Okie dokie, artichokies.

Today is the day we’re pressing pause on the writing group. But this is not goodbye!! It’s just “See you later.”

In the Courage Room on Thursday, Liz, Jamie, Sadie, Alicia, and I chatted about what this could look like next.

Something we’re all on the same page with (Pun intended!) is a format that happens in spurts instead of every single week.

We talked about taking a little time to simmer, then gathering on Zoom again in October to dream up next steps.

So, be on the lookout for an invite to that. If you weren’t part of the paid membership but are interested in future iterations, you are SO welcome to this call. Simply reply and I’ll include on the list!

Next on my list? Refunds. Paid members: You’ll be seeing prorated ones coming your way this morning.

And remember — our Facebook Group will stay open, so please don’t hesitate to share any ideas, dreams, memes, or stories anytime!

Until we meet again,

Hiii, friends.

As most of you already know, I’ve decided to press pause on the Not Til Now Writing Group for a little while.

After a lot of reflection, it became clear that the current format had started to lose its momentum. Rather than keep pushing through, I want to take some time to reassess, dream a little, and figure out what this community could become next.

Thank you to every single one of you for being part of this community. It’s been one of my favorite things I’ve ever created. I just think it deserves a fresh start instead of more of the same.

So, here’s the plan:

This Thursday, Aug. 27, we’ll gather for our final meeting in The Courage Room. We’ll do some writing and sharing -- but we’ll also dream and brainstorm about the group format moving forward.

Should it be an 8-week thing once or twice a year? Quarterly? In-person more often? Or is there a different format we could tackle weekly? I’m open to all your thoughts! I’ll also be sending you some questions to ponder on your own time.

Then, on Sept. 1, I’ll end payment for everyone and extend prorated refunds where necessary.

DURING THE BREAK, THE FACEBOOK GROUP WILL STAY OPEN.

While we decide what’s next, this will be a nice way to still stay connected. Also, I don’t want you to feel like you can’t share anything after the prompts stop. If you have something you want to write, share, celebrate, grieve, or ask, by all means, our group is still a place for that.

As for WHEN we would kick back into gear, as of now, I think the earliest would be January. But let’s see. At that point, it would definitely be a relaunch, and if you wanted to continue, you’d need to opt in again.

While I’m definitely sad about this, I’m also excited about what’s possible in the future. It’s definitely time. And change is GOOD!!

So, let’s make the most of this final prompt, yeah???

And remember...you can always write about anything on your heart.

Let me know if you have any questions or ideas.

In the meantime…let’s WRITE!

Here’s this week’s prompt:

Take a Detour

Sometimes the best things happen when we take a new route

This week, intentionally switch something up.

Drive a different way home.
Try a restaurant you’ve never been to.
Visit a bookstore, coffee shop, museum, or park you’ve never explored.
Attend an event.
Say yes to something you normally wouldn’t.
Let yourself be slightly inconvenienced.

Step 2: Then, set a timer for 10 minutes and write.

What happened?
Who did you notice?
What surprised you?

Did anything unexpected unfold because you changed your routine?

Step 3: Share your story in the Facebook group.

Option 2: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Ready to write? Here’s this week’s prompt:

Know a Stranger

Strike up a convo with someone you don’t know

Step 1: This week, strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know well.

Maybe it’s a barista, a cashier, your server, a neighbor, someone sitting beside you at your child’s activity, or someone you’ve seen around but never really talked to.

Ask a question that goes beyond “How’s your day?”

Listen.

Step 2: Write and tell us about the person.

What did you learn?
What surprised you?
Did anything they shared stay with you?
How did the interaction affect you?

Step 3: Share your story in the Facebook group.

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Ready to write? Here’s this week’s prompt:

That Escalated Quickly

Life rarely follows the itinerary

Step 1: Think of a day that started out perfectly ordinary...until it wasn’t.

Maybe your plans completely unraveled. Maybe something hilarious happened. Maybe it was stressful in the moment but funny years later. Maybe one small decision led to a chain reaction you never saw coming.

Step 2: Set a timer for 10 minutes and write.

Take us there.

