First off, we’d like to thank Liz Lanuzo for our lead artwork! We think she captured the fantasy and imagination of starting a new adventure perfectly.
In this issue, we map the bridge between Imaginationland and reality by studying the glory of outlines, and whip up a powerful checklist on everything you need to start your own masterpiece (hint: not much!). People get stuck on Page One because they’re too afraid to mess up their ideas. Here, we learn that there’s no way around it – writing is a messy, imperfect process, and sometimes you just have to embrace the bad.
We struggle to come to terms with false starts, the part of the writing process you just can’t hack. But where some false starts have you throwing things at the wall, others can be quite therapeutic — especially when they’re intentionally terrible.
One important reminder we’ve gained from putting this issue together is that writing involves a lot of humility. We all start off with bad work and varying degrees of talent, but consistency and discipline are the gears that move you from Point A to Point B, for now and the beyond.
But some beginnings must be preceded by endings. We bid farewell to the online homes that have housed our thoughts, stories, and readership for years, trading in the security of an well-worn identity for the limitless possibilities of something new.
Some beginnings we choose: others are decided for us, either by the events of life or by a limited number of notebook pages. We trace the timeline of first pages of one artist’s journals, where we learn that the cut of unfiltered emotion is strong, but we can always begin again.
Of course, a few wise words from those who made it past Page One and to the end remind us that we each have our own small step that represents so much more. We’re honored not only to share Johna’s reflections on writing her collection of nonfiction essays, but also an excerpt titled “Roses,” a quiet rumination on love.
We’re also excited to introduce Camille Pilar, surfer and storyteller extraordinaire, as this month’s Featured Storyteller. Her eloquence on the matters of storytelling, surfing, and embracing beginnings had us grappling for the highlighter.
Finally, don’t close this issue without taking our quiz: how well do you know your famous first lines?
Unfortunately, the quiz doesn’t come with a prize, but if it’s prizes ye want, we do have a giveaway!
Bird By Bird Giveaway Details
We’re giving away a copy of the writer’s bible: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. (We realize there are many writer’s bibles, but this one happens to be of particularly gilded edge). In addition, we’re including a “Page One” essentials kit: a spiral notebook from Rina Designs and the perfect, smudge-free pen to go along with it. Why this notebook? It’s the one Galvanizer editor Bea uses to defile many a first page, and it hasn’t failed her yet.
Picture of loot to be added shortly!
How to Win
Follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below. Please note that you do not need to do all steps to enter, but you can if you like! We just devised a variety of options. Note also that one option: sharing the link to The Galvanizers or your favorite article, can be done once a day.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck! And we hope, as always, that you enjoy this issue!
Artwork copyright Aaron Becker, from his children’s book “Journey”
