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Jun 14·edited Jun 14Pinned

I'll kick us off.

Hot on the heels of Jami Attenberg's 1,000 Words of Summer challenge which I'm wrapping up, I'm really excited about a couple of possible 'next projects.'

1️⃣ Creating a summer capsule wardrobe, with a handful of easily-remixable pieces I feel great in

2️⃣ My writing drafts folder is overflowing with pieces I've been writing in workshops lately, all or which seem to be about people. I kinda love the idea of turning this into a semi-private new series here (something in the vein of 'To All the People I've Loved, and Some I Haven't') for paid subscribers, where I can share some of these in-process pieces + sprinkle in more behind-the-scenes writerly stuff.

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Jun 15Liked by Michelle LaCroix

I love that you included creating a capsule wardrobe as a project! It totally is, but I sometimes forget about those kinds of life things are creative projects.

This also made me realized that I’ve been making some wardrobe updates and it’s felt very open ended in a way that is no longer working - shifting to a project framework might help resolve that!

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Yessss that's a great way to describe what I've experiencing, too. I kinda love the idea of a capsule framework as a way to stay focused and feel less aimless when it comes to buying/swapping out clothes (and ideally, save some money!) I'd love to hear how it goes, and/or if you land on a framework that feels like it's working for you.

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Jun 20Liked by Michelle LaCroix

Hmmm...I have been sitting on this question for a bit now because nothing was really coming to mind, even though I *know* I've felt that pitter patter before. I suppose I feel this when I embark on a particularly exciting sewing project—perhaps one for a special occasion and/or one that stretches me just a wee bit or where I've found the EXACT fabric or pattern I had in my head. Right now, I have an idea of a dress I'd love to make for a fall wedding, but I have yet to source fabric that fits my vision, so instead of pitter patters, it's grrr-ing...but hopeful? 😂

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Ahh yes, of course, your classic Hopeful Grrr. 🤣

It's been so fun to watch your various sewing projects come to life, especially the regency dress! I can't wait to see what you're eyeballing for this fall wedding, and sending *ALL* the good fabric-sourcing vibes. I have a feeling the right thing will reveal itself.

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Jun 18Liked by Michelle LaCroix

I am still in my post album release low energy phase, but when I regain more energy, I would love to orchestrate this piano piece I wrote! https://hypeddit.com/pwf0wa

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WOOO congratulations on your album release! What an accomplishment, I hope you're enjoying some post-album release relaxation, and how fun to have a next potential project on the horizon 🤗 Excited to give Bright Little Worlds a listen.

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Thanks so much, Michelle! 💗 I'm definitely taking it sloooow this June - luckily I have less work in the summer and it is a welcome pause!

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Jun 15Liked by Michelle LaCroix

1. After taking a break from fiction for awhile, I’m feeling ready to take on a new writing project! I have a novel idea that I had previously made a go at that I have a new vision for and I’m excited to get in to.

2. I’m creating a workshop around core values and using those to prioritize and orient within our lives. It feels really good to be taking a subject I have explored and thought about so much and trying to shape it in to something other people can engage with

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1. Ahhh a novel! How exciting. I love that feeling of getting a resurgence of energy + fresh perspective around an idea we've been sitting on for a while. Ride that wave!

2. Such a cool idea for a workshop. And I loved how you phrased that—"taking a subject I have explored and thought about so much and trying to shape it in to something other people can engage with." YES, so satisfying.

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Jun 15Liked by Michelle LaCroix

I've also done 1,000 Words of Summer this year - the first time I've properly committed to it, and now looking forward to diving into all these thousands of words to see what's there! Much of which I hope will end up on Substack, which is really the thing making my heart go pitter patter at the moment. Thinking about what I want to share and why, meeting people here online and IRL, and discovering lovely side projects and ideas that seem to be emerging from these connections 🙌

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Ok first of all, congrats on committing to 1,000 Words of Summer! I sort of did it as part of a group and we had a midway check-in call, and something you said was a MAJOR theme for us too—the fact that generating a ton of material is legitimately great, but now we almost need a dedicated follow-up project to go back through it all and mine for gems/do some revision/turn the good stuff into something.

Also, could. not. agree. with you more about Substack being a pitter-patter project ☺️ There's something so fun about feeling into what you want to share and why + watching how that evolves, and the connections on here are just so great. I'm excited to go check out your publication!

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Jun 16Liked by Michelle LaCroix

Well great to hear I'm not alone in thinking "now what do I do?!" haha - but trying to find the fun and joy in going back through my words and seeing what feels right for their next steps. I hope you do too!

Yes, absolutely!! And thank you - hope you enjoy! 🤗

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I’ve been off the writing track for some time, just been so busy. But I’m ready to get back on it with a longer term project about responsibility and how it manifests in different areas of our life (to ourselves, to our community, to our world) it’s been marinating in my brain for a while now and I’m ready to get it out into the world!

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oooh that sounds really rich and layered as a writing project! are you seeing this as a project for Substack, or more of a personal endeavor? (or maybe some combination of the two?) I'd love to hear more.

Also I totally hear you about writing sort of falling to the wayside when life gets busy. I think it's happened to literally every writer I know—but I also love how we inevitably find our way back when the time is right.

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Both, I would say! I finally transcribed some of my thoughts into an “intro essay” of sorts that I am working on putting out as we speak. Honestly, you posting this project sharing space kinda lit a fire for me to actually do this, so I’m very appreciative of that. It’s the right time to rededicate to a regular practice.

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