I am a 57 year old corporate girlie and creative wannabe. Not a novelist but intermittent writer and I have my own very personal creative project that matters to me. I can’t seem to figure out how to share it with the world and after every little failed attempt I fall into my own whiny drama and cookie coma. I have read and followed you for years and so appreciate how your posts here seem to land with just the right message at just the right time for me. As a one time single solo mama, I used the mantra of ‘you can do hard things’ so often that both my kiddos now in their 20’s say it’s a MamaLaw. Funny that I needed a reminder this week. Thank you!
So--the role modeling here is next level! I am thinking about your helpful ideas re: Conditions of Enoughness and how you met them here, Jen! And how you are choosing and choosing again re: your book. Exhausting process, from the outside, and also so full of commitment to yourself, your process your work, your snack. You inspire me, and I look forward to having a copy of this book in my hands!
Ticking along here--though excited about the possible return to 2x/week writing time with you in fall! And I was so excited to have a poem published in July in a lovely new journal called Thin Places (about the threshold between ordinary life and sacred spaces). It's called Praise Song for the Perseids--
"My emotional stamina is drained from riding the roller coaster of 'this is great!!!' to 'this needs more work.' I need a break." As a workaholic creative, I really relate to this, Jennifer. Thank you for sharing. I hope you have a restful and rejuvenating break that gets you even more excited about your book!
Hello! Yes- The Winthrop Woman is excellent. I loved it and was obsessed with spinning for quite a while. I was shopping spinning wheels on Amazon. But especially the notion that one had to spin the thread/ yarn before you could even begin to clothe yourself and your family. You may also enjoy The Hearth and the Eagle.
I really enjoyed this post! And taking time off before digging in to revisions sounds very wise. Congratulations on getting to the finish line of the draft!
I suspect Willa loves the coat but is not so sure about the hood. My little Lemon adores her raincoat, but refuses to keep the hoody over her head. As for your book, listen to the words you whispered in my ear in Taos (April 2025): You can ride the waves of revision. The trough is temporary, surfer girl. You will rise again and do that hard thing!!! Riding those waves along with you. ❤️❤️
Oh my gosh I forgot those words. How precious you reminded me. I can!! I had a great chat with the guy who did my development edit and he loves the book much and thinks it only needs a little more work. I feel so much better. Thanks for being here!
I think Willa loves her coat. I too just got a lot of feedback on the novel on my newly sequenced version. It’s really hard.
The first 15. No gates open without them. The rest matters in the long haul but if I can’t get anyone invested in the first 15th then the other stuff feels like rote work. Circling circling. It does get better I more aware of the alternatives and the impact of my choices to start here rather than there or to summarize or juxtapose. It’s overwhelming but ultimately it is our book. No one else’s.
Recently, I decided to hire a writing coach in hopes that the process would spur clarity in my writing and book development vision. Turns out I was thinking along the lines of a sherpa, which, spoiler, it is NOT! She is not there to carry the load, but to help me redistribute it while I sometimes whine and eat chocolate in pursuit of incredibly valuable homework suggestions. And you, dear Jen, continue to whisper encouragement by baring your struggles, your process, and your progress. For me, hard things suck until I can savor some of the sweet reward.
I read like a chain smoker, too :)-
Thanks a great big bunch for sharing your great big heart.
PS to Bob: Willa's coat is adorable, though her eyes may be expressing some doubt!
Thanks for the encouragement offered via honest vulnerability. I will be applying it to my attempt to get consistent with my YT channel creation...as well as other creative endeavours. I'm definitely not done yet. 🙌
How the heck did you read all those books in that short a time? Impressive.
As a Canadian, I've always thought August to be a great month to take off. Mostly for canoe trip reasons. Enjoy every moment of it.
Take a nap. Set a timer for 15-20 minutes of restorative sleep. Or a month. Your choice. But then forget into your edits like Matt Damon trying to get home (from/to anywhere, apparently). Hibernate then release the gusto!! Rooting for ya.
I am a 57 year old corporate girlie and creative wannabe. Not a novelist but intermittent writer and I have my own very personal creative project that matters to me. I can’t seem to figure out how to share it with the world and after every little failed attempt I fall into my own whiny drama and cookie coma. I have read and followed you for years and so appreciate how your posts here seem to land with just the right message at just the right time for me. As a one time single solo mama, I used the mantra of ‘you can do hard things’ so often that both my kiddos now in their 20’s say it’s a MamaLaw. Funny that I needed a reminder this week. Thank you!
