JOURNALING – GONE ROGUE! with Kandace Chapple
START DATE: Monday, January 10, 2022
END DATE: Sunday, January 30, 2022
DURATION: 3 weeks
LOCATION: Private Facebook Group
FEEDBACK: Instructor feedback via email
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Are you ready to start a dedicated journal practice in 2022? Hold up – throw out the old ideas of a boring line-by-line journal!
I’m here to share this: I finally let go of what a journal “should” be when a friend showed me this: I bought a blank-page journal (thick, luscious paper that I had to learn to “ruin” and remember that there was always more to be had!), gel pens in EVERY color, a book of stickers (my first stickers since 7th grade) and a little book full of sayings (to cut up – the blasphemy!) With those (affordable) decadent supplies, I went rogue.
I had tried countless times to keep a journal in fancy bound books or with my computer—but it was this, the stepping away from “fancy” and “formal” and using wire-bound thick paper journals that I could kind of destroy with color and stickers and ripping pages out, that my journaling really started. I liked unplugging and being able to take the journal with me wherever I went—with a different color pen every day.
Here’s something else I tried: I numbered my entries. It kind of turned into a game. Could I get to 10? 50? 100? In the last year, I have written 248 entries. That’s roughly 248 more than any other year. They are MESSY and COLORFUL and SAD and HAPPY. Some are barely a half-page long and some are bursting—huge, wild writing or tiny writing along the edges up and around, several pages in a row.
My 60-page blank journals (11 of them so far) are a history of what has been one of the hardest years of my life (but a year of transformation!). I sat down the other day and re-read every entry—and guess what? I realized besides a TON of grief, I have a whole lot of CHEERLEADING in those pages—by me, for me. THAT has been the power of journaling. Even when a dash of anger cuts across a page, I found that it was often followed the next day by an upleveling, a healing, a revision of how I saw things.
Without a doubt, it’s been very healing to let go and positively rip on these blank pages – haha! I want this for you, too!
(And, BONUS, I have sold about 5 essays that have stemmed from my journal pages.)
We’ll talk about:
In this class, we’ll talk about the glory of journaling—the colors, format, and freedom to reinvent what a journal should look like. And we’ll talk about the guts of journaling—what is there to talk about on that blank page? Everyone hates a journal that devolves into a grocery list and, yes, there are days when that’s all it will be. But with time and practice and pages COUNTED UP, you’ll soon have plenty to say. You’ll start TRUSTING your journal as a place to talk things out, like a quiet (sometimes unruly!) friend to check in with every day or two.
This class will be about consistent journaling, weekly check-ins and sharing little epiphanies with the group, if you so choose. (PROMISE: YOU WILL HAVE EPIPHANIES!) This will be a warm, welcoming class, and most of all, a place to try new things out, mess up some pages, scribble and throw things out! This will be in a Facebook group so you will be able to access the posts 24/7 and engage on your own schedule. I will give deadlines, but the time you choose to write, is up to you. I will also ask you to set out on some “artist’s dates” at your convenience to see where you end up!
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I have enjoyed this three-week course with Kandace. I looked forward to receiving each well-organized lesson chock full of tips and resources. Afterward, I was motivated to complete the assignments and brainstorm ideas for the future. Kandace’s feedback was quick and focused. While I could accept or reject the suggested changes, I ended up following her advice. I feel more confident about my work and plan to pursue publication in several “new” online markets. Highly recommended! ~ Joanne G.
The best part of the class was the personal feedback. And with that I mean, encouragement. Kandace was able to offer everything to me in a very positive way. (There’s an art to that, by the way!) She handled my concerns early on and then only encouraged me every step of the way. I am very appreciative of all she did for me personally as I worked on my writing. ~ Barb M.
Kandace’s teaching and feedback was motivating, positive and so very encouraging. I promise you will happy with this class experience. ~ Paula S.
Over the past 6 months, I have developed immensely as a writer thanks to working with Kandace. Her encouragement, insight and expertise allowed me to go from writing in a personal journal to producing written work ready for submission. Kandace provides a foundation built upon trust and patience, which is vital for any coaching relationship. ~ Adrienne
Kandace and I have been part of a weekly writers group for the last year. I’ve found her perspective and feedback positive and helpful. It’s a joy to share work with her, and she is easy and fun to work with. ~ Chris C.
Kandace’s feedback has been invaluable to me in the difficult process of writing my book. She provides focused, specific and positive comments, but also directs my attention to a few key areas for improvement that are always spot on. She also provides cheerful accountability that feels more like cheering on than smacking down. Very motivating. ~ Anne B.
Kandace’s services are ideal if you need an editor to challenge your thinking, find inconsistencies and give you honest feedback (the best kind) and suggestions. She’s great to work with and turns around the work extremely fast. Highly recommended! ~ Mary R.
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WEEKS AT A GLANCE:
For each of the three weeks, we will meet in our private Facebook group and talk about journaling (un!)practices. I will offer tips, techniques and personalized writing prompts for each attendee. Each week, we will commit to 3-5 journal entries. On Sundays, you are welcome to share a page (snap a photo or type it up) or a single line—or nothing at all—with me for feedback! (These are often too personal to share, but sometimes it helps you get it done to know someone will read and consider your thoughts!)
In the final week, we will look through our pages and look for themes. What is hurting? What is changing? What is joyful? I’ll ask you to consider if there’s an essay there to write in full, which you are welcome to submit to me for feedback.
Materials needed: Access to the Internet, Facebook, and e-mail.
These supplies are optional but ideal. You can use whatever supplies you’d like, but here is a list of my favorites. These are all available at stores like Michael’s or you can find them online:
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Kandace Chapple published and edited Grand Traverse Woman Magazine, a regional women’s publication in Michigan, for eighteen years before closing it to open Michigan Girl, LLC. She has spent 18 years coaching writers in her publication and helping them polish their personal essays. Her own essays have appeared in Writer’s Digest, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Literary Mama, Motherwell, and more. She hosts weekly #Friday500 coaching sessions where writers submit 500 words every Friday (or else!). She is also a well-known freelance writer for publications in Michigan, including Traverse Magazine. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a minor in Journalism and a Bachelor’s degree in Business. She loves to mountain bike on Northern Michigan trails, hike with her dog, Cookie, and spend time with her husband and two sons. Visit her at www.kandacechapple.com.
COST: $150, which includes weekly assignments and individual feedback from the instructor. You will also be invited to a private Facebook group for student interaction and discussion.
BUY NOW: JOURNALING – GONE ROGUE! with Kandace Chapple (3 weeks, starting 1/10/2022) Limit: 12 students. Early registration is recommended.
This class is now closed. Please check out our current schedule here.
For Class Session Starting 1/10/2022
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Notes: Upon successful completion of payment, your name, email address, and contact info will be submitted to your instructor. Just before class begins, she will e-mail you with instructions on how to get started.
Questions? Email Marcia & Angela at:
classroom[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com
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