RiseLive. Free workshop. Last call for Paris!
From Mob Bosses to Book Boss - we're going places!
Back in May of 2006, I was visiting a friend in Washington, DC. It was a Sunday, and so that evening, we did what most people did on Sunday nights twenty years ago: we watched The Sopranos. On that particular episode, Carmela was on a trip to Paris with her friend, the ceaselessly annoying Rosalie. Rosalie just wanted to shop and flirt with the waiters, but Carmela was on a different journey.
At one point, the women find themselves standing in a set of ruins. Carmela looks around and then remarks, “We worry so much, it seems like that’s all we ever do, but in the end, it all just gets washed away, it just gets washed away.”
I decided that day that I wanted to live in Paris. Because it does. It all gets washed away, but the one thing that remains are the stories that we tell.
What a RiseLive
When we hosted RiseLive on April 26, we were there to tell those stories. We held our first live speaking event at the wonderful Hotel El Roblar in Ojai. On the property, there lives two giant tortoises named Abra and Cadabra, and as we shared that day, Abracabra is a very powerful spell—it is how words shape reality, but also how we can heal one another through those words.
And so our speakers healed, and they offered healing in turn. From the welcome talk from NYT-bestselling author and RiseLive story architect Katie Hendricks and hotel owner and conservationist Eric Goode, to the powerful stories of our own Chief Creative Officer Vyana Novus, career producer Lynnette Ramirez, and Rise author Aine Rock, the first half of the day reminded us why our stories matter, not just to ourselves, but how they have the power to shift the world.
After a magic hour with tarologist Angie Banicki, we moved into the second half with heartbreaking and healing stories from animal rights activist Daniel Roselle, famed interior designer Carmine Sabatella, author and producer Dr. Kamin Samuel, former Ojai mayor Betsy Stix, and, well, me.
The talks were powerful, but the live event was only the beginning. In July, we will begin sharing them on our own YouTube channel – all coming soon, so stay tuned…
Join us in Paris!
And also, Paris. Because that Sopranos episode did lead me to Paris. Six years later, I moved there to get my Master’s in International Relations (not an MFA, I know, I know). What started out as a dream went dark as Paris succumbed to the worst winter in its record, with only 36 hours of sun over five months (note: I am a California girl by way of Texas; I require an enormous amount of Vitamin D). It was sad. And hard. And my dreams of moving to Paris to write the great American novel disappeared in the rainy and 38-degree days, which is possibly the worst combination of weather forecasts (let it snow damnit!).
My dreams did get washed away, and when I returned to the States a year later, I wished so much that I could have done it differently. I wanted to resurrect the Paris dream of writing in cafes and finding my creative rhythm. I wanted to be Carrie in the lover episodes and not Madeline after her appendix ruptures. So that’s what we’re doing! We’re going back to Paris to remind us that “it all just gets washed away, it just gets washed away.”
But our stories don’t. And if you’re ready to write yours, the time is now! Story Magic is a two-day immersive writing retreat held in Paris to help you finally start your story - and finish your book! Hosted at the historic Odéon Theatre, the retreat will help you reconnect to the creative within, define the story you want to write, and create the writing practice to help you finish your book.
Co-hosted by me, Vyana, and our latest Rise Literary author Dufflyn Lammers – and with an author luncheon with Paris-based authors Ajiri Aki and Robinne Lee, the retreat is on Friday and Saturday, June 5-6, from 10am-4pm each day, culminating in a cocktail party with author portrait sessions.
Flights from the US are still $700, and flights from LA are under $1000. And the cost of the retreat is only 500 Euro. And of course, because you’re our friends, use the code WRITENOW for 20% off - and don’t miss this chance to finally start the book you’ve already dreamed of writing! Head to https://www.riseliterary.com/storymagic to find out more.
Free Workshop Tomorrow
And if you want to know more, join us tomorrow for a free workshop – Your Path to a Writing Practice with me and fellow retreat hosts Vyana and Dufflyn! Sign up at bit.ly/storymagicparis.
Because it does all get washed away. But our stories don’t. They become the ruins that are left behind, reminding people of the lives we lived, the lessons we experienced, how we healed, and how our stories always, always matter.
Just ask Carmela.
Allons à Paris, mes amis!
Kristen + the Rise Literary Team
What You Might Have Missed:
Come to a Murder Mystery Launch in LA!
We are so excited because next week the secret is out! The Revenge Party hits shelves on Tuesday, May 12th. Emily is doing a five-city tour (in Seattle, LA, Bend, OR, Bedford, NY and Boston, MA!). If you’re in the LA area, join us for the launch party (and murder mystery night) to celebrate. You can get tickets here! And check out Emily’s tour schedule here. And if you haven’t gotten your copy yet, head to Simon & Schuster to pick your favorite retailer!
Author Alchemy is waiting for you!
Are you tired of dreaming of being a writer but are now ready to become one? Whether you’re looking to write fiction, nonfiction, memoir, or poetry, Author Alchemy is about understanding who you are as a writer and who you can become as an author. Through the five modules, you will learn how find the promise and approach of your story, create a writing practice, build a byline, curate your community, and finally, pitch your book! Stop thinking about writing your book and start your path to publishing. It all begins here.
What Kind of Writer are You Quiz
What kind of writer are you? Check out the free quiz (with writing prompts) to help you find your writing archetype and break through your writing hurdles. And get our free Rise Writing Field Guide to begin building a writing practice you can commit to.
We are always here if you are ready to write your book - from group classes to inspired publishing, so reach out to us!
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