LIVE EVENTS:

• Enjoy your break before we launch into Spring Session 2022 next week!
• Optional: First Tuesday Write & Read, Tuesday, February 1 at 6:00 p.m. ET
• Fall 2021 End-of-Session Survey Review meeting, Thursday, February 3 at 6:00 p.m. ET

TASKS:

• Order The Invisible Wall: a Love Story that Broke Barriers (2008 edition) by Harry Bernstein for the Spring 2022 session
• Get acquainted with the upcoming Spring Session 2022 course, Writing Well.
  • Course Overview
  • Introduction to The Invisible Wall
  • Close Reading: Front and Back Covers
  • Close Reading: Front and Back Matter
• Gear up for a new session of Life Writers – Session Kickoff on Monday, February 7 at 6:00 p.m. ET!
• VIPs only: sign up to have a story reviewed during VIP feedback (February 8 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
• VIPs only: work on a story for VIP feedback or review your cohorts’ work (February 8 at 6:00 p.m. ET)

Exuma Afternoon by Patricia Charpentier

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, January 24 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
  • use this Weekly Goal Check-in Sheet as a fillable .pdf or MS Word document to prepare for the check-in call
• CANCELLED: Community Chat – Special Guest: Helen Fremont (due to Patricia’s illness–we will announce a rescheduled date soon)
• Feedback Group session with Amanda (Tuesday, January 25 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, January 26 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)
• CANCELLED: End-of-Session Review meeting (due to Patricia’s illness–we will announce a rescheduled date soon)
• CANCELLED: Rock Star Writers coaching (due to Patricia’s illness–we will announce a rescheduled date soon)
•  Read and Celebrate event (Saturday, January 29 at 2:00-5:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Finish reviewing your group’s stories (if participating in Feedback Group)
• Complete and submit the End-of-Session survey for Fall 2021
• Complete and submit the Free Five-Day Writing Challenge survey if you participated
• Read and Celebrate event:
  • Register to attend the Read and Celebrate – To ensure the safety and security of this virtual event, EVERYONE must register to attend.
  • Prepare a story for the Read and Celebrate event (Saturday, January 29) if planning to participate (two double-spaced pages, maximum)
  • Sign up to read at the Read and Celebrate event (Saturday, January 29, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET)
  • Invite friends and family to join you for the Read and Celebrate event (Saturday, January 29, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET)
• Schedule personal writing time
• Order The Invisible Wall: a Love Story that Broke Barriers (2008 edition) by Harry Bernstein for the Spring 2022 session
• VIPs only: work on a story for VIP feedback on February 8 (if participating in next session)
• Gear up for a new session of Life Writers – Session Kickoff on Monday, February 7 at 6:00 p.m. ET!

Descending by Amanda Benson

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, January 17 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
  • use this Weekly Goal Check-in Sheet as a fillable .pdf or MS Word document to prepare for the check-in call
• After Long Silence book discussion (Tuesday, January 18 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, January 19 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)
• NOTE: DATE CORRECTION – the Read and Celebrate event is on Saturday, January 29, not January 22. Apologies for any confusion!

TASKS:

• Schedule personal writing time
• Register for Feedback Group – post feedback story to Share Stories – January page by Tuesday, January 18 at 11:59 p.m. ET
• Review your feedback group members’ stories on Share Stories – January page (if participating in Feedback Group) between Thursday, January 20 and Tuesday, January 25
• Register to attend the Read and Celebrate – To ensure the safety and security of this virtual event, EVERYONE must register to attend.
• Prepare a story for the Read and Celebrate event (Saturday, January 29) if planning to participate (two double-spaced pages, maximum)
• Sign up to read at the Read and Celebrate event (Saturday, January 29, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET)
• Invite friends and family to join you for the Read and Celebrate event (Saturday, January 29, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET)

