Note: If you’d prefer to receive this monthly update in your email inbox (along with additional content, like my cat’s latest conversations), you can sign up for my newsletter here.
With every turning of the calendar, there’s an impulse for creating new goals, resolutions, and habits. This year, I’ve decided to set aside the desire for resolutions and instead try my hand at choosing a word of the year.
This word provides me with a lens through which I can view my actions and activities during 2024. It’s a gentler way of looking at the idea of resolutions, and I’m eager to give it a try.
My word for 2024 is stability. Stability in home, stability in writing practice, stability in routine.
Do you have a word of the year? If so, I would love to hear it.
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Public Classes, Awards, and More)
Make Me Write Sessions
One of the areas where I’ve been seeking stability is my writing. Between the pandemic, several big losses, and mental health… it’s been difficult to make words happen.
And I know I’m not alone in this. Which is how Make Me Write Sessions were born.
This Patreon tier is dedicated to those who want to make tangible progress in their writing, but need a little push to get there. It’s a recurring, weekly block of time where we sit down together and write.
If you’re looking for an extra nudge of accountability around your writing in 2024, consider joining my Patreon at the Make Me Write tier.
New Short Story: Marginalia
| I have a new story out in Uncanny Magazine. It’s the first piece of fiction I’ve published in about a year and it’s pretty personal. It’s also a story about fighting the giant snails in medieval manuscripts. |
Looking for additional learning opportunities?
2024 Writing Excuses Retreats
The Writing Excuses team (myself included) is gearing up for this year’s retreat schedule! We have three different retreats planned in 2024—two on land and one at sea:
- June 2024 Minnesota Retreat: Unlock Your Creative Process – Take time to rest, recharge, and build up your writing momentum at a serene retreat center in Minnesota.
- August 2024 Scotland Retreat: Historical Research & Writing – Just ahead of WorldCon, improve your writing skills while swinging swords, enjoying excellent food, and learning traditional Scottish dances.
- September 2024 Writing Excuses Cruise: Mexican Riviera – Join the crew for their annual cruise aboard the Navigator of the Seas, departing from Los Angeles, California.
Both of the land retreats are currently open for registration, and the cruise will likely open at the end of the month.
Scholarships are available! Applications will be accepted through January 31st.
PATREON EVENTS
2024 Live Class Syllabus
Monthly Writing Classes with Mary Robinette Kowal
Each month, Patrons at the Live Class level will have the opportunity to add new writing tools to their toolkit. Each class includes an in-depth lesson on a topic (or, in the case of Unlocking sessions, an in-depth discussion) as well as a Q&A session.
In 2024, topics include: Auditioning Characters, Creativity and Care, Manipulating Tone and Mood, and more.
In addition, Patrons at the Class level are given access to all past class recordings—over 70 hours worth of instruction.
January Patreon Schedule
- January 7th: Make Me Write Session (Make Me Write Level)
- January 14th: Make Me Write Session (Make Me Write Level)
- January 21st: Make Me Write Session (Make Me Write Level)
- January 28th: Make Me Write Session (Make Me Write Level)
- January 29th: January Writing Class: Auditioning Characters (Class Level)
- In addition, February’s Q&A Session will be held on February 6th.
WHERE TO FIND MRK
In the spirit of stability, my calendar of events is off to a slow start. The end of 2023 was hectic, and I’m looking forward to a restful winter season. I do, however, have a couple of events on the horizon, and I’d love to see you at either of them.
- January 12 – 14: Guest of Honor at Chattacon XLIX (Chattanooga, TN)
- April 12 – 15: Instructor at Sandia Starforgers Writers Workshop (Albuquerque, NM)
ELSIE MERCH
Elsie is making her merchandise debut through notebooks, pins, t-shirts, and more.
Because sometimes “rude litterbox” is the only appropriate response.
If you’d prefer to receive this update in your email inbox (along with additional content, like my cat’s latest conversations), you can sign up for my newsletter using the form below. I’ll also send you a short story in thanks.
