21 Comments

Nancy - good morning. My name is Matthew and I have been on Substack since October. My publication, Beyond the Bookshelf, explores how life and literature intersect. I also do an interview series with other readers/writers to hear their stories related to literature.

I just discovered your publication and am happy to be here. I am retiring from the Navy in June after 24 years. I will be writing full-time starting in the fall. I am currently going through the process of assessing my priorities and figuring out some time management stuff so that my writing floats to the top of the list.

I look forward to engaging with the community here and if anyone is interested in how life and literature intersect I would gladly welcome folks to my publication as well. Getting close to 1k subscribers!

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welcome! Beyond the Bookshelf is such a great name! congratulations on your retirement and this exciting new chapter.

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Congratulations on three years!! My writing intentions for April are to read and write poetry. I'd love a postcard for my inspiration wall. Thanks!

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poetry--totally seasonally appropriate! just fill out the google form that's linked above and I'll get a postcard on its way to you!

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I’m so glad I found your publication, thanks to Sarah Fay, and I needed to read this one. I’m a little late to the party, but this is inspiring. Looking forward to reading more of your work and the collaborations you do.

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I'm so glad you're here!

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Great post and very encouraging thank you! I’ve decided to back burner a few small writing pieces until I finish the first draft of my novel. I’m halfway through it.

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It's so motivating to have one big project like that! Happy writing!!!

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Hi Nancy. My name is Maureen. My publication is called Bold Faith Book Quests. I write about my adventures in life as I explore my faith and curious personality. I started writing in September 2023. I have published every week since I started and I am super proud of myself. I consider myself a story teller with lots of back stories. My aim in April is to read more posts on Substack and get to know other writers. Thank you for this post. It is so relatable.

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Welcome!!!

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Hi, I'm Rachel! I don't have any concrete or big writing goals, except to get back into writing (beyond my job at least!) So my goals for this month are to write something for myself everyday, to spend at least 10 minutes writing, whether it's morning pages, a poem, a story/article idea pitch, anything!

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yes! I think that "back into writing" can be such a meaningful goal. I was working on that in March and put a little heart sticker in my planner every day I did a little writing (and lots of hearts on days when it went especially well) and it was honestly such a boost--a fun way to give myself credit for even little bits of work.

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Hi, Nancy. I am Dana. My priorities for the month are to finish typing my revisions on my complete novel that I have revised eight times. I will also revise the synopsis for the aforementioned novel to the best of my ability.

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Hi! Happy to be here. My name is Dorian. My goal is to submit poems to at least one literary journal each week, and to submit my first manuscript to a press twice a month. Thank you!

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such great clear goals! are you familiar with Emily Stoddard's Poetry Bulletin? It's such a good resource for learning about poetry manuscript contests and submissions periods: https://poetrybulletin.substack.com/

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Hi, Nancy, I’m Libby. I’m on sabbatical this semester, and have moved across the country for a few months’ change of scenery. It’s been a struggle to develop a good routine (I’ve been here three weeks now) and with another trip on the horizon I’m anxious to keep motivated. So I’m trying to commit to a daily writing practice—travel journal while traveling, current project otherwise. I need to put it in my calendar or it won’t get done. Thanks for the reminder!

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ooh I hope you're loving your sabbatical, though I sympathize with the challenge of establishing a good writing routine when all the other parts of your life are in flux. happy writing!

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Hi, I'm Marina. I've always wanted to write a novel, and at 47, I've finally started (a few months ago). Why did it take me so long?! I'm so happy that I've finally began, but I want to be more consistent with actually writing. My goal is to write 3 days per week. Every day is just not doable for me, with a job and young kids.

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Marina, you're doing it! I think aiming for consistency over volume is a great way to get started.

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Nancy, thank you for this post. I really appreciated learning about the urgent/important matrix, it perfectly describes where I currently find myself with my writing and my life. It also gives me awareness to make the changes to achieve my goals. My writing goal for April is to finish the first draft of my novel that I just about completed almost two years ago but then got engaged, planned a wedding and got married, moved in with my husband, and am now 34 weeks pregnant. I'd really like to have this draft done this month so I can welcome our first child without me feeling the important nag of my long term goal being left unmet. Thank you for your writing wisdom. Warmly, Sally

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congratulations on all those big life changes! and I didn't think to list a baby, but they really are the ultimate deadline! I'm excited about all the work you'll get done in the next couple of weeks!

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