What was the original plan?
When did you realize things were going off the rails?
How did it all end?

Step 3: Share your story in the Facebook group.

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Something unexpected happened this weekend.

On Saturday, David’s cousin — who was coming down from the mountains for his birthday — spontaneously invited us out to dinner, like six hours before the reservations.

We were about to go to the summer party at our gym, and with planning to go to church and a friend’s film premiere on Sunday, we were wondering if that would be too much. Also…the reservations were for — GASP!!! — 7:30 p.m. at Fogo de Chão…DOWNTOWN.

Our jaws were dropped at that starting time because not only do we almost always get JeeWoo going for bedtime at 7:15 p.m on the dot, but we also have a strong habit of hitting the hay at 9:30 p.m. (Sometimes, if we’re feeling wild and whatever we’re watching is heating up, we’ll push it to 10 on a Friday. REBELS!)

Plus, going to Denver TWICE in one weekend and socializing way more than we’re used to? Man. That felt like a lot.

BUT…

We hadn’t seen this cousin for a long time and already said no to something else, so we decided to rally.

With such a late start time, I wondered if kids were even invited to this. Plus, from what I remember of the Brazilian steak house I went to in high school, it was fancy. But since two men were communicating about this, I knew nothing about who or how many others were coming.

When we got to the restaurant 10 minutes early (naturally), we asked about the reservations under Stueven. The hostess said, “Oh, you’re with the 18-top? It’ll just be a few minutes.”

EIGHTEEN-TOP???? The look on my face. That meant this was going to be a LONG dinner and even later bedtime than expected. That sparked even more questions as to who was attending. The only thing that felt certain was the stiff stick shoved up my butt.

As the minutes passed by and no texts rolled in, JeeWoo touched more things, made more noise, and made me keep thinking, Are we being annoying? Who are we inconveniencing?

“How is it possible that 15 people are all late together?” I asked David.

“I think they’re all staying at the same hotel,” he said. “His text said something about getting checked in.”

While David took a bathroom break to pass the time and JeeWoo repeatedly rammed his head into my stomach, I watched an entire wedding party emerge from a bus and waltz through the front doors. I’ve never been so envious of a group that was actually getting to where they needed to be.

As I contemplated pretending to be the bride’s aunt, just so I could finally sink my teeth into some steak, David returned and said, “If they’re not here by 8, we may need to go.” JeeWoo was even debating eating a lobby mint he was so hungry. He hates mints.

But then…

After walking a mile they didn’t plan to walk, a sweaty parade of not six, not seven, not eight, but NINE KIDS, and six adults arrived. All between the ages of “baby” and nine years old.

It goes without saying that the dinner was absolute chaos. In between all the incomplete sentences and zero scenarios where everyone was actually sitting down, I found myself asking:

WHY this restaurant?
WHY this many little kids?
WHY this particular mash-up of humans, most of whom we’d never met?

Yet on our entirely too-quiet drive home, somewhere between Denver and the safety of the suburbs, the rod softly slipped from my rectum as I thought:

Why NOT?

Why NOT go out to an expensive dinner with a bunch of kids?
Why NOT eat dinner with mostly strangers?
Why NOT go to bed at 11 on a Saturday?

As much as I love all the comforts of staying home and reveling in all things routine, I’m so dang glad we rallied. I’m glad we said yes to the chaos. Because the ordinary, comfortable nights aren’t the ones we remember. It’s the unexpected scenarios, the ridiculous dinners, and the stories we DIDN’T plan that become the ones we remember.

And THAT brings me to August’s theme:

OFF SCRIPT.

This month, we’re celebrating the parts of life that don’t go according to plan.

Some prompts will have you dusting off an old memory that still makes you laugh (or cringe). Others will gently dare you to say yes to something you normally wouldn’t.

To take a detour.
To meet someone new.
To let life surprise you a little.

Because maybe the best story you write in August...
hasn’t happened yet.

Before we dig in:

July’s Winner is…

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.

.

.

.

