Hey! How are we all doing?
Most of my August posts have been pre-written, but I wanted to drop in as a bonus today with a few things that have been going on.
I talked earlier this month with about how I dealt with my Substack being deleted.
In truth, two things also happened.
- I crutched on things that were not good for me. Some emergency cigarettes here. A glass of wine there. Fitness went out the window. It’s not the best way to cope with something, but that’s the truth.
- The other. Somewhat more inspirational was after legging it to Paris for the weekend. I remembered the impact of going away and how important it is.
That's why I set up my creative writing retreat - September 5th-8th. 2-weeks to go!
Yeah, of course, I wanted to make money. But more than that, I wanted to offer an intimate face-to-face experience. And I needed to focus on creating an income that didn’t rely on something that could be wiped out overnight.
Like many of you, I created what I needed.
When I moved to France, I chopped off all my debt. I was able to pay for a house outright. Not shackled like I was in London by a mortgage x6 times my salary.
My husband then landed a corporate job. I had time and space to daydream about what I wanted to be. A writer.
Truth is. I am. Or I always was. Opening a box of memories from my parents' loft, I was a prolific creator in 1993. I wrote and self-published three fiction short stories.
Limited edition. Only one copy of each!
1. Hand written (published by my Dad’s Frederick Werner Ltd building companies invoice binder)
2. Amstrad computer typed (published by Fred again)
3. Stock’s Green Primary school issued manuscript notebook.
I’ve always been a writer.
Even if my 12,000 book sales and being a global top 50 business newsletter on Substack didn’t count.
And this is what I mean by faking it.
I might not talk about how I completed a creative writing course at the London School of Journalism. I don’t write creatively here. But I do have a notebook of vignettes that never see the public light of day.
At what point are you an expert? Can it be less about vanity metrics and more about passion sometimes?
Main takeaway. I don’t want you to have to overhaul your life to get that creative space.
That’s why I’ve designed my creative writing retreat with lots of exercises, prompts and cute surprises to make it a space for you to daydream.
Of course, if you have a business project or need PR support, you get unrivalled face-to-face access with me in a small space for just that. Everyone receives a 30-minute one-to-one time with me.
But actually, creative writing has always been my passion. And I think we are taught that we need expertise that we can sell. Not passion.
That’s why I’ve found the perfect space for you to be looked after. The cabins are cosy. The food is delicious. The space is gorgeous.
I’ve attended business accelerators and writing courses, and I’m combining the best of my learnings from my expertise and passions to bring you learning.
Of course, you can also hide away and do nothing.
As an aside, when I stopped stressing about selling out the last space, I made my first zine. I called it ‘Zine of the PR Times
I made it for a friend who was a former client who came to stay as a takeaway reminder of things she could do to PR her business.
I can’t guarantee you a bespoke takeaway because it’s all so individual, but who knows what you will create over these few days when you give yourself the space.
The last cabin is here.
And if any of my work has ever helped you or if my delegate moved you, please help me get the word out as I try to sell out the antidote experience. My most popular articles from my old publication used to get organic traction and a new audience.
I lost all of that.
Sidenote: I’m interested in social media creators of photographers who may want to get paid to capture footage when they are there! If that’s you. Let’s chat!
No relevant template to today's post, so I’m gifting you all a preview of my new branding arriving soon! You also have a few glimpses in today’s post.
This was the RuPaul quote that has been inspiring me and my content recently.
And the link to create your own A4 zine for fun from 42nd.org.
Keep on hyping. See you on Sunday for the usual service.
Lucy x
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