Dear TWT Writing Community,
On this next-to-last day in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge, I want to tell you what a profound gift you are.
Thank you…
For sharing your heart and your stories…some of which were difficult to share.
For standing by one another, offering solace, healing, and love, which helped to fill a crack or two in life’s broken places.
For sticking with challenge, knowing it fosters growth.
For stretching your writing wings as far as they’ll go, and discovering that, yes, you can fly.
For being a warrior angel on occasion, ready to defend a fellow writer wounded by the world.
For taking us places we’ve never been, and may not ever see, otherwise.
For sparking new insights, new tastes, new things to try, new goals…for keeping life fresh.
For celebrating the joys in each others’ lives.
For your humor.
For your sorrow.
For your courage.
For your encouragement.
For believing in yourself.
For believing in me.
For pulling each other onward and through.
I’ll say it again: I did not believe I had the stamina for the daily writing challenge this year. I decided not to do it.
Until the morning of Day One, when I woke up ridiculously early with my starved inner writer tapping on my heart…Hello! Hello! You cannot wait for sustenance. Seek it, and it will come. Open up! You will reget it if you don’t…
How right is my inner writer. Always.
Sigh.
I didn’t feel like writing, but I wrote. And kept on writing. Every single day.
YOU are the reason.
I drew energy and strength from you. From your comments, from your stories, from your experiences…from the sense of belonging, from the mutual desire to build each other up, from valuing and being valued by each other.
Writing is one thing; writing in community is everything.
Don’t we know it.
How much richer is my life, because of these last thirty days.
We are a shared story.
Thank you for every minute, every word.
I am so grateful.
Here’s to one day more ❤
Fran
*******
in honor of my fellow “Slicers” in the Two Writing Teachers March Slice of Life Story Challenge
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I love this so much, Fran! We are such a strong writing community, and I am so grateful to be a part of it. This month of writing and reading has been rewarding for me. Thank you for all your comments and encouragement this month and for sharing part of who you are with us. 🙂
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You are always and encouragement, Jennifer – I am grateful for you and your thoughts each day. Yes, this month of writing and reading has been so rewarding!
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Your words “sticking with a challenge, knowing it fosters growth” has now been planted.
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1000% “How much richer is my life, because of these last thirty days.
We are a shared story.”
Fran, this is an inspiring letter that speaks volumes about this challenge and our shared community. You put this sentiment out there so succinctly. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning from your artful and soulful words. Thank you!
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Know that I always enjoy learning from your amazingly-crafted words, Cindy – and that I am grateful for them and for you!
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Fran, this is a very kind letter and a reminder of the power of WE and this community of writers who open their hearts and share bits of their souls and lives knowing that some days, no one may comment, but every day we are part of a community of writers and friends.
Like you, I rethink my participation and wonder if the work is worth it or even IF I have something to say? I too make last minute decisions to participate and wonder if I will find slices in this chapter of my life?
But this year, it was the FOMO that brought me back and I am glad to read and be part of this community.
Thank you for being here
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Sharing bits of our souls is exactly what we do in this challenge – providing a place of love and acceptance for one another. How much better the world would be if it were like the SOLSC!
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Back atcha, Fran. “How right is my inner writer. Always.” Glad we all had the chance to read your writing this month. I will long remember your piece from early in the month addressing your mom. Powerful and brave.
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I always appreciate your words, Peter. Never planned on writing that post about my mom but am glad I did; she had a good heart, and it was good to remember. I enjoyed your attic findings as well. So many stories, so little time – even in a daily challenge for a month!
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Agree with all the other commenters! I’ve loved reading your slices this month, and I’m grateful to that inner writer for having the last say in your decision to continue on! Thank you for being an inspiration every day.
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I have appreciated your comments so much, Melanie. You are an amazing encourager.
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I can’t believe we made it. I never think I can do it, but once again, here we are, 30 days of writing and sharing ourselves. It is a privilege to write with you.
Please! consider adding a line on the Kidlit Progressive Poem. I have slots open and April is almost here. https://reflectionsontheteche.com/2025/03/06/kidlit-progressive-poem-2025-sign-up/
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I don’t know about you but to me the month flew by! I did indeed add my name to the progressive poem – thank you for the invitation!
