FEO FOCUS HOUR

As writers and entrepreneurs, most of us often reach for inspiration from the grander moments of our lives, whether it be our most difficult struggles or the very moments that took our breath away.

Yet what about the everyday moments?

The smaller, less significant moments that make up our everyday lives seem to be, at times, overlooked. The busyness of the day doesn't allow time for it. Yet these moments can serve as some of our biggest sources of creative inspiration.

I often look back to old memories to fill the page. When instead, I could simply look around me - wherever that may be - the park, a store, vacation, church - to provide me with a positive new direction for my chapters to go. A more current theme or idea may give my readers a better takeaway or a more relatable experience. So, how do we get started? Where do we look first?

Here are a few ideas to help you tap into your creative potential to find inspiration in your everyday.

• Pay attention to your surroundings: Notice the people around you, the colors they are wearing, the details of your dinner table, and the expression on your child's face. The details all around us can often invoke the biggest feelings, and that matters when we write.

• Use your senses: By tapping into our senses of smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound, we can create concrete descriptions in our writing. Describe the smell of a home-cooked meal, the feel of the sun on your skin, or the true silence of an empty room. By using all five senses, you can create a transformative experience for your readers.

• Keep a notebook: Keeping a notebook can help capture the small moments of everyday life.  Use it to write down observations and ideas that come to you throughout the day in your car, at the beach, or in line at the store. Let it be your writing companion when you are alone and act as a reassurance that your work is always important to pursue regardless of what the busy day entails.

• Look for the unexpected: Sometimes, the most interesting writing comes from unexpected places. Keep an open mind and be willing to see things in a new light. Go somewhere you aren't comfortable going - a place of faith, a new town, or a coffee shop by yourself. Start up a conversation with a stranger and listen to their story. Look for the things that others might miss.

So, the next time you are without a place to begin, look around and find inspiration in the everyday. The new material that comes out of your willingness to focus on the smaller moments may surprise you and delight your readers.

I will always remember receiving my first rejection letter in the mail from the Conde Nast magazine firm in New York City.  I was so thrilled that my article had even reached their desk at that time! I collected many during that time and saved every single one.  Each returned envelope served as motivation for me to keep writing until I received the one that read Yes. 

Regardless of how talented you are or how hard you work, at some point, you're going to face rejection as a writer. Whether it's from agents, editors, or readers, rejection can be tough, and it's easy to feel disheartened. The key to success is learning how to handle rejection and keep going in the face of it.

The first step in handling rejection is to recognize that it's not personal.  It's simply a decision about that particular piece of work at that particular time. Remember that rejection is part of the process and that even the most successful writers face it on a regular basis. It's important to keep this in mind and not let rejection define your value as a writer.

Another important factor in handling rejection is to take it as a learning opportunity. When you receive feedback on your work, whether it's in the form of a rejection letter or a critique from a beta reader, use it to improve your writing. Consider joining a writing group or finding beta readers who can provide honest feedback and help you grow as a writer. Use rejection as an opportunity to revise and refine your work and to get closer to achieving your goals.

Be resilient! Don't give up or get discouraged if you receive a rejection letter or a negative review. Keep writing new material and submitting your work. The more you write and submit, the more likely you are to find success. Be persistent and remember that success as a writer takes time and dedication.

Another helpful strategy for handling rejection is to develop a positive mindset. It's easy to get bogged down in negative thinking and to let rejection bring you down.  Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and use them as motivation to keep going. Surround yourself with positivity and encouragement.  Stay focused on your goals and your vision for your finished literary work. 

Lastly, rejection may lead you in new and unexpected directions. If you receive a rejection, take a step back and consider whether any new opportunities might be worth exploring. You never know where a rejection might lead you, so stay open to new possibilities.

With dedication and resilience, your success as a writer is already written so keep writing! 

Welcome!  To All of My Newest Members.

Say no to cold coffee...

I'm not talking about the intentional iced kind.   

