Starting Strong: Reflections, Goals, and an Exciting New Year Ahead
Dearest Memorists,
As we close 2024 and look ahead to 2025, I’ve been thinking about my writing journey and the incredible progress I’ve seen in this community. Like many of you, I start each year energized and ready to tackle my goals. But somewhere along the way, I lose momentum, and my personal goals often fall by the wayside. Sound familiar?
A few weeks ago, I completed Brooke Warner’s six-month memoir course. I had hoped to walk away with a finished draft. Well, that didn’t happen, but I did make big progress, and I came away clarity about my structure, renewed confidence, and a deeper commitment to forging ahead without getting bogged down in rewrites.
Our inspiring member Sylvia Clare said last week: “I think there are many books among us which will [see] the light of the print this year.” I love this and I agree! This year, our members Ines, Esther, Nutan, and Anna all finished first drafts and the ever prolific Sylvia herself has completed at least once, maybe two more memoirs! (Sorry if I’ve forgotten anyone. If you also finished a draft or completed a milestone you’re proud of, please reply to this email. Let’s celebrate our successes!) These achievements are proof of what’s possible when we support each other. I can’t wait to see what comes next!
To help us all build on this momentum, I’m inviting you to our Accountability & Goal-Setting Session on January 16.
We’ll reflect on our successes from 2024, set meaningful goals for 2025, and test out a new accountability framework designed to keep us motivated throughout the year. There will also be journaling prompts and time to share your thoughts and intentions with the group.
Let’s start the year by celebrating what we’ve accomplished and committing to the next steps in our writing journeys. I truly believe this will be the year that many of our stories take flight.
Sign up here: https://www.meetup.com/memoir-mentors/events/303504496/
Looking forward to celebrating and planning with all of you,
Hugs!
~Christina
Memoir Mentors Is Now on Substack!
Exciting news—I’ve launched a Memoir Mentors Substack! You may have already noticed an email from me there. If you’ve read it, thank you so much! If not, you can check it out and subscribe here: memoirmentors.substack.com.
Substack is a new space where I’ll be sharing updates, resources, and inspiration for our community. While this newsletter will continue to have a personal and community-focused slant, Substack allows me to experiment with additional content and ideas—things I’m still working out!
For those who have already subscribed, thank you! Your support means the world to me. If you prefer supporting Memoir Mentors through Substack instead of the PayPal fundraiser, you can also upgrade to a paid subscription there. Both options help sustain this amazing community, and I’m so grateful for your generosity.
Thank you for being part of Memoir Mentors. I’m excited to explore this new chapter with you!
New Items in the Etsy Shop!
Upcoming events
I’d prefer that you sign up through Meetup so I know who to expect and so that you know what the agenda is for the week, but if that’s too problematic, you can go directly to the Zoom link that we use every week:
https://zoom.us/j/4400465879?pwd=R0Y0RUp4YjAvdnJCODV0MkhNMXlmdz09
- January 9, 2025: Write then Read
- January 16, 2025: Accountability & Goal-Setting Session
- January 23, 2025: Speaking Your Story
- January 30, 2025: Book Club – Writing & Selling Your Memoir
- February 6, 2025: ONLINE Write then Read — 7pm Munich, 10am Pacific
- February 13, 2025: ONLINE Write then Read — 7pm Munich, 10am Pacific
- February 20, 2025: ONLINE Write then Read — 7pm Munich, 10am Pacific
- February 27, 2025: ONLINE Speaking Your Story
Fundraiser Update
As we reset our goal for 2024, I want to reiterate that Memoir Mentors is funded entirely by donations and my own contributions. The fees for the tools and platforms we use—like Zoom and Meetup—are annual, and many have increased this year, some by as much as 20%.
If Memoir Mentors has brought value to your writing life, please consider making a donation to help sustain this amazing community. Every bit helps us cover these costs and ensures we can continue offering writing sessions, workshops, and more.
You can contribute here:
Contribute Now
Thank you for being part of this journey—I’m so grateful for your support!
Ideas? Questions? Suggestions?
Reply to this email and let me know or reach out directly at: xtina.howell@memoirmentors.com