Welcome…
to Writing Your Life’s Free Five-Day Writing Challenge!
Each day, you’ll receive an email that directs you to a mini-lesson via video and a challenge/writing assignment. You’re invited to post your work in the comments section of the day’s challenge page, share encouragement and positive feedback with others, ask questions, or just check in for the day. Are you ready? Let’s go!
Your first challenge: Say Hello!
A fun part of every journey is getting to know your traveling companions, and the same is true for the Free Five-Day Writing Challenge. Let’s get to know each other! Tell us about yourself in the comments section below, and say hello to your fellow challengers. Then, upload a photo of the one and only you, so we can see your beautiful or handsome face.
Hello! Challenge Weeks are great fun and produce amazing stories, so I cannot wait to read yours and share a few of my own. I grew up in New England and spent most of my adult years in Florida. Retired from 30 years in the telecommunications industry, I now own a real estate investment business and write family stories.
Here is a story about my unforgettable friend, Marlene.
Hello, I am Cheryl, I had a serendipitous meeting with Patricia in November 2013 and took every class she offered for several years. I was excited to see this start on my birthday TODAY, May 9th, but the day took off running and now I am out of steam to write. So I will have to play catch up.
Hello! I am happy to share this writing journey with all of you! This is an exciting challenge since writing about people seems to be easier for me. I am retaking a long-term project. The challenge for me is to connect the stories of different people. Nevertheless, I appreciate the opportunity Patricia offers to keep writing. Have an amazing journey!
Hi. I’ve done two writing challenges with Patricia in the past. I’m excited for this particular challenge as I am writing a memoir in which people behave badly. I hope these people (characters) are well rounded and dynamic despite what happened. I also have a lot of fear about speaking these truths but am compelled to do so. Looking forward to our week together, but I may be a little unpredictable about when I post each day: full time mom with a full time job. Joining from Gainesville. Take care and great writing everyone! – amy
Hi Amy,
Thank you for sharing your fears. And, I find myself struggling with writing about people’s true actions, particularly when it is a family member everyone thinks the opposite. Have a great writing journey.
Hello to everyone. I am retired, but I spend a lot of time taking care of my grandson and my parents. I have written one memoir and it is published. I won a silver President’s award from the Florida Authors & Publishers Association for my book called “A Dream Called Kristy”. I am now working on my second memoir. I also helped my mother write and publish a cookbook. I have participated in several of Patricia’s ‘Challenges’ and they were all great, and I got a lot written. Looking forward to this challenge.
Becky! How inspiring! Your second memoir! Congratulations.
Hello Everyone. Im retired from the military (Air Force and Army) and retired from my civilian job some 14 years ago. My hobby is playing the trombone which I played for 10 years in my youth and took up agian at age 69. Currently play in three bands as well as different broad way shows being performed in the area. Im married with three daughters and five grand children and one great grand child. I hope to put together a memoir of my life for my family to know me a little better. Thanks for taking the time to read… Read more »
Hi, Everybody. As a retired teacher I have a lot of stories to tell. I’m closing in on a year of Life Writers with Patricia and nearing the end of my third session. I started her course with trepidation and a vague goal of what I wanted to write. From her first lesson I found myself being gently but firmly guided toward a “next step”. I can’t overstate how great that felt. Instead of trying to do-it-myself I got specific instruction, conversation with the whole community and some wonderful writing partners. Within a week I knew what I wanted to… Read more »
Catherine,
I agree with you! Having this amazing community helps to create accountability. I am so happy to be part of this writing journey!
I’m glad you’re taking it with us, Ericka.
Cathy, I’m so glad to hear you make that last statement – writing is celebrating our lives! What a wonderful perspective on this challenging effort we are taking. Thank you! I value your part in our community!
Thank you so much, Kit. I’ve learned so much from you and all the rest.
Diana Carter
Hello fellow writers! I joined the Life Writers for the Feb – May 2020 session after taking a class with Patricia in The Villages. I journaled for twenty years and loved it. I’m now writing pieces of my life to leave for my children and grandchildren and looking forward to this challenge.
Hi Diana,
Your goal is very inspiring! Thank you for sharing!
