Fear is a Compass
Hosting a big event scares me
At the start of the year, my friend hosted a 2026 planning session where we filled out bingo cards with things we want to do this year. I wrote in one of my squares, “Throw a 100-person writing party.”
Small, intimate events are easy for me. Most OTWC events are intimate. Even my birthday party this year only had nine people.
But I feel like there’s a bigger event within me wanting to be expressed. I can’t hold it in any longer.
One of my principles is that fear is a compass pointing you to where you must go. Reflecting on the pivotal decisions in my life, whether it be deciding to write every day, hosting this writing community, or leaving my tech job to focus on OTWC, all of them terrified me at first.
But through experience, I learned that fear and potential have a proportional relationship. The larger the fear, the larger the upside.
Hosting a big event scares me. The last big event we’ve hosted at OTWC was in late 2023. Almost three years ago!
Now, as I’m preparing for our writer’s party, the fear has returned. He whispers in my ear: What if no one shows up? Do you really have what it takes? You can still quit, you know?
I hear him. I acknowledge him.
And I do it anyway.
On Sunday, June 21st, we’re hosting an Afternoon Writer’s Party. I’d love to see you there!
Community Updates
OTWC Dinner Vol 2: Fiction Novelists @ the Olive Tree Cafe
Last Thursday, we hosted a dinner for fiction novelists at the original Olive Tree Cafe with Elaine, Grayson Taylor, Kacie, and Daniel Backer.
A few notes from the evening:
How to find good beta readers
Self publishing vs traditional publishing
How do you know when a book is complete?
Sustained motivation for a long term project
Balancing writing a novel while working a full time job
Improving as a writer while working on a novel
OTWC Comes to Williamsburg II
Around 25 of us gathered at one of my favourite cafes in Williamsburg for an evening writing session!
Upcoming Events
🥳 Club Writing: A Writer Rooftop Party
Sunday June 21st 1pm-5pm | Verci Rooftop
✍️ OTWC Spring ‘26: Part IX
Sunday June 7th 10am-1230pm | Verci Flatiron
✍️ OTWC Comes to Tribeca III
Monday June 8th 630pm-9pm | Fabrik NYC
✍️ OTWC Comes to Williamsburg III
Tuesday June 23rd 7pm-930pm | Mya Cafe
📚Reading for Writers: Zadie Smith
Thursday June 25th 7pm-8:30pm | Nolita
A Brief Parting Question
What was the last thing you did that scared you?
I wrote about getting let go from my job. I questioned whether or not I wanted to publish this. But I did it anyway. A big reason was that this was a piece I was scared to write. And with the tumultuous job market, I’m sure it’d be a relatable piece to many.
Hit reply to this email or comment below on Substack to share any thoughts or just to say hi. I’d love to hear from you.
<3 James Q from Olive Tree Writing Club
and you do it anyways!!!