52 Weeks of Writing Guest Post and Giveaway

 

52 Weeks of Writing Author Journal and Planner

by Mariëlle S. Smith

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GENRE: Non-fiction / self-help creativity

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BLURB:

‘A brilliant, supportive, challenging workbook, highly recommend.’ Jamie Sands

You, too, can become the writer you’ve always wanted to be!

The 52 Weeks of Writing Author Journal and Planner:

• makes you plan, track, reflect on, and improve your progress and goals for an entire year long;

• invites you to dig deep through thought-provoking prompts and exercises; and

• helps you unravel the truth about why you aren’t where you want to be.

Two years after publishing the first volume of 52 Weeks of Writing, writing coach and writer Mariëlle S. Smith brings you the updated third volume. Similar in style but reflecting the tweaks made to her coaching practice during the pandemic, 52 Weeks of Writing Vol. III is even better equipped to help you get out of your own way and on to the path towards success.  

Ready to start living your writing dream? Order your copy now.

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Excerpt

WRITING PROMPT

Each writing prompt is optional. If, for whatever reason, it does not speak to you, let it be. Who knows? It might make more sense to do the prompt later in the process.

Most writers are introverts and dread the visibility that comes with success. This might not be you, but to some of us this fear is what stops us from finishing our work. Because what if people read it and want to talk to us about it? What if we're forced to leave the privacy of our desks and go out into the world, into the spotlight, with nowhere to hide?

If this resonates with you, know you're not alone. Grab your journal or open a new document on your computer and set your timer to ten minutes. Now list all the good that could come with success.

If this is a fear you recognise all too well, keep this list close once you've finished it.

Review

Whatever genre you write and wherever you are in the writing process, this book is well worth the cost. It's cheaper than a therapist and allows you to explore and break down the blocks to writing success. 

The first question I encountered in the book was "when you first started writing, why were you called to write?"

I had to think back close to 51 years and I'm still trying to think of an answer to this question other than "I don't know. It just felt right."

I learned to read when I was four years old and by the time I was six, I had graduated from Dr. Seuss to Edgar Allan Poe. The first character I created was a fish named Bruce. Fortunately for Bruce, his adventures were much more Seussian than Poe-esque.

This question threw me off balance because I believed that "I don't know, it just felt right" was a flip answer. It took me more than a week to realize that it wasn't a flip answer, it's the answer that six-year-old me would have given. I didn't need a reason to write other than it feeling right. 

As I got older, it became ingrained in me to analyze everything until there was nothing joyful or organic left. 

From the very first question, the book led me to confront a major block to joyful creation. No matter what kind of writer you are, it can lead you to similar experiences. I feel no hesitation in recommending this extensive and comprehensive workbook to everyone and giving it an enthusiastic five-star rating.

Guest Post

How can others support you on your writing journey?

Stephen King once said: ‘Writing is a lonely job. Having someone who believes in you makes a lot of difference. They don’t have to make speeches. Just believing is usually enough.’ 

Having grown up surrounded by those who didn’t believe in me and my writing dreams, I know first-hand that someone showing even the tiniest bit of faith can feel immensely supportive. Over the years, however, I found that there are many more ways people can and want to support the writers in their life.

Brilliant news, right? But before we go out looking for more support, there are a few things we need to be clear on first. 

What kind of support do you need?

Different people might have different ideas on how best to support you on your writing journey, but what is the kind of support you need right now? 

Do you need someone to take the kids to school? Would it be helpful if someone picked up a few things for you at the store? Are their any responsibilities you could share with others? Any care work you’re doing? Could you carpool to work with a colleague so you spend less time on public transport and more time behind your laptop? What if you had dinner at a friend’s place once a week so you can write instead of cook and clean up? 

This list could go on because no writer’s needs are exactly the same. Perhaps you get tons of writing done as you sit on the bus to your day job. If that’s the case, don’t carpool, but do think of other ways the people in your life might be able to support you and your writing dreams.

Who could you best ask for support? 

Once you’re clear on what kind of support you could use, you need to get clear on who would be best to ask for what. Your neighbour might be more than willing to do some groceries for you, but if they’re the talkative kind who just doesn’t know how to drop off your bags without keeping you away from your laptop for an hour… you might want to ask one of your siblings instead. 

Likewise, if one of your friends is thrilled you’ll be coming for dinner once a week but doesn’t appreciate that you leave right after to get your writing done, then this is not the right friend for that kind of support. That doesn’t mean they can’t support you in another way, but you might want to find someone else to do that weekly dinner with. 

To give one more example, your partner’s job might prevent them from taking the kids to school or picking them up, but they might be able to take them to their dance classes, piano lessons, or soccer practice. Or, if you’re usually the one doing stories at bedtime or making breakfast in the morning, perhaps they could do it instead so you can use that time to write. The possibilities are endless if you’re willing to look for them and ask. 

What does and doesn’t work?

Once your support systems are in place, it’s essential to keep checking in with yourself and those involved to make sure whatever you agreed on is (still) working for you both. What seemed a perfect fit at the very start might turn out not to work a few weeks or months in, for whatever reason. Perhaps one of you had different expectations, or maybe something has changed in your or their lives. 

Whatever’s the case, if agreements need to tweaked or ended altogether, do so, no matter how hard it might feel. It’s the only way to keep your support systems working and all people involved happy, which includes you. 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Mariëlle S. Smith is a writer, writing coach, and editor. She lives in Cyprus, where she organises private writer's retreats, is inspired 24/7, and feeds more stray cats than she can count.

Contact Links

Website: https://mswordsmith.nl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mswordsmith

Blog: https://mswordsmith.nl/blog/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18455235.Mari_lle_S_Smith

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariellessmith/

Other(s): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnYOpjmj83mvMM2L348F1w

Purchase Links

All purchase links can be found on https://mswordsmith.nl/journal

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Weeks-Writing-Author-Journal-Planner-ebook/dp/B081Y6ZMPY/

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

Mariëlle S. Smith will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway