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So much wonderful in this post! For the record, I thought it was octopi, too. ❤️👍 Thank you for supporting writers in some really creative ways, and for honoring your brother in a beautiful fashion. Every bit helps as we all know. I will be donating before the cutoff date… Even if it’s only a few dollars. I urge others to really consider the minimum donation despite a tight budget. The good feeling you get will be worth so much more!!!

🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗

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Thank you, Meg! I'm so glad you're here, and thanking you for donating to the scholarship fund. You're absolutely right that every little bit helps--it all adds up! 💛

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It’s so great that you’re offering these scholarships.

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🥰 And it's so great that you're part of our community, Barb. Thank you for always being here!

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I have been thinking about this comment so much: "maybe it’s childcare so you can buy some time to actually write." First of all, thank you so much for acknowledging that what people need to get their writing projects isn't just classes. It's so much more, especially when you are a parent. I also think that what a lot of us need is not a writing *teacher* but a writing *coach*--that is to say, someone who is encouraging you to make writing a top priority, not focused on getting revision in any way but just getting the rough draft out of your head and onto the page.

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Your comment really made me think, Jessica. Would you be interested in me interviewing a writing coach on my podcast? I suspect most writers don’t even know that writing coaches exist.

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Yes! I would love that. I am really interested in this concept of writing coaches--I love the idea of someone like a personal trainer except for your book instead of your body. I've honestly never found anyone who didn't just want to give me feedback and "things to think about for later" about the chapters I was generating. But thinking about all the changes you have to make during your messy draft stage is counterproductive for me. It makes me lose what little momentum I have. It would be like a personal trainer just saying, you need to work on your love handles, without actually encouraging you or figuring out a fitness plan.

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Hey Jessica, just wanted to circle back and let you know that I got a "Yes" from the writing coach! Since the podcast is booked months in advance, I'm hoping to have her episode for the beginning of the year. I think she'll have some great insight for all of us about setting healthy and mindful writing goals for the new year!

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I am so excited! Thanks for letting me know! I can't wait to hear all the things, but one I'm really interested in is how to make it work juggling writing and parenting and a full-time job-any insight on that would be much, much appreciated.

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I will be sure to ask her and will credit you with the question!

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I know JUST the person. I'm going to reach out to her today and see if I can get her on the show! Thanks for sparking this idea, Jessica!

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Wow, what a beautiful thing you're doing with the scholarships. Very inspiring to see how a community can raise and match funds to support writers ❤️

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awww THANK YOU, Carys!

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thank you for taking the mid-career scholarships for 2025 off of bold... GOSH, they wanted a LOT of personal information... i deleted that the more i got into it. ack! ;D

and yes: there are so many creative ways to keep learning the craft of writing and pursuing publication! :D (gonna keep applying to residencies and scholarships, especially at highlights-- what an inspiring place!!)

grateful for you, your donors, and YOUR vision and generosity, dear evelyn!!! :D

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It’s not octopi? I’m going to think about this all day!

You’re a beautiful soul, Evelyn. Lovely to see it paid forward to young writers.

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I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one who thought it was octopi!

💛 and thank you! You are such a lovely soul, too, Allison. 💛

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Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many writers 🙏❤️

(For some reason the annual donation button doesn't work for me) - thanks

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You’re welcome, Janet!

That’s weird that the annual button doesn’t work. Which rate tier do you want?

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The $1.50 Scholarship Contribution please

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Try this link, Janet:

https://www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/532c1528

Are you on an iPhone by any chance? iPhone ecosystem doesn’t allow discount links, but it will work from a computer or Android phone.

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love this! Octipodes, huh? Interesting

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Right? So weird, but I also really like it...

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Oct 18Liked by Evelyn Skye

Love to see what these scholarships are doing to inspire young writers and so glad to be contributing. Thanks for the sweet thank you video, too. As for your reading and watching, lots of interesting stuff not least the octopus punching fish in the face. As for the new Kristin Bell-Adam Brody rom-com, a friend of mine has highly recommended it and so with your link here, it would seem to be calling to me, for something light and fun. I no longer own a TV, made that decision last December when I moved from a rental house that had a TV to my unfurnished apartment because I want to read, read and read some more. But there are times when the brain needs a break from that, especially the writer brain who consumes and creates words all day long, and so I am going to "allow" myself more streaming screen time via my laptop/monitor. I'm hooked on the most recent season of "Emily in Paris" and need to finish that first. Happy weekend, all!

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Thank YOU for contributing to the scholarships, Amy! And I’m with you on TV—I don’t watch much because I like to read in the evenings but you’re right, it’s also nice to have a little something that’s light to serve as a break sometimes!

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$500 will help me buy food and maybe pit off my landlord. So not the best writing scholarship for working writers.

https://marlowe1.substack.com/p/job-chapters-9-11

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