How will you commit to your writing in the new year?
We have some ideas for you.
I know it’s a cliche, but I (Steph) get super fired up about new year goal-setting every single December. Being a lifelong compulsive list-maker, I’m a huge fan of reflecting, taking stock, setting goals, and writing it all down. I make a ritual of the process, lighting candles, drinking a cup of tea, choosing my favorite journal and pen, and putting on a carefully curated playlist while I daydream and plan. So fun!
Although I love taking inventory of what I accomplished (or didn’t) in the previous year and setting goals for the upcoming year, I also try to tap into how I felt and how I want to feel in the year ahead. I’ve found that following the things that really light me up, the things that feel like a YES, generally works out well for me. The projects that naturally inspire us are often closely aligned with the most successful aspects of our work.
So over the next few days, I’m grabbing my favorite notebook, my planner, and a giant paper desk calendar, and I’m making plans. The change of year really is the perfect time to start reflecting, dreaming big, and setting goals. Cliches usually exist for a reason, and the pull of a fresh start or a new chapter is just irresistible.
On that note, we have a few things for our creative readers to mark in your 2025 calendars! If one of your new year goals is submitting an essay to this spring’s Listen To Your Mother Show…
Our From Page to Stage Essay Writing Workshop on January 11th is for you.
Come with a messy draft, a list of potential themes and scenes, or the seed of an idea.
Leave with the scaffolding for a compelling personal essay you can use as your LTYM Boulder submission, a personal essay you can submit for publication, or an engaging story to tell at a story slam or brunch with friends.
In this half-day, in-person workshop, you will:
Gain an understanding of the necessary ingredients of a personal essay
Brainstorm potential topics
Distill your ideas into a cohesive story with a beginning, middle, and end
Learn techniques to connect with your audience
Discover what your story is really about
Spend time writing
Get 1:1 feedback from your instructors (Pam and Steph)
.. and more
Details​​
Date and Time: Saturday, January 11th, 1-4 pm
Location: West Arvada/Golden area
Space is limited to 12 participants to foster an intimate, supportive environment.
Price: $187, however:
Save 20% when you become a paid Word to Your Mother subscriber
Thinking about auditioning for Boulder’s spring Listen to Your Mother Show?
Here’s what you need to know:
The show is on Sunday May 4th at First United Methodist Church in Boulder.
Submission guidelines are here.
We will officially open submissions on January 8th, 2025!
Do you have creative goals for 2025? We can help.
If you’re interested in joining us for an online Artist’s Way writing group in January, click the link below—no commitment, and by adding your name to the list, you’ll receive a $40 discount if you decide to join us!
You can learn why we think the Artist’s Way is amazing in our podcast episode here.
Save on all our workshops by joining the WTYM Resource Den!
The Word to Your Mother Resource Den includes:
A 20% discount on everything we offer (including the early bird price for the above workshop!), including 1:1 coaching with Steph and Pam and all workshops and writing communities
Weekly writing prompts beginning January 1st
Monthly guided meditations to unblock your creativity
A curated selection of books, articles, and podcasts we hand-picked for creative midlife women
2x/month co-writing sessions to help put creativity on your calendar and to get something done (or started!) in community
24/7 access to our interactive community of Word to Your Mother subscribers (i.e. fellow midlife women who are looking to enhance their creativity, too.)
You can get in on all of this as a premium Word to Your Mother subscriber for $6/month. (Sure, we’re biased but we think that’s a LOT of creativity and community packed into the price of a 20 oz almond milk latte.)
We have so much to be excited about in 2025, and we hope you’ll join us!
XO,
