I have heard that everyone should plant a tree and write a book in their lifetime. While planting a tree is clearly for the benefit of the environment, then writing a book is clearly for the benefit of the writer first, and if it reaches other readers, the better. Even if people don't write a book, one is inside them. Small-big, light-heavy, simple-literary - it doesn't matter. I enjoyed reading your take on this.
I love this so much. So much compassion for that woman who put down people who write. And such love and awe for the act of putting down words. Thank you. This one is getting printed out and put by my desk for when I get discouraged. I am a writer and I write!
Thank you. For your compassion and wisdom, for challenging the categorization, the judgement, the snobbery. In recent weeks I've had a major attack of the creative gremlins, questioning my decision to throw myself into writing my memoir and not pour that energy into something more sensible (like growing my business). I am close to finishing, yet have never felt as stuck. Your words are reconnecting me with my why. Reminding me that my desire to share my story, to pass what's in my mind and heart, to someone else's mind and heart, is a beautiful thing. Not something to be ashamed of. As a woman I've been conditioned to keep myself smaller than I am, to listen before I speak, to check myself - in so many ways. Writing is an act of liberation. Reading other women's words, on their own journey of liberation, gorgeous fuel along the way. Thank you for this dose :) And happy writing over summer!
That was a delightful wonderfully well-timed read Jen! Thank you! Have been reading aloud to a recently blinded, older fellow with beginning dementia and with no (known) progeny. Encouraging him to let me transcribe his delightful stories and am met with multiple nos for a host of reasons. So I have started to write his stories down once I’m at home remembering as much detail as I can. I’m finding that I intersperse my own feelings as I do his telling to the computer. What a joy!
I love this Jen (BTW, mullet AND that cool phone! So 80s...). It took me such a long time to claim myself as a writer, or sometimes as a writer who doesn't write much or regularly. I think it was my fifth grade teacher who wrote in my autograph book (remember those?!) at the end of the year that she expected to see something I'd written published one day, so it's always been in there. As long as I can remember I've been a reader who also loves to craft words, even if it's simply an email or text to a friend or a post on social media. This ability to string together black squiggles on screen or paper into words and meaning is indeed beautiful and magical...wish more people did it with kindness, integrity, and wisdom, as I know your mentees and readers here do.
Words are so powerful and can we so healing and transformative. I bet the people who love who get your emails and texts love them. And yes more care with words would do the world good! ❤️
Well damn...between your post and a few other happenings lately, I just created my own Substack titled "Illuminate The Good!" We'll see where this goes...
Thanks, Jen! Gatekeepers! I will never forget attending a Christian writers conference in 2012 and after giving my "elevator pitch" of my memoir to someone I was told (very sarcastically) "What makes you think anyone would want to read THAT? Are you a celebrity?" At the time it just about sunk me...and it colored the rest of the conference. I no longer receive that message and have two Substacks. I'm not waiting for the gatekeepers any longer. Great post, Jen!
Yeah, I've had both great and terrible experiences at writing conferences. The nerve of that person, saying that to you. A bad experience shook me for a while, too. We don't want it to, but it does. We're only human. Plus, they were talking out their derrière. Most of the best memoirs I've read certainly weren't from celebrities. A good story's a good story.
Interesting, that night I was reading a book on writing by Debbie McCromber and she had a very similar experience, submitted her manuscript anyway, and it was published. LOL
I'm currently working on my third memoir. (self-published...how cool is that!) I went to college to be a physical therapist...all this to say the pen is mighty and if we can just keep practicing look what we can create. :) Thank you so much and happy writing.
Recently I read an interview with the winner of a poetry contest I entered (and lost, obviously) and felt a twinge of envy. Her winning poem was good, but so were mine. Why not me? It's hard to get noticed in such a sea of words (and those contest fees add up). That said, I couldn't agree more that writing is for anyone who wants to write. As a former English teacher, I never understood how, unlike with sports or music, there's this weird expectation that writers should be instantly excellent or quit. No one would tell beginner/intermediate tennis or piano players to just give it up, you don't have it. Like anything else, writing gets better with practice. I know mine has/does. I'll keep trying the gatekeepers, but I'm also a big believer in climbing the gates. Bring nippers for the barbed wire!
