New Season, New Studio, New Offer

Change is good. Wait…did I just say that?

I am a list-maker and a planner and a “tell me the future because I can’t stand not knowing” kind of girl. I hate when folks in charge at the grocery store think it’s a good idea to move the bread where the juice used to be, or stock the sandwich meat in a secret kiosk somewhere in the middle so that I circle and circle and wear a rut into the hard linoleum floor. I took it personal when the city of Milwaukee worked to repair several bridges throughout summer and fall one year and shut down every new route I mapped out to drive from home to work and back. They left me in constant re-route mode, and re-route equals change equals can’t-talk-now-I’m-in-a-panic.

But once in a while, change is good.

New Season

Today marks the end of our season of summer at home–we are riding the last hours of all-day-discord between siblings, thank you very much. Bright and early in the morning, the kids embark on a new school year and a new schedule, and though we are a mix of nerves and excitement, the first day can’t come soon enough.

Sure, I’ll miss those lazy mornings and days at the pool. I admit, I enjoyed the thrill in planning those last-minute afternoon field trips (okay, I use the word “thrill” with some reserve). But I think we’re all ready for a shift in gears and a change of scenery.

New Studio

And speaking of scenery…. Early this summer, I learned that I would have to move out of a shared creative space where I’d spent many a Friday afternoon writing. At first I was disappointed. I’d grown to love my little corner and those sometimes short but sweet moments of uninterrupted writing time. But throw a wish for something similar out into the Universe and often you discover that change equals something better. By the end of July, I had settled into a new studio closer to home, bigger in size, and ready-made for hosting other writers.

New Offer

To break in the new space and invite you in for conversation, I’m celebrating with a giveaway of a Personal Editing Package. I know I just ran a giveaway last week, but this one is a little different: 20 pages of developmental and/or line editing (fiction, nonfiction, or novel in progress) plus a 1/2 hour meeting to discuss edits or next steps for two lucky writers.

My hope is that if you enter and win we can meet in person, but as many of you live well beyond the city limits, I want to keep this contest open to anyone hoping to tighten up a short story or an essay or delve into edits on the first few chapters of a novel. Our meeting may be face-to-face or pixel-by-pixel; either way, there’s a chair and a cup of coffee waiting for you.

Enter the contest in one of two ways:

IN-PERSON: My space is housed within Inspiration Studios, which is listed in the upcoming (FREE) event, Doors Open Milwaukee. I’ll  be there Saturday, Sept. 17th,  from 10am-5pm & Sunday, Sept. 18th, from 12-5pm. I’d love to see you!

Inspiration Studios

Originally constructed as a funeral home in 1929, this building became home to Inspiration Studios in 2014, where the Village Playhouse and Erico’s Gallery are housed. Visitors will view the “Sweet Emotions” abstract photography exhibit by Milwaukee artist, Rosie Hartman, who will be on hand to discuss her art. Visitors are welcome to self-tour the gallery, performance stage, back stage areas, and the lower level rehearsal and dressing rooms of the Village Playhouse. Visitors will also explore the 2nd floor studios, featuring Dynamic Youth Syndicate and Christi Craig’s Writing Studio. Guided tours will be provided upon request. Light refreshments will be served.

Stop by and pop up to the 2nd floor, check out where I write and where we can meet. Then, pick up a few goodies from the grab basket and sign up for the giveaway with pen and paper.

Do not fear: just like change, revisions can be fun. (If anything, we’ll sweat it out together.)