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Fran, thank YOU for always encouraging us and inspiring us with your writing. You are to thank for all of those things and more. I’m so glad you woke up and wrote and listened to your inner writer nudging you to pick up your pen. Because look back – – at all the writing of this month and imagine what the world would be without it, and what you might be like if you hadn’t written. We are all better as writers because that’s who we are – – and thank you for reminding us of this today as we approach the last day. One day more……Do you hear the people sing?
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Kim, I’m always in awe of the depth of your insight… the line in your comment here, to imagine what I’d be like without having written this month…that could be a post in itself. I will say I am a little lighter, a little freer, having said a goodbye and “thank you” that I never got to, because it felt right; and happy to have finally written a couple of memories that have been in my head for so long. Sometimes it’s a matter of a simple shift from oh, someday I’ll write that, to what am I waiting for, let me just write it, now. I am immensely grateful for the whole experience and for YOU, an absolute gem, in every facet! Oh and this ending thought of yours in response to my closing -“One day more……Do you hear the people sing?” – a confession: Les Mis is my all-time favorite musical 🙂
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I love this slice so much, I think it voices all of our thoughts and hearts about slicing. I am very glad you decided to slice at the last moment. It’s this crazy thing about having to write to fill yourself up and being part of a writing community. I can’t believe there is only one day left.
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The month flew, didn’t it, Celia? You are so right about the need to write to fill yourself up. The SOLSC is a commitment but immeasurably rewarding; it makes you unpack everything around you, to examine it all for deeper meaning, often found, and always valuable. I am so glad you are here – I enjoy you and your insights so much.
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Fran, tis community is so special. It is always an honor to share laughter and tears with tis group. There is always support, never criticism. This is an uplifting community. Thank you for your post throughout the month. I am glad you listened to your inner writer.
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Right back at ya – Fran! I’m look forward to reading your posts. I went to sleep last night wondering how Dennis got his name. Did your son name him? Is he named after “Dennis the menace?” That how I got to sleep – asking questions about your son’s precious dog. So you know what that means? I need another post about Dennis! Have a lovely Sunday, Fran. THANK YOU!
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Too funny, Joanne – my musician son named Dennis after Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys. He’s loved their music all of his life. I will do a teaser here… CHECK OUT TOMORROW’S POST! Big reveal coming ❤️
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This is a beautiful thank you letter. I’ve so enjoyed reading your slices this month!
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Fran, the joy you share through this post and in so many of your posts is inspiring. I love the way you show how the community has impacted you and the idea that the group is a shared story. Truly lovely post! Thanks for sharing every day.
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Such a heartfelt slice. Love this- We are a shared story.
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Thank YOU for this thank you. So much wisdom and perception here. One of my favorite lines, because it rings so true to me: “For taking us places we’ve never been, and may not ever see, otherwise.” I’m grateful you listened and chose to write this year. You are a blessing to so many!
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You are so kind, always – and certainly a blessing 🙂
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“we are a shared story” — powerful and true. so glad you listened to your inner self and jumped in. it’s always good to ‘see’ you here, fran! great slice
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Fran, I read your slice early this morning, but didn’t have time to respond. This is a treasure, I slice to read and reread. I’ll print it out and read it when I need a writing boost, when I need a friend, when I need inspiration, when I want to remember all the joy, laughter and insights this challenge has given me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your writing is a gem. Hope to “see” you on Tuesdays.
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I have so appreciated your words this month, Rita – and I treasure this response, that you found the post so meaningful. It was for me!
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This letter is so beautiful. Thank you for giving lovely words to describe the importance of this writing experience. I love this line: “We are a shared story.” I’m so glad you decided to be part of this story!
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I so appreciate your words in our shared story of the SOLSC!
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Fran, this is so very beautiful! I was here shaking my head and saying, “Amen,” to so many lines. Here’s is one that was a good summary for me: “Writing is one thing; writing in community is everything.” Just beautiful. I always love reading your writings.
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Denise, your writings mean much to me also, and I never forget how amazingly supportive you are. Your creativity and your heart always inspire me.
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