Thank you for your encouraging words! I am currently working on the second draft of my book, a memoir about my decades of dealing with suicidal depression and ultimate healing. The “wrinkle” to my story is that I am a psychiatrist, and I “should have had” the very best of treatments and medications. Thankfully I am no longer depressed and I am thoroughly enjoying my life. Everything is great! I am hopeful that my story will be an inspiration to those on the path of chronic mental illness. I have known it well from both sides.
Your heartfelt encouragement is such a blessing, Jen. Thank you! I am waiting for a response from an agent who requested my full manuscript-this after a year of sending out queries-and I have been feeling very vulnerable. Best of writing energy and sometimes the flow to you and to all writers!
Hi Jen. I am writing from my deepest fear that art will take precedence over all else. Yesterday I faced the very difficult choice of not showing up to my conference and going home to comfort my adult child. It isn’t easy to choose writing life. My novel is centered on that theme
And expands to how do we honor mothers. Aren’t we all holy?.
I have heard that everyone should plant a tree and write a book in their lifetime. While planting a tree is clearly for the benefit of the environment, then writing a book is clearly for the benefit of the writer first, and if it reaches other readers, the better. Even if people don't write a book, one is inside them. Small-big, light-heavy, simple-literary - it doesn't matter. I enjoyed reading your take on this.
that is such an awesome way to think about it - love that!!!
I love this so much. So much compassion for that woman who put down people who write. And such love and awe for the act of putting down words. Thank you. This one is getting printed out and put by my desk for when I get discouraged. I am a writer and I write!
You are! And you are a shining example of someone who inspires me to keep going!!!🌟🌟🌟
I am a writer. YES!
Thank you. For your compassion and wisdom, for challenging the categorization, the judgement, the snobbery. In recent weeks I've had a major attack of the creative gremlins, questioning my decision to throw myself into writing my memoir and not pour that energy into something more sensible (like growing my business). I am close to finishing, yet have never felt as stuck. Your words are reconnecting me with my why. Reminding me that my desire to share my story, to pass what's in my mind and heart, to someone else's mind and heart, is a beautiful thing. Not something to be ashamed of. As a woman I've been conditioned to keep myself smaller than I am, to listen before I speak, to check myself - in so many ways. Writing is an act of liberation. Reading other women's words, on their own journey of liberation, gorgeous fuel along the way. Thank you for this dose :) And happy writing over summer!
Keep going! Cross that finish line. It’s such a great feeling and you deserve to feel it and to hear yourself cheer!
Thank you! x
That was a delightful wonderfully well-timed read Jen! Thank you! Have been reading aloud to a recently blinded, older fellow with beginning dementia and with no (known) progeny. Encouraging him to let me transcribe his delightful stories and am met with multiple nos for a host of reasons. So I have started to write his stories down once I’m at home remembering as much detail as I can. I’m finding that I intersperse my own feelings as I do his telling to the computer. What a joy!
May your break be filled with bliss!
Oh Barbara that’s incredible - what a way to see him and your own creativity. 👋
I love this Jen (BTW, mullet AND that cool phone! So 80s...). It took me such a long time to claim myself as a writer, or sometimes as a writer who doesn't write much or regularly. I think it was my fifth grade teacher who wrote in my autograph book (remember those?!) at the end of the year that she expected to see something I'd written published one day, so it's always been in there. As long as I can remember I've been a reader who also loves to craft words, even if it's simply an email or text to a friend or a post on social media. This ability to string together black squiggles on screen or paper into words and meaning is indeed beautiful and magical...wish more people did it with kindness, integrity, and wisdom, as I know your mentees and readers here do.