Hello writers! I’ve been enjoying writing with LW and Patricia since the beginning in 2020. The learning process is never complete for me, whether I’m focused on a story for my memoirs about my business career in New York City, my life involving family and farming in Iowa, or hanging out with the characters who pop into my writing surprises (i.e., Freddie Mercury). I try to incorporate the techniques we learn here to perfect my writing in a loose and humorous structure. Several stories have taken me back through traveling years across the globe. The next prompt might turn my… Read more »
Hi Writers! I’m a retired Legal Assistant and have been a part of LifeWriters since January 2022. I am looking forward to this writing challenge, as it will be my second. The first challenge taught me so much – which has helped immensely in writing my memoir. I knew after that challenge I had to be a part of this great group. The writers involved are talented and dedicated, and I continually learn from them. Thank you, LifeWriters!
Hello, all. I’ve been a LifeWriter since January 2022; this is my second Writing Challenge. I’m juggling a lot of balls in my life right now so cannot participate as much as I would like in all aspects of LifeWriters, but I make it a priority as often as I can, and dedicating time to writing during a challenge helps to keep me focused. I look forward to reading all of your stories over the next few days.
Hello, fellow writers. I’ve been a Life Writer since it began in 2020. Since then, I have enjoyed the company and feedback of many talented, dedicated people. I’m working on a limited memoir about the three years my family was stationed in England when I was a child. I also have a collection of short, unconnected memories that are the result of First Tuesday prompts. Fiction is my first love! I write short fiction and I’m currently engaged in an outrageously ambitious attempt to write a fantasy novel. I write for myself, first, and then for my family and friends.… Read more »
I am a retired teacher and a grandmother. I am currently writing a memoir about my father, either for publication or for the enjoyment of my family. I like to tell stories but have no training in the area of writing these down. Looking forward to getting started.
Why do I write? Writing helps me to articulate my own beliefs and values. Rather than staying isolated and undefined, I learn to better understand myself. If I keep my unique thoughts inside, they stay in a world of doubt. When I write, I gain confidence. I write about things I notice, experience, and interpret. My favorite thing to write about is nature, but I am learning to write more about people now. Whether it is writing or speaking our stories, they are important to pass on to future generations. Being a part of a writing community allows me to… Read more »
I think this at least my third go round with the writer’s challenge. I’ve loved and learned from everyone. I have high hopes for this one as well and look forward to seeing everyone else’s efforts.
I live on an acreage 5 miles south of London (Minnesota, that is, just inside the Minnesota border,)
I have enjoyed writing for quite a number of years, dabbling in poetry, columns, feature stories, and of late am working on my memoir.
“People do not only talk about successes, they talk about people who overcame their challenges or disabilities. Others are inspired when you are able to overcome your challenges.” Jaya Ramachandran Hello, Looking forward to this writing challenge. The winter here in Spokane WA has finally melted away with the spring season bringing new growth. Beautiful colors and much-needed sunlight are on the horizon. Learning new ways of expressing myself through the written word, has been a delightful experience with Life Writers including past writing challenges. I am looking forward to learning about my peers and reading the stories that you… Read more »
Hi everyone
Looking forward to learning how to do justice in writing about those people who have been important to me.
I am currently working on a memoir and live in North West Tasmania Australia.
Glad to share the path with you all.
Thank you Kit – from your intro where you said “Being a part of a writing community allows me to witness how my writing and storytelling can connect with others” is so true. Our stories really are that thread of commonality [if that is a word]. I have learned that we can usually recognize something of our self in another persons story.
Looking forward to sharing the path with you also. Take care.
Hey everyone,
I am a newbie here and excited to meet y’all. I retired at the end of 2019 and moved to Wilmington, NC so I am trying out my Southerner chops. I spent a lot of time during COVID writing my first book, which is a teaching memoir called Shero’s Journey. It included a few of my life stories but I am back to write more and figure out how to shape them into another book. See you soon!
I’ve been a Life Writer since Summer of 2021. The support and structure of it has enabled me to immerse in writing the Life Stories I’ve often thought about but never committed to paper. The comradery of the group has been essential in providing incisive feedback that both challenges and encourages me to delve deeper into my stories.
The challenge requires dedication and commitment; the results are commensurate with the effort.
Steven, I’m excited you’re back for another round in the challenge. You’ll be stretched, get some great writing done, and have a good time. Buckle up, buttercup.
Fellow Writer,
Since the fall of 2019, I have been gathering the courage and upgrading my skills to call myself a writer. This is my third Free Five-Day Writing Challenge and have found them to be the most productive writing weeks of the year. With Patricia’s enthusiasm and writing skills, you too will find the week to be fun and productive. Enjoy! Vern
You are a writer, Vern, no doubt about it, a really good one. I look forward to reading about the unforgettable people in your life.
Patricia, You are so kind. I look forward to the challenge.