In the Weeds, but Ready

We're almost there.

First time doing #1000wordsofsummer? The FAQ is here, and some suggestions for how to prep for it are here. The most recent slack invite is here. Please consider subscribing to support our fundraiser.

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Hi friends.

I’m currently in the weeds, in the heat, shining, sweating, glistening, glowing, thinking about you, generating ideas on your behalf, making appointments, cancelling appointments, trying to get my shit together every damn day.

It is easier for me to run an event for more than 50,000 people online than it is to enter a room full of people there to have a good time. My social anxiety permits me no more than a table for four before I start to slowly crack inside. I’m no longer mad at myself about this.

I like the outdoors. I like wide open space. I like the indoors, too. I like sitting quietly with my thoughts. I like meeting strangers and never seeing them again, but also I love meeting them again, too, when it’s in some kind of weird, coincidental way.

I wake up every day feeling like I have none of the answers and then slowly I write my way into knowing them again.

I am super fucking psyched for this year’s #1000wordsofsummer, which starts this Saturday, May 31. Tonight, Wednesday, May 28, I’m doing a chat on substack for paid subscribers from 6-9 CST. Saturday I’m doing a free streaming kickoff at 9 AM CST on Substack too. This is my last letter to you until we begin. Fingers triple crossed it all goes well.

As always my desire is to be helpful and supportive to this beautiful community of people. Know that is my intention and together we shall go forward in good faith.

I love writing. I get so much out of it. It has saved my life not once but a hundred times, a thousand, more, I am certain of it. I want this for all of you. I want you to experience the grace and pleasure and magic of your creativity. I want you to feel like you’re doing your best. I want you to be able to make your art.

Good luck. Already proud.

Jami

You are reading Craft Talk, the home of #1000wordsofsummer and also a weekly newsletter about writing from Jami Attenberg. I’m also on instagram.