When a Bookshelf is More Than Just a Bookshelf
It's an inspiration station.
*But first, an announcement: I am un-paywalling my newsletter.
I believe in women getting paid for their work and applaud those who have leveraged Substack as a way to make money writing (our industry is notoriously difficult between unpaid freelance gigs and historically low rates). However, I have decided I want this newsletter to be free for everyone.
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But my weekly content will remain open to all. Thank you for supporting my work and letting me continue to do what I love <3
OK. Back to our regularly scheduled programming:
I have a shelf next to my desk where I place all of my favorite books. It’s a rotating selection so, if, like this week, I’m inspired by Betsy’s Lerner’s new novel Shred Sisters, I move my copy to my special shelf. Some books, like Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, Dani Shapiro’s Slow Motion, and Alex Marzano-Lesnevich’s The Fact of a Body, have a permanent home there. Others rotate in and out.
Now you may be asking yourself: why is she telling me this?
That’s because this shelf is more than just a shelf. It’s an inspiration station. And here’s how it works. If I sit down at my desk and I need a palate cleanser to get my body and mind ready to write, or I’m writing and I’m stuck or I need a kickstart, I pick a book randomly off the shelf and do three things.
I open the book I chose to a random page.
I read the page out loud to myself.
I write whatever comes to mind no matter how silly or unworthy it may seem.
The key is not to question myself. I try to let the author of whichever book I select inspire my writing. I don’t know what will bubble up. And that’s the point. To allow myself to go somewhere new. To let my mind wander. To push me out of my comfort zone.
In Community,
Ruthie
My two-hour workshop, How to Write About Your Life Without Blowing It Up, will take place Monday, October 28 from 3-5pm ET. This quick and dirty class is only $99, and includes readings and exercises, a lesson from me, and access to our Ignite Writers Collective community. Join me!
Sign up for my Six Week Kickstarter that starts Tuesday, 10/29 – a perfect place to dive back into a writing project or start a new one. You’ll generate work using my tried and true exercises and prompts and it’s the perfect antidote to writer’s block.
Apply for my One-Year Book Incubator kicking off January 2025! More details here. Application here.
One-on-One! If you don’t see a group workshop that’s the right fit, or you just want some solo advice, I encourage you to inquire about one-on-one coaching with me. Email me ruackerman@gmail.com to learn more.
