What have I learned this year? Overall, this has been a year of growth and challenge, which has inspired more growth. Putting together these reflections on the past year, I realized my biggest step forward as a writer was choosing a mentor to help me organize my very rough, messy first draft. I have found this process to be both challenging and rewarding. Working to deadlines for submitting pieces each month has kept me on track, where I might otherwise have walked away from my desk.
My mentor has been respectful in how she delivers feedback, and insightful about the technical aspects of creating engaging narratives. Her feedback has been illuminating and valuable for me Throughout our months working together, I was able to meet and move through whatever resistance I was feeling with regards to my project and my craft. As our first 4-month agreement comes to an end later this month, I am thrilled with what is emerging, both in the development of my manuscript, and my confidence as a writer who has something important to share.
Looking Back to Look Forward
As I look back, I’m also looking ahead to the coming year and how I will continue to offer support for writers in 2026. There will be some significant changes, which I’ll outline in my January 2026 newsletter. Rest assured there will be opportunities for group writing circles as well as 1-1 mentoring and developmental editing.
These changes will support me to accomplish my goal: Complete my new manuscript in 2026! My program changes will create more time and space for personal writing. I will continue working with a mentor; at this stage of my manuscript development, this is essential.
Celebrating Process
Perhaps my biggest celebration is that I have an outline! This is not a strength of mine, and I have persisted with the process to organize all my disparate writing bits into something a little more coherent. I have come to accept that I am creating a memoir-ish manuscript, sharing my experiences and knowledge of Buddhist practices, applied in daily life. I have more clarity about what I am writing, and WHY, which continues to evolve as I work with each emerging chapter.
This is not my first rodeo! I am drawing on my experience of writing my first memoir, The Chocolate Pilgrim, which serves me well now. Because of my writing and teaching background, I can work independently and also integrate feedback into my revisions.
More than ever, I recognize the important role of a supportive writing circle. In the groups I’ve been hosting, each writer anticipates hearing what others are bringing to share. My writers often reflect to one another: “I really want to hear what you’ve written!” One writer recently told me, “I look forward to these sessions, it’s like hearing my favorite authors.” Since I write along with everyone and share when it is appropriate, my writing projects have been nurtured and shaped by feedback I receive in the circles.
Reading words aloud and having those words received by attentive listeners, who are listening for what is strong, builds a writer’s confidence immensely. As trust within the group develops, writers begin to delve deeper into more vulnerable waters, knowing that the group will respond with respect and deep listening.
Looking Forwards
Looking ahead to 2026, I want to reassure you that I will continue to offer support for writers, with more flexibility in ways to participate. There will be opportunities for 1-1 support from me, as well as a new format for writing circles that I will offer on a consistent basis.
I’m a firm believer in the power of writing and sharing in a group, especially when listeners are given guidance for providing feedback. The structure of my writing circles creates a supportive, safe, nurturing space where writers can hear their creative voices, take risks, and grow their confidence. Without a sense of safety, it’s difficult to take risks, be playful or follow one’s authentic impulses for expression.
This process is what supported me to write and publish my first book, and is now nourishing the creation of my second manuscript.
