Introducing the Tell Me A Story That's True Newsletter

{Hard-copy Version}

During the “Keep Going” Exhale podcast, Adrienne and Molly made mention of the little writing challenges I give myself to stay fresh, and I said that I got the idea from Elise Blaha Cripe and Jeanne Murray Walker, but I think these challenges really started with my friend Dave Malone. In 2021, he asked me if I wanted to read everything William Shakespeare ever wrote. In a year.

“That sounds really hard and terrifying,” I said.

“That’s why you should do it,” he said.

Glynn Young (who has a new book out - get it!) joined us, and it was really hard and not so terrifying. (Although, good grief Shakespeare’s characters do some whacked out things. To which Billy would say, “OK, black tea kettle.”)

I wanted more, so in 2022 I re-read Kristin Lavransdatter with a group of friends. (I think what I mean is I read KL for myself, without concern for what the loud people had to say about the story. Consequently, Kristin became one of my literary best friends. She’s up there with Annie McGairy and Emily Starr.)

In 2023 I began re-writing the Psalms.

In 2024 I decided to try to write my version of Shakespeare’s sonnets (I missed the twelfth one, so I owe myself one sonnet).

This year, I am sending out a hard copy newsletter to all my paying subscribers.

Why?

• It sounds fun.

• It gives me a chance to give those who support me financially something extra, and I think, unique.

• Paper mail is one of my favorite things to give and get.

I’m starting off quarterly, and my hope is to send a newsletter monthly in 2026. We’ll see how it goes.

What you’ll get:

• a (hopefully) more vulnerable, finely-tuned essay

• a prompt, revision activity, or some type of reading and writing technique that you can use to build your writing toolbox

• a goodie

This month’s essay is about ladybugs (sort of, but that’s how it starts). The prompt is a January “taking stock of your writing” prompt with a creative twist to it. And this month’s goodie is a coupon for 10% off any of my services (including the 2025-2026 Heart to Page course).

If you would like this issue, or future issues, please become a paying subscriber. (Do I sound like NPR or what?)