Read more and enroll in <a href="https://projects-practice-2026.teachery.co/projects-practice">Projects & Practice</a>. Read more and enroll in <a href="https://playing-by-ear-exploring-language-and-voice-in-fiction.teachery.co/playingbyear">Winter Writing Nights: Exploring Voice and Language in Fiction</a>. Subscribe to <a href="https://ninalacour.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a8e68482881fc7b74d18b1154&id=52e7d02a66">Nina's newsletter</a>. ALSO! If you enroll in BOTH classes, you'll receive free access to Nina and Elana's The Business of Writing workshop. In this ninety-minute session, we will get deep into the business side of writing and publishing. We'll be transparent about rejections and successes, surprises and setbacks and risk-taking. Most of all, we'll turn our attention to what you want to know about the business of writing. You'll be able to pre-submit questions and/or ask them live. From querying agents to understanding advances, maintaining relationships with editors to making big pivots, setting expectations around publicity and sales to selling on proposal, we're so looking forward to sharing what we know with you. This workshop will be held on January 31st at 10am PST. It will be recorded and sent out in case you can't make it. If you'd like to join, sign up for both Projects & Practice and Winter Writing Nights. Nina will then send you a Zoom link and more info on The Business of Writing in mid-January. This episode of Keeping a Notebook references Anne-Laure Le Canff's Tiny Experiments and Oliver Burkeman's Four Thousand Weeks. I recommend both books! Happy New Year, everyone!

<description>&lt;p&gt;Read more and enroll in &lt;a href="https://projects-practice-2026.teachery.co/projects-practice"&gt;Projects &amp; Practice&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;Read more and enroll in &lt;a href="https://playing-by-ear-exploring-language-and-voice-in-fiction.teachery.co/playingbyear"&gt;Winter Writing Nights: Exploring Voice and Language in Fiction&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;Subscribe to &lt;a href="https://ninalacour.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a8e68482881fc7b74d18b1154&amp;id=52e7d02a66"&gt;Nina's newsletter&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;ALSO! If you enroll in BOTH classes, you'll receive free access to Nina and Elana's The Business of Writing workshop. In this ninety-minute session, we will get deep into the business side of writing and publishing. We'll be transparent about rejections and successes, surprises and setbacks and risk-taking. Most of all, we'll turn our attention to what you want to know about the business of writing. You'll be able to pre-submit questions and/or ask them live. From querying agents to understanding advances, maintaining relationships with editors to making big pivots, setting expectations around publicity and sales to selling on proposal, we're so looking forward to sharing what we know with you. This workshop will be held on January 31st at 10am PST. It will be recorded and sent out in case you can't make it. If you'd like to join, sign up for both Projects &amp; Practice and Winter Writing Nights. Nina will then send you a Zoom link and more info on The Business of Writing in mid-January.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This episode of Keeping a Notebook references Anne-Laure Le Canff's Tiny Experiments and Oliver Burkeman's Four Thousand Weeks. I recommend both books!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Happy New Year, everyone!&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Nina returns after a very long break to contemplate the New Year and, as Joan Didion advised, keep in touch with people she used to be. Letting go of resolutions and welcoming experiments.

Projects & Practice

Purchase Nina's new novel, <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/watch-over-me-9780593108970/9780593108970">Watch Over Me.</a><a href="https://www.ifyouwereherenow.art/event-details/a-world-of-your-making-a-writing-workshop-with-nina-lacour">Register</a> for a morning of writing with Nina to benefit Diesel, A Bookstore.<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OXpmnDXpRSumhPXrsrSuZQ">Enroll</a> in Writing, Reading, Responding: The art of drafting and critiquing, in which Nina and Elana K. Arnold will discuss the making of Watch Over Me. (Remember to read the novel first!)<a href="https://ninalacour.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a8e68482881fc7b74d18b1154&id=52e7d02a66">Subscribe</a> to "Letters from Nina" for behind-the-scenes looks at her process and projects, and to be the first to learn about class offerings.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Purchase Nina's new novel, &lt;a href="https://bookshop.org/books/watch-over-me-9780593108970/9780593108970"&gt;Watch Over Me.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ifyouwereherenow.art/event-details/a-world-of-your-making-a-writing-workshop-with-nina-lacour"&gt;Register&lt;/a&gt; for a morning of writing with Nina to benefit Diesel, A Bookstore.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OXpmnDXpRSumhPXrsrSuZQ"&gt;Enroll&lt;/a&gt; in Writing, Reading, Responding: The art of drafting and critiquing, in which Nina and Elana K. Arnold will discuss the making of Watch Over Me. (Remember to read the novel first!)&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://ninalacour.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a8e68482881fc7b74d18b1154&amp;id=52e7d02a66"&gt;Subscribe&lt;/a&gt; to "Letters from Nina" for behind-the-scenes looks at her process and projects, and to be the first to learn about class offerings.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