🎉 LIZ MILLER! 🎉

Since you’ve already chosen the email Q&A (which I’d love to post whenever you’re ready!), you can choose from:

🎉 A copy of my book, Mama Be Present.
🎉 Receiving snail mail with goodies to inspire your writing.
🎉 $20 credit at moose + frankie, Rebecca Albinola’s shop with soap, skincare + more.

Let me know. Yay!

Ready to write? Here’s August’s first prompt:

My Best Bad Idea

Some of the best stories begin with one questionable decision

Step 1: Think back to a time you got yourself into a little trouble.

Maybe it was a bad idea. Maybe it was a spontaneous decision. Maybe you broke a rule, took a risk, ignored your better judgment, or simply said “yes” without thinking it through.

Step 2: Set a timer for 10 minutes and write.

What happened?
How did things unfold?
What were you thinking at the time?

And looking back now...would you do it again?

Step 3: Share your beautiful words in the Facebook group.

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

OK. Ready to write? Here’s this week’s prompt:

Right Now

Capture a snapshot of your life today

Step 1: Set a timer for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Begin with these three words:

Right now, I...

Then simply keep writing.

Describe…
Where you are.
What’s around you.
What you’re thinking about.
What’s weighing on you.
What you’re looking forward to.
What’s making you laugh.
What’s making you tired.

If your thoughts wander, let them wander. There is no right direction. Just capture this moment exactly as it is.

Step 3: When the timer rings, stop.

Don’t edit.
Don’t reorganize.
Don’t try to make it profound.

Trust that today’s ordinary moment is worth remembering.

Step 4: Post it as is in the Facebook group.

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

Thank you, Sadie, for suggesting the following prompt!

The Line That Followed You

Sometimes a single sentence stays with us forever

Step 1: Think of a quote, saying, lyric, or line that’s followed you through life.

Maybe someone said it to you.
Maybe you read it in a book.
Maybe it’s something you’ve repeated to yourself for years.

Sadie shared a few of hers:

Step 2: Set your timer for 10 minutes.

Instead of simply explaining the quote, write about why it stayed.

How has it shaped you?
When did it become true?
Does it still guide you today?

Step 3: When the timer rings, stop.

Step 4: Post it as is in the Facebook group. Typos, unfinished thoughts, lowercase letters, and all.

Psst! Can’t think of a line? Pick one from above or below!

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

Thank you to Jamie for contributing three of this month's prompts! Here's her last one before Sadie takes us home next week.

Your Childhood Career

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Step 1: Think back to childhood.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Astronaut?
Teacher?
Veterinarian?
Olympian?
Writer?
Something wonderfully specific?

Step 2: Set your timer for 10 minutes.

Tell us about that dream.

Why did it appeal to you?
What did that younger version of you see in it?
Is any part of that dream still alive today?

Step 3: Stop when the timer ends.

Don’t edit. Don’t smooth the edges.

Step 4: Post it as is in the Facebook group.

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

Ready to write? Here we go:

Your Childhood Bedroom

Sometimes the smallest rooms hold the biggest stories.

Step 1: Picture the bedroom you had when you were around twelve years old.

Step 2: Set your timer for 10 minutes.

Write whatever comes.

Maybe you describe the room. Maybe you remember what happened there. Maybe one object leads you somewhere completely unexpected.

Follow it.

Step 3: When the timer rings, stop.

No polishing. No fixing.

Just let us peek into a room we may have never visited before.

Step 4: Share it as is in the Facebook group.

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

Hellooooo!

I’m so pumped about what lies ahead for us this month.

First of all, I absolutely loved the suggested prompts that Sadie and Jamie weighed in with when I asked for some ideas in the group. So, every angle this month is courtesy of them. 😊

And because summer is crazy, we’re going to try something we’ve never done before.

This month, we’re writing AS IS.

Not Til Now have we really given ourselves permission to write this way.
Not Til Now have we resisted polishing before posting.
Not Til Now have we let our really messy first draft, well, be our actual post.

So here’s the experiment:

• Set a timer for 10 minutes. Like really actually do that.

• As you write, try not to use the backspace key or any capitalization. (For me, if I type in my Notes App, it auto-capitalizes and corrects, so I’ll have to write these in an email draft.)

