Creativity.
I don't usually choose a word for the new year, but here it is. Screaming at me to choose it.
A blank page is a sight for sore eyes.
A free hour and a blank page is luxurious.
A free hour and a blank page and a prompt is an oasis.
One that I intend to create this year. Hopefully for us both.
A little TLDR
I’m dedicating myself to an hour a week of creative writing. And I hope you’ll join me. If you want to learn more about the structure and the ‘why’, keep on reading.
Writing for work is different than writing to explore
It started almost 8 months ago when I started writing more, but not for myself—for work. I loved getting to write in a different way, for different clients. I still love it. But what I miss is the freedom and exploration that spontaneous writing brings. That feeling like I’m on the precipice of finding something that’s never been found before. At least in my own internal world.
That feeling of adventure.
And the fact that I owe absolutely no one an explanation, a description, a map of where to find it. It’s mine. And that’s enough.
With 2023 around the corner, I want to create that again. A space to write. Freely. Openly. And with others.
Enter the oasis:
10-weeks to get together and write for no other reason than to enjoy creating again.
An hour every sunday, starting at 12:30 pm EST on January 22nd and running until April 2nd.
$100 for the 10-weeks, which comes out to about $10/session. And if that feels like too much but you’re craving creative time, email me. We’ll figure it out.
At the top of the hour, I’ll pull a prompt from a hat. Prompts can rage from quotes, songs, images, inspirations and muses. Whatever the prompt is that day, we’ll write about it.
And since I’m pulling it from a hat, I won’t know what that day of writing looks like, either. Which means I’ll be as submersed in the experience as you are.
No tips, advice or teaching. Not because I don’t love to talk about writing. But because the truth is, I’m dried up, baby. I’m in the desert. I need some nourishment through creativity. And I want to do it alongside others. As a friend recently told me, I need to trust that what I need, others need, too.
Why oasis?
At first the name felt silly and almost pretentious. Was I *really* offering an oasis? Maybe not, no. But the space to create feels pretty damn close to one.
The more I thought about it and researched oases (and researched what the plural of an oasis is, as well), the more it felt like a fit.
An oasis is “a fertile spot in a desert, where water is found.” These waters can come from waterfalls that flow through limestone. Something that “provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast”. And in a metaphorical sense, “it can also be used to describe a peaceful area in our everyday lives.” A place to escape the demands and dedicate ourselves to something that brings us joy and play.
Can I join?
Oh, yes you can. And I hope you will. Doors will open on January 15th and close on the 21st. Stay tuned for another email in the next couple of weeks: it’ll include where you can sign up and how. In the meantime, if you have any questions, reply to this email and let’s chat.
Happy 2023, friends.
Enjoy the last few days of 2022!! Here’s to a new year. And to making time for new and old desires alike.
Love,
Devon
PS: In other news, my book Dwell is launching this April (!!!!). Lots of emails coming soon on this subject, so if you want to avoid the ‘book stuff’, feel free to unsubscribe! No hurt feelings here. You do what you need. xx