73 Comments
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Lynne Collins's avatar

Welcome Back! We missed your spot on, daily dose of inspiration. So grateful for all that you do to create self confidence, motivation and positive energy with every word. Cheers to refresh and all that’s yet to come !

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

This is so kind, Lynne — thank you. Cheers to YOU.

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CalmGut™'s avatar

Oh Kara!

A tempting tease...

please share your primary project!

You are spooling it out over the coming

months, but NOW we want to see the fabric

being woven, the threads being chosen, the image being developed!

Your work is brilliant.

The new website is

amazing!

Bravissimo!

Bellissimo!

All the best,

Susan

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

You always make me feel GREAT about myself, Susan!!!

More details to come, the grains of sand are gathering!

Hope you are so well.

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David Bahniuk's avatar

I am so so happy you are back! I missed your friendly emails...

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

I'm here, David! And Colin and I were just talking about Mr. Pickles the other week. His memory brings us a lot of joy.

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Amy McHugh's avatar

Love you in my inbox! Missed you! Your newsletter gives me clarity and motivation. xo

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Amy, I've been meaning to write you for WEEKS that your newsletter about listening to music again blew my mind — and got me to fall in love with music again, too! For years I've been listening to theater cast albums for writing inspiration, or tons of motivational audiobooks. All good stuff. But music for pure enjoyment now feels like a luxury. THANK YOU for writing that newsletter!

And for anyone else, here it is: https://amymchughwriter.substack.com/p/the-show-goes-on

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Amy McHugh's avatar

Oh, thanks Kara! I am a recovery self-help podcast junkie. I still listen to a million podcasts (I need lots of self-help!) but jammin' out to the tunes in the shower or in my kitchen while I'm making dinner feels good:)

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Totally agree! Love a context-specific playlist :)

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Julia Frey's avatar

Hi Kara! Always great to start again. I've been in a self-loathing funk for a month or two but have clawed my way back to the creative work. I made a tiny writer's group with a friend I've known since the first day of college in 1985! it's just the two of us but it's helped me get back on track. Motion/momentum is good, no matter how small the steps forward are. Thanks for your newsletter today!

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Tiny Writer's Group! I LOVE THIS. One trusted person's accountability is priceless. Inspired by your clawing back to the work. I'm sure it missed you.

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Kate's avatar

You have been missed! I hope your time away was full of the best things, but selfishly, I need your optimism and creative brain in my otherwise grim inbox.

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

I want to laugh and also cry at "grim inbox." Grimbox? Lol. Very glad to be back!

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Love this perspective!

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A B Forbes's avatar

Thank you, regards from Scotland.

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Linda Samuels's avatar

You were sorely missed, Kara! As shown by the number of comments, I'm not the only one who missed you.

Congratulations on your 1,500th newsletter! That's a huge accomplishment and shows your determination, dedication, and creativity.

I have a good story about the brass ring. We've been to the historic carousel on Martha's Vineyard. I LOVE riding carousels. We rode that one, which had the brass ring feature. And guess what? I got it! I don't remember getting any prize, but I remember the thrill of capturing it. I love how the name of your newsletter reflects that image of always having "a reason to reach." You just brought new meaning to my experience. Thank you for the encouragement.

And again, I'm so happy you're back!

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Oh how wonderful!! I've never actually been on one of the carousels with the brass ring, but now definitely need to seek one out, especially knowing it does bring a little thrill!!

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Rebecca M's avatar

Welcome back! You and your writing are a gift.

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

This means so much to me, Rebecca — thank you.

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Julie Bestry's avatar

Oh, thank goodness! I'm definitely not the only one who has missed your inspiring messages. How did you know to return EXACTLY when we needed your shining talent, wisdom, and contacts the most?

Mazel tov on 1500, and I'm looking forward to the next 1500, one issue at a time, one delightful word at a time.

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

I'm here, I'm here! I stayed away until I felt the yearn to return, and now it feels even more purposeful. Thank you for sticking around with me.

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Cher's avatar

So happy to see your name in my inbox again!

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Cher!! I actually had a quote from you in my "newsletter revamp" doc:

THINK: WHAT WOULD MAKE ME SO EXCITED NEWSLETTER-WISE THAT I WOULD WANT TO SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE I KNOW? THAT IS THE KEY TO GROWTH. (h/t Cher Hale)

I think it was in all caps because it felt that important and that true. Thank you for the inspiration.

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Cher's avatar

I'm so glad to know that I played a part in this revamp! Cheering you on always.

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Camera & Words's avatar

You’ve clearly been missed! Welcome back. 🙌

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

It feels so good to be back! Let's keep it going!

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Denise Gomez's avatar

Welcome back! Missed you❤️

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Thank you!! I missed YOU!!

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Helen's avatar

Welcome back to newsletters! Looking forward to the gentle words every day.

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

I'll try my very best.

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Helen's avatar

Even just once-in-a-while gentle words are lovely :)

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Robert macdonald's avatar

Thank God, you're back. We need you just to hear another sane voice other than ours -- two assumptions that may not be true -- but the risk is worth it. Your loving Father-in-law.

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

Sanity may be in flux, but the voice remains constant! So grateful you're here. S.B.Y.R.

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queenD's avatar

Hooray! Hooray!

Brass Ring arrived in my box today ☺️❤️👍

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Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

So nice to know you're still here! Thank you!

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