• When the timer goes off, stop. No, really. Don’t fix any typos or rewrite anything. Don’t make it prettier whatsoever. Just post it...as is.

(If you’d like to add a sentence or two afterward about what it felt like to write this way, or anything you noticed while doing it, absolutely do. But let the original 10-minute piece stand on its own.)

When I just tried this myself, here’s exactly what came out:

okay so this is crazy. it am not allowed to delate or use th e backspace or capitalize anything. i’m just supposed to write stream of oncconsciousnessly and this is ust crazy. what a new pmsucle this is.

😂

DEFINITELY a new muscle. But damn, there’s something freeing about not trying to impress anyone.

There’s something refreshing about letting your fingers keep up with your thoughts instead of stopping every few seconds to edit them.

I have a feeling this new type of permission is exactly what some of us need to begin again.

So, in these coming weeks, as we try on this new way of expressing ourselves, we’ll focus on an old song from a specific time, step back into our childhood bedroom, reconnect with our childhood career dreams, and reflect on a line of wisdom that’s stayed with us through the years.

Most importantly, we’ll practice letting our writing arrive exactly as it is.

I can’t wait to see what happens!

But first…

June’s Winner is…

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.

.

.

.

🎉 Jamie Park! Yay!

You get to pick between the following:

🎉 A copy of my book, Mama Be Present.
🎉 Receiving snail mail with goodies to inspire your writing.
🎉 Receiving snail mail from moose + frankie, Rebecca Albinola’s shop with soap, skincare + more.

Take your pick and let me know!

Ready to write? Here we go:

Soundtrack from a Slice of Time

Let an old song bring you right back

Step 1: Look up the #1 song from five years after you graduated high school.

If that one doesn’t resonate, browse the top songs from that year until one grabs you. If you’re more of a country, rock, worship, or jazz person, feel free to explore those charts instead. I’ll definitely be browsing the indie charts!

Step 2: Listen.

Notice what comes back.

Step 3: Set your timer for 10 minutes and write. Remember: For this month, try not to use any capitalization or backspacing. Really truly write this in a stream-of-consciousness form. Consider these questions as you write:

Where were you?
Who were you then?
What memory immediately returns?
What do you think that version of you would think about the person you’ve become?

Step 4: When the timer rings, really truly stop. Even if you’re mid-sentence.

Resist editing.

Step 5: Post it AS IS in the Facebook group.

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

Reminder: June’s Coffee Klatch

Mark your calendars for our quarterly in-person gathering — back at the gorgeous lounge where Jodi lives. Bring a snack or drink to share if you’d like. Cannot wait to see your beautiful faces in real life!

Get more deets and RSVP here.

This event is for paying members, but if you’d like to join us and see what we’re all about, just say the word!

Ready to write? Here we go:

Your Summer List

What would make this season feel like yours?

Step 1: Imagine it’s September.

Summer is ending.

You feel grateful for how you spent it.

Step 2: Make a list of 10 things that would make you say:

“I’m glad I did that.”

They can be tiny:

• eat peaches

• take a nap in a hammock

• call an old friend

Or bigger:

• take the class

• visit the place

• start the project

Step 3: Set a timer for 10 minutes if you need or write to your heart’s content. Whatever you do, just…write.

Step 4: When you’re ready, share in the Facebook group or send just to me.

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

Reminder: June’s Coffee Klatch

Mark your calendars for our quarterly in-person gathering — back at the gorgeous lounge where Jodi lives. Bring a snack or drink to share if you’d like. Cannot wait to see your beautiful faces in real life!

Get more deets and RSVP here.

This event is for paying members, but if you’d like to join us and see what we’re all about, just say the word!

Ready to write? Here we go:

Summer Permission Slip

What has your soul been craving?

Step 1: Think about something you’ve been wanting to do but haven’t found the time or full permission for. Perhaps it’s to:

• rest

• create

• wander

• begin

• quit

• play

• say no

• try something new

• return to something old

Step 2: Now, pick one and think of how you’d write yourself a permission slip for it.

Instead of:

I give myself permission to relax.

