A much more personal companion blog post can be found at FuentesPens.Ink.
When this blog post goes live, I will be packing up my partner’s car to make the drive north. By the ninth, we’ll be picking up the keys for our new apartment in Newark, New Jersey.
(In case you’re wondering, no, it still doesn’t feel real!)
I’ve been surrounded by boxes, cleaning supplies, and mile-long to-do lists for weeks now, and as exhausted as I am, one of the things that’s keeping me going is my excitement to start a new writing life in a new city. One of my many to-do lists? “Writery/Bookish Things I Want to Do Post-Move.” Now, I’ve transformed that list into this blog post for other writers who find their heads spinning in the middle of a major move! I hope you find this as useful and inspiring as I did!
1. Check in with your online community.
Of course, you have to update friends and family, but don’t forget to pop into the chat to let your online communities know that you’ll be moving. You may be surprised to discover that a few people have connections to where you’ll be moving, and you might get your foot in the door or learn about opportunities you might otherwise not have! When I first started telling people about my move to Newark, so many lovely friends told me not to hesitate to ask them questions because they knew someone or knew of someone I could ask questions!
Speaking of communities, have you joined the Write Brave Challenge yet? Now’s the time!
2. Get a library card.
Of course you should get a library card as soon as possible. That goes without saying, doesn’t it? Libraries offer not only an oasis from the chaos of unpacking your home, but also endless books to read, services like computer usage and print stations, and—potentially, if you’re lucky—writing events!
If you’re in the USA like me, this is the site I used to look up library branches by me. Turns out, there’s one that’s a six-minute walk from my new apartment!
3. Find a local, genre-specific writing group.
If you’re moving to or within a city (or even a larger town), there is almost certainly a chapter of a national writers organization near you! It might take a bit of a drive, but it will be worth it if you can find your people, trust me! You can start your search with this list, but don’t forget to browse Facebook events, Meetup, Eventbrite, et cetera.
If you’re moving to or within a smaller town, this might not be achievable for you. In that case, drop in on a few local writing groups and suss out the vibes. It’s likely you’ll bond with at least one writer.
No writing groups in your area? That may mean it’s time to start your own!
4. Search for write-ins happening soon.
Moving eats up all of your time and brain power. After you’ve finally settled, you’re probably going to need a little push to get back on the writing wagon. An in-person write-in is the perfect opportunity to not only start writing again, but also to meet writers in your area. Take it from me—walking into a write-in can change your life. I walked into Writer’s Atelier’s old studio one day, and that led to me becoming the admin!
If you can’t manage to find an in-person write-in, look for virtual write-ins led by local writers, or talk with one of those local writing groups and set up a time and place.
Looking for a spot to write down not just upcoming write-ins, but all the plans and projects related to your writing life? You need to get yourself the Write Gym Workbook. See it in mint, pink, or black!
5. Scope out nearby cafés and bookstores.
All work and no play is no way for a writer to live (or someone who just moved and needs a break). Find bookish haunts as soon as you have the energy to relax and soak up the vibes! You might just meet a new literary-minded friend or find a new favorite writing spot.
Here’s a tip within a tip: check your favorite navigation app to see if you’re within walking distance of any cafés or bookstores. Strolls can be rejuvenating for the mind and body, and I’ve had more than one epiphany about my WIPs while out on a walk!
6. Attend local author signings, readings, and open mic nights.
Similar to how write-ins, cafés, and bookstores can introduce you to members of your local writing community, there are all sorts of local events going on right under your nose. Check any bulletin board you come across as you explore your new home to see if someone’s left a flier or business card advertising your new favorite monthly or weekly event.
Also, you’re already out of your comfort zone—might as well see how far you can push yourself! Pluck up the courage to take the mic! It’s a rush!
7. Set up your writing space with intention.
You might be inclined to just throw together your desk and chair and call it a day, but there are reasons to put some real thought into your at-home writing space besides Instagram likes. Making your writing space a nice place to be—personalized, tidy, well-organized, stimulating—will encourage you to return as regularly as your schedule allows.
Looking for inspo? Check out our long-running blog post series, The Write Place, where real authors share their writing spaces and why they work for them. Plus, I have tips for improving your writing space in my own The Write Place post.
8. Update your socials, newsletter, and author website.
You texted your friends and family and probably threw up a post on Facebook announcing the move, but you’re not done yet! Take the time to update your readers via your newsletter and your author website. Letting them get a peek at your life behind the scenes will endear your readers to you, and as we all know, people are more likely to support those they know, like, and trust.
Don’t have a newsletter yet? Get replay access to Racquel Henry’s Newsletters 101 for Writers, where she goes over how to build and grow your email list and has included extra resources and content ideas!
Haven’t gotten around to getting an author website together? Read this post, then check out our beginner-friendly DIY option, Build Your Author Website with Google Sites. (If you can navigate Google Slides and Google Docs, you can definitely handle Google Sites!)