Words are so powerful and can we so healing and transformative. I bet the people who love who get your emails and texts love them. And yes more care with words would do the world good! ❤️
Well damn...between your post and a few other happenings lately, I just created my own Substack titled "Illuminate The Good!" We'll see where this goes...
weee!!!
Enjoy! There’s an audience for everyone.
Thanks, Jen! Gatekeepers! I will never forget attending a Christian writers conference in 2012 and after giving my "elevator pitch" of my memoir to someone I was told (very sarcastically) "What makes you think anyone would want to read THAT? Are you a celebrity?" At the time it just about sunk me...and it colored the rest of the conference. I no longer receive that message and have two Substacks. I'm not waiting for the gatekeepers any longer. Great post, Jen!
Right on Linda! That’s awesome!
Yeah, I've had both great and terrible experiences at writing conferences. The nerve of that person, saying that to you. A bad experience shook me for a while, too. We don't want it to, but it does. We're only human. Plus, they were talking out their derrière. Most of the best memoirs I've read certainly weren't from celebrities. A good story's a good story.
Interesting, that night I was reading a book on writing by Debbie McCromber and she had a very similar experience, submitted her manuscript anyway, and it was published. LOL
The heart was for you...as for that other person...grrrrr.
Thanks! 😂
This resonated.
I'm currently working on my third memoir. (self-published...how cool is that!) I went to college to be a physical therapist...all this to say the pen is mighty and if we can just keep practicing look what we can create. :) Thank you so much and happy writing.
That’s incredible!!
Thank you! I recognize writing is a lot like running. Keep showing up and magic will happen. :)
Poetry, novel, inspirational book..all in me. Thank you for the booty kick I needed🦾🙏🏽
Always happy to gentle you along!
Recently I read an interview with the winner of a poetry contest I entered (and lost, obviously) and felt a twinge of envy. Her winning poem was good, but so were mine. Why not me? It's hard to get noticed in such a sea of words (and those contest fees add up). That said, I couldn't agree more that writing is for anyone who wants to write. As a former English teacher, I never understood how, unlike with sports or music, there's this weird expectation that writers should be instantly excellent or quit. No one would tell beginner/intermediate tennis or piano players to just give it up, you don't have it. Like anything else, writing gets better with practice. I know mine has/does. I'll keep trying the gatekeepers, but I'm also a big believer in climbing the gates. Bring nippers for the barbed wire!
Pips, Try Substack. Anyone can publish there!
This is beautiful and necessary on all levels. Imagine a world in which we stopped judging and gatekeeping and just loved. Thanks Jen.
thanks for reading Michelle!
Thank you for your encouraging words! I am currently working on the second draft of my book, a memoir about my decades of dealing with suicidal depression and ultimate healing. The “wrinkle” to my story is that I am a psychiatrist, and I “should have had” the very best of treatments and medications. Thankfully I am no longer depressed and I am thoroughly enjoying my life. Everything is great! I am hopeful that my story will be an inspiration to those on the path of chronic mental illness. I have known it well from both sides.
That sounds like an important book! I hope it helps millions. ❤️
Your heartfelt encouragement is such a blessing, Jen. Thank you! I am waiting for a response from an agent who requested my full manuscript-this after a year of sending out queries-and I have been feeling very vulnerable. Best of writing energy and sometimes the flow to you and to all writers!
Tell us how it goes! Fingers crossed and toes.
Thank you so much for this. It means a lot to this person who’s just getting back to reclaiming my “right to write.”
I’m so glad you are claiming that right! Claim to it proudly!! 👊🏼
Thank you for this post! It’s inspiring me to get back to it! Looking forward to October with the amazing circle of women.
See you oh so soon Annie!
Hi Jen. I am writing from my deepest fear that art will take precedence over all else. Yesterday I faced the very difficult choice of not showing up to my conference and going home to comfort my adult child. It isn’t easy to choose writing life. My novel is centered on that theme
And expands to how do we honor mothers. Aren’t we all holy?.
We are. And I see your fear and walk with you. Me too!
Enjoy your break. I hope it's a fruitful and creative space for your work.
Thank you!! Me too!