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Friday Freewrite: Letter “L” Words
Today’s freewriting prompt:
Write a story using as many of these “L” words as you can.
- Lightbulb
- Loopy
- Look
- Learn
- Laughing
- Lavishly
- Large
- Llama
New to freewriting?
Freewriting is that wonderful key that unlocks the writer within. It’s the vehicle by which we trick our inner selves into divesting the words and ideas that we want to share but are afraid won’t come out right on paper if we do. So, read the freewriting prompt, set the timer for 5-10 minutes then write whatever comes to mind. Just keep the pencil moving!
Need more help? Check out our free online guide.
[Podcast #271] Playing Big with Tara Mohr (Part 1)
What is it that holds women back when it comes to taking risks or living authentically? How can we raise our daughters so they don’t have to struggle as much as we have?
Tara Mohr, an expert on women’s leadership and a homeschooling mom herself, joins the show today to discuss this topic and share her book, Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead.
We discuss developing self-trust and the difference between preparation and improvisation.
Be sure to stay tuned for Part 2!
Show Notes
Developing Self-Trust
Women tend to not trust themselves—not trust their abilities, not trust their analyses. Of course we should all practice humility and self-reflection, but rather than starting from a place of loyalty to our fears, we should start from a place of loyalty to our dreams.
Preparation vs. Improvisation
Girls often get praised for preparation and following the rules, especially in their school environment. This can give them a sense of control–if they are prepared and follow the rules, then everything will be ok.
Problems arise in their adult lives when they’re not given clear rules, when they’re in situations they can’t fully prepare for. These situations often arise in the workplace, especially at leadership levels. In these situations, improvisation is as highly valued as preparation. We need to strengthen our daughters’ confidence in their improvisation skills.
Naming the Inner Critic
Girls develop a strong inner critic voice at a very young age. Often, when they express it, well-meaning adults respond by trying to argue with that inner critic. For example, when a girl says “I’m ugly,” the typical adult response is “No, you’re beautiful.”
Rather than trying to argue with the inner critic, we can teach our daughters a much more effective way of dealing with it: notice and name it. When a girl says “I’m ugly,” you can say “That sounds like your inner critic” and then help them develop ways to separate that inner critic from their true selves.
Tara gets into all this and more in Playing Big. We encourage everyone to read it!
Resources
- Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
- Tara Mohr’s website.
- Find Playing Big by Tara Mohr in the Brave Writer Book Shop
- Follow Tara on Instagram: @tarasophiamohr
- Check out the Brave Writer Practice Pages
- Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
- Read all Brave Writer class descriptions
- Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
- Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Connect with Julie
- Instagram: @juliebravewriter
- Threads: @juliebravewriter
- Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter
Connect with Melissa
- Website: melissawiley.com
- Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
- Instagram: @melissawileybooks
Produced by NOVA
In-Person Friends
Online friends are GOLD. They’re often your heart to heart people.
BUT there’s nothing like having a person in your life that you can call to go on a hike or to make baking soda volcanos with you. That in-person comrade may or may not be “best friend” material—and they don’t have to be. They bring their in-person energy! Precious!!
Be Brave
It takes courage to initiate with a human you don’t know. In the pre-internet days, there were no other options! Take a little of my chutzpah—be brave and ask someone you know a little (neighbor, soccer mom, person on the treadmill next to you at the gym) if they are interested in doing family-style stuff with you.
Pick one low stakes event. Trade phone numbers (for texting obvz—not scary TALKING), make it happen, see how it goes!
You’ll get some polite “no’s” but eventually, you may find just enough of what you need to stop feeling so alone and lonely outside of the internet.
You deserve in-person friends! (Psst: and they don’t even need to be homeschoolers…though after knowing you, who knows what might happen?!)
This post was originally shared on Instagram.
Watch the accompanying reel for more.
Friday Freewrite: Biography of a Snowflake
Today’s freewriting prompt:
A biography is the story of a life written by someone else. Write a short biography of a snowflake.
New to freewriting?
Freewriting is that wonderful key that unlocks the writer within. It’s the vehicle by which we trick our inner selves into divesting the words and ideas that we want to share but are afraid won’t come out right on paper if we do. So, read the freewriting prompt, set the timer for 5-10 minutes then write whatever comes to mind. Just keep the pencil moving!
Need more help? Check out our free online guide.
[Podcast #270] Celebrating Karen O’Connor
On New Year’s Day, Julie’s beloved mother, Karen O’Connor, passed away at the age of 86. Karen was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of many with her kindness, warmth, and wisdom. As a prolific author of 70 books and a gifted writing teacher, Karen’s legacy is one of inspiration and creativity. She was deeply cherished by her three children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
In this special podcast episode, we honor Karen’s life and contributions by sharing an interview recorded in 2018, when Karen was one of Brave Writer’s most beloved writing coaches. Through this conversation, we celebrate her incredible journey, her passion for writing, and her lasting impact on the Brave Writer community.
Show Notes
You can read Karen O’Connor’s obituary here.
Donations can be made to the Sierra Club in her name. And visit Karen’s website and learn more about her books at www.karenoconnor.com.
Resources
- Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
- Sign up for our new Substack: Brave Learning with Julie Bogart
- Take a look at the Brave Writer Book Shop
- Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
- Read all Brave Writer class descriptions
- Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
- Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Connect with Julie
- Instagram: @juliebravewriter
- Threads: @juliebravewriter
- Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter
Connect with Melissa
- Website: melissawiley.com
- Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
- Instagram: @melissawileybooks
Produced by NOVA