It's the final episode of the season and Nina covers a lot of ground. Notes from a virtual launch. Upcoming workshops. The months ahead. Flowers on Justice Ginsburg's grave. A ray of light. Truth and beauty.

Truth & Beauty

You can rent Gaslight <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJtJsFdpRm8">here</a>. (Highly recommended!)Purchase Nina's new novel, <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/watch-over-me-9780593108970/9780593108970">Watch Over Me.</a><a href="https://www.ifyouwereherenow.art/event-details/a-world-of-your-making-a-writing-workshop-with-nina-lacour">Register</a> for a morning of writing with Nina to benefit Diesel, A Bookstore.<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OXpmnDXpRSumhPXrsrSuZQ">Enroll</a> in Writing, Reading, Responding: The art of drafting and critiquing, in which Nina and Elana K. Arnold will discuss the making of Watch Over Me. (Remember to read the novel first!)<a href="https://ninalacour.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a8e68482881fc7b74d18b1154&id=52e7d02a66">Subscribe</a> to "Letters from Nina" for behind-the-scenes looks at her process and projects, and to be the first to learn about class offerings.

<description>&lt;p&gt;You can rent Gaslight &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJtJsFdpRm8"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;. (Highly recommended!)&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Purchase Nina's new novel, &lt;a href="https://bookshop.org/books/watch-over-me-9780593108970/9780593108970"&gt;Watch Over Me.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.ifyouwereherenow.art/event-details/a-world-of-your-making-a-writing-workshop-with-nina-lacour"&gt;Register&lt;/a&gt; for a morning of writing with Nina to benefit Diesel, A Bookstore.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OXpmnDXpRSumhPXrsrSuZQ"&gt;Enroll&lt;/a&gt; in Writing, Reading, Responding: The art of drafting and critiquing, in which Nina and Elana K. Arnold will discuss the making of Watch Over Me. (Remember to read the novel first!)&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://ninalacour.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a8e68482881fc7b74d18b1154&amp;id=52e7d02a66"&gt;Subscribe&lt;/a&gt; to "Letters from Nina" for behind-the-scenes looks at her process and projects, and to be the first to learn about class offerings.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

In the third installment of this Watch Over Me-themed season, Nina talks about darkness in her work. She shares a source of inspiration, reads an excerpt from Watch Over Me, and discusses what's gained by letting darkness into your work.

Gaslight

Wednesday, September 16th with Tiffany D. Jackson5 p.m. PST/ 7 p.m. CST/ 8 p.m. EST, hosted by YA @ Books Inc.Learn more and register <a href="https://www.booksinc.net/event/ya-books-inc-presents-nina-lacour-tiffany-d-jackson">here</a>!Thursday, September 17th with Stephanie Perkins3 p.m. PST/5 p.m. CST/6 p.m. EST, hosted by Books & BooksLearn more <a href="https://booksandbooks.com/event/virtual-author-series-nina-lacour-and-stephanie-perkins/">here</a>! <a href="https://ninalacour.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a8e68482881fc7b74d18b1154&id=52e7d02a66">Subscribe</a> to Letters from Nina for writing musings and exercises, class and event news, and more about Nina's books.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Wednesday, September 16th with Tiffany D. Jackson&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5 p.m. PST/ 7 p.m. CST/ 8 p.m. EST, hosted by YA @ Books Inc.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Learn more and register &lt;a href="https://www.booksinc.net/event/ya-books-inc-presents-nina-lacour-tiffany-d-jackson"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Thursday, September 17th with Stephanie Perkins&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3 p.m. PST/5 p.m. CST/6 p.m. EST, hosted by Books &amp; Books&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Learn more &lt;a href="https://booksandbooks.com/event/virtual-author-series-nina-lacour-and-stephanie-perkins/"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://ninalacour.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a8e68482881fc7b74d18b1154&amp;id=52e7d02a66"&gt;Subscribe&lt;/a&gt; to &lt;i&gt;Letters from Nina&lt;/i&gt; for writing musings and exercises, class and event news, and more about Nina's books.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Nina tells you a true ghost story and shows how she wove it into her book. What if you were sitting down at a cafe together before you started writing? This episode is like that.

