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Creating Community w/ Gabrielle Goodloe
15 Plays2 years ago
On today’s episode, I talked with my friend and fellow editor, Gabrielle (Gabby) Goodloe, about the importance of creating community in the writing world. We’ve both felt the gut punch of our writing being rejected, and it turned us away from writing for years. We discuss the importance of finding people who support and encourage you, who see your brand of creative genius and celebrate you for it. And we touch on some of the more harmful messages we see circulating the writing world.
At the end of the episode, we introduce our new writing group, The Writer’s Helm, which is opening its doors to writers of all kinds who want to find a place of community, accountability, and learning. We are supporting authors through all stages of writing, from shaping the earliest draft to navigating the rough journey to publishing. If you’ve ever felt adrift in the writing seas, if anything we’ve said in this episode resonates with you, go to scribeandsunshine.com/thewritershelm to learn more and join the crew!
If you’re interested in working one-on-one with Gabby, you can connect with her on Instagram: @developmentaleditor or at her website: gabriellegoodloe.com
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Transcript
Introduction to the Ugly Podcast
00:00:03
Speaker
Welcome to the Ugly Podcast. I'm your host, Lauren Alexander, she, they, and this is the place where creatives are encouraged to make messy, ugly art and let go of perfectionism.
00:00:14
Speaker
I started this podcast with my creative partner, Emerson, and we've since grown into our businesses. And this podcast is now evolving into a space where I interview other creatives to discuss our creative processes and how we navigate the mental mind field of creativity. This podcast serves as a reminder that you and your art get to be whatever the hell you want to be, ugly and all.
00:00:42
Speaker
Hello, everybody. An excellent start. We're off to a great start. Welcome, everybody, to the Ugly podcast.
Meet Gabby Goodlow, Writing Coach and Editor
00:00:57
Speaker
I'm Lauren Alexander, and I'm here with my co-captain, and I'm so excited to introduce you to Gabby Goodlow.
00:01:06
Speaker
She is a queer developmental editor, writing coach, and self-proclaimed hype woman who loves to work with first time fantasy and romance authors with a passion for storytelling and for the writers creating the magic. Gabby has found her calling and supporting and empowering the human behind the page. Welcome. Can you please? I mean, I already said your name, but can you tell us your pronouns? Yes, my pronouns are she, her, and I'm so excited to be here. Thanks for inviting me, Lauren.
00:01:34
Speaker
Of course. I had to have you on so we can talk all about our new venture. And so as I was like, I was brushing my teeth before we got on this call and I was looking in the mirror and I was like, I wish I was wearing something more piratey. And then I realized that she has an eye patch. Oh my gosh, it's perfect. I don't know if you can see it. It's perfect. I love it. So like, I'm already piratey. Meant to be. Always. Everything. Every little moment.
00:02:05
Speaker
Yes.
Launching a New Writing Group
00:02:07
Speaker
So yeah, we just launched our new writing group and we'll talk about it more towards the end of the show. But right now I just want to talk about you. Oh my gosh. What everyone loves to talk about is themselves, right? It'll be great. So tell me just more about your own creative adventure through life. What do you like to write? What do you like to do?
00:02:34
Speaker
I love to write fantasy with romance in it, of course. And I have a really interesting journey to writing that I can't wait to expand upon later in some of the other questions that you've prepped for me, which they are so amazing.
00:02:57
Speaker
But yeah, and I'll have to admit I've been doing less writing now. Well, for like story purposes, it's been a lot of like copy stuff and stuff for website. And as you know, stuff for our our new writing group and marketing materials. So yeah, but yeah, fantasy and romance has always been my my first love, I think.
00:03:21
Speaker
Awesome. Did you start writing those when you were little? Has it always just been something you love?
Gabby's Writing Journey and Rediscovery
00:03:30
Speaker
Well, that's a good question because I also have... I guess I don't want to... We're going to get vulnerable here, I guess. I was always a reader, of course. I feel like so many of us have that shared experience.
00:03:50
Speaker
Um, so yeah, I was always a reader as a child. And then I tried to write my first story when I was in eighth grade. And I remember this notebook that I had, which is hilarious because I am like totally a computer person now with writing. It's really hard for me to do like pen and paper, but yeah, I had this like blue notebook covered in flower print. It was, you know, it was the time. And I was like, I'm going to write this fantasy story. I was being a little, you know,
00:04:18
Speaker
weird kid in my backyard and being like, where are all the fairies at? I'm going to write about it. It's great. I love that. I was in my element. But I do remember this was a pivotal moment and not in a good way. But I do remember sharing that writing with an adult in my life. And it didn't go over well when I was a child.
00:04:46
Speaker
And I remember the criticism and the lack of encouragement. And I never wrote again after that until I was like 23. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. So big, big gap. But I remember it was such an interesting time. Like when I went into my twenties and then it was like, what do I want to do? I mean, every
00:05:10
Speaker
Every 18-year-old has that. It's like, okay, you're done with high school and now what? Right? How are you going to survive the rest of your life? Right. And that was so anxiety inducing. And I just was like, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I didn't know. All I knew was that I wanted to be happy. That's all I knew. And I didn't know how to even be happy. So it took me until I was 23.
00:05:40
Speaker
And then I just, all of a sudden I was like, I have a story idea. And I was like, oh, I remember thinking in that moment, I was like, I remember this feeling. And then it was like, there I was, eighth grade Gabby in her backyard, like thinking about fairies in the grass. And then I was like, I know. But then I just remember like having this, I was so emotional because I felt like I had kind of unlocked
00:06:07
Speaker
not just a trauma, but I had unlocked that thing that I had craved and desired for so long that I had shoved away and I didn't even know was there. And so then of course, and it was so interesting because I told my husband, I was like, oh, I think I want to be a writer. And he was like, of course you do. That makes so much sense.
00:06:29
Speaker
Oh, that's so cute that he was just like, well, yeah, duh. Well, yeah. And he had known me in high school. We were best friends in high school. And so he was like, I've always thought of you as a writer. And then he starts telling me stories. He's like, do you remember in high school when you wrote this history paper and our history teacher put it on his fridge at home? And I was like, no, I don't really remember that. I just didn't think about it. He's like, you've always been this way. You just never stopped and noticed. And I was like, oh my gosh.
The Importance of Supportive Writing Communities
00:07:00
Speaker
So, yeah, and that moment, that awakening, I guess, or reawakening was a, well, that started me into my journey to trying to find my people as a writer, because it was like, okay, now I'm back in it. I also have this past trauma related to writing. And it's like, how do I find my people? And then until that journey, which we can go into later until I became an editor.
00:07:30
Speaker
I didn't realize how similar our stories were. I also had that big gap where I loved creating as a kid and I remember
00:07:42
Speaker
one instance in particular where I had a lot of fun writing this horror story for a school assignment and then the teacher just thought it was shit. It just broke me. I felt so sad and I was like, well, I guess I'm not any good at that.
00:08:04
Speaker
I stopped I stopped writing and like I wasn't really a huge writer like in my spare time like when I was little I'd write little stories and stuff but it wasn't until then where I actually had fun doing this thing and then I heard nah this isn't good then I was just like oh no and it wasn't until
00:08:25
Speaker
I feel like it happens to so many people, which is why once I did start to get back into a creative practice, I was just like, I need more people to understand that you deserve to create whatever you want. I love that so much about you, Lauren. I love that hearing that we have similar stories, the way that
00:08:47
Speaker
Cause I feel like you can go like two routes in life when something traumatic happens to you, right? And so, and it's interesting that you and I have both taken this route that it's like this thing happened to us. Uh, it was life altering and we've chosen to go down this route where we spend all of our time and we dedicate our energy, like our emotional labor on supporting other people so that either we can prevent it from happening to them or we can help people.
00:09:17
Speaker
recover and come back to it after it's already happened. Yes, exactly. I adore you. I just- I adore you. I'm so grateful that you exist and I'm so grateful that you're just always putting yourself out there because I think we need more of that for sure. I agree. Thank you. You're so welcome.
00:09:43
Speaker
Okay, so after that event and you have this long period of not creating, who was the first person or people or what was the circumstance that helped you realize that you weren't alone and that your creative practice, your writing was worth pursuing? I am so glad you asked this question because this unlocked so much for me because I really spent a lot of time on
00:10:13
Speaker
this thinking about this journey that I had because it's been, I haven't revisited it for so many reasons, but I have two answers. The first answer is the first time, the first person to ever introduce me to community is totally, credit is due to Terra for the freelance editors club. Even though it's not writing related, it was the first time ever in my life
00:10:41
Speaker
that I had felt supported and like I had found my people truly because I had searched my whole like from the age of 23 trying to find my people I kept running into roadblock after roadblock to the point that I was feeling like I was like am I the only person that feels the way I feel about writing that has this relationship with writing that has this past history with
00:11:10
Speaker
with writing and creativity. I felt so lost and alone, which circles back to this writing group that we've created. But I just remember not finding that. So here's my two-part answer. The first person to make me feel supported and have that community whenever was Terra, but that was for my editing business. The first person to ever help me realize on the writing side of things
00:11:39
Speaker
was me. And so and that was done through. I'll tell another little story is that. Yes.
Learning from Famous Authors
00:11:51
Speaker
So I live in Portland, Oregon, and we have pals books here, which is a pretty big deal. And we also have a very famous, I won't name them, but we have a very famous writer that lives here, best selling author. They often frequently visit pals
00:12:08
Speaker
when we have other authors coming and they're like a co-presenter type deal. I'm sorry, my dog. Anyway, I would often go to these events and I went up for a book signing from both authors.
00:12:34
Speaker
And the author, like, I think I don't know if they recognize me or if it was because I was towards like the end of the line. So there weren't a lot of people left at this point, even though I'd been packed. And then remember, like, I still didn't know anything about editing at this point. I was like, just my little vulnerable writer self, like just trying to find my way.