Try:

I give myself permission to spend an afternoon reading a novel on the patio without feeling guilty.

Step 3: Set a timer for 10 minutes if you need or write to your heart’s content. Perhaps tell us why you deserve this and how you will make it possible. Whatever you do, just…write.

Step 4: When you’re ready, share in the Facebook group or send just to me.

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

“Words have been harder to come by lately…” said Jamie, in the Facebook Group.

“I don’t even know why I can’t start writing but my head feels scattered,” Alicia wrote as well.

“Life feels JUST SO FULL right now,” said Jaye after realizing exactly what had been contributing to her “absolute BLOCK in writing.”

And underneath all that fullness was something else. After deciding to write a book, she got super critical of her writing and stopped.

And boy, did I relate to that. In fact, I didn’t even realize I was feeling the same way until I read her words.

How many times has someone else’s writing put words to something you were feeling but couldn’t quite make sense of? What a gift that is when it happens. And I have a strong suspicion it happens more often than we realize.

If life’s been feeling full, you’re not alone.
If you’ve been struggling to put words on the page, you’re not alone.

Sometimes life is simply full. Sometimes we’re exhausted. And sometimes, like Jaye and me, we start overthinking what comes out once we finally sit down to write.

With almost anything in life, the longer we go without doing it, the harder it becomes to start again, especially when perfection gets in the way.

But here’s something worth remembering:

The words you haven’t written yet don’t only belong to you.

Whenever you do decide to pour something out, think about who’s waiting in the wings. Think about the person who is meant to read what you share. The thing you put out there might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

And you know what?

That person might be you.

Whether you’re part of the Facebook Group or simply drop by for writing inspiration, I hope you’re able to carve out a little time for yourself to write and process. Even if that writing is for your eyes only. I hope something sparks from it.

Have an awesome Tuesday!

Reminder: June’s Coffee Klatch

Mark your calendars for our quarterly in-person gathering — back at the gorgeous lounge where Jodi lives. Bring a snack or drink to share if you’d like. Cannot wait to see your beautiful faces in real life!

Get more deets and RSVP here.

This event is for paying members, but if you’d like to join us and see what we’re all about, just say the word!

Ready to write? Here we go:

Summer Recess

What’s been trying to get your attention?

Step 1: Think back to summer as a kid.

Before resumes, productivity hacks, and anyone asked what you wanted to be when you grew up. What did you love doing?

Maybe you:

• rode your bike for hours

• built forts

• read books under the covers

• climbed trees

• swam until your fingers wrinkled

• made up stories

• wandered

Step 2: Consider these questions:

• What made it so enjoyable?

• What did it give you?

• Is any part of that still missing you?

Step 3: Set a timer for 10 minutes if you need or write to your heart’s content. Whatever you do, just…write.

Step 4: When you’re ready, share in the Facebook group or send just to me.

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

Helloooo, lovelies! ☀️

Summer is basically here. The lawnmowers are out. Pools are opening. School is out. The evenings are stretching longer.

Meanwhile, some roses are still getting ready to bloom. Some flowers and trees are still recovering from late frosts. The garden can’t quite decide whether it’s spring or summer.

Neither can I.

In fact, I managed to badly sunburn myself during my first rose clippings of the year, which feels like a fairly official way to welcome the season.

Speaking of this season, that is exactly what this month’s theme is:

Summering.

Not summer. Summering.

The verb version. The intentional version.

For some of us, that might mean more space in our schedules. For others, it might simply mean making room in our minds for something we’ve been missing.

A dream.
A hobby.
A curiosity.
A conversation.
A part of ourselves that got pushed aside while life was…life-ing.

This month, we’ll start by exploring something that’s been gently yet persistently tugging at our sleeve — something we’d love to make space for or finally have time to return to.

Then, we’ll revisit the things we loved doing as kids during the summer, back before anyone was grading us, evaluating us, or asking us what we wanted to be when we grew up.

From there, we’ll write ourselves a Summer Permission Slip and consider what we’d like to say yes to in this season.

And finally, we’ll create a Summer List: 10 things that would make us glad we lived this summer the way we did.

