How to Host a Writing Fiesta

by Victoria M. Johnson

If you love to write and you love celebrating writing, then why not have a writing fiesta?  Just as the name implies, the day involves a lot of writing and a lot of partying (at the end of the day).  This fun day can help you get past a slump, or force you to return to a project you've been avoiding, or just inspire you to sprint to the end of a manuscript. 

All you need is a distraction-free writing space and five ingredients:

1. Writing Friends

We all have dozens of writing friends don't we?  And we all say we're going to get together some day to write.  And we all never invite each other over to write.  Send the email, or make the call.  They need only three things:

a. Bring a project they're seriously willing to work on.

b. Bring a healthy snack, lunch munchies, or beverage to share.

c. Bring their writing journals and pens or their laptops.

2. A Schedule

Schedule quiet writing periods of at least an hour to 75 minutes, followed by 15-minute breaks for time to stretch, get fresh air, and have a snack.  The quiet time means everyone works on his or her own.  After each break repeat quiet writing.

3. Comfortable Places to Sit

Everyone came to write.  The more conducive the space and seating is for concentration, the higher the creativity and productivity.

photo by Andrew Neel

4. Comfortable Environment to Share

Allow time toward the end of the fiesta for each person to read some of their work they created that day.  Of course constructive feedback is all that's needed at this point since everyone is reading unedited, fresh material.

5. Fiesta Time

After a day of writing and sharing it's time to celebrate not only your written words, but also friendships with fellow writers, and your gifts of imagination and fearless writing.  It's time to bust out the Sangria or whatever your beverage of choice is to enjoy with kindred spirits.

And maybe one of your guests will volunteer to host the next writing fiesta.  Make them an annual or semi annual gathering.  Who says writing has to be solitary all the time?

Victoria M. Johnson knew by the time she was ten that she wanted to be a writer.  She loves telling stories and she's happiest when creating new characters and new plots.  Avalon Books and Montlake Romance published Victoria's fiction debut, The Doctor’s Dilemma.  Her other fiction book is a collection of romance short stories titled, The Substitute Bride and a novella, Hot Hawaiian Christmas. She is also the writer and director of four short films and two micro documentaries.   Visit Victoria's website at http://VictoriaMJohnson.com for inspiration and tips and find her Amazon author page or connect with her on Pinterest and Twitter.

 

TOO BUSY

                                                            

I see a trend with my peers, older women with spouses, grown children, and often grandchildren. We’re all busy.  Our days are full and, especially during the holidays, we approach each day with a long to-do list. 

I never expected this.  I thought my main concern at my age, 60-something, would be making tee times or dinner reservations.  I imagined myself sitting by a pool or in my kitchen over a cup of tea, alone and bored, wondering what to do next. 

I don’t want to be that person in the kitchen, the one who has too much time on her hands who spends her days mostly alone and in silence. But isn’t there happy medium? How did it come to be that my peers and I are so overbooked and overloaded?  Could it be just during the holidays?   Maybe.  I’m sure the holidays are why I am writing this blog on the day that it’s supposed to be posted.  If I’m lucky it will at least make the west coast deadline, but the east coast one is long gone.  The holidays, although the reason for some of the busyness, doesn’t account for the rest of the year when my head, and so many of my peers, is still filled with lists of what needs to be done and calendars full of engagements. 

One reason for my schedule is I like being busy.  The picture of the lonely woman at her kitchen table or by the side of the pool is not an accurate picture of me.  I’m social, enjoy having people in my life and have many interests.  But as the end of the holidays approach, I ask myself when does being busy become an escape or is simply too much.

New Years is a time for resolutions.  Mine are usually to lose 10 or fifteen pounds and finish my work in progress.  This year, instead of the weight loss resolution—although continuing to be a wish seems, after all these years, kind of trite—I’m wondering if I should vow to schedule and do less.  Could there be a happy medium between sitting alone at my kitchen table nursing a cup of tea and a woman whose calendar is so full of engagements there is scarcely time for any spontaneity? 

Maybe it’s because I’m still in the midst of holiday recovery, but I’m thinking that instead of filling every day with obligations and challenges, my resolution should be to pare down what I do, learn to say no and take some alone time doing nothing.  It’s occurred to me that my head shouldn’t always be stuffed with what I need to accomplish.  There should be space for taking detours and even occasionally days of doing nothing or, heaven forbid, lunching with a friend.  

This goal is so revolutionary that I’m betting my husband, children and those who know me well, doubt I can do it. But I’m going to challenge myself to try. I think the resolution to occasionally do nothing is long overdue.  I’ll report back about my success or lack thereof.