Tonight’s prompt is “What I Learned in 2025.”
Learning comes in many forms. You might have gained personal insight through quiet contemplation or from an experience with a friend. Maybe you took a class or workshop and learned a new skill. Maybe you went somewhere you’ve never been and increased your knowledge of the world. Maybe a topic captured your attention, and you sought out ways to learn more. Maybe it was your turn to host a dinner party, and you tried out a new recipe.
Walk your way back through 2025 and identify anything new you learned in any way.
Begin with a five-minute brainstorming exercise, jotting down short phrases or memories about what you learned in 2025 without overthinking it.
Then, look over your list and choose one item to expand into a story, describing the actions or events that led you to learn this new thing.
But always remember, the only way to do this wrong is to not do it at all!
Until next month, happy writing, everybody.
Posting for Linda Peterson. Enjoy!
A surprise to me
Here is what I wrote.
Here is my Jan First Tuesday thing.
Attached is the transcription from Jan 26 1st Tuesday, just as I wrote it…a purely schitty first draft.
Good for you, John. I hope every new day is just a little bit better for you. Don’t forget the VA also has resources at the Clinic, and there is a VA phone app called PTSD Coach. Good luck. You know we’re here for you.
After the feedback from my breakout room buddies, Judy and Kare, last night, I added punctuation, a title, and new first & last paragraphs to round out this story.
You have much more willpower than me. I can’t even stop myself from that “just one more” cookie. Congratulations!
Once again, thank you, Etya. I stand in awe as you reveal your journey in the world of publishing. You have reached some remarkable conclusions and experienced some deeply felt struggles in your pursuit to find a home for your memoir, yet you always leave the door ajar to success. I hope 2026 is a stellar year filled with renewed publishing adventures. I’ll be in Florida mid-February for a week. Blessings
Here is my story about what I learned or am in the process of learning.
Nancy, if you are asking your readers a question, with that great title, then I would raise my hand and answer, “Process! Not hijacked” I am very keen on the way you described your earlier schooling struggles then brought in your thoughts about learning new things from courses online in the present. You showed how the present is influencing what you remember about your past. Its brilliant, in my opinion. I’d call it a process for writing to a theme of change. First you chose to describe a topic about the past, how you struggled. Then you revealed how the… Read more »
I am also still learning. I make it a rule to take one new class a semester at our very introductory level “enrichment Academy”
Good luck from a fellow learner.
Here is my story. I am posting it now because I would forget to do it later.
Thank you for sharing this, Etya. Valuable content for our group and a finely written piece.
Excellent. I’m gonna keep this story as a reference for myself. Great observations about will and success. I loved that success quote.
Your story is an eloquently written piece about the lived experience of a writer working with publishers. I am sure anyone who has tried to get their work published shares your journey. It’s great that you stay committed; it helps all of us.