One Quote + One Note + One Question January 6, 2024
One Quote
Charlotte Donlon is a distinguished author and spiritual guide for the seekers, the wanderers, and the contemplative souls. Through her books, spiritual direction sessions, solo retreats, and communal initiatives, she cultivates a sanctuary of exploration, acceptance, and connection. Rooted in a generous and inclusive approach, her work transcends religious and cultural boundaries, forging a path of belonging that resonates with the shared human experience of loneliness and the profound joy of finding one's tribe. In the modern world where alienation looms large, Charlotte's profound insights and gentle guidance offer a beacon of hope and a roadmap to a deeply connected, empathetic, and enriching communal experience.
-Cyndi Zaweski, Ascent Story Craft
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One Note
Brag alert. Sort of.
The business of writing is a whole thing. And when you add multiple lines of business to your business of writing, it becomes a larger thing.
Last year I connected with Cyndi Zaweski for some consulting, brand work, and content creation because I trusted her approach to marketing and appreciated the way she had interacted with me on social media and in some email exchanges.
Can I just say how much I love this marketing message Cyndi created after meeting with me and studying my work and writing?
I trust her immensely and am forever grateful for her ability to understand my approach to my writing, spiritual direction, and other work. Because I paid Cyndi to do what she’s good at, I have more time to do what I’m good at. In 2024, I hope to build on the tiny fraction of Cyndi’s work and suggestions that I implemented late last year.
And I will continue to live, work, and write into the quote above. I want to become more of the good stuff Cyndi sees in me.
Marketing, advertising, and running a business don’t have to be gross. It’s possible to communicate what we’re about in ways that don’t make us feel icky.
Cheers to less ickiness in business, writing, marketing, and beyond. Cheers to becoming more of the good things others see in us.
Until next time,
Charlotte
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One Question
What message do you want to live into?
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One Poem for Epiphany, Written by Luci Shaw and Read by Malcolm Guite
One List of Gatherings Happening This Month
January 2-30: Spiritual Direction for Writers® Co-Writing Sessions, Online
January 7: Retreat Room Launch and Open House, Birmingham
January 7: Private Speaking Engagement on The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other
January 14: Paris Avenue Writers' Group with Tania De'Shawn, Birmingham
January 21: Thoughtful Readers Gathering with Cole Arthur Riley and Black Liturgies, Online, Free & Paid
Janury 25: HappyWomenDinners with Katie Horwitch and Want Your Self, Birmingham
January 27: Spiritual Direction for Writers® Revision Stations Designed by Lauren F. Winner, Online
January 27: Online Seminar for Moms Who Write with Sessions for All Caregivers & Those Who Have Experienced Lament and Loss around Motherhood, Online, Free & Paid
January 28: Thoughtful Readers Gathering with Amy Long and Codependence, Online, Free & Paid
Charlotte Donlon’s writing and work are always rooted in helping her readers, audience, and clients notice how art and other good things help them belong to themselves, others, the divine, and the world. Charlotte is the founder of Thoughtful Books Etc.™, One O’Clock Central, Spiritual Direction for Writers® , Spiritual Direction for Belonging™, and Parenting with Art™. Her first book was The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. Her next book on Spiritual Direction for Writers will be published by Eerdmans in 2024 or 2025. Charlotte’s essays have appeared in The Washington Post, The Curator, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Catapult, The Millions, Mockingbird, and elsewhere. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and a certificate in spiritual direction. To receive Charlotte’s latest updates, news, announcements, and all kinds of good things, subscribe to Thoughtful Readers Etc. + Five Good Things.