And...done! (At 11:59pm)
January winners for T2Y Giving Project, first podcast episode, and more...
Good morning from coastal NC! It is a gorgeous spring morning here—no matter what the groundhog does tomorrow—and I intend to relish every damp, southwesterly puff of breeze and sunny spot I can find today. Any work that still needs doing after noontime is gonna have to be completed with old-school pen and paper or dictated into my phone.
I’m feeling exhausted in the best way, because I met my self-imposed deadline and recorded and released my first podcast episode yesterday, January 31st. Yes, it was submitted at 11:59pm, but I felt like Sydney Bristow with the timer counting down and the fate of the world (most-decidedly not) on the line.
(Hey, I’m an author. We’re allowed to have overactive imaginations.)
Creation can be impulsive or methodical, and while I’ve known for months what my motivations were in starting a podcast and knew the overarching format of short solo episodes mixed with longer interviews, planning this first introduction episode just felt…unnatural.
I kept fiddling and jotting notes, and the days and hours kept ticking away until eight o’clock last night when the power flickered.
Yep! I was in the midst of recording and re-recording and resisting writing out a script but knowing I “should” …when lo-and-behold, The Universe intervened.
Stop futzing about, it said. Speak from the heart. This isn’t a project for your inner critic. Hit record and just talk.
And so I did. Recording all in one swoop—ums and ahs and all.
I felt my energy spill outward. Felt the chaos of creation, much like the all-night writing stints I used to be able to do in my youth. And I felt connection.
With you, perhaps, if this podcast resonates. 💖
— Jennifer
January’s T2Y Giving Project winners!
Congratulations to our community’s first-ever recipients for book bundles and coaching!
Patricia A. in Holly Ridge, NC — nominated by Vicki D.
Vicki has been a longtime reader and reviewer of my work, and she wanted to nominate her book-loving friend to receive a set of signed paperbacks. Patricia and her husband are both avid readers, and Vicki thought a book bundle arriving by mail would make her smile.💖
Amber B. in Fairfax County, VA — nominated by Susan T.
Susan is another longtime reader as well as being a retired second grade teacher! She nominated her friend Amber to receive copies of Tulip the Tugboat for her kindergarten classroom—which makes me so happy!
And last but not least…
I was delighted to read Kirsten W’s heartfelt nomination to receive coaching for herself!
Kirsten is the loving pet-mom of a very special rescue dog named Pickle. She wants help getting a series of children’s picture books planned so she can share Pickle’s story with the world. ✨🐶💕
I’m so excited to work with her on this!
Who will you nominate for February’s drawing???
All nominations not drawn remain in the pool for future drawings—one per month, through December. Details here: https://jennifermartain.com/thanks-to-you/
Thank you for helping to spread a bit of good will—and books!
📚 PS: This email is too long to include a writing update, but I’ve been VERY busy. Stay tuned!
Where can I listen to your podcast. I am inspired by what you have written, as I have been thinking about resurrecting my podcast. I put it aside many months ago and have been going through some many growth changes and I’m feeling the gentle tug to open to the possibility for returning to my podcast. It will be new, it will be different and I’m thinking more in line of short solosodes sharing my current journey. I totally understand your fussing. As I know this comes from perfectionism, and I struggle with the same thing so pressing play, and recording from your heart, is absolutely the best way to connect with your own words and with others. Susan.