Nile Lily submitted by Norma Beasley

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, January 10 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
  • use this Weekly Goal Check-in Sheet as a fillable .pdf or MS Word document to prepare for the check-in call
• Optional: Daily Check-in: Free Five-Dy Writing Challenge, Monday, January 10 – Friday, January 14 at 1:00 p.m. ET
• Community Chat with Patricia (Tuesday, January 11 at 5:00 p.m. ET)
  • Topic: Your Writing Rituals
    • Do you have a writing ritual or routine? When and where do you write? How do you begin your writing time? How to you finish it? Do you have a special beverage, music playing, light a candle, etc.? Do you write alone, in public spaces, with/without others?
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, January 12 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)
• Free live, virtual workshop – Five Things Writers Need to Succeed (Saturday, January 15, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Optional: participate in Writing Your Life’s Free Five-Day Writing Challenge, Monday, January 10 – Friday, January 14
• Schedule personal writing time
• Finalize story for feedback if planning to participate (Tuesday, January 25)
• Register for Feedback Group – post feedback story to Share Stories – January page between Tuesday, January 11 and Tuesday, January 18 at 11:59 p.m. ET
• Finalize story for Read and Celebrate event (Saturday, January 22) if planning to participate (two double-spaced pages, maximum)
• Sign up to read at the Read and Celebrate event (Saturday, January 22, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET)
• Invite friends and family to join you for the Read and Celebrate event (Saturday, January 22, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET)

Windswept submitted by Amanda Benson

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, January 3 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
  • use this Weekly Goal Check-in Sheet as a fillable .pdf or MS Word document to prepare for the check-in call
• Optional: Writing Your Life’s First Tuesday Write and Read event (Tuesday, January 4 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, January 5 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Schedule personal writing time
• Begin work on a story for feedback if planning to participate (Tuesday, January 25)
• Catch up on assignments or writing work
• Plan to participate in Writing Your Life’s Free Five-Dy Writing Challenge, Monday, January 10 – Friday, January 14 (Life Writers do not need to register. You are already registered.)
• Prepare a story for Read and Celebrate event (Saturday, January 29) if planning to participate (two double-spaced pages, maximum)
• Sign up to read at the Read and Celebrate event (Saturday, January 29, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET)
• Invite friends and family to join you for the Read and Celebrate event (Saturday, January 29, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET)

Skylight submitted by Amanda Benson

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, December 27 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
  • use this Weekly Goal Check-in Sheet as a fillable .pdf or MS Word document to prepare for the check-in call
• Community Chat with Patricia (Tuesday, December 28 at 5:00 p.m. ET) – Topic for discussion:
  • Read your stories
• Feedback Group session (Tuesday, December 28 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
  • If you did not submit a story in advance for review, you’re invited to bring a piece to read Tuesday night and receive first-impression feedback from other Life Writers.
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, December 29 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Schedule personal writing time
• Writing in Scene course: watch video and complete assignment
• Read After Long Silence, pages 330-353, chapters 29 to About the Author
• Finish reviewing your group’s stories (if participating in Feedback Group)
• Replay available: Master Class on Tangible History (December 21)
• VIPs only: work on a story for VIP feedback

Waterfall submitted by Dar Lamb

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, December 20 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
  • use this Weekly Goal Check-in Sheet as a fillable .pdf or MS Word document to prepare for the check-in call
• After Long Silence master class (Tuesday, December 21 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
  • Topic: Tangible History. You are encouraged to bring an item that holds some of your or your families’ history to share.
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, December 22 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Schedule personal writing time
• Read After Long Silence, pages 303-329, chapters 27-28
• Register for Feedback Group – post feedback story to Share Stories – December page by Tuesday, December 21 at 11:59 p.m. ET
• Review your feedback group members’ stories on Share Stories – December page (if participating in Feedback Group) between Thursday, December 23 and Tuesday, December 28

Gingerbread House – Grand Floridian Resort submitted by Amanda Benson

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, December 13 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
  • use this Weekly Goal Check-in Sheet as a fillable .pdf or MS Word document to prepare for the check-in call
• Community Chat with Patricia (Tuesday, December 14 at 5:00 p.m. ET)
  • Topic for discussion: How do you edit your stories?
• VIPs only: Feedback Group with Patricia (Tuesday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, December 15 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Personal writing time
• Writing in Scene course: watch video and complete assignment
• Read After Long Silence, pages 278-302, chapters 25-26
• Finalize story for feedback if planning to participate (Tuesday, December 28)
• Register for Feedback Group – post feedback story to Share Stories – December page between Tuesday, December 14 and Tuesday, December 21 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Scout and the Shelf Elf submitted by Kit Dwyer