A Ghost Story

Join Nina in celebration of Watch Over Me's release! (If you order from a hosting bookstore, you'll receive a signed bookplate with your copy of Watch Over Me.)Tuesday, September 15th with Brandy Colbert5 p.m. PST/7 p.m. CST/8 p.m. EST, hosted by Main St. BooksLearn more and register <a href="http://host5.evanced.info/stcharles/evanced/eventsignup.asp?ID=113943&rts=&disptype=&ret=eventcalendar.asp&pointer=inhouse&returnToSearch=&num=0&ad=&dt=mo&mo=9/1/2020&df=calendar&EventType=ALL&Lib=ALL&AgeGroup=ALL&LangType=0&WindowMode=&noheader=&lad=&pub=1&nopub=&page=&pgdisp=">here</a>!Wednesday, September 16th with Tiffany D. Jackson5 p.m. PST/ 7 p.m. CST/ 8 p.m. EST, hosted by YA @ Books Inc.Learn more and register <a href="https://www.booksinc.net/event/ya-books-inc-presents-nina-lacour-tiffany-d-jackson">here</a>!Thursday, September 17th with Stephanie Perkins3 p.m. PST/5 p.m. CST/6 p.m. EST, hosted by Books & BooksLearn more <a href="https://booksandbooks.com/event/virtual-author-series-nina-lacour-and-stephanie-perkins/">here</a>! <a href="https://ninalacour.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a8e68482881fc7b74d18b1154&id=52e7d02a66">Subscribe</a> to Letters from Nina for writing musings and exercises, class and event news, and more about Nina's books.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Join Nina in celebration of &lt;i&gt;Watch Over Me&lt;/i&gt;'s release! (If you order from a hosting bookstore, you'll receive a signed bookplate with your copy of &lt;i&gt;Watch Over Me&lt;/i&gt;.)&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tuesday, September 15th with Brandy Colbert&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5 p.m. PST/7 p.m. CST/8 p.m. EST, hosted by Main St. Books&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Learn more and register &lt;a href="http://host5.evanced.info/stcharles/evanced/eventsignup.asp?ID=113943&amp;rts=&amp;disptype=&amp;ret=eventcalendar.asp&amp;pointer=inhouse&amp;returnToSearch=&amp;num=0&amp;ad=&amp;dt=mo&amp;mo=9/1/2020&amp;df=calendar&amp;EventType=ALL&amp;Lib=ALL&amp;AgeGroup=ALL&amp;LangType=0&amp;WindowMode=&amp;noheader=&amp;lad=&amp;pub=1&amp;nopub=&amp;page=&amp;pgdisp="&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Wednesday, September 16th with Tiffany D. Jackson&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5 p.m. PST/ 7 p.m. CST/ 8 p.m. EST, hosted by YA @ Books Inc.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Learn more and register &lt;a href="https://www.booksinc.net/event/ya-books-inc-presents-nina-lacour-tiffany-d-jackson"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Thursday, September 17th with Stephanie Perkins&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3 p.m. PST/5 p.m. CST/6 p.m. EST, hosted by Books &amp; Books&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Learn more &lt;a href="https://booksandbooks.com/event/virtual-author-series-nina-lacour-and-stephanie-perkins/"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://ninalacour.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a8e68482881fc7b74d18b1154&amp;id=52e7d02a66"&gt;Subscribe&lt;/a&gt; to &lt;i&gt;Letters from Nina&lt;/i&gt; for writing musings and exercises, class and event news, and more about Nina's books.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Nina talks about a project that didn't feel right and how she chose to let it go. She reads an excerpt from her new novel, Watch Over Me. She talks to Doubt (and Doubt listens).

Watch Over Me

A podcast on writing that explores the craft of fiction, answers listeners' questions, and provides strategies for a fulfilling writing practice and creative life, hosted by bestselling, award-winning novelist Nina LaCour.

Keeping a Notebook

Details

Recent Episodes