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It's common to deal with anxiety or depression in today's world, sometimes even both! As upsetting as it can be to have something you're struggling with affect an activity you love—like your writing—the reality is, brain chemistry does matter. The good news is that you can find ways to keep writing and enjoy it. In this class we'll discuss some reasons why the way you wrote at your baseline may be different than how you'll write when anxiety or depression spikes. We'll discuss different methods to try to keep writing through it, or ways to determine when and if a break from writing is appropriate and what you can use that time for instead so that you come out inspired and ready to go. While geared toward fiction writers, the things we'll discuss could benefit those working on non-fiction, memoir, and poetry.
• In-Class Writing Lift: Light
• Homework: None
• Workshopping Drafts: None
Meredith grew up in New Orleans, collecting two degrees from Louisiana State University before running away to Chicago to be an actor. In between plays, she got her black belt and made martial arts and yoga her full-time day job. She fought in the Chicago Golden Gloves, ran the Chicago Marathon, and competed for team USA in the Savate World Championships in Paris. In spite of doing each of these things twice, she couldn’t stay warm and relocated to Nashville. She owns several swords, but lives a non-violent life, saving all swashbuckling for the page, knitting scarves, gardening, visiting coffee shops, and cuddling with her husband and two panther-sized cats. She’s a member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, and the Women’s National Book Association. Her first novel Ghost Tamer is an Amazon Editor's Pick for Best SciFi Fantasy, an IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Winner for Best SciFi Fantasy, an IPPY Award Winner for Best First Book, and a Silver Falchion Winner for Best Book of 2023 and Best Supernatural. A Dagger of Lighting releases April 1, 2025, both with CamCat Books.
"Big fan of Meredith Lyons! She’s a great writer and teacher. Her class gave me great insights and practical ideas to apply to my own work."
"Meredith did a great job, and her class was a ton of fun!"
"Meredith's writing advice for each person was clear, tailored to each person's needs/interests/goals, and concrete. Great job of setting practical goals and providing productive strategies!"