19 Comments
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Mike Oppenheim's avatar

"Instead, I’m going to fill up on failure." BRILLIANT! Thank you!

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Eva's avatar

Kudos to you Cathy! I love the picture of Rangeley and the cows!

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

I miss those cows.

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Jillian Hanson's avatar

I LOVE that the guy wanted a typewriter. Holy crap. Also just so you know, I've had that exact experience of nobody or only one person showing up for a group. (Never had anyone ask for typewriters, and now I kind of want that kind of writing group... it'd be deafening!) So yeah, you're not alone and it's all just a part of getting a new thing up and running.

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Jan M. Flynn's avatar

Thank you for pointing out we can decouple our fear and mistrust (especially of ourselves) from our forward momentum. I needed that today!

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Marc Typo's avatar

Moments like these serve as a reminder when the room will be full- you’ll remember the feeling when it was empty. Thank you, for your vulnerability.

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Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

"... a man who asked if typewriters would be available. He canceled after I said no."

⬆⬆ Is this true? It made me laugh...but also made me sad for you.

This post is soooo relatable. Far too many of us hold ourselves back out of fear of putting ourselves out there. I'm guilty for sure. Thank you for sharing this AND for holding your writing group of no one! That takes balls.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

It is true, but I can't be sure that was his only reason.

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Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

If he was just copping out he could have made up a hundred better reasons lol

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Lisa Renee's avatar

Thanks so much for the mention! I think it's great (and brave!) that you put yourself out there. I'd love a writing group, but I haven't found one and am not sure how to start my own in my teeny tiny town. Plus, I'd need to work on the bravery bit first. 🙃

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

I'm hoping the in person group takes off, AND, I plan to start an online group too. Stay tuned. I'd love it if you joined.

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Kim Van Bruggen's avatar

I’m super stoked for you that you organized a writing group. Build it they will come.

My future self is going to be trying out all kinds of new ideas to see what sticks. And like you, I’m ready for whatever the outcome. Can’t work if you don’t try. Congrats for putting your offering out there. Big step in trying on the “fear” cloak and seeing it’s just made you stronger. Here’s to falling! Not failing 😉

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Thank you!!

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Kirsten Powers's avatar

The guy canceling after finding out there would be no typewriters is GOLD.

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Mary Hutto Fruchter's avatar

In one of the first creative writing classes I offered I got a response from someone named Mr. Murderporn. He told me he would attend if the class was virtual but because it was in person, he would not be joining. Sometimes it’s a good thing when people don’t show up.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Mr. Murderporn! 🤣😂😲🥴

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Mary Hutto Fruchter's avatar

Right? I laugh out loud every time I remember that story.

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Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

I died over that one too LOL!

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Nov 7, 2023
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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

I like that!

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