I learned that I have something to say. I learned that I just need to tell my story, and if I can do that, I’ll feel content, ready to die. I learned that we have so little time and we have forever. I learned that just nine tiny words can get you where you are going. Thank you, Jamie. Deep, deep gratitude and love.
Thx, Jami! This was just what I needed. Next year??
Not every day was a #1000 words day, but every day was a focus on writing and renewed enthusiasm for the new work. Thank you for the inspiration and the cheering on and introducing me to some writers I didn't know. I'll do it again whenever you're ready.
And an enthusiastic YES! re: the "No Kings Day" protest tomorrow. Friends with signs here in San Diego.
Thank you Jami for an incredible event! I loved it and it helped me revise my novel, get one two stories out of it, and complete two journal entries to help me put in written words how I am feeling about life right now. I'm so grateful for you.
1,042. Thank you, Jami, for all your work on this and to the guest writers as well. Inspiring and motivating!
1048 today. A very good week 1, a harder week 2. And while I did not reach 1000 each day, I touched the work every day. A pleasure. Grateful.
A million thanks for these two weeks! It was even more amazing, inspiring and grounding than the last time.
Wowowow I cannot believe WE DID IT. Thank you, Jami!!!
A great experience, Jami. Well-crafted and pitch perfect. Already looking forward to next year! Thank you for everything. ❤️
Day 14 - 1178 words
Thank you so much Jami. I look forward to this time every year. Not only do I love the image of 53,000 people pulling a thousand words a day from their minds to the page, but also the the exposure to writers whom I might never heard of if not for you. I now have a great summer reading list in addition to 15,331 messy words of my own. And yes, I'm going to a No Kings protest tomorrow.
Hi, Jami and everyone out there. I accomplished my main goal of perfecting my query letter and proposal to send to agents. And, after much mishegas, I sent it out yesterday to a top person. I completed this novel because of #1000wordsofsummer beginning in 2023. The spinoff Slack group turned into a bunch of cheerleaders who helped me meet my deadlines. So it's your doing. I didn't do it alone. Thanks and good luck to you all. 🧡
Thank you, Jami! I wrote more than I imagined I would and felt the love from you and the wonderful writers you joined with in the daily letters to us.
Thank you, Jami. <3
heart!
I had a great two weeks. Added about 11000 words to a memoir I didn’t know I needed. The manuscript at about 68000 words feels finished.
I’m taking a week off - camping and Father’s Day with my father.
Then I plan to be back at it and get the manuscript more organized before more editing.
I am learning how to inhabit an editor self
Thanks again Jami
Thanks for this, Jami. This challenge continues for me for awhile, even though I may take a couple of days "off" first! The experience has been both inspirational and challenging for me since it has pushed me to explode my work in progress even as the fabric of everything I have taken for granted about the underpinnings of our country has exploded as well. I've taken the challenge of what is happening around me into the work--call it an inciting event? I'm looking at my writing through newly opened eyes with the door flung open to new possibilities.