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, December 6 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
  • use this Weekly Goal Check-in Sheet as a fillable .pdf or MS Word document to prepare for the check-in call
• Optional: Writing Your Life’s First Tuesday Write and Read event (Tuesday, December 7 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
•  Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, December 8 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Personal writing time
• Writing in Scene course: watch video and complete assignment
• Read After Long Silence, pages 248-277, chapters 22-24
• Begin work on a story for feedback if planning to participate (Tuesday, December 28)
• Catch up on assignments or writing work
• VIPs only: if you signed up to share a story for VIP Feedback, post your story VIP page by 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 7
• VIPs only: review the stories posted on the VIP page for VIP Feedback

Red Amaryllis submitted by Norma Beasley

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via (Monday, November 29 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
  • use this Weekly Goal Check-in Sheet as a fillable .pdf or MS Word document to prepare for the check-in call
• Community Chat with Patricia (Tuesday, November 30 at 5:00 p.m. ET) – Topic for discussion:
  • Books that have inspired you and helped you write
• Feedback Group session (Tuesday, November 30 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
  • If you did not submit a story in advance for review, you’re invited to bring a piece to read Tuesday night and receive first-impression feedback from other Life Writers
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, December 1 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Schedule personal writing time
• Writing in Scene course: watch video and complete assignment
• Read After Long Silence, pages 218-247, chapters 20-21
• Finish reviewing your group’s stories (if participating in Feedback Group)
• Catch up on assignments or writing work

Cup of Love submitted by Amanda Benson

Happy Thanksgiving! We’re so thankful for you!

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, November 22 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
  • use this Weekly Goal Check-in Sheet as a fillable .pdf or MS Word document to prepare for the check-in call
• NOTE: Regularly scheduled office hours and Feedback Group are postponed to Tuesday, November 30 due to the Thanksgiving holiday
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, November 24 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Schedule personal writing time
• Writing in Scene course: watch video and complete assignment
• Read After Long Silence, pages 187-217 chapters 18-19
• Register for Feedback Group – post feedback story to Share Stories – November page by Tuesday, November 23 at 11:59 p.m. ET
• Review your feedback group members’ stories on Share Stories – November page (if participating in Feedback Group) between Thursday, November 25 and Tuesday, November 30
• VIPs only: work on a story for VIP feedback
• Workshop Replay: Be a Successful Five-Year Journaler

Grateful Heart (Monstera via Pexels.com)

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, November 15 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
  • • use this Weekly Goal Check-in Sheet as a fillable .pdf or MS Word document to prepare for the check-in call
• After Long Silence master class (Tuesday, November 16 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, November 17 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Schedule personal writing time
• Writing in Scene course: watch video and complete assignment
• Read After Long Silence, pages 157-186, chapters 15-17
• Register for Feedback Group – post feedback story to Share Stories – November page between Tuesday, November 16 and Tuesday, November 23 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Shh! Writers at Work submitted by Dar Lamb

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, November 8 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
  • use this Weekly Goal Check-in Sheet as a fillable .pdf or MS Word document to prepare for the check-in call
• Community Chat with Patricia (Tuesday, November 9 at 5:00 p.m. ET) – Topic for discussion:
  • How to use Microsoft Word’s Track Changes
• VIPs only: Feedback Group with Patricia (Tuesday, November 9 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, November 10 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Schedule personal writing time
• Writing in Scene course: watch video and complete assignment
• Read After Long Silence, pages 126-156, chapters 12-14
• Work on a story for feedback if planning to participate on Tuesday, November 30
• VIPs only: review the stories posted on the VIP page for VIP Feedback group

Red Ball submitted by Norma Beasley

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, November 1 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
  • use this Weekly Goal Check-in Sheet as a fillable .pdf or MS Word document to prepare for the check-in call
• Optional: Writing Your Life’s First Tuesday Write and Read event (Tuesday, November 2 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, November 3 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Schedule personal writing time
• Writing in Scene course: watch video and complete assignment
• Read After Long Silence, pages 92-125, chapters 10-11
• Begin working on a story for feedback if planning to participate (Tuesday, November 30)
• Catch up on assignments or writing work
• VIPs only: if you signed up to share a story for VIP Feedback, post your story on the VIP page by 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 2
• VIPs only: review the stories posted on the VIP page for VIP Feedback

