This is all so helpful, especially the prompts. And I love your friend’s practice of using objects to represent the people who might judge her work. I’m going to be revisiting this as I stumble through a bunch of half-started essays.
And on the clothes front, I’m starting a podcast soon about our relationships with our belongings so if you’d want to be a guest to discuss your relationship with your clothing, I’m happy to reach out down the road.
Here's mine. When the rent is due and the well for article ideas has run dry, I ask a friend about what they're doing. Everyone loves, if not to be the center of attention, then at least to be noticed. It feels great to lift someone else up while gaining an original source.
Love this post and it’s like you wrote it for me. I love the reminder that newsletter can be helpful to readers but they have to serve the writer, too. My particular stuck (with my memