Writing is Joy

Story Connection, Episode 6: Looking for Love Two stories about the weird, wonderful world of online dating

It's still pretty dang hot, and today's podcast episode has some love stories that won't quell the fire. Thanks for listening!
writingisjoy.substack.com/p/story-conn...

Season 3, Episode 5: The Bear Spicy characters rage and sweat in this fast-paced TV show set in a Chicago restaurant

HEARD!
The new episode of Writing in the Dark is all about The Bear and what prose writers can learn from it. Had a lot of fun deep dishing with @ralphwalker.bsky.social on character, conflict, and Chicago. Thanks, as always, for listening--
open.substack.com/pub/writingi...

Story Connection, Episode 5: Family Frustration Stories about our nearest and not always dearest

New podcast episode--2 great stories about the ways in which families make us crazy :)
writingisjoy.substack.com/p/story-conn...

Chaos is coming How to keep writing when summer demolishes routine

School's pretty much out for the summer, which makes writing hard! Some thoughts on how to keep going amid the chaos:
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Story Jam tomorrow night in Chapel Hill! Story Jam tomorrow night in Chapel Hill!

Feeling low? Got a great story up your sleeve? Come to Chapel Hill Public Library tmw night for a Story Jam! Hear stories and make friends and what more could you ask for from a Tuesday night?!
story-connection.kit.com/posts/story-....

That sounds excellent! I hope you get down the words you want to 💜

Against Word Count Why I'll never do the #1000wordsofsummer challenge again.

I hope everybody CRUSHES #1000wordsofsummer and also I wrote about why I won't do it again. Keep writing friends 💜
writingisjoy.substack.com/p/against-wo...

Tonight's the night!!! Amazing storytellers on stage at the Carrboro ArtsCenter!!!! SO EXCITED!!!!!

Story Connection, Episode 4: I Laughed, I Cried Listen now | Story Connection returns to the Carrboro ArtsCenter tomorrow night!

Wanna know what Story Connection is all about? Give our podcast a listen! open.substack.com/pub/writingi...

May 22nd: Story Connection (Live Storytelling) | The ArtsCenter Date(s): THURSDAY, May 22nd, 2025 Type of Show: Live Storytelling Showtime(s): 7:30 pm Tickets: $0, $10 and $20 sliding scale Halloween Improv show with Wild Mind Improv!

Thursday night! Story Connection returns to the Carrboro ArtsCenter! Come hear great stories & feel better in your heart!!
artscenterlive.org/may-22nd-sto...

A student called me Master Splinter today which gave me way more joy than I was expecting on a Monday in the year of our lord two thousand and twenty-five

Writing in the Dark Fiction Podcast · Updated Monthly · Julia F. Green and Ralph Walker explore getting lost in the writing process, finding their way through rich storytelling, and the importance of creative community. ...

I'm so excited to share the newest episode of WRITING IN THE DARK with you. It was a joy to chat with @ejwenstrom.bsky.social and @juliafgreen.bsky.social about the Charles Yu story OPEN. Come check it out.

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Make some art this weekend!

Mean girls meet the revision machete My go-to scene revision strategy

What's in your revision toolbox? Ours has a machete
writingisjoy.substack.com/p/mean-girls...

The way I SCREAMED A SCREAM upon reading scanned lines of prose. This made my poet-heart so happy, and is also proof that time heals all wounds (thousands of lines of AP Latin scansion homework.) I read this short story then listened to the podcast and then read the story out loud to myself again.

Season 3, Episode 3: Something Amazing Searching for the poetry in Elizabeth McCracken's haunted short story

New podcast episode is out!
If you've always wanted to better understand how rhythm, melody, and sound can play a pivotal role in making your writing sing, give this one a listen!
writingisjoy.substack.com/p/season-3-e...

Workshop last night: two people cried. The rest of talked about how often we cry. Normalize crying! Humans have feelings!

Also we read and talked about some great writing. Life doesn't get much better than gathering around art 💜

First night of new storytelling class is always 💜

Your stories matter, y'all.

You could make art today.

Really, you could.

Just give it a shot. See what happens.

Allow yourself to be surprised.

It's a whole thing living in this world right now. Be kind to yourself, to others, as much as you are able. And make a little art if you can. A two minute doodle, a little haiku, some plunked piano keys--it all will make the world a brighter place 💜

Are you ready to take your writing to the next level? The Journey to Jupiter Writing Retreat launches again with two new instructors

Are you ready to take your writing to the next level? The Journey to Jupiter Writing Retreat is for fiction and memoir writers who are hungry for the time, community, and craft they need to advance their projects to the next level.
writingisjoy.substack.com/p/are-you-re...

And we've got guest faculty too! Wanna learn from the best? @ralphwalker.bsky.social @juliafgreen.bsky.social @pennyzang.bsky.social and Caroline Manring! Click back to the OP, fill out the form, block your calendar and LFG to Jupiter!

#5amWritersClub #WritersRetreat

Still a few spots left in FREE live storytelling class for underrepresented voices in #carrboro NC. All the info is here: writingisjoy.substack.com/p/a-free-sto...

It's Friday. You've got plans for the weekend, I know. Maybe you're planning to resist.

Don't forget what Tricia Hersey told us: rest is resistance, too. Don't forget what Toi Derricote told us: joy is an act of resistance, too.
Don't forget what I know in my heart: your voice matters.

Monday thought: What a world it would be if we all walked around with t-shirts declaring our emotional state.

I am tired.

I am scared.

I am sad.

Would there be more hugging?

The Imperfectionist: Reality is right here @media only screen { .email * { word-break: break-word; } } @media screen and (max-width: 384px) { .mail-message-content { width: 414px !important; } } @media only screen and (m...

Wisdom from Oliver Burkeman:
"you should make sure your psychological centre of gravity is in your real & immediate world – the world of your family & friends & neighborhood, your work & your creative projects.... It will make you more meaningfully productive."
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Did you make art this weekend? Did you close your eyes and dream? Did you listen to a bird or stare at a plant? Keep writing, keep dreaming, keep breathing 💜

New podcast episode! This discussion's got everything--character, pacing, backstory--a craft-stravangza! Thanks, as always, for listening.
open.substack.com/pub/writingi...

The Sundress Academy for the Arts is thrilled to announce its 2025 Trans/Nonbinary Writers Retreat featuring workshop leaders Joy Ladin and SG Huerta, and keynote speaker Dani Putney! Scholarship applications are open now! www.sundresspublications.com/safta/uncate...

Season 3, Episode 2: Boys Go to Jupiter Examining the craft in Danielle Evans' short story "Boys Go to Jupiter" Available March 14 2025 Promotional graphic for podcast writing in the dark with Julia F. Green and Ralph Walker

New episode of Writing in the Dark with @ralphwalker.bsky.social drops tomorrow! A very good convo about the absolutely triumphant short story Boys Go to Jupiter by Danielle Evans. Thanks, as always, for listening.