Let’s see what grows. ☀️

But first:

MAY’S WINNER IS…

.

.

.

.

.

🎉 Alysia Jenkins! Yay!

You get to pick between the following:

🎉 A copy of my book, Mama Be Present.
🎉 Doing a Q&A for my Behind the Mic newsletter.
🎉 Receiving snail mail with goodies to inspire your writing.
🎉 $20 credit at moose + frankie, Rebecca Albinola’s shop with soap, skincare + more.

Take your pick and let me know!

June’s Coffee Klatch

Mark your calendars for our quarterly in-person gathering — back at the gorgeous lounge where Jodi lives. Bring a snack or drink to share if you’d like. Cannot wait to see your beautiful faces in real life!

Get more deets and RSVP here.

This event is for paying members, but if you’d like to join us and see what we’re all about, just say the word!

Without further ado, I’m pleased to hand this week’s prompt to you:

The Sleeve Tugger

What’s been trying to get your attention?

Step 1: Think about something you’ve wanted to do, try, learn, create, explore, or return to.

Maybe it’s:

• a creative project

• a hobby

• a class

• a trip

• a book you’ve wanted to read

• a friendship you’ve wanted to nurture

• a part of yourself you’ve been missing

Step 2: Ask yourself:

If life gave me a little more room this summer, what might I make space for?

If your schedule isn’t opening up anytime soon, that’s okay.

Instead, simply write about something that’s been quietly tugging at your sleeve. Something you’d pursue if time, energy, money, fear, or logistics weren’t in the way.

Step 3: Set a timer for 10 minutes if you need or write to your heart’s content. Whatever you do, just…write.

Step 4: When you’re ready, share in the Facebook group or send just to me.

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

Ready to write?

This Week’s Prompt: The Diploma You Deserved

Think about something in your life that deserved its own graduation ceremony.

It could be:

• surviving your twenties

• keeping tiny humans alive

• leaving the wrong relationship

• rebuilding after heartbreak

• learning how to rest

• staying soft after disappointment

Then, write your acceptance speech.

What are you proud of?
Who would you thank?
What did it cost to get here?

Next, set a timer for 10 minutes if you need or write to your heart’s content. Whatever you do, just…write.

And when you’re ready, share in the Facebook group or send just to me.

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

Ready to write?

This Week’s Prompt: The Class You Actually Needed

Some lessons should have come with a syllabus.

Think about a life lesson you learned the hard way.

If life had offered a real class for it, what would it have been called?

Examples:

• Boundaries 101

• Letting Go Lab

• Advanced Overthinking

• How to Ask for Help

• Financial Literacy for People Who Were Just Guessing

Then:

Name the class. Have fun with it.

Next:

Write about what the course would include.

What did it teach you?
How did you learn it?
Would you recommend it?

Set a timer for 10 minutes if you need or write to your heart’s content. Whatever you do, just…write.

And when you’re ready, share in the Facebook group or send just to me.

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

Ready to write?

This Week’s Prompt: A Letter to a Graduate

Choose someone graduating.

It could be:

• someone in your life right now

• your younger self

• someone imaginary

• someone graduating from something invisible

Write them a letter.

Tell them:

• what you wish someone had told you

• what matters more than they think

• what they’ll learn the hard way

• what they should hold onto

Keep it honest. It can be funny, tender, practical, or messy.

Write for at least 10 minutes.

Then, share in the Facebook group when you’re ready or send just to me.

Sometimes advice is really a reflection of what we needed, too. 🎓

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

Hiiii, friends.

May always feels like a month of thresholds. 🎓

Caps and gowns. Last days of school. Weddings. Moves. Goodbyes. Kids growing. Seasons changing.

Even if we’re not the ones walking across a stage, there’s something in the air that reminds us that life moves in chapters. So, with that, this month’s theme is…

Graduating.

Not just the formal kind (though we’ll write about that, too), but the personal graduations that shape us just as much:

The friendships we outgrow.
The fears we leave behind.
The seasons we survive.

Some milestones come with applause. Others happen gradually, and we only realize later that we crossed into something new.

