Happy Monday!
I'm super nervous and excited (nerv-cited) today because...
Today is the *birthday* of a brand new writing class that I created!
The class is called DIG DEEP and it's available now! Like, right now! It's online! The classroom is officially open! It's alive!
You can sign up and start the class anytime. Whenever you feel like it. There's no cut-off date.
My stomach is tumbling around because I'm so proud of this class, and yet... of course, there's that little panicky voice inside that says, "But what if nobody likes this class? What if there's a typo in one of the workbooks? What if somebody buys it but then feels hugely disappointed for some reason and then they'll hate me and my life will be ruined forever? What if what if what
ifffffff?"
Optimism... and terror. Joy... and panic. Yup. That's me today. I'm very familiar with these dueling emotions, because it's exactly how I feel right before I release ANYTHING new into the world. So I'm just rolling with the emotions because... that's what making art feels like. :)
If you're curious about this class, here's all the info... DIG DEEP is a writing class I created in collaboration with my longtime friend, Susan Hyatt.
I'm a writer. She's a life coach. We're both published
authors, bloggers, and storytellers who speak and teach onstage, too. We both believe that everyone can write, everyone's life is interesting, and everyone has something to share.
One newsletter, one blog post, one piece of advice that you write can change someone's day—or even change someone's life.
But first, you gotta, ya know... stop stalling, sit down, actually write something, and find the courage to share it publicly. That's why Susan and I created DIG DEEP. To help you do that.
:)
. . .
This class includes…
VIDEOS AND WORKBOOKS
You get 7
videos and workbooks covering topics like...
- How to dig into your everyday life to find great material to write about.
- How to set a clear intention before you start writing so you hit your point and avoid rambling.
- How to release perfectionism and stop tweaking your work 87 times and nit-picking everything you create.
LIVE Q&A SESSIONS
We've got live Q&A sessions scheduled throughout the year. You can tune in, watch the video broadcast, and type a question into the chat box. Ooh, technology!
Maybe you'll want to ask a question about... How to deal with something really discouraging, like a nasty blog comment. How to stop comparing yourself to other writers. How to simplify a big project that's feeling overwhelming. How to put together a book proposal. Or something else! These Q&A chats will be so fun!
HELPFUL
RESOURCES
You get a nice list of writing resources—including articles, websites, and products we love. Plus a hand-picked list of writers, editors, and proofreaders that you can hire to polish up your work—if that's something you want.
LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO GET
PUBLISHED
We give you a checklist with 25 different magazines, websites, and blogs that are looking for stories, articles, and other contributions... right now. If you've ever wondered, "Where can I get my writing published??!" this checklist shows you tons of options!
Additionally, Susan and I are releasing DIG DEEP: The Magazine in September 2017. This magazine will be filled with stories, articles, advice columns, manifestos, poems, comic strips, illustrations, and photos from... DIG DEEP students! People like YOU! We're sending this magazine to both of our mailing lists as a free gift, which means your writing will get seen by about 20,000 readers in total. Pretty
cool.
WRITING BUDDIES
Inside the DIG DEEP online classroom, there's a place where you can post a note to say "I'm looking for a writing buddy!"—if that's something you want to do.
PEP TALKS
Sometimes, you just need to hear someone say, "You're going to survive!" This class includes an audio pep talk that you can download and listen to whenever you're feeling criticized, rejected, discouraged, or when you feel like tossing your computer out the window.
A DANCE BREAK, OF COURSE!
We've got a hilarious dance break featuring our friend Robert Hartwell, founder of the Broadway Dance Collective, just in case you're feeling stiff and frustrated and you need to STEP AWAY from your computer for a second! Shake out those mental cobwebs! Get the energy moving again! (Hint:
you'll find this dance break at the end of Video #4. :)
NO DEADLINES, NO TIME PRESSURE
DIG DEEP is an independent study class, which means you go at your own pace. Once you purchase the class, you get an email with
instructions on how to log into the online classroom. All the materials are right there waiting for you, and you can dive in anytime! No deadlines. No time pressure. Do your own thing.
. . .
This class does NOT include...
FEEDBACK ON YOUR WRITING
A few folks have asked about this, so I want to be really clear: DIG DEEP does NOT include feedback on your writing. In other words, this is not the type of class where you write an essay / blog post / book manuscript / etc. and then send it to me, and I read it, and give you my thoughts. That's
not part of this class.
If that's something you definitely want, I've got other options for you! You can come to one of my in-person retreats or workshops. You can hire me and work with me 1-on-1. Or, you can hire somebody else! There are tons of wonderful people who would love to read your work and give you feedback / notes / edits. I can personally recommend Sally, Alison, Emma, and Woz, for starters.
. . .
HOW TO
SIGN UP
DIG DEEP is $497. You can sign up for the class with a deposit of
$47. You can pay the rest in 1 installment or multiple installments. Your choice.
After making your deposit, you'll get a confirmation email and you can log into the online classroom right away! Instant joy!
Please know: this class is non-refundable. So please read all the info and make a thoughtful, well-researched decision about whether to buy it or not.
. . .
Q: SHOULD YOU PURCHASE THIS CLASS?
A: ONLY IF YOUR "HUT" (HEART + GUT) SAYS, "ABSOLUTELY YES."
Taking a writing class can be really uplifting, inspiring, and fun.
However... You don't "need" a class, a mentor, a buddy, or a private studio where you can work in
absolute peace and silence in order to write. Nope. You don't need any of that.
If you want to write, just write. If you want to teach, just teach. If you want to run, just run. You don't need fancy $120 sweat-wicking running pants or expensive sneakers. Find some grass and go barefoot. There's always a way to get started right now, no matter what your circumstances may be. You can do it.
Today.
. . .
AND LASTLY...
If you’re reading this email and thinking to yourself...
"Well, I don't have what it
takes to be a writer..."
“I sign up for lots of classes but I never finish anything. Ugh..."
"It takes me an ETERNITY to write one blog post and that's never going to change..."
"Who wants to hear stories about my life anyway? I haven't achieved anything THAT interesting or noteworthy, and besides, I'm not even that creative..."
... or something super self-critical like that, whoa nelly! Please leap off that negativity train because it’s headed nowhere fast!
If you haven’t written anything this year, or this lifetime, today is a great day to start.
And even if it’s 10:58pm at night when you’re reading these words, guess what? Good news: Today is not over yet.
. . .
Have a beautiful week!
If you have any questions about DIG DEEP, feel free to email me
at: alexandra@alexandrafranzen.com. I'll get back to you as quickly as I can. Thank you!
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