“I’ve learned that I do not know anything until I write it down. I’m forced to consider, annotate, reflect, learn.”
—Marion Roach Smith
In today’s bonus episode, I’m sharing a writing practice that I started two years ago that changed my life (thanks to fellow bestie !)—one that makes personal essay writing much easier (and far more resonant with readers).
💬 What personal writing experiments have you been trying? Share with us in the comments!
📆 Upcoming Events
Substack Q&A: Join us on September 7 at 12pm ET on Zoom (or submit questions in advance if you can’t be there live) for a special Q&A with Linda Lebrun from Substack’s writer partnerships team.
🥂 Business Bestie Brunch & Q4 Pop-up Mastermind—New Virtual Option! Many of you wrote to us saying you would be delighted to join but had a conflict for the in-person VIP day. If you're looking for extra support in setting your strategy for 2024 (and closing the year strong), we have now added a virtual option: you will get three months of coaching + group accountability + a half-day strategy session with hot seats (and delightful surprises along the way), along with a virtual brunch on October 29. Everything else on the invitation page will be the same :)
Reminder: BFF’s get 15% off the full rate until Early Bird Enrollment ends on September 1, or when the spots fill—whichever comes first. The final deadline to enroll is September 15.
🎟️ If you’re interested in joining, learn more and apply here »
🔗 Resources Mentioned
Transcript (via Descript)
Article: Top Twenty Tips for Writing Memoir
Coach: Sarah Fay of Writers at Work
Videos: TEDxBerkshires—Homework for Life
Loom: Jenny’s walkthrough of her process, Notion for Idea Collection (5 min)
Apps: Notion, Download the Substack and Circle mobile apps if you haven't already
📚 Books
Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling by Matthew Dicks
The Memoir Project: A Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text for Writing & Life by Marion Roach Smith
How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth, and check out their related podcast
🎧 Related Episodes
First Time Facilitator: Storyworthy with Matthew Dicks
QWERTY with Marion Roach Smith: Any and all episodes!
Unthinkable with Jay Acunzo
Free Time: 034: Organizing Research and Ideas — Notion Walkthrough #1
