I'm in, Claire! This was the push I needed. I'm completely new to Substack and haven't even posted my first post yet, so it will probably be a slow start. But I'd love to join the challenge & community! 🤗
I had my first ever social media negativity here a few weeks back. Nod politely, shrink them to tiny size in your head and be glad you are you and not them!
Great idea! I'm in as well! 🙂 It will be an interesting bilingual effort for me - I've joined a local writing group initiative started by my village (in the Loire Valley in France) where we're going to write about ourselves and share it with each other (eek! Scary stuff for me, it will be the first time ever that I share original writings in French, even though I've been speaking French fluently since I was 12).
So I'll plan to translate some of those and share them here on substack in both English and French.
Oh what a beautiful idea Lorraine and double accountability. You can count one essay twice in that case! I love to read French so I look forward to the tag. Remember no one is judging you - figure out who's voice that is because that way you can turn it into sparkles. ✨
Thanks for that important reminder, Claire! Our 1st meeting is next Thursday (I think! I'm not a schedule-driven person so I have to double-check that)
I’m in! Thank you for the permission (inspiration) to keep it simple. I love how you continue to gently nudge this community to find ways to make our own writing sparkle. ✨🫶
Aww I'm with you every step of the way Allison - it's such a helpful anchor for my creative practise too... I'm wondering on my second essay now since I'm counting this one... as number 1!!!
I’m in. Claire, I understand how criticism can land heavy and linger. Historically, many great writers and artists have been criticized (even downright rejected) before being known for their greatness. Try not to take in the judgement too much. Allow it to be constructive (if possible), then blow it away like a feather, keeping your own light energy intact. And if that’s not always possible — and I relate to being a sensitive creature — then that’s okay, too. Keep sharing your vulnerability in safe company so you don’t have to hold the weight of judgement yourself.
This is true and I just need more words of affirmation - it's not about me - not really... Thank you for being so kind and witnessing my hurt and my creative FIRE!!! 🔥
Hmm - I want this to feel really open access - I use the word limit to be when Substack tells me my post is too long for email... would that work for you?
Ah welcome Jean - yep we mostly get rid of all the rules here on Sparkle - I feel we all have a natural amount of where we feel 'done' don't we... actually doing this challenge will help me better understand my usual amount of words...
This is exciting. I've wanted to write more essays. Some of my longer posts have been more informational and it's hard for me to know if they count as essays. For example I will have a March recap of my language learning out later this week. I wonder if it would count as an essay or if something with a topic/theme is required?
Coming back on this post to share that I've just written my first one! I completely forgot to tag you in the post so I've just gone back to add your tag. Do you still get notified if the tag comes after?
I’ll count paid essays too, which I realise makes them less accessible and shareable but that’s fine, my main intention would be to feel like I’m doing this essay challenge alongside a bunch of inspiring people ⭐️
I'm in, Claire! This was the push I needed. I'm completely new to Substack and haven't even posted my first post yet, so it will probably be a slow start. But I'd love to join the challenge & community! 🤗
I’m in the same situation but I’ve been wanting to try! What good company to be in :)
Me too! I'm willing to give it a go! I feel it's helpful to have a writing goal to start rather than just trying to do a bit here and there on my own!
🤓 💕And remember it's up to 24 - you get a new badge with everyone else no matter how many you make it to at the end of Summer. ✨
Definitely! Great to connect with you here :)
Great company indeed. 😊 Happy to meet you! Let's write some essays 🤸♀️🚀
What a lovely idea.
I had my first ever social media negativity here a few weeks back. Nod politely, shrink them to tiny size in your head and be glad you are you and not them!
Did you Kate. Did you feel it or just roll your eyes - I seem to be either/ or??
Great idea! I'm in as well! 🙂 It will be an interesting bilingual effort for me - I've joined a local writing group initiative started by my village (in the Loire Valley in France) where we're going to write about ourselves and share it with each other (eek! Scary stuff for me, it will be the first time ever that I share original writings in French, even though I've been speaking French fluently since I was 12).
