On a day like this, I needed a little help finding a reason

The top thing on my to-do list on the day after the election, was to publish my regular Substack post. Then again, with the world careening unsteadily toward an unknown future, I wasn’t sure I wanted to write, revise, or publish.

I was also about to lead a community writing group that morning, and I had to come up with a prompt to get the group started. But, how was I supposed to do that, when I was having trouble getting myself started!

Sorting through the stacks of papers on my desk, half-procrastinating and half-hoping for inspiration, I came across a magazine clipping that I don’t recall having clipped out! In fact this scrap of paper had been floating around from pile to pile on my desk for months now, and I’ve thought of tossing it into the recycling bin time and again. But then I’d think, I must have saved this for a reason.

Now, I had my reason.

The headline across the small square of paper reads:

Twelve Reasons You Should …

Should do what? The rest of the title was cut off.

But I got the message. What followed were 7 of the 12 reasons that the list’s author (whose name was also missing) kept writing.

A quick Google Search revealed that this list-poem-as-writing-prompt had evolved from a March 2020 interview that playwright Sarah Ruhl had given to Vanity Fair at the start of the pandemic, titled:“Twelve Reasons You Should Keep Writing.”

How fitting, I thought, both for myself, and for the writers who would soon be joining my group.

So I offered it as inspiration to the others, and I used it to recover my own motivations to write as well.

Making my own list of reasons to keep putting down one word after another (and one foot in front of the other) restored me to myself.

And that my friends, is what I (and we) will continue doing, day by day.

Now it’s  your turn

Option A:

• Make a list of 12 reasons that you should/could/will/will not … keep on writing.

Option B:
Tweak the prompt above to make it your own. Make a list of

• Twelve Reasons You Should Keep Dreaming
• Twelve Reasons You Should Keep Trying
• Twelve Reasons You Should Get Out of Bed

You get the picture…

And whatever you do, keep on shining!

Sponsor my November Writing Challenge for a good cause!

For 30 Days in November, I am attempting to (at least) write a rough poetic translation of a verse from Sarah’s story in Genesis each day. When you pledge your support for this challenge, you contribute to an amazing cause: funding free English classes to immigrants through the Center for New Americans. You’ll also receive complimentary access to paid subscriber benefits to my other newsletter through the end of 2024. Your paid subscription (free through the end of 2024) with a donation of any size) grants you access my poetic translations, poems, and fundraising progress as I go.

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Look back, and look ahead, with wonder and joy. (And courage! Even in spite of everything.) Join this mini-course and receive support and guidance as you wrap up 2024 using a creative, reflective process.

To access the course, simply become a paid subscriber to either of my Substack Newsletters, and the brief lessons will arrive in your inbox from Nov. 29-Jan. 3.

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Come home to your writing this winter

Register for this virtual stay-home writing retreat by Nov. 15 for Early Bird discounts!

Stay (Cozy) at Home & Write Retreat will take place Friday-Sunday Jan. 24-26, 2025—but register now for discounts and a freebie!.

In this low-cost Write-at-Home retreat, you’ll write at home at your desk or by the hearth—or close to home: at a local café or library—it’s up to you.

Get 20% off PLUS you’ll get a free book (by me) of your choosing (for mailing in the US—or an ebook as available for those outside the US)

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