How to Avoid the Blinking Cursor of Death
Meet The Gloria Sirens
The Gloria Sirens banded together to create an online space for their writing. In the process they discovered the accountability helped them grow creatively and professionally. In this episode they share the inner workings of a writing group and offer ideas for how you can conquer the blinking cursor of death.
Some of the Sirens: Suzanne Heagy, Alice Fairfax, Lisa Lanser Rose, Leslie Salas, Ann LaBar
StoryMaven Takeaways
Do you subscribe to the idea that you need to hold an idea close or it can fray? We talk about the pros and cons of this superstition. PS I’m a believer.
We talk about the skill gap — the difference between the desired outcome and what it takes to get there. The best way to get from here to there, is to just do it. Type past the blinking cursor of death and write. ‘Strike the keys!’
Accountability and deadlines don’t sound inspiring but it turns out, they generate a level of creativity we all crave.
Protecting your creative time is another big theme for our collective. We do that by banding together. How might you sanction creative time in your schedule?
Show Notes
Are you among the many new fans of Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman? If you didn’t hear her original, powerful poem at the 46th inauguration, or see a meme of it, do yourself a favor and check it out. She is an exquisite talent and storyteller. She is obviously gifted. While her talent may have been born, it was also formed. You may remember meeting Clare Sera in episode 2 of The StoryMaven podcast. Clare is one of the mentors in the LA based WriteGirl. A group of professional women writers who help next generation of girls find their voice. Amanda Gorman started with WriteGirl at age 14. She was surrounded by other girls working on their writing and coached by professionals like Clare. She was formed there.
Having a tribe is something we writers talk about a lot. Finding or creating a clan, a coven, a gathering of writers who join around the fire circle with you and listen to your stories, comment, share and ask questions is vital to not only finding your voice but forming it.
In this episode of the StoryMaven podcast, we meet my tribe of writers — The Gloria Sirens. We have a blog that reaches well over 55,000 readers. As a group we post stories weekly, which means each of us can end up posting monthly. It’s a powerful way to keep to our creative writing goals.
Are there ways you can form creative accountability? Is there a small group at work that can hold you to a writing deadline? Is there an online gathering where you can try out your work?
We firmly believe that group accountability is the thing that helps each of us pick up our pens and write, thus conquering the blinking cursor of death.