Writer’s Fuel submitted by Tom Weikel

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, October 25 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
  • use this Weekly Goal Check-in Sheet as a fillable .pdf or MS Word document to prepare for the check-in call
• Open office hours with Patricia (Tuesday, October 26 at 5:00 p.m. ET) – Topic for discussion:
  • Do children have a right to know their family history if their parents do not want it revealed?
  • Do parents have a right to withhold family history details from their children?
  • Do children need to know their family’s history in order to be the best version of themselves?
• Feedback Group session (Tuesday, October 26 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
  • If you did not submit a story in advance for review, you’re invited to bring a piece to read Tuesday night and receive first-impression feedback from other Life Writers.
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, October 27 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Schedule personal writing time
• Writing in Scene course: watch video and complete assignment
• Read After Long Silence, pages 59-91, chapters 7-9
• Finish reviewing your group’s stories (if participating in Feedback Group)
• VIPs only: work on a story for VIP feedback

Baby Moose submitted by Amanda Benson

LIVE EVENTS:

• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, October 18 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET)
• After Long Silence master class (Tuesday, October 19 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, October 20 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET) 

TASKS:

• Schedule personal writing time this week
• Writing in Scene course: watch video and complete assignment
• Read After Long Silence, pages 29-58, chapters 3-6
• Register for Feedback Group – post feedback story to Share Stories – October page by Tuesday, October 19 at 11:59 p.m. ET
• Review your feedback group members’ stories on Share Stories – October page (if participating in Feedback Group) between Thursday, October 21 and Tuesday, October 26
• UPDATED: Weekly Assignments Checklist – download and print a REVISED, fillable version with correct dates to submit and review stories for Feedback Group.

LIVE EVENTS:

• REPLAY: Buddy Group Orientation (Thursday, October 7 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
• Weekly Goals Check-in via Zoom (Monday, October 11 at 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET) – use Weekly Goals Check-in Sheet to prepare
• REPLAY: Sample Feedback Session – use jump links below video to navigate replay (Tuesday, October 12 at 5:00 p.m. ET)
• VIPs only: Feedback Group with Patricia (Tuesday, October 12 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
• Virtual Write-in (Wednesday, October 13 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Plan to join the Sample Feedback Session on Tuesday, October 12 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Read and review the selected sample story by Terry Deer in advance (click here) and use the Feedback Form (click here) to jot down your thoughts
• Continue working on a story for feedback, if you plan to participate (fourth Tuesday)
• VIP members – review the stories posted on the VIP Dashboard for Feedback before October 12
• Schedule personal writing time this week
• Writing in Scene lesson: watch video and complete assignment
• Read After Long Silence: front matter, prologue, chapters 1-2 (through page 28)
• Finalize story for feedback if planning to participate (Tuesday, October 26)
• Upload your story for review in the Feedback Group – post story to Share Stories – October page by 11:59 p.m. ET Monday, October 19

Nature’s beach sculpture submitted by Norma Beasley

LIVE EVENTS:

• REPLAY: Session Kick Off party and member orientation (Tuesday, October 4 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
• Optional: Writing Your Life’s First Tuesday Write and Read event (Tuesday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m. ET)
• REPLAY: Buddy Group Orientation (Thursday, October 7 at 6:00 p.m. ET)

TASKS:

• Complete the Get Started Roadmap (good for all but especially for new members)
• Complete the Buddy Group Orientation form and bring with you to Thursday’s Buddy Group Orientation
• Plan to join the Sample Feedback Session on Tuesday, October 12 @ 5:00 p.m. ET. Read about it here. If you want to submit a story for possible review, do so by Wednesday, October 6 at 11:59. p.m. ET.
• Begin working on a story for feedback, if you plan to participate (fourth Tuesday)
• VIP members – sign up to present story on VIP Story Review Sign Up Sheet
• VIP members up for review on October 12, finalize story to submit to the VIP group by Tuesday, October 5 at midnight – upload stories in the comments section of VIP Dashboard
• VIP members – review the stories posted on the VIP Dashboard for Feedback before October 12