“I Want To Feel Supported and Inspired.”
I’ve been studying creative writing my entire life, but it took me far too long to share my work. Let’s work together to create a community where you feel supported and inspired to write, create, collaborate, and publish… so you don’t have to “wait” as long as I did.
What’s Coming at Open Window Lit
As a little kid, the only thing I ever truly dreamed of becoming was an author. I feel kinda silly even now, shouting this from the rooftops as a perimenopausal woman who knows exactly what the “messy middle” feels like… because it took me a really long time to embrace this “identity” of mine, despite knowing I wanted it.
Sure, I told people about my creative writing dreams, but consider yourself lucky if I ever asked you to read my fiction. Yes, I’ve been writing professionally for two decades—drafting feature magazine articles for B2B publications, writing website copy for travel operators, creating content for public health organizations (and the list goes on). But my creative writing, especially my fiction? That was far too vulnerable to share publicly.
Of course, I had my excuses. Life was busy, especially once I had kids. There were bills to pay. I had a litany of other adult responsibilities. But I found time to journal, write, and submit my creative nonfiction (I have two Chicken Soup for the Soul short essay publications). I even queried literary agents, at least for a little while, in those early years.
Yes, I tested the waters for where I would be “accepted” (note I said “I” and not “my writing”)… but I had one more excuse: I refused to pay to submit to publications. Crazy idea, but I don’t think writers should have to pay to get their work—which takes significant time and effort—published. Ergo, I refused to submit to lit magazines or any other publication that required a fee. (More on this soon).
I wasted far too much time doubting myself and my abilities… and I don’t want any other woman to feel that way. Life is too short not to go after your creative goals and dreams.
So, what can you find at Open Window Lit?
To start, I’m offering:
Low-cost resources like digital downloads and guided journals.
I also love talking about books, writing, and, heck, anything about the creative writing process. Want to chat story structure? Or how to differentiate characters from one another? Or how to craft entire worlds from your imagination? I’m your gal.
But other than that? I’m figuring it out… all I know for certain is that Open Window Lit is still growing, and we’re embracing the fact that life never stops being messy and unpredictable. Come along on my journey as I:
Submit to grants to grow funding to pay contributors,
Create guided journals and creative health-related ebooks to also fund this work, and
Put together workshops and creativity chats to see how I can best serve people.
No matter what, I am creating a space where women can learn, create, and connect…. and one day, publish (and get paid for their work) too.
Where will this take us? I can’t wait to find out.