So I'll plan to translate some of those and share them here on substack in both English and French.
Oh what a beautiful idea Lorraine and double accountability. You can count one essay twice in that case! I love to read French so I look forward to the tag. Remember no one is judging you - figure out who's voice that is because that way you can turn it into sparkles. ✨
Thanks for that important reminder, Claire! Our 1st meeting is next Thursday (I think! I'm not a schedule-driven person so I have to double-check that)
I'm in! I need some accountability to get creative with the types of posts I'm putting out. Thank you! Badge downloaded :)
Aww yay - love a badge! I might get some printed up.
What a generous offering! And I'm a sucker for community 😉 I'm in! I really need something to keep me accountable. Thank you, Claire!! 🤓🙏🏼✨
Yay - I'll open a chat thread for us all in a few weeks.
🎉🎉🎉
I’m in! Thank you for the permission (inspiration) to keep it simple. I love how you continue to gently nudge this community to find ways to make our own writing sparkle. ✨🫶
Aww I'm with you every step of the way Allison - it's such a helpful anchor for my creative practise too... I'm wondering on my second essay now since I'm counting this one... as number 1!!!
I think I’m in? I’m in. I’m in!
Yay - let's go!!!
Very cool! Sounds fun. I so appreciate how you help create community around here. :-)
You're so welcome Carrie!!
I’m in. Claire, I understand how criticism can land heavy and linger. Historically, many great writers and artists have been criticized (even downright rejected) before being known for their greatness. Try not to take in the judgement too much. Allow it to be constructive (if possible), then blow it away like a feather, keeping your own light energy intact. And if that’s not always possible — and I relate to being a sensitive creature — then that’s okay, too. Keep sharing your vulnerability in safe company so you don’t have to hold the weight of judgement yourself.
This is true and I just need more words of affirmation - it's not about me - not really... Thank you for being so kind and witnessing my hurt and my creative FIRE!!! 🔥
Yes. It likely explains more about the critic than about you!
Is there a word limit to work towards?
Hmm - I want this to feel really open access - I use the word limit to be when Substack tells me my post is too long for email... would that work for you?
It would. Being pretty new to substack I wasn't sure if there was a word length.
Ah welcome Jean - yep we mostly get rid of all the rules here on Sparkle - I feel we all have a natural amount of where we feel 'done' don't we... actually doing this challenge will help me better understand my usual amount of words...
This is exciting. I've wanted to write more essays. Some of my longer posts have been more informational and it's hard for me to know if they count as essays. For example I will have a March recap of my language learning out later this week. I wonder if it would count as an essay or if something with a topic/theme is required?
I think it counts do you?
For some reason I thought it wouldn't, but thank you for the validation! I'm excited to start. 😊
We make the rules don't we... ✨🤓
Coming back on this post to share that I've just written my first one! I completely forgot to tag you in the post so I've just gone back to add your tag. Do you still get notified if the tag comes after?
Here's the post:
https://studynotepad.substack.com/p/80-hours-of-language-study-in-march
I'm in! I need the challenge!
Me too - I really want to publish more on my other publications... sparkle is all set up and running so I'm going to give the others some space.
Count me in! Thank you for the invitation and motivation.
You're so so welcome.
I’m in 🙌
I’ll count paid essays too, which I realise makes them less accessible and shareable but that’s fine, my main intention would be to feel like I’m doing this essay challenge alongside a bunch of inspiring people ⭐️
Oh yes brilliant point Sarina and that's totally fine of course!!! ✨
Thankyou. Think it's time I started using it on my notebook not just my phone if I'm going to write.
I have around 5 notebooks on the go lol
This is fantastic. Thank you! I’m definitely in. Looking forward to it!
Oh brilliant Liz - welcome to essay club!
Thanks so much!