Why Before How

how a post-partum exercise class made me a more dedicated writer

Happy Friday, Writers.

I’m back, as promised, with a little Something for the Weekend.

First, a story, then some prompts:

Why Before How

His chubby little hands reached out for mine and I raced up the grassy slope to scoop up my little boy and whirl him around. He’d never been in any danger. He just wanted his mum. So I ran.

This was the image I kept in my head, throughout the series of exercise classes I attended after I had my second kid. I wasn’t there to ‘get my figure back’

I was there because I wanted to be the kind of mum who could run to my kids if they needed me — or wanted me, or simply if I wanted to.

Every time I was tempted to stop leaping around like a fool in font of the mirrors, and catch my breath, I’d conjure up that vision and ask myself if I would keep going, if I was running to save one of my kids.

Knowing WHY I was doing a hard thing made it easier to live through the slog of the ‘how’.

As a writer it can be hard to sustain the long-term effort required to achieve the writing life you want.

Getting clear on why you are doing it, makes all the difference.

You’re not doing it ‘to become a best-seller’ (the writing equivalent of, ‘to get my figure back’ – something other people seem to care about more than we do…).

You’re doing it because you want to. Because it makes you happier. And that’s a good enough reason to put in the effort.

If you can, spend some time this weekend thinking about why you want to write that project you’re working on/avoiding.

  • What does it really mean to you?
  • What will finishing it do for you, in your deepest self?

Once you have the ‘why’, you’ll find it much easier to do the reps you need to do, to reach that goal.

Writing Prompts

Need some inspiration to jumpstart your writing? Here are a few more Story Sparks I shared in January:

(Each dose of inspiration is around 1 minute long and captioned)

To follow along with all the prompts, click here.

I’ll be back in your inbox next week. If you have questions or fears, or are stuck on anything to do with your writing, let me know. in the comments I’ll do my best to address your question in an upcoming missive.

Keep writing,

Julie

P. S. Those little kids I was training to chase? They’re just about to turn 20 and 22. Now I’m exercising for myself, because that long-ago class taught me that I was stronger than I knew…a feeling I want to hang onto! Likewise, it’s OK to pursue your writing to make someone else proud of you. But, stick with it, and you’ll soon find you’re writing to make you proud of yourself!

Of Pachyderms & Prompts

When I surveyed the StoryADay community the message was clear: you’d like a little something for the weekend, to inspire you and remind you to write. So let’s get started.

First, a letter from me-in-January-2025, then some writing prompts.

Elephant In The Room

Writers tend to be a pretty progressive lot.

Our self-imposed job is to think about why people are the way they are. This leads to us having compassion for other creatures and for our environment, and it often leads to an urge to improve our institutions and communities.

This is a tough time for the compassionate.

The loudest voices are, once again, telling us that we’re kidding ourselves, that we’re fools, that we’re being taken advantage of.

But we’re not. (You know that, and you’re not wrong).
And we are not the minority.

Those of us who can, must keep, as cheerfully as possible, reminding everyone of those things.

StoryADay is my sliver of the Writing-sphere and it is resolutely a place where people are welcomed with respect, encouragement, acceptance, and a loving kick in the pants when they’re not living up to their own (sometimes secret) expectations for themselves.

The only thing I will not tolerate is intolerance.

Still here?

OK. I have some more words for you.

Fiction is not about escapism.

I mean, it can be, but mostly creative writing is the spoonful of sugar that helps the truth go down.

The truth of what it is to be human.

The truth of the horrors we see, and the heroes that fight them.

The truth that it is possible to create–and live in–better worlds.

I know you might feel pulled away to pay attention to the news, but remember: your creative writing matters (fiction, or creative non-fiction). Your writing is a lifeline to yourself and others who are drowning in a sea of headlines and clickbait. It’s a respite from the (sometimes brilliant) non-fiction we all consume, daily.

People need a break. Let’s give it to them.

Let’s make good trouble with our writing, as Sen. John Lewis advocated.

And llegitimis non carborundum*, as British intelligence used to say, during the Second World War.

On that note, here are some Story Sparks for you:

Writing Prompts

I’ve been amusing myself by posting Story Sparks as Shorts/Reels this month. Here are the first 7:

I’ve also posted some from my old stomping grounds in Scotland. To see them all (including one with a castle), click here.

I’ll be back next week. If you have questions or fears, or are stuck on anything to do with your writing, or are ready to join me at the writing barricades, leave a comment. I’ll do my best to address your question in an upcoming missive.

Keep writing,

Julie

P. S. *Illigitimis non carborundum is mock-Latin for ‘Don’t let the bastards grind you down’! Words to live by…

Want to receive this missive by email everyweek? Sign up here

Announcing: One-Story September: Show, Don’t Tell Edition

You guys really loved this idea…

A couple of days ago I asked you how you felt about the concept of working on one story during September, with a focus on the idea of ‘show, don’t tell’.

Boy, did you feel strongly about it!

Lots of people loved the idea of spending the month in focused practice, working on one story.

  • “Love, love, love this idea!” – Christina
  • “Going deep on technique and taking time to develop a piece sounds wonderful to me.” – Elizabeth
  • “Yes for the one story idea! “ – Yvonne
  • “ I have had a hectic summer and really could use some motivation in September to focus on my craft.” -Sukie
  • “Oh I simply love the idea. Of course I do understand how important it is in a story but yeah, I need a lot of practice.” – Riana
  • “I love the idea of focusing on a single story over the course of a month” – Daryl
  • “I love trying to show, not tell, and welcome practice and information! I’m in!” – Melanie
  • “I somewhat understand but would love the practice.” -Sheila
  • “ I definitely need more help in showing more than telling.” – Leslie
  • “ It will be a good exercise in trying to finish and polish one good story.” – Prachi
  • “It would be great to have the prompts and feedback to guide us instead of letting us wander around.” – Mike
  • “Any opportunity to improve or develop the skill is very welcome.” – Caroline
  • “I’m in!” – Neha

Other people had strong feelings about ‘show, don’t tell’, itself:

  • “The logical part of my brain knows the difference between the two, but the creative part doesn’t always know which would work better while drafting” – Michele
  • “To be (very) honest, ‘show don’t tell’ is a phrase that gives me the ick…Perhaps re-branding in some way would be useful.” – Katie (btw, I love this suggestion- JD!)
  • I don’t think I quite understand when it’s better to show or tell. ..82% of the time, I will over-describe…” – Taryn
  • “I have a love, hate relationship with ‘show don’t tell’ because sometimes telling is the best practice for the scene and other times showing is.” – Taylor (Totally agree – JD)
  • “Show-don’t-tell has led me to create some agonizingly dull prose..I get the concept but still struggle to find the right balance.” – Shan
  • “I’m a very verbal person, and showing/not telling doesn’t come easily for me, so I’d really appreciate some examples and tips for how to do it better.” – Elizabeth
  • “ Sometimes the rule can be used as an unhelpful bludgeon in critique.” – Walter
  • “I understand ‘Show, don’t tell’, but find it more difficult with shorter word counts. I’d be interested in learning more about how to do that.” – Pat

So here’s what we’re going to do in September:

The One-Story Challenge: Show, Don’t Tell Edition

It’ll work a little bit like the regular StoryADay May challenge, with me providing inspiration and assignments every day, only this time we’ll be working on the same story all month.

  • In Week 1 we’ll draft a story – fast and messy, just telling ourselves the story.
  • In Week 2 we’ll dive into what “Show, Don’t Tell” means, and identify place in our stories where each technique would work better.
  • In Week 3 we’ll practice ‘making a scene’ in those parts of the story where ‘show’ definitely makes the most sense. We’ll think about character, pacing, tension, senses, and refine our ability to speed through the narrative sections that keep readers turning the pages.
  • In Week 4 we’ll talk about things like revision strategies and other topics that have raised their heads during the early weeks of September.

At the end of the month you’ll have a complete, polished story and a deeper understand of why, when, and how to use ‘show’ and ‘tell’.

(I’m hoping that, by the end of the month we’ll also have come up with a less annoying term to describe what we’re doing, so watch out for that!)

It’ll be a much slower-paced challenge than StoryADay May, so don’t panic if you have ‘back to school’ or other demands on your time. This will fit in around your other obligations, with just a little effort.

Next Steps

I’m still tightening some screws and adjusting some furniture behind the scenes, but I’ll have details about how you can sign up, ready for you, tomorrow*.

In the meantime, leave a comment here, and let me know how you feel about this (if you haven’t already).

Just Released: Save Time with the StoryADay Challenge Handbook

Ever have one of those days where you want to write, but get to your desk and…nothing?

Well, I created StoryADay May for you (and me).