You’re so welcome! Sharing our woke can be a huge challenge you aren’t alone in that. Self publishing can be a very effective path and also audio!
I love Elizabeth Strout so much and haven't read Tell Me Everything! Ditto Maggie O'Farrell. That's a good reading month!
Thank you for sharing my post about the 40 books that made me. So grateful!
It was a great post!!
🫶🏽
So--the role modeling here is next level! I am thinking about your helpful ideas re: Conditions of Enoughness and how you met them here, Jen! And how you are choosing and choosing again re: your book. Exhausting process, from the outside, and also so full of commitment to yourself, your process your work, your snack. You inspire me, and I look forward to having a copy of this book in my hands!
Thank you friend!!! How is the writing out there in Carol land going?
Ticking along here--though excited about the possible return to 2x/week writing time with you in fall! And I was so excited to have a poem published in July in a lovely new journal called Thin Places (about the threshold between ordinary life and sacred spaces). It's called Praise Song for the Perseids--
That is awesome! I'd love to write with you this fall it would make me so happy!
"My emotional stamina is drained from riding the roller coaster of 'this is great!!!' to 'this needs more work.' I need a break." As a workaholic creative, I really relate to this, Jennifer. Thank you for sharing. I hope you have a restful and rejuvenating break that gets you even more excited about your book!
Thanks!!!
Those are my absolute favorite cookies too! ;)
Hello! Yes- The Winthrop Woman is excellent. I loved it and was obsessed with spinning for quite a while. I was shopping spinning wheels on Amazon. But especially the notion that one had to spin the thread/ yarn before you could even begin to clothe yourself and your family. You may also enjoy The Hearth and the Eagle.
Thanks for the rec!!
I really enjoyed this post! And taking time off before digging in to revisions sounds very wise. Congratulations on getting to the finish line of the draft!
Thanks!!! I’m feeling excited!
I suspect Willa loves the coat but is not so sure about the hood. My little Lemon adores her raincoat, but refuses to keep the hoody over her head. As for your book, listen to the words you whispered in my ear in Taos (April 2025): You can ride the waves of revision. The trough is temporary, surfer girl. You will rise again and do that hard thing!!! Riding those waves along with you. ❤️❤️
Oh my gosh I forgot those words. How precious you reminded me. I can!! I had a great chat with the guy who did my development edit and he loves the book much and thinks it only needs a little more work. I feel so much better. Thanks for being here!
I think Willa loves her coat. I too just got a lot of feedback on the novel on my newly sequenced version. It’s really hard.
The first 15. No gates open without them. The rest matters in the long haul but if I can’t get anyone invested in the first 15th then the other stuff feels like rote work. Circling circling. It does get better I more aware of the alternatives and the impact of my choices to start here rather than there or to summarize or juxtapose. It’s overwhelming but ultimately it is our book. No one else’s.
So true!!! All
Of that!!
Recently, I decided to hire a writing coach in hopes that the process would spur clarity in my writing and book development vision. Turns out I was thinking along the lines of a sherpa, which, spoiler, it is NOT! She is not there to carry the load, but to help me redistribute it while I sometimes whine and eat chocolate in pursuit of incredibly valuable homework suggestions. And you, dear Jen, continue to whisper encouragement by baring your struggles, your process, and your progress. For me, hard things suck until I can savor some of the sweet reward.
I read like a chain smoker, too :)-
Thanks a great big bunch for sharing your great big heart.
PS to Bob: Willa's coat is adorable, though her eyes may be expressing some doubt!
a good coach can be a life saver! I’m sending you loads of encouragement and courage too!! We can do this.
Thanks for the encouragement offered via honest vulnerability. I will be applying it to my attempt to get consistent with my YT channel creation...as well as other creative endeavours. I'm definitely not done yet. 🙌
How the heck did you read all those books in that short a time? Impressive.
As a Canadian, I've always thought August to be a great month to take off. Mostly for canoe trip reasons. Enjoy every moment of it.
I love canoeing! And yes, reading is my main hobby. :)))
Take a nap. Set a timer for 15-20 minutes of restorative sleep. Or a month. Your choice. But then forget into your edits like Matt Damon trying to get home (from/to anywhere, apparently). Hibernate then release the gusto!! Rooting for ya.
Thank you!!!
Hilarious yet true. Snack choice may differ. Love it. Thank you!
Snack choice is so personal.
A month off may be perfect to refill your well. 😘. Thank you for all the guidance.
Hugs!!
Loved reading this, as always.
Thanks Linda! I appreciate it!