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Five years ago tomorrow, I published my first novel, a huge dream of mine and a goal I worked toward at a feverish pace. I am still so proud of the story, the characters who feel real to me (and each represent a part of me), and the hard work. . I've been working at a less feverish pace on a second story, doing it the only way I know how: fumbling, awkward, clumsy, trying every wrong idea first, finding every right idea last, and simply not stopping until it feels like a book. . It's getting closer. . . #blog #writer #writing #writinglife #author #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #courageovercomfort #courage #enneagram4 #enneagram4w3 #4w3 #cultivatewhatmatters #2020goals #ambition #JesuJuva2020 #radicalacceptance #editing #revisions #SaltNovel #iwriteya

A post shared by Jackie Lea Sommers (@jackieleasommers) on Aug 31, 2020 at 7:58pm PDT

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Yes, it's move-in day. . I wrote that Future Me email back in May, when we didn't know what this fall semester would look like. Let's be honest, there's still a lot of uncertainty. But today and tomorrow, we welcome something like 500 new students to campus. Next week, returning students come back. . There are masks, social distancing, hybrid classes, a chapel rotation, plexiglass barriers separating the cafeteria tables, a lot of patience, and a lot of grace. . We move forward despite fear by caring for the others in our community and remaining flexible. It's hard after hearing other colleges starting on campus and quickly shifting to online, but we will do our best. . Fall 2020 semester is here: college in the time of COVID. . #UNWAdmissions #UNWNation #UNWmoveinday #maskupeagles

A post shared by Jackie Lea Sommers (@jackieleasommers) on Aug 21, 2020 at 8:41am PDT

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Next round!! . #revisions #revise #edit #author #writer #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #courageovercomfort #courage #enneagram4 #enneagram4w3 #4w3 #cultivatewhatmatters #2020goals #ambition #JesuJuva2020

A post shared by Jackie Lea Sommers (@jackieleasommers) on Aug 19, 2020 at 5:10pm PDT

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It's gonna be a good/long/happy/difficult week. New students are moving in and starting orientation on Friday and Saturday. In a normal year, this is such a tremendous celebration, especially for admissions… A year or more of hard work and problem solving and relationship-building all coming together. . It will be different this year. Still exciting. Still rewarding. I'm thrilled for the new students and the life-changing adventures before them. But orientation is marked with social distancing and masks and other signs of COVID and its uncertainty. And it will take longer, require more energy. More spoons. . My goal for the week is spoon management. For those of you unfamiliar with spoon theory, I'm referring to how I spend a limited amount of energy. . My mind is racing with revision ideas, my heart is battling perfectionism, my soul is embracing deep relationships. I'm blessed. Here we go. . #blog #writer #writing #writinglife #author #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #courageovercomfort #courage #enneagram4 #enneagram4w3 #4w3 #cultivatewhatmatters #2020goals #ambition #JesuJuva2020 #radicalacceptance #editing #revisions #SaltNovel #bookresearch #enrollment #recruitment #collegeadmissions #admissions

A post shared by Jackie Lea Sommers (@jackieleasommers) on Aug 16, 2020 at 7:27pm PDT

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Today I can't decide if I'm on the cusp of something beautiful or hiding in a ditch. 😂

A post shared by Jackie Lea Sommers (@jackieleasommers) on Aug 15, 2020 at 11:59am PDT

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Critique is hard for me. Not because I'm scared of revisions or hard work, but it triggers an emotional response (and sometimes panic). . On the flip side, I love critique. It pushes me past the boundaries of my own talent and ideas. . It's two sides of the same coin, but I have to essentially prepare myself. I heard somewhere that to be a good writer you have to have a thick skin but to be a good writer you can't have a thick skin. It's okay if you have to reread that. . Today my chronic fatigue is flared, and my body is really struggling with the transition to working back on campus after five months at home. My friends are having hard days and I want to make everything right. My agent emailed me feedback on my manuscript. COVID feels heavy. I've been irritable with people I love. My therapist is out of town. . All shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well. This is not toxic positivity. This is faith after a history of rescues bigger than any I've needed today. . Excuse me, I need (even more) sleep. . #blog #writer #writing #writinglife #author #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #courageovercomfort #courage #enneagram4 #enneagram4w3 #4w3 #cultivatewhatmatters #2020goals #ambition #JesuJuva2020 #radicalacceptance #editing #revisions #SaltNovel #critique #critiqueishard #writingcritique #spoonielife #spoonie #spooniewhowrites #spooniewriter

A post shared by Jackie Lea Sommers (@jackieleasommers) on Aug 11, 2020 at 2:43pm PDT