And this year I have a fantastic new way for you to gain all the benefits of StoryADay: but spend less time wondering what to write: The StoryADay Challenge Handbook.

With daily warm-ups and brainstorming sessions, this new StoryADay experience will propel you into your writing day and let you get to the fun stuff (the writing) no matter how busy you are.

StoryADay Handbook

Whether you’re planning to write a StoryADay in May or just want to be able to show up at your desk any day, write, and walk away feeling like you’ve flexed your writing muscles, improved your grasp on the craft, and created something real.

​ I built the StoryADay Challenge Handbook so you can get more out of this year’s writing prompts, in May…or any time you want to write.

(And this one is specially designed for the introverted writers who aren’t interested in writing sprints or hangouts or really anything other than getting words on the page and growing their skills.)

I’ve taken everything I’ve learned over the past 15 years about short stories, writing, writers, and prompts, and put it together in this brand-new offering. I think you’re going to love it (and the special 15th Anniversary discount….it’s like nothing you’ve seen from me since 2018!).

Find out more here

If you’re longing to get to your desk more often, and feel more fulfilled when you walk away, check out the brand-new StoryADay Challenge Handbook

Keep writing,

Julie

P. S. Yes, the writing prompts will still be coming to your inbox for free, if you’ve signed up. The Handbook adds video, audio, an ebook collection, and daily warm ups and brainstorming exercises designed to propel you into your writing, whether you’re taking the StoryADay May Challenge, or simply want to use it throughout the year to jumpstart your writing day. Grab your copy now

Don’t Let Unfinished Stories Hold You Back: Try This Technique

Do you ever start a story only to get stuck, and find yourself either abandoning it or wondering if it’s really a story at all? First of all: welcome. This means you are a writer. This frustrating phenomenon strikes us all, especially when we are just starting out or just starting to come back to our writing seriously. This doesn’t mean you “aren’t meant to be a writer”. It just means there are some strategies you haven’t discovered–or fully-integrated–yet. This week I have a technique for…

Do you ever start a story only to get stuck, and find yourself either abandoning it or wondering if it’s really a story at all?

First of all: welcome. This means you are a writer.

This frustrating phenomenon strikes us all, especially when we are just starting out or just starting to come back to our writing seriously.

This doesn’t mean you “aren’t meant to be a writer”. It just means there are some strategies you haven’t discovered–or fully-integrated–yet.

This week I have a technique for you, that will help you turn fragments, vignettes, and “I’m not really sure what this is”-se into actual stories.

Go to the lesson >>>

Try out the technique, using the writing prompt I provide, to feel te difference it makes to your Story Sparks.

Then leave a comment to share what you learned. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Keep writing,

Julie

P. S. If you want more of the nitty-gritty, ‘how to craft a story’ techniques like this, consider taking the 3-Day Challenge, which guides you through the art of writing great openings, middles, and ends, all in easy-to-consume lessons.



Does Your Writing Cut The Mustard?

The first restaurant I worked in was an American-style family restaurant – pretty exotic for the southwest coast of Scotland in the 80s, a place festooned with fish’n’chip shops, where ‘chicken tenders’ sounded like a new language.

One of my jobs was to set out bowls of condiments before the customers came in…and not just salt, pepper, vinegar, and the two sauces known to us (red and brown), but things like ‘hamburger relish (it was green! Who had ever heard of such a thing?!) and three types of mustard: one classic yellow, one fancy ‘Dijon’, and one totally alien grainy concoction that I fell in love with.

Tonight, I opened a jar of that grainy mustard and its tangy smell transported me back 38 years, to the service corridor between the kitchen and dining room of my first job, when mustard was an exotic new experience.

It reminded me of a truth in writing: we spend so much time in our own heads that we take for granted the way we think, the way we talk, and the way we write.

Sometimes, when we show our work to someone else they are thrilled by a throwaway phrase or a description that took no effort at all…because it’s normal to you.

Sometimes we need other writers to push us to try the mustard, when we’re accustomed to always reaching for the salt and vinegar. 

And yes, this is my fancy way of letting you know that Critique Week is coming up, and that if you would like to get some fresh eyes on your writing you should consider joining us.

But more than that, it’s my way of encouraging you not to take your own writing for granted. It might be the new flavor someone else is looking for!

Keep writing,

Julie

P. S. I’ll be opening up registration for this round of Critique week, soon. Get on the waitlist here.