Hi Reader,

I don't usually email more than once a week, but I can’t ignore it anymore. I know I usually come in here with sparkles and sunshine and creative chaos, but today I’m feeling things differently and I'm running out of effs to give.

The world sucks right now.

It’s killing my desire to write and be creative.

Maybe because my head feels like it’s full of goo, like Slimer’s ectoplasm, but it’s also just the incredulity of the things going on in the US. I feel like I'm trapped in a social experiment.

I just want you to know you’re not alone.

If you’re finding the state of the world is killing your creativity, or has crushed your muse into a pulpy mess, or has dried up the flow of creative juices, you’re definitely not alone.

And it’s okay. It’s okay to feel that way and to take a break if you need to.

I’m not here to tell you to write anyway.

But I am here to ask you something important:

What if your writing was your safe haven?

Your escape?

Your happy place?

What if you approached it with gentle joy instead of pressure?

Curiosity instead of rules?

Something I love to do at the start of my writing practice, especially when the creativity isn’t channeling into my brain, is to set a timer for 5 minutes and just write:

Each sentence starts with Right now I’m…

Just let it flow. Let it pour out.

Don’t censor.

Keep your pen or pencil moving.

Get angry. Get sad. Get curious.

Trust what comes to you.

For me, these usually start out like, “Right now I’m tired…” and end with, “Right now I’m calling on my angels!” And usually turns into a manifesto to the creatives of the world to pick up our tools of creativity and fight with our words and art!!! I'll have to share one of these sometime...

At the end of five minutes, circle your favorite phrases before the inner critic comes knocking.

Use one of them as another 5-minute prompt.

Most of all, be happy that you just wrote.

Even if it’s not adding to your current manuscript.

You at least showed up.

You trusted the creative higher powers to notice you. And they did notice. This practice makes them perk up. Oh? What’s this now?

They pay attention.

Next week I have a fun giveaway coming atcha in which you can win a prize! No spoilers!

Stay tuned.

In the meantime, stay safe and stay well and know that someone out there (me! 👋) loves ya to the moon and back. Thank you for being here.

Big hugs,

Claire 💛

P.S. If things are really hard for you right now, please seek professional help. The world needs you and your stories more than ever right now.

P.P.S. DEI is important to me. I believe Black lives matter. I am an LGBTQIA+ ally and possibly a little queer myself. If you don't agree with me about the state of the US, this is your invitation to unsubscribe now unless you can overlook our differences and be a good human being. Okay? Thanks.

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Kira's Korner! Kira's here for you on her angelic cloud blanket.

New here? Forget who I am? I'm Claire! Author Accelerator certified book coach, award-winning horror author, project manager, sourdough maven, amazing wife and dog mom, and your future creative mentor! I help fiction writers ditch the rules, fall in love with writing again, and finally finish their damn (good!) stories! Ready to write? ​Heck yeah! Let's do this thang!​

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