Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 94 of the podcast and it's December 7, 2022 (and a full moon) as we record this. Main Topic: How to Decide on Your Next Project PATREON: No new patrons this week,    A big squeezy hug and Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.  This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a shout out on the podcast and we can make announcements for you on the podcast. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.  Comments: RE:Ep93: Mary says, enjoyed your conversation on a topic that plagues all of us. I believe that the notion (concept) of failing is the lie we have been told and swallowed very early on, by others. How we struggle throughout our lives to unravel and disarm the lie—is our Story. For me, at 69 I have come to understand that what people deem as failures are magnificent opportunities for learning and growing into who we become— Valerie, I received your postcard. The design is beautiful! Thank you. (We also had a planner conversation on Patreon.) Re92: Gratitude, Road to an Abundant Author Life said,   Why are the updates always the hardest to come up with? lol Every time I have to give an update I freeze! WE NEED NEW TOPIC SUGGESTIONS for 2023. Send them in to writercraftpodcast@gmail.com. A patron emailed to ask about a website domain question, which I answered to the best of my ability. All patrons (and listeners to the podcast) are encouraged to email with questions. writercraftpodcast@gmail.com.  Patron announcement: Barb Lachenbruch got THREE essays published recently.  Calyx (fall issue) “Every Day is a Data Day” Gold Man Review (2022 issue, which came out in December “Bi-Mart” Then the Los Altos Hills town paper, “Growing Up Lachenbruch” (which isn’t peer-reviewed, but it’s edited). I didn’t write the first paragraph—you’ll see the tone change!   I have my first essay in High Country News: “The Physics of Solitude and Connection” https://www.hcn.org/issues/52.9/north-essays-the-physics-of-connection-and-solitude   Announcements: Tickets for the Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop are live. Priced at $900.  1) New pricing tiers: Alumni and patron price is $775.  Early Bird price available from November - January. $800 Mid-Morning/Slept-In Bird price available from February - April. $850. Regular price starts in May. $900. Monthly payments are an option. Send me a message Valerie@valerieihsan.com for a unique PayPal link, or go to the shopping page on my website to purchase at full price.  Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. “We’ll be touching on book structure, story hypothesis, plotting that doesn’t hurt, author action plans, and more.”  Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information. 2) We want to celebrate our 100th episode with you. Please send in an audio clip via email to writercraftpodcast@gmail.com with a comment or testimonial about the podcast. What you like about it, why you listen, etc. On the 100th episode on January 18th, we'll play the clips on air. Please send in your audio clips by January 11th at the latest. Erick Surprise (Happy Anniversary!) December 7th. Thank you for joining me in this co-hosting experiment. I haven't done much collaborative work before, so this has been a pleasant journey for me. Mostly because you let me do whatever I want. ;-) You've made each week enjoyable and I look forward to seeing you each Wednesday morning. I learn from you, think about things in a different way, and become inspired be your knowledge and business sense. It's interesting that I co