00:12:53
Speaker
And I like, they were signing my book and they were asking me blah, blah, blah, like, oh, you know, I was like, yeah, I live here. And I was like, and I know you live here. That's so cool. And then I was like, yeah, I'm a writer. I don't know how this came up, but I was like, I'm a writer. And I don't know where I had the courage to even say that to a bestselling author that I could potentially bump into at the grocery store at any moment. But I was just like, yeah, let me just say that. And they were like, oh, that's so cool. And they said so and so over there as a writer, you should talk to them.
00:13:23
Speaker
And then she's like, to so-and-so over there, she's like, come over here, come meet this person. And I was just like, oh my god, what's happened? What have I done? I've made a huge mistake. Who is she introducing me to? And I'm also a huge introvert, and I'm horrible at small talk. And I just was like, I have, can we swear on you? I was like, I have fucked up. I mean, it was pure panic, Lauren.
00:13:52
Speaker
So anyway, I give this person talking to me like, what do you write? Blah, blah, blah. They look to be my age. So I I was like, oh, they're my age, like less pressure. It's OK. They just somehow also know this famous author well enough that this person knows their name and is like, yeah, like I was like, oh, my God. So whatever lies, I was telling myself in that moment to like get through it. We exchanged phone numbers.
00:14:18
Speaker
And I was like, my life is over. Through all of that, they texted. And I was like, I remember like telling my husband, I was like, it's fine. They're probably not gonna text me. They just wanted to like, you know, be nice to the newbie writer that this person introduced. And no, she texted me. And I was like, oh, fuck. I just remember being like, why? Why did you text me?
00:14:48
Speaker
But I was also so excited at the same time. And keep in mind, like at this point, like I had just, I mean, I was still in the like earliest stages of like just word vomit on paper. I mean, I didn't even, if you asked me what my story about it was going to be like, it's such a vibe. I have no idea. Ask me later. You know, it's just like all, all vibes all day. But I was just like, all I know is I want to be a writer and I'm back into it and I'm having fun.
00:15:16
Speaker
I remember having so much fun, and I was writing all the time. And that's all that mattered to me at that point. And so I met this person at a coffee shop. They were like, let's have like a writing session, and we can hang out and chat. And I was like, yes, please. I was like, I think I found my first writing friend. Yeah. Because I didn't know any writers. I didn't know any writers growing up. I was the only one in my family who read books.
00:15:46
Speaker
I had been nothing but isolated up until this point. Then I meet this person. I am sweating. I'm shaking in the car. I'm regretting every life decision I've ever made. I know all of these feelings so well. Yes, yes. Then I sit down and this person just opens up with these big questions like, what's your story about? I was rude.
00:16:16
Speaker
And then, how dare you? Exactly. Exactly. But I don't like, I was just like, fake it till you make it right. Even though that's whatever. We're just that is that's the mindset I was in, even if we've evolved since then. But I was just like, yeah, it's it's about, uh, you know, this and that. And yeah, we'll see. We'll see what happens. Exactly.
00:16:42
Speaker
And I just remember like the total demeanor shift that they kind of had. And then it became the questioning suddenly shifted into what felt like I was being interrogated.
Creating a Local Writing Community
00:16:55
Speaker
And then I suddenly felt like, oh, I have to prove myself now. And then I remember the question that still stands out to me to this day was they were like, well, what is it young adult or is it adult? And I was like, well, I'm not sure yet.
00:17:11
Speaker
And I was like, I'm thinking adult, but maybe young adult. And then they were like, well, are your characters adults or are they children? And I was like, well, I'm thinking like, you know, I hadn't settled on anything. I was like, do I want them to be 18, 19? Do I want them to be 17? I didn't know. And then I just remember the way that it was just like. It just I just felt like I didn't have all the answers and I was somehow a failure for not having them.
00:17:41
Speaker
And it was so uncomfortable. And then come to find out that this person was deep in the because I'm in the back of my mind, I'm like, they're going to tell this famous author about me. I was like, I like, you know, they'd be like, why did you do that? Because I didn't know me. Right. Because I was like, I don't even know if they know this person that well, but it was just I was like, oh, my God, to come to find out that they were like deep in the traditional publishing world and they were going just like
00:18:10
Speaker
They were interning and they had all these big dreams that I am sure that they have accomplished by now. But their background and their experience and their internships was the perception that they were asking me these questions at. So this person was asking a new writer who doesn't know their story very well, who's still figuring out what it's even about. They are approaching me from a perspective of, is this book an SL?
00:18:40
Speaker
Right. And I didn't realize that at the time. So I was like now looking back, I'm like, why was I like being interrogated and feeling like I wasn't living up to some kind of expectation and meeting all these requirements? So then this was my first person that I met that was a writer and they made me feel less than because I just felt like I wasn't prepared for this interview.
00:19:06
Speaker
Yeah. And then after having the courage to tell someone that I looked up to who lives here, that I was a writer. And so it was just, it was kind of, it just felt like more trauma on top of trauma. Yes. But here's the thing that stood out to me is that I learned so quickly through these experiences.
00:19:35
Speaker
what I didn't want to make other people feel like, who were trying to be creative, who were trying to be writers. I knew immediately, so quickly what was support and what wasn't. And so this is where I circle back to who taught me, you know, about community and support and, you know, it was me through my in-person writing group that I put together.
00:20:05
Speaker
because that was when I put together the local writing group here in Portland that meets every two weeks and it's free. I guess I saw through them community and support and what it's like to be with other writers who inspire each other. And it's just a complete culture that we've created. And I show up as a writer. I don't show up as an editor.
00:20:35
Speaker
They know that I edit, but that's just because we talk all the time and we basically become friends. But putting that together was life changing and so rewarding because it felt like for the first time, it was like now I have writer friends. But before that, I was in the editing club. So Tara came first.
00:21:03
Speaker
from a professional business side. But then Tara, Tara basically showed me that it was even possible. Yeah, because I had felt until that point, I had felt like I must just be like, that one person that just does not I was like, I don't know what it is. Am I too weird? Am I too quirky? Like, am I just not a good enough writer? Am I just I even remember feeling like I just was like,
00:21:30
Speaker
priced out of writing because I was like, I can't afford these, you know, seven, $800 writing classes. And I know what I mean. It was just like I was like, I don't even know how to get in the room with these people who are supposedly my people. So. So then you made the room. Then I made the room. Yeah, exactly. I love it.
00:22:01
Speaker
I love you. Thank you so much for sharing all of that. I agree. The freelance editors club shout out Tara. She really has just created such an amazing group, which is how you and I met. Yeah, exactly. How this whole thing started. I love it. I know. It's just everything just feels meant to be.
00:22:29
Speaker
So, I mean, I think we've already gotten so much of like just your experience. So like what messages are out there that are just unhelpful or harmful to all of the creative practices. I feel like we got so much of it just out of like those two interactions that you described, right? Like, God, like if someone shows you they're writing and they're really excited about it and you just like shit all over it. Right. That's a big no,
Is Writer's Block Real?
00:22:57
Speaker
no.
00:22:57
Speaker
Yeah, 100%. One thing that I think is really important to talk about that is so, for some reason, it's controversial. And I don't understand it is that there's this saying that writer's block doesn't exist. And there's some, you know, of course, there's
00:23:21
Speaker
the mass majority that use that term, writer's block, but then there's a large group of people that say writer's block isn't real. Yeah, exactly. What do they mean by that? I've seen different things being like writer's block doesn't exist, it's procrastination.
00:23:42
Speaker
Um, you know, so here's, here's my, here's my message is I don't think anyone has the right to tell someone what they are or, or not experiencing. Yes. And I think it is harmful, extremely harmful to not hold space to explore something
00:24:12
Speaker
as stressful and anxiety inducing and so much pressure on an individual to hold space and explore what writer's block means to them and what's happening for them. Because there's so much happening under the surface, including, I also think, and I'm like this on social media, like I struggle as an editor to post editing tips and tricks on social media.
00:24:42
Speaker
because for the very reason that everyone is so different and every story is so different, that I don't always feel comfortable generalizing information. Because I think generalizing information can help or harm someone if you don't know their situation or their story.
Unique Writing Processes and Advice
00:25:03
Speaker
And so I kind of apply that to everything, but circling back to writer's block, it's like, you know, I've heard
00:25:12
Speaker
procrastination is a, you know, it's not laziness, it's a trauma response. And I love that because procrastination, if we really think about it, procrastination is just the avoidance of an uncomfortable feeling. Yeah. And so I think all of those things are worth exploring. writer's block can be anything but
00:25:34
Speaker
from writing yourself into a corner. Maybe you're just not sure how to keep moving forward. Maybe something isn't working in the story and you're a little too close to it to kind of get unblocked or it's mental health related. And you can call it whatever you want. If you want to call it writer's block, sometimes we don't have the word to describe
00:25:58
Speaker
to get that specific, especially if it's mental health related. Like for me, if I'm feeling depressed or if I'm feeling anxious, you know, it's like if you break your arm, you're not expected to go in and be a mechanic writing comes from the brain. And if your brain's not functioning that day, why are we still expecting you to show up to work? Yeah.
00:26:21
Speaker
And then you're going to tell someone that, Oh, writer's block doesn't exist when they're like, Oh, for some reason I'm feeling stuck or whatever. So to me, I think it's harmful to take the power away from people who want to label themselves in whatever way or fashion or form that they feel most comfortable with. Um, and the same applies to, I feel like generalizing information.
00:26:50
Speaker
And one of my favorite quotes, I can't remember who said it, and I'm paraphrasing here. It was something like, if you asked five writers what their process was, what their writing process was, you're going to get six answers back. And I love it. It's funny and it's quirky, but it stuck with me for years because it really, to me, I was like, yes, we are all so different and so unique and quirky. We're all a little quirky. And so, yeah, you might get six answers. You might get eight back.
00:27:22
Speaker
Migrative process changes day to day. I was just going to say flexibility. We are constantly evolving. As you learn new tips and tricks and your writing muscle gets bigger, things change. Absolutely. Yeah. Anyone touting the one size fits all with your writing can be very harmful. Definitely.
Community and Accountability in Writing
00:27:50
Speaker
So what do you find most helpful in maintaining your writing practice? Well, it might be a little on the nose after all this, but community. Yeah. Community has had the biggest impact for me. Being a big part of it is accountability and not in the way that we think about accountability. To me, I think a lot of
00:28:19
Speaker
us think of accountability as, oh, this pressure, like someone's expecting me to like clock in, you know what I mean? Right. But to me, the accountability is someone's going to be there for me when I show up. Yes. That is so energizing when there's someone there when you show up and you're not just alone in a room. Yeah, exactly. And so like, I hadn't, you know, when I started editing, I
00:28:48
Speaker
you know, definitely put the writing on the back burner to build my business. Um, but since I've started the in-person writing group, having that dedicated time to write, but to know that there are going to be other writers there when I show up makes me so eager to write that I, yeah, of course, of course. And that's gone into, I know that you can relate to it, what we've designed, um, for our online writing group. Yep. Yeah. Exactly.
00:29:20
Speaker
We have this idea that everything we do has to be good or have value. This belief leads us to burn out. It can hold us back from creating altogether. But in my Ugly Art 101 course, I break down these restrictive beliefs and lead you through exercises that intentionally subvert perfectionism and bring playfulness back into your creative process. You can get the first day absolutely free by going to my website, scribeandsunshine.com and signing up on the homepage. Join me in my weird ugly art revolution. Back to the show.
Introducing Writer’s Helm
00:29:53
Speaker
On that note, we're going to switch focus to the Writer's Helm, which is our new group, which we just launched today. And we just got our first sign up right before recording this. Yeah, we did. So exciting.
00:30:12
Speaker
Um, so I want us just to both answer these questions so people get to know us and know what we're all about and what this writing group is going to be like. Um, so what made you first want to start this group? I feel like I talked about it a little bit already, but you know, that past experience of what I had as a writer and then that served me as an editor in how I supported others. What made me want to start this group was to expand.
00:30:42
Speaker
the room that we've created. I want to reach so many more people than the ones that are just here or the, you know, especially like I have people in the local group that can't attend in person. So to me, it's like, if I can make anything more accessible and to reach more people, then that is the ultimate win for me. I love it. Thanks. What about you?
00:31:13
Speaker
I've tried to start writing groups several times now. And the reason why it was very similar to your experience, like I said, as soon as I started realizing that I enjoyed creating and that I was allowed to do it and it didn't need to be anything groundbreaking, it didn't need to be a best-selling novel in order to be worth my time.
00:31:37
Speaker
As soon as I discovered that, I was like, okay, I want more people to know this. And I want a community of support around me. And I want us to all charge into this like imperfect creative universe together. And so I tried when I first launched my business and started making, I started making ugly art and ugly writing and like, you know, all my ugly stuff.
00:32:03
Speaker
And so I started a writing group on Patreon and I just started doing like half hour writing sessions and I think I advertised for it like two times and then I got scared cause nobody like responded. So then I just like stopped advertising for it. But that was also like in my early days of like not really understanding marketing, not really understanding how to run a business or you know.
00:32:32
Speaker
I'm still making it up. Yes. I mean, also, yes, but like, I do have like a firmer understanding of like, Hey, if you want this to succeed, you have to talk about it all the time. So I'm much more willing to do that now. But the thing that
00:32:53
Speaker
really inspired me was listening to you talk about starting this writing group. You were talking about your in-person group and like everything you were saying, I was just like, this person resonates with me. Like everything that she's saying, like I want, like I want that writing group too. And then I was like, what if we joined forces? Give me tear up. Oh my gosh.
00:33:22
Speaker
I'm so glad that you reached out to me. Me too. I'm glad you said yes. And also that you're totally fine leaning into weird nautical puns. Oh my God. That has been, I was telling my husband, I was like, I'm so glad Lauren's just as dorky as I am. I just felt like I found my business soulmate.
00:33:50
Speaker
Well, like that's my favorite thing is just like in the past because of like my views of like, well, things need to be professional or they need to be a certain way. Like I may not have leaned into that. I've been like, well, maybe that's a bit much. And now these days I'm just like, no, it's awesome. It's all great. I love the weirdness. I, yes, make it more. I'm so glad that makes me so happy. Oh my gosh. Yes.
00:34:21
Speaker
And then on top of that, I also like, I was a part of a writing group for a while that like, I really loved it. Like the, the setup of it, the community, I wrote more in the few months that I was a part of that group than I ever have. But the only problem there was like, it was a women's group. And there was something about that where like, and this was like before I kind of,
00:34:45
Speaker
started leaning into my queerness. I was still going only by she her and I was like, why don't I feel 100% safe here? Something about this group isn't making me feel 100% safe.
00:35:00
Speaker
And that's when I realized, like, oh, Lauren, your queer is how it works. But yes, we love a queer story. We do. It queers all day long. Yes. And I realized, I want to make a space that feels comfortable for
00:35:18
Speaker
people of all gender expressions. And like, I don't want you to feel like boxed in. And so I was like, I, I love this community and everything that it's doing, but I need it to be more open. And so it's like, well, I need to go make that room, you know? I'm so happy. I'm so happy you did because
00:35:35
Speaker
Like when I was saying in my earliest writing days, I was like, am I the only person that feels this way? Especially as a fantasy writer, I was like, am I the only woman on the planet that's super into fantasy? You know what I mean?
00:35:53
Speaker
And then, but being pigeonholed, like being like, Oh, but I also like romance. Like I just, it was such a struggle bus is the only way I could say that. And so, but I know for a fact, like even like in our editing group, I was like, well, look at all these people. They're, they're so different from me, but they fit into my puzzle. And so.
00:36:17
Speaker
And I love that you said that you're like, I want to go create a room for that because I know that there are so many other people that feel the exact same way that we did. And again, this is why I'm like, I keep saying like, this is the group that I wish I had years ago. And I'm so happy that we found each other, Lauren. I'm so, I can't express it enough because I think that this is going to make such a difference on the community. Truly. I think so too.
00:36:48
Speaker
So along those lines, what makes this group different than other groups that are out there? First off, queer does welcome. Yes, all queerness all the time. Yes, just all welcome. Come be weird and queer here. We love it. We are it. Yeah, exactly. Yes. But I think the other thing that stands out is like,
00:37:17
Speaker
I agree that we are showing up to this group as writers, but we are also editors, which gives a lot of really great education and access to people who join this group. That is a huge benefit because that is also something I haven't seen. And the way that we've designed it is not just being like, oh, editors come in at the very end, like after you've written your book, then editors come in. It's not just that.
00:37:47
Speaker
also destigmatizing what it is we do. I think it makes, you know, let us help editors become more approachable. Let us help authors feel safe and comfortable with the idea of even becoming a published author because it's like
00:38:06
Speaker
We are industry professionals who are so passionate about mess and we're passionate about imperfect because if you, I'm like, if you didn't know this by now, like even if you hire a professional editor and you have three of them or four of them, your book will still have errors in it at the end of the day, but that none of that should stop you from writing. So it's like here, you're getting industry professionals to make you feel comfortable in the process.
00:38:36
Speaker
and to help educate you and to give you access to information that can more streamline that process to getting published, but to also normalize the experience. Yes.
00:38:51
Speaker
I love that, especially because I see a lot on reels that writers will post about the editing process and just it's always dread. The editing process is always the dread. I don't want to see red lines. I'm going to feel bad about myself.
Reframing the Editing Process
00:39:07
Speaker
And I think, yeah, having an editor there who you know and trust and it's like, no, red lines, totally normal. Those just mean you're at the next phase. They're not bad. Exactly.
00:39:21
Speaker
Exactly. And I, you know, I know that all editors are different in the way that we give feedback. But I also think this is part of the culture that you and I have created is you and I share such a similar voice and approach to feedback. So we also create a space where it's like, you know, we are it's not a critique, you know, no one's it's not no one's telling you you're doing anything wrong.
00:39:50
Speaker
we are just, you know, we show up and we're like, you're amazing. And it's like, Oh, I'm trying to work through this story idea. And they're like, let's talk it out. What's what's going on? What are you thinking? And, you know, we're say, did you know about this technique? Or did you know you could explore this area where we're talking about what's their motivation, things like that, and then they get inspired. Like, I have, I haven't worked with anyone, to my knowledge,
00:40:17
Speaker
in writing group or professionally that's been like, oh, now I need to go cry. Everyone that I've come into contact with has been like, wow, that was so helpful and so inspiring. Amazing. So who is this group for? Let's talk about our audience who's going to be almost at home with us.
00:40:41
Speaker
I would say that our group is for anyone and everyone, but especially those I think previously like what we talked about too is like if any of that resonated with you, like that you are not feeling like you fit in anywhere, if you are having a really hard time finding your people, if you feel like you just can't get into the room, that you and I are going to really understand that.
00:41:08
Speaker
so well. So I think especially for those people, but also on the flip side, we do feel well, I don't want to speak for you, but I feel really comfortable saying that it is for everyone because even though we have our experienced genres and like our experience background, we are in the industry. So we have editor friends and professional friends. Exactly. So like if someone joined,
00:41:37
Speaker
And they have a publishing question that we might not know the answer to. We know who to ask. So I think really we can be really resourceful for them as well and still provide, I think everyone, regardless of what you write, needs that community and support.
00:41:55
Speaker
Yeah, absolutely. And I would say also, I think people who are ready to challenge themselves to take the next step. And that's, I think one of the reasons why I think it's important for it to be a paid group and not a free group. I mean, not only just because like we are putting all this work into it, but also like when you have
00:42:18
Speaker
money at stake and you're actually paying into something, you are so much more likely to show up. So true. And then the community is what makes you stay, right? So yeah, if you're ready for a challenge, you're ready to actually finish that book. You're ready to get it published. You're ready to, you know, whatever your goals are,
00:42:45
Speaker
This is the group that's going to help you get to that next step and feel confident in stepping forward. That's so well spoken, Lauren. So well said, because it's true that money aspect, it doesn't just help us keep this alive and keep it going, but it plays that benefit, that added benefit of giving the individual the opportunity to invest in themselves. Yes. Perfect. Yeah.
00:43:15
Speaker
So that's who we're for. And now what do we offer?
Activities Within the Writing Group
00:43:19
Speaker
What are we giving? Got all kinds of good stuff. All kinds of good stuff. Yeah. So we have our classic writing sessions and we have our silent writing sessions and then we are offering. Wait, say more about the silent writing sessions because you were the one that had this idea and I love it so much. Oh, thank you. You know, I got inspired because I had seen something similar online.
00:43:44
Speaker
And I think, so the silent writing session is our classic online kind of Zoom, Google hangout space, but all cameras are off, all microphones are off. There is no expectations to turn them on. It's actually, we're just gonna, that's like the one rule is just to keep it all off so everyone feels comfortable. And this is really good for the introvert space, but also the neurodivergent space. So those of us who,
00:44:14
Speaker
Um, you know, like I said earlier, I really struggle with small talk. So those who struggle with social cues or eye contact or anything that might make you feel uncomfortable or nervous or like you have to perform, you don't have to do that. You know, you don't have to mask, come in and mask.
00:44:34
Speaker
Um, just to have a space to write. So this is one of the ways that we try to make this a diverse, authentic space, um, for everyone. Yeah. Yeah. So all communication will happen in chat prompts will still be available. Um, but you don't have to chat if you don't want to, you can just show up, right. Have still have that, you know, someone's on the other side that's showing up for you. You know, that's there for you when you show up.
00:45:03
Speaker
But yeah, there's no pressure to socialize. There's no pressure to try to fit in none of that. Yeah, I love it. Thank you. I'm so happy about it because like me, I get like overstimulated so easily. And so I love the idea of just being like, everything's quiet. Yeah. And then there's just that added little hug being like, you're not alone.
00:45:34
Speaker
Exactly. Oh, I love that. Just a little hug. Just a few names on the screen that help you feel like a little more secure. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Yeah, I love that. So what okay, and then we were talking about what else what all we offer. So then, like our classic writing sessions, which is
00:45:54
Speaker
still, I've heard of some writing groups where they make you still keep your cameras on. Um, I personally don't believe in that. I think that, oops, sorry, just hit the mic. I personally don't believe in that. Um, I think that, um, you know, again, we're talking about access about accessibility. Someone might not even have a camera available to them. Um, you know, what if you're just going to the library and that's the only way you are going to get access to this? Like, so.
00:46:22
Speaker
and whatever your home situation is, your family situation. So just show up as is. You can have your camera on or off, but there will be talking. If people would like to talk, there's still no pressure too. And then we have our...
00:46:37
Speaker
mess hall hour, which is our like bi-weekly, how do you say it, bi-weekly, bi-monthly? I can never remember which is like the proper way to- I'm pretty sure like bi-weekly either means twice a week or every other week and I like I'm pretty sure it means both and it's so irritating. So it happens every two weeks. Every two weeks.
00:47:01
Speaker
where and I like them as hot hour idea because it's like, you know, even though it's a Q&A setting, it's still we want everyone to be comfortable. So it's like, if you're coming and you need to eat your lunch or your dinner, whatever your time zone, like do that, come bring your food, bring a favorite drink, and then ask questions or just socialize if no one has any questions like that's just dedicated time and space to be together. And then to give
00:47:28
Speaker
Like as our group grows, you know, that'll be more, you know, the room will get bigger and bigger. And then as a way to give more designated one-on-one time, we've planned to have this sign up brainstorming like group mini writing coaching session. And this, and I love this because this is like, even though we've designed this group, as our crew grows, we can expand to their needs.
00:47:57
Speaker
So we can always offer this more than once a month. But this can be like a sign up thing where people can say, I need one on one 20 minute brainstorming, writing, coaching, whatever kind of support. And then we just have a group session where we give them that like 20 minute space just to like chat with them directly outside of Slack as well. So yeah. Oh, and then we can't forget. I'm going to let you.
00:48:22
Speaker
explain this one Lauren, but our mutiny because this was such a good idea that you had and I loved it so much. I love it. Honestly, I can't take credit for the idea itself because I did get that idea from the other writing group that I was a part of, but I think it's so important for people to be able to write together even if it's not during like our scheduled times. And so then of course playing into the theme of
00:48:48
Speaker
pirates and the ocean we have named it mutinies so anybody has like they want to write but they want to write with somebody they can just jump into the mutiny chat mutiny channel
00:49:02
Speaker
and then be like, anyone wanna write? Like anyone wanna have a mutiny? And then you can write together even when we aren't there to facilitate. Or maybe one of us is free and we do feel like writing and we'll join too and one of your co-captains will mutiny with you. Right, yes, I love it. Yeah, I'm excited about it. I'm so glad that you just lean into all of the wild puns we've come up with. Oh, I can't tell you how glad I am.
00:49:32
Speaker
We just feed each other's dorkiness. It's perfect. Yeah, so I think we've covered the base and then we also have, we ask all members when they sign up, if they have any ideas or things that they'd like to see in the group as we grow. We do plan on offering workshops and, you know, things on mindset or craft in the future.
00:49:55
Speaker
So obviously all of our crew members are going to get access to that when those come out.
Future Workshops and Expansion
00:50:00
Speaker
And then also as editors, as industry professionals, my personal goal as my business grows and this group grows, I of course want to give our members access to any discounts that I can offer on editing and things like that. So in my effort to constantly be trying to make things more accessible.
00:50:22
Speaker
Yeah, absolutely. I, I love that idea. Um, and I'm excited to see what, where we grow. And I think that's the exciting thing too is like, as you sign up, we ask for your input on like, what are you struggling with? What are your goals? And then we keep those in mind as we are looking for future workshops and it's all going to be included for you. Yeah. Uh, everything about this, so thoughtful. I mean, we, and especially you get so much credit for this Lauren, but we put so much thought into
00:50:53
Speaker
the person behind, I mean, this group is for writers. And you can just tell every step of the way of how we're thinking. I mean, even like your mutiny idea, it's like every step of the way we're thinking, how can we be more flexible? How can we be more open? And how can we improve this?
00:51:14
Speaker
Yeah, it's so important. And yeah, we want you to feel seen, and we want this group to be worth it for you. So however we can improve it going forward, that's what we're going to do. Exactly. Exactly. Let's quickly just say kind of what the situation is right now. I mean, if you're listening to this episode months down the road, this might not apply. But if you're listening to this now in October 2022,
00:51:41
Speaker
or November, you can sign up now and you get a seven-day trial, which I think will probably continue that into the future. So seven-day trial, so you get to just check out the community, see if everybody's a good fit. And then also from now through the end of October, kind of as a NaNoWriMo special and just like a
00:52:03
Speaker
As we've said, an early parrot special. If you sign up now, you'll get $10 off of your monthly fee forever. So even if we raise rates in the future, your rate will stay at the $37. After November, it'll go up to $47. And yeah, I think that's all, right? I think you absolutely knocked it out of the park, Lauren. Thank you.
00:52:33
Speaker
Thank you so much. You're welcome. I'll bow.
Embracing Imperfection in Creativity
00:52:39
Speaker
Well, at the end of every episode of The Ugly Podcast, I always ask my guest, what is something ugly you have made recently? So what is something ugly you've made recently, Gabby? Well, I think, you know, because you've seen it.
00:52:56
Speaker
What? What have you made this ugly? Well, in the earliest days of freaking Canva marketing, also trying to figure out the copywriting for what we were doing on our website. So happy to say that it's improved since then. But it definitely started out ugly, for sure. Everything worth doing starts out ugly.
00:53:22
Speaker
At some point, unless you're a prodigy and not very many of us are. Yeah, I don't know any of them. I haven't met one. What's something ugly I've made recently? I was going to ask, what have you made? Oh, actually, I made a really cute. So as I was editing the first half of this episode last night, one of the things you said about like, we're making the room.
00:53:51
Speaker
Oh yeah. I like this morning I was sitting drinking my tea and I was just like scribbling and then I just started like I like had that that those words just like stuck in my head like then I made the room and like even your intonation anyway. I love it. It makes me so happy.
00:54:13
Speaker
So I just like started drawing little like hammers and nails and like screws. Oh my gosh, that's so cute! It's just like all these really like terribly sketched hardware tools. That makes me so happy. Like I
00:54:30
Speaker
want you to frame that or like put it in a book. So that is like so special. There's also just like hearts. That makes me so happy. Now it's so amazing. I love that. That's so special. It's got to go in the fridge. It has to. All right, I'll send it to you. You can put it on your fridge. Yes, please.
00:55:01
Speaker
Oh, lovely. Well, thank you so much for joining me today and yesterday. Of course. Oh, this was so magical and so positive and so healing. And I appreciate you so much. I appreciate you as well. And I can't wait to meet the rest of our crew. Neither. What's the word for like, okay, Ahoy is like, hello, we need what's the pirate word for like, goodbye?
00:55:29
Speaker
Maybe they don't say goodbye because they just murder you. As they sail away with all of your treasure, they don't need a word for goodbye. They're like, you just got robbed and dumped in the ocean.
00:55:48
Speaker
A pirate goodbye. Yeah. A pirate salute. Oh my gosh. Oh, you can hear that I'm crying. All right. Well, yes, great way to end the bug now. Okay, so talk for now. Talk for now. Keep it ugly, everybody.
00:56:07
Speaker
The Ugly podcast is created by Lauren Alexander of Scribe and Sunshine Editing Services. It is produced and kind of edited by me and written, directed by absolutely no one. If you like the podcast, be sure to rate and leave a review on your preferred platform and share with the creative people in your life. As always, keep it ugly.