I'm talking about the one that you poured at 5:30 AM this morning, that you didn't get back to until 7 AM because one of the kids got up as you were sitting at your computer trying to get a word down.

I'm talking about the ones left in the microwave, on top of your fireplace mantle, the kid's bookshelf in their room.  The one in the playroom on the Lego table.  The two in your closet and the one left in your car.

Years ago, an older friend gave me advice.  She said, "Don't eat after your children. Sit down for your own meal."  It left me conflicted; I mean, isn't that part of the honor of being a mom?  For a near decade, I had happily done nothing other than grab half-eaten PB&J crusts and handfuls of cold fries to ensure everyone got out the door on time.     

You get the idea.   

I suppose the cold coffee speaks to that. The way that we as women work, putting others first, big and small, our endless tasks and jobs above one simple cup.  

So, my challenge for you today is simple:

Begin each day with something you would love to read: a devotional, a new blog you have been meaning to follow, or a book you have been meaning to start. 

And next to you...

I challenge you to have a freshly made cup of hot coffee made just the way you like. 

For me, there is no better use of the internet than the collaboration of like-minded women moving toward a common goal.  Writing alongside other writers from all over the country in the comfort of our own homes allows women from diverse backgrounds and different levels of experience to connect and share resources.      

Geographically, no matter where you are, you can participate in a session.  Voicing our daily goals in a community setting is a prime motivator to stay accountable to them.  

Live online writing sessions provide a space for us to connect, collaborate, and build a sense of community. They provide a platform for us to share our unique voices with each other and, in the process, build friendships with other women who share a love of writing. 

If you have ever considered participating in an online writing session or if this is the first time you have ever heard of one, I encourage you to give it a try.  The connections and insights you'll gain will be invaluable to your writing journey.  The feelings of accomplishment, productivity, and connectedness will take you closer to your final goal. 

My hope is for you to walk in with a dream and stay until your biggest goal is met with your newest network of supporters celebrating you every step of the way.  

As a writer, mom, wife, entrepreneur, and business owner, I understand the struggle to find writing time. I also know how important it is to have consistent writing time to make progress. In this blog, I'll share my personal experience on how online writing sessions helped me prioritize myself and find dedicated writing time while raising three children, running a full-time family business, and caring for my parents. Whether you're a writer facing the same challenges or someone looking for inspiration to pursue your creative passions, join me to learn more about prioritizing our writing amidst the chaos of everyday life.

My first online writing session was a transformative experience that changed my life.

After logging off my first one, I knew I had discovered a real answer. I couldn't wait until the next one.  They quickly became my favorite part of each week. As I began to make weekly progress, my life began to follow a new order.  I felt more organized as other daily tasks fell into line.   My office felt more spacious.  As the unfinished projects were completed, the stress started to leave my shoulders, and a sense of accomplishment replaced all the guilt.  I began to use the time to work on my manuscript and create an online platform, and before I knew it, my future dream turned into my next goal.

When I finally realized there would never be enough time, I began to create it for myself. Amidst the chaos of raising a family of five and running a business in the middle of a home renovation, I took a leap of faith and launched a business aimed at empowering writers and entrepreneurs. By providing them with structured writing time, my goal was to help them turn their lifelong dreams into achievable short-term goals. A decision born out of my own experience that saw my once-neglected manuscript brought to completion.

For the longest time, I struggled with finding the motivation and discipline to prioritize my writing. However, on that day, something changed inside me. I had a newfound respect for my work and myself when the session began. The feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment that washed over me was indescribable. A new example of a woman using her mind to complete a lifelong dream replaced all the familiar guilt. From that moment on, I realized the incredible power of placing myself on the schedule worked. Setting aside dedicated time for my writing became a turning point in my life and placed me on a renewed path to becoming an author.

Regardless of where you are in your writing life or your entrepreneurial journey, I encourage you to find a process that works for you and a community that will support you every step of the way.

For more information on online writing sessions for women writers, visit www.jessicastipanovic.com or email jessicastipanovic@gmail.com.