297 Comments
Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

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! 🤗

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

I’m in the same situation but I’ve been wanting to try! What good company to be in :)

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

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!

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author

🤓 💕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. ✨

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Definitely! Great to connect with you here :)

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Great company indeed. 😊 Happy to meet you! Let's write some essays 🤸‍♀️🚀

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

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!

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author

Did you Kate. Did you feel it or just roll your eyes - I seem to be either/ or??

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

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.

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author

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. ✨

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

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)

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

I'm in! I need some accountability to get creative with the types of posts I'm putting out. Thank you! Badge downloaded :)

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author

Aww yay - love a badge! I might get some printed up.

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

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!! 🤓🙏🏼✨

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author

Yay - I'll open a chat thread for us all in a few weeks.

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

🎉🎉🎉

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

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. ✨🫶

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author

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!!!

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

I think I’m in? I’m in. I’m in!

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author

Yay - let's go!!!

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Very cool! Sounds fun. I so appreciate how you help create community around here. :-)

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author

You're so welcome Carrie!!

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

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.

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author

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!!! 🔥

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Yes. It likely explains more about the critic than about you!

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Is there a word limit to work towards?

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author

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?

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

It would. Being pretty new to substack I wasn't sure if there was a word length.

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author

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...

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

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?

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author

I think it counts do you?

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

For some reason I thought it wouldn't, but thank you for the validation! I'm excited to start. 😊

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author

We make the rules don't we... ✨🤓

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Apr 7Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

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

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

I'm in! I need the challenge!

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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.

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Count me in! Thank you for the invitation and motivation.

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author

You're so so welcome.

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

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 ⭐️

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author

Oh yes brilliant point Sarina and that's totally fine of course!!! ✨

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Thankyou. Think it's time I started using it on my notebook not just my phone if I'm going to write.

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author

I have around 5 notebooks on the go lol

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

This is fantastic. Thank you! I’m definitely in. Looking forward to it!

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author

Oh brilliant Liz - welcome to essay club!

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Apr 1Liked by Claire Venus (she/her) ✨

Thanks so much!

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