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The Unexpected Shape Café

Public • 503 • Free

16 contributions to The Unexpected Shape Café
What are you reading?
Right now, I’m reading and rereading Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail, which is a comfort read for me—a sapphic romance novel. It’s interesting to go outside of my usual genres; I never read romance novels until very recently. At the same time, I’m reading a forthcoming memoir by Morgan Parker. What are you reading, and how are you feeling/thinking about it?
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New comment 11d ago
0 likes • 11d
@Ainna Flaminia I've just read the sample for this. When I tried to borrow it, I found out there's a 20 week wait at my library for this book.
1 like • 11d
@Ainna Flaminia Lucky to get a signed copy!!
Who is still active?
There are way fewer interactions and I haven't heard from Esmé or Dan for quite some time. I feel invested in this community so I'm still hoping it can turn around.
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New comment 24d ago
3 likes • 29d
I'm still here. Just have been off my computer a bit over the last few weeks. Just installed the Skool app on my phone, so easier to see when something new is happening here.
The Shape of Your Memoir
Hi all, I’m currently sick with a cold and life is still chaos for my family (my husband has been critically ill in the hospital for seven weeks), but I’m very excited to announce that I’ll be teaching a class called The Shape of Your Memoir this month on January 27, 2025. The Shape of Your Memoir is a transformative 1.5-hour class designed to help you uncover and refine the narrative structure of your memoir and/or essay. Whether you’re just beginning or deep into the drafting process, this class will guide you in identifying and addressing cracks in the foundation of your storytelling. You’ll learn how to move beyond a simple chronological recounting of events and shape your writing into a compelling narrative with a beginning, middle, and end—one that resonates with readers and leaves them deeply satisfied. Through practical insights, real-life examples, and actionable tools, you’ll explore how to create a gentle map for your memoir, allowing the story’s natural shape to emerge as you write. As a bonus, the class includes a one-hour co-working session, giving you the chance to apply what you’ve learned, ask questions, and receive real-time support. Join us to transform your collection of facts and anecdotes into a meaningful, cohesive story that captivates readers from start to finish. Recording and transcript available. http://www.esmewang.com/shape-of-your-memoir x esmé
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New comment 25d ago
0 likes • 29d
I hope y'all get well soon!
Writing Tools
What are some of everyone’s favorite writing tools—pens, pencils, programs, things to help focus, etc.? Over the last few years I’ve found myself incredibly fond of .25mm pens because I press so hard on the page (I think it may be a mobility thing), but I also love Evernote. I’m not good at keeping organized, but I find the notes less intimidating than a Word doc.
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New comment 3d ago
2 likes • Dec '24
I tend to go with "whatever works today", but I do have a bunch of favourites: Leuchtturm 1917 notebooks, ruled. Fountain pens (BEST ever for me is my Lamy CP1 with an italic nib, followed by a Kaweco Sport, and my old Parker school fountain pen... which is 33 years old now) Iroshizuku (PILOT) inks... shin-kai (deep blue), take-sumi (black) and tsukushi (brown). This year, also: LAMY Crystal ink (peridot) - it's the most beautiful deep bluegreen colour. SHARP pencils. Love my electric pencil sharpener! Dictaphone & letting Audio Hijack Pro transcribe for me. Scrivener for big projects. WriteRoom for random TXT files. Cold Turkey Writer and/or Micromanager (for those distractible days) Google Keep for writing stuff on the go. Noise cancelling headphones. Beeswax candles for journaling. And "Write Or Die" (online) when I just need to get words down.
Dialogue and Soul Writing
Hello all, great to be here in your community, thank you. As my profile says I'm mad about Dialogue in every sense of the word, and it's a word that translates as 'through' (dia) and 'meaning' (logos). As a professional dialogue facilitator I create and hold spaces for people to make meaning together, with better communication, especially in neurodiversity. Someone told me recently about a book-based project called Soul Writing by Joy Reichart. Have you read it or done it? I did the Morning Pages years ago but wondered if this is different. Anyway I'm really really really keen to get into fiction but people round me keep saying "you have to read a lot of fiction in order to write it" - I don't believe that! But then again I've not yet tried. I have just written a book though and it will be out in March. Ooh I've also got my memoirs nearly ready for publishing - no idea where though so might go KDP.... Have a great day. Excited to be here. Jonny 🫠
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New comment Oct '24
2 likes • Oct '24
Welcome, Jonny! Congrats on your finished book and the memoirs! I haven't heard of Joy Reichart or her stuff before today, but am intrigued now that I'm checking out her webpage. I'll report back what I found useful. Here's my two pence as a writer who was only confident in my nonfiction writing for decades and thought I didn't "have it" for fiction writing: It's bullshit, and gatekeepers can go eff themselves! Go for it! Writing is writing. All writing is about using words and sentences to put something beyond words onto the page. All writing is storytelling. If you want to write fiction, sure, read lots of fiction of the sort you want to write, but don't think that you need to read more before you can tell your stories. Looking forward to hearing more from you! Cheers, Rebecca :)
2 likes • Oct '24
Also, as a professional dialogue facilitator and dialogue fan, you'll have so much under your belt to make your fiction shine... just start with that!
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Rebecca Erlewein
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25points to level up
@rebecca-erlewein-5179
Nonfiction & romance writer and musician. Nerdy and empathetic. Needs to lighten the F up most of the time. NB (she/they). ME/CFS & AuDHD.

Active 11d ago
Joined Jul 25, 2024
INFP
New Zealand
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