Do You Celebrate Yourself?

Hello Writers!

I saved this week’s letter for Friday instead of Thursday because I am having a VERY WRITERLY celebration today. It’s my birthday! I’m 46. And two minutes ago I did something I’ve never done before. I submitted a piece of writing to a contest. The butterflies are still dancing in my stomach as I write this to you now.

(I will admit, my stomach feels weird anyway because I had chocolate for breakfast. My sister had flowers and chocolate delivered to my Airbnb by Door-Dash this morning. How spoiled am I?)

Not everyone loves birthdays but I do. I always try to make the day special for myself somehow, regardless of what anyone else does for me. The submission deadline for this contest is March 1 but I decided earlier this week to send it today, on my birthday. To celebrate myself.

The prize is a long shot. There are approximately 1500 submissions annually, for 1 winner and 5 finalists. Winning is a lovely fantasy, but for me, sending the submission itself was the milestone. I’m so happy right now. I’m so proud of myself for taking this step. I’ve never submitted a piece of my writing anywhere before. There are lots of reasons for that—cold feet, imposter syndrome, not having the right piece at the right time—I’m sure you can relate in some way. We all share similar internal barriers. It felt important to take this step. It felt right. I am trying to take myself more seriously as a writer and that means acting like one.

I hope you take yourself more seriously as a writer today, this season, this year, perhaps on your birthday, in whatever way feels right to you.

Next week I will share one of my most effective writing processes—one I relied on heavily this week to prepare for this submission. In the meantime, I bid you good writing.

xoxo Danica

P.S. If you have a nonfiction piece that is under 2500 words that you feel good about — might as well submit to the CBC Nonfiction Prize! What’s the worst that can happen? Deadline is March 1.