Open Thread: What're You Working On?

Share your latest project and how it's going

Last week, I did a live Zoom call with a group of paid subscribers and after about an hour of hearing myself talk, I grew tired. Opening up the call for discussion, it became clear that everyone attending the call had a lot to offer—beyond merely listening to what I had to say.

That reminded me of something.

Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash

For years, I ran an annual writers conference alongside seasonal regular coaching events and workshops. What always fascinated me about these experiences was that the people in the audience invariably had just as much to share as those standing on the stage. Sometimes more.

They just needed someone to ask.

I would always tell folks in the audience, in typical dad-joke fashion, that they were all “VIP”s—very interesting people. And it was true. Everyone has a story, an idea, a perspective. And often, all they need is an opportunity to share it.

The other day, I published a post on why it’s always your turn, and a number of readers replied with some big dream or project they were attempting to tackle and how it was going. I wanted to hear more, so I thought we could do an open forum where I shut up, and you get to talk.

So, without apology or embarrassment, tell us what you’re working on and how it’s going. Is it launching a paid newsletter? Outlining your next novel? Trying to write your first book proposal? What has you stuck or excited? It might help to talk about it with someone or just put it out there. So let’s do just that.

Leave a comment on this post with what your latest creative project, writing or otherwise, is along with any areas where you may be struggling. What are you learning, and what can’t you just seem to figure out? It could be a sentence or a few paragraphs. Let’s keep it simple and just see where it goes.

Who knows? Maybe we can find a way to help and encourage each other along the way. And to put my money where my mouth is, I’ll go first:

I am currently working on my next book—sort of. I’ve got a few different drafts that I’ve started over the years, each ranging from a few hundred words to tens of thousands. My challenge is that I can’t decide what it should be: straightforward “advice” (a la your standard self-help book) or something more narrative, like a series of essays. I’ve changed so much as a writer in recent years that I feel a bit stuck on direction, and I’m wondering if I should just do something. But I keep getting into my own head about what I want versus what I think readers want versus what publishers may want. Yes, I know I just wrote about this. But if you couldn’t tell by now, I am always talking to myself. Anyway, it feels good to share.

And now, it’s your turn. Once we get rolling, leave a comment on at least one other person’s post after you share yours. Let’s keep the responses encouraging and positive and offer constructive feedback only if people ask. It’s a brave thing to put yourself and your work out there.

I look forward to reading what you’re working on.