I know we're all usually very cool and chill about what we put out into the world, but maybe sometimes it can feel a bit overwhelming. But there are good things in your head and you don't have to go right to the grandest, most perfect stage to get them out! What if we (and I definitely need this advice, too) Don't Overthink It.

At Outside the Lines, we celebrate all the different ways we can share with each other about our work, and want to make it an easier (and more enjoyable) experience to do so. So, we're launching a little monthly writing club as a no-pressure way to get the creative juices flowing. (And yes, the DOI acronym is deliberate.)

Here's how it works:

  1. Every month on the 1st (with a little leeway for human error), we will share a new prompt
  2. You have 2 weeks to submit something responding to the prompt
  3. We will review submissions to check for relevance and appropriateness (i.e. does it follow our community guidelines)
  4. We will let you know if any small changes are needed and/or confirm you're cleared for launch
  5. Starting on the 1st of the following month, we publish!

Now, blank pages and open ends are not helpful here, so here are a few guiding principles:

  1. We expect most people will respond to the prompt in writing. If you do, keep it to no more than ~700 words.
  2. You can also respond in audio, video, image, slideshow or anything else. Keep recordings to no more than 3 minutes and other formats should be short and sweet in their own way.
  3. We're calling it a club but you have no obligations to submit every month. Just do it when you're feeling inspired.
  4. Nothing is forever - if you really regret anything we publish, contact us as we'll revise or remove it.
  5. Don't overthink it.

To get the prompt every month, you can sign up for our newsletter (for free or get a ✨special✨ one if you become a member!) or follow us on Mastodon, BlueSky or LinkedIn. We might occasionally ask for prompt ideas or get you to vote on the next month's prompt in these places, too.

The first one is coming March 1st. Get ready, and don't overthink it.