Going with the (work) flow on the train

Plus: Pitching power hour, mid-year planning workshop, community news

The Clothesline is written by a real person: Me! I’m Vanessa Chiasson, a writer and business coach based in Ottawa, Canada. I write travel and human interest narratives primarily for North American print and online outlets and I love reading, birds, beach glass, lattes, and nachos. I’m scared of roosters, dislike olives, and I cannot wink. You can check out my coaching services here and follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Upcoming Events

When’s the last time you got a performance review? Well, if you’re an independent writer it has been a hot minute! Mostly, that’s a good thing. I mean, who wants some narrow-minded boss defining your potential through a corporate checklist? But sometimes self-employed folks need to do their own performance review. We need to take a hard look at what’s making us money (Yay! Let’s do more of that!), what’s driving our creativity (Gotta reserve time for THAT!) and even what isn’t helping us financially or artistically but we had to admit it (I stopped scheduling social media promos for my blog and I haven’t looked back).

I hope you’ll join me on the morning of Friday June 28 for a three hour planning day that serves as both a mid-year personal performance review and Q3 planning session. (Don’t worry, there are lots of breaks in those three hours!)

Were you following along at a distance as I shared info about Illuminate Your Biz, the six-week program I ran with Becky and Lara that helped small business owners from all different backgrounds communicate with clarity and confidence? You can sign up for the waitlist when we offer it again! (Don’t worry - being on the waitlist doesn’t commit you so it’s okay if you’re not sure. This just keeps you in the loop for upcoming dates and announcements.)

Want to be a pro-member and get extended content and free access to the pitching power hour? For June only, sign up for an annual subscription and save 38%. Upgrade here!

Community News

My dear friend Amber Snider has a book out and I for one cannot wait to check it out. Just read this gorgeous description she sent me: 

Wonderment — part philosophical deep dive, spiritual guidebook, and part narrative memoir — explores some of life’s most fascinating questions: What is the nature of consciousness? What is the pulsing thread of existence that binds us all together? How can we listen to nature’s cues and receive messages from the Spirit world? How can we utilize color magic and art for healing and lead more creatively fulfilling lives? Using my travel experiences as a catalyst/anchor to inspire spiritual awakening, each chapter offers ways we can all tap into the energetic, mystical currents both around and within us, and realize our calling. Here, readers will find nature-based rituals, empowerment magic, and lessons from ancient mythology, as well as techniques for working with archetypes, goddesses, and the elements to unlock the power of our intuition and creativity. At its core, my book serves as a guide to help curious seekers remember their inherent potential and re-enchant their lives with a sense of wonder and curiosity.

You can order your copy here.

I also have two awesome newsletters to share. Love, Brie offers advice, essays, and general fun over-sharing when it comes to dating and relationships over 40.

Meanwhile, Gossip Amongst Fronds is about garden travel, featuring botanic gardens, secret gardens, parks, and more. 

For For Thought (from the train to and from Quebec City)

There are times when I would do anything to be one of those people who can read and write on a moving vehicle. Alas, I have the distinction of being one of those travel writers who is violently motion sick basically all the time. (Think I’m joking? I got motion sick on the Amsterdam Houseboat Museum). As such, I can’t use uninterrupted travel time to write a proposal or review documents. However, I’m also a self-employed superstar who knows that time is money and it felt foolhardy to let two whole business days pass without getting any work done on my recent sponsored press trip to and from Quebec City this week.

Here’s how I made this downtime work for me and you might be surprised at what made my ‘productivity’ list. I have a feeling it will work for you too.

1.) Daydream! Staring out windows is an essential part of being a writer. Rolling fields, the backyards of small houses, seeing wee towns you’ve never heard of before… What’s that saying about how life is about the journey….

2.) Have fun. Listen to an awesome audiobook (not work related!) or make a call to a friend (assuming you will not disturb others). Forget about feeling guilty. You should enjoy travel and you’ll be back at work again before you know it.

3.) Listen to a podcast about an unusual topic. Curiosity is at the heart of our craft. I love “Ologies”. Who knew there was so much to learn about dolphins!?!?