This month, we’ll write about both.

This week, we’ll start with what graduation means to you.

Then, we’ll write a letter to a graduate — whether that’s someone in your life, your younger self, or someone stepping into a new season.

From there, we’ll imagine the life class we actually needed (because “Boundaries 101” should have absolutely been offered somewhere).

And finally, we’ll close by honoring the diploma you really deserved.

But first:

APRIL’S WINNER IS…

.

.

.

.

.

🎉 Rebecca Albinola! Yay!

You get to pick between the following:

🎉 A copy of my book, Mama Be Present.
🎉 Doing a Q&A for my Behind the Mic newsletter.
🎉 Receiving snail mail with goodies to inspire your writing.

Take your pick and let me know!

Ready to write?

✒️ What Graduation Means

One word. Many meanings.

Think about the word graduation.

What comes to mind first?

A memory?
A feeling?
A stage?
A goodbye?
A beginning?

Choose your path:

Option A (keep it simple):
Write about it in exactly six sentences.

Option B (a little more space):
Write about what graduation means to you.

What does it represent?
What does it require?
What does it leave behind?

Option C (go deeper):
Write about a graduation you remember.

Keep it connected to school, learning, or a formal milestone.

What stands out?
What do you remember most?
What did you think life would look like next?

Then, share in the Facebook group when you’re ready or send just to me.

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

Ready to write?

Let’s goooo!

✒️ What Keeps Showing Up

What we notice more than once is often worth following.

Step 1: Think back on the past few weeks, or even your writing this month. Ask yourself:

What have I been noticing more than once?

It might be:

• a feeling

• a memory

• a question

• a desire

• a tension

• a theme

Step 2: Choose one.

Step 3: Set a timer for 10 minutes and write about it. See where it leads. You don’t need to figure it out! Just notice what’s there.

Step 4: Share in the Facebook group when you’re ready (or send it to me or keep it private).

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,

Welcome to Not Til Now: The Writing Group — a creative home for women who want to write with more consistency, confidence, and courage. A place where brand-new writers feel safe to begin, seasoned writers find new sparks, and personal stories make their way to the page — often for the very first time. Learn more about the membership here.

Ready to write?

Let’s goooo!

✒️ What You Notice

Sometimes a small moment opens into something much bigger.

Step 1: In the spirit of trying something new for this week, I invite you to read the following poem by Mary Oliver. Whether this is your first exposure or you’re meeting her words again, I invite you to pay attention to whatever surfaces for you while reading.

Ready?

Set…

Read:

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean —
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down —
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

—Mary Oliver

Step 2: Really take a moment to let what you just read sink into you. Perhaps read it again.

Step 3: Now, think about what you might want to write about.

Maybe it’s:

• what stood out to you.

• what you noticed in the poem.

• where your mind went while reading it.

• something small in your own life that feels worth noticing.

OR, if nothing is stirring for you, try starting your writing with this:

“Lately, I’ve been noticing that ______________.”

Step 4: If you want, set a timer for 10 minutes. When it ends, feel free to stop. Or if you’re in a flow, keep going!

Step 5: Share in the Facebook group when you’re ready (or send it to me or keep it private).

Option 2: Introduction Post

If you’re new here, we’d LOVE to read your responses to the following questions. OR if any of these prompts feel new to you or spark things you haven’t shared yet, please feel free to answer one, some, or all of ‘em — any damn time.

1. What’s the story behind your name?
(Where it came from, what it means, or what it means to you now.)

2. What’s your relationship with writing right now?
(Love it, fear it, avoid it, crave it, curious about it — all answers welcome.)

3. Where is “home” for you?
(This could be where you live, where you grew up, or the place you feel most yourself.)

4. What season of life are you in right now?
(A snapshot, a vibe, a headline — one or two sentences.)

5. What’s one small thing that brings you disproportionate joy or peace?
(The tiny thing that makes you feel most like you.)

Option 3: Your Own Adventure

As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT. Even if it’s why you can’t write. Even if it’s a video of you talking, dancing, or playing an instrument. It all counts.

Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,