Dear :

Great news! 

The Ohioana Library selected You Should Be Writing, the journal of writing inspiration and instruction I co-authored with Brenda Knight, for the 2021 festival.

For many years, the Ohioana Library hosted a day-long, in-person gathering. Due to the pandemic, they transformed the 2020 festival into a three-day, online extravaganza. Depression Hates a Moving Target was a 2020 festival book, and I spoke on a panel with several other authors about Living Your Best Life.

As the pandemic trudges on, this 14th Ohioana Book Festival will also be virtual. Silver lining! With internet access, you can "attend" the festival from anywhere.

View the fabulous slate of 2021 Ohioana Book Festival authors here.

Signed copies of both my books and some of Brenda's books are available at The Book Loft.

Mark your calendars for Friday, April 23rd through Sunday, April 25th and stay tuned for more details!

Wellness/Mindfulness Tip

Notice. Notice. Notice.

No. That's not an announcement, that's my tip: Notice.

The world is shifting (again—always.)

The sun has returned to central Ohio. Warmth and rain melted the snow. People (including Ed) are getting vaccinated. We've made it through one of the hardest winters of our lives.

It feels momentous. I don't want to miss it.

It's not time to full on party yet. (PLEASE DON'T GATHER YET.) But let's have a teensy "moment" celebration. Pull a party hat out of the emotional hall closet and dance around in your living room.

Stop and notice.

If you feel the pull of spring, Get outside. Hear birds chirping and squirrels scampering. Notice any patch of blue amid the clouds. Breathe it all in. Feel that? That's now. Right here. That's it.

Notice.

And if you do have a teensy "moment party," hit reply and tell me. I might include it in the next newsletter.

Movement/Running

During this recent #RunChat Podcast interview, Dan and I talked about how to stay motivated without in-person races.

I haven't decided what to train for beyond the usual "I'm training for life." But I continue to go outside or do laps in our basement "indoor track" to keep my mood stable.

Like many other runners, I miss the structure. I do have a plan. It just doesn't have a hard end date. And I miss that hard goal. I'm thinking of a socially-distanced race our training group will put on in May, but haven't signed up yet.

The pupperina and I still put in our miles. Yesterday she and I went out for six, then I dropped her at home and did three more solo. I've built Scarlet's mileage gradually, the same way I did mine when I began running. We're continuing. Left foot. Right foot. Repeat.

How's the whole movement thing going for you? 

Gentle Writing Advice

In response to a "Harsh Writing Advice" Twitter trend, Chuck Wendig buoyed everyone with this gem of Why Gentle Writing Advice Exactly. Yes writing can be difficult, lonely, and a bit like hoping to win the lottery without playing. But why make it worse than it is? Chuck helps us out.

Always Grateful for Those Positive Reviews:

I woke to two new 5-star reviews on Amazon!

Thanks always and forever to each of you who have left a positive review for Depression Hates a Moving Target and You Should Be Writing. They make me so happy. If you enjoyed either book and haven't had a chance to, please leave a review. Even one sentence means so much. To those of you who already have, I can't thank you enough!

Here are direct links to make Amazon reviews easier:

YSBW - Paperback

YSBW - ebook

DHAMT - Paperback

DHAMT - ebook

DHAMT - Audiobook
 

Events & Classes

For the foreseeable future, all my events and classes are online. No matter where you live, you can join me:

3/8/21 at 6:30pm ET: Blogging for Authors - $25 - Registration required [NOTE: Even if you're not a writer, but want to blog, you'll find this class helpful.]

3/11/21 at noon ET: CLE on Meditation - Cost varies - Registration required

3/12/21 (Noon PT/ 3pm ET): WNBA-SF Panel "Where Do Writers Get Ideas?" - Registration required

4/13/21 (11am PT/2pm ET): A Daily Dose of Now - Meditation - Save the Date

4/23 to 4/25 - Ohioana Book Festival - Save the Dates

SEE ALL EVENTS ON THE WEBSITE.

Did You Know You Can Hire Me?

Stuck in your writing process? Not sure what steps to take?

Whether you're a new writer, already published, or somewhere in between, chances are I've faced what you're up against. I'd love to help.

We'll hop on zoom or that phone thingie. You'll tell me your quandary, and I'll share my expertise with you, one-on-one. I have a ton of resources, and decades of experience heading people in the right direction.

Email me at nita@nitasweeney.com to discuss this service.

Please Take Care

If I can help in some other way, please ask. Email is always the best way to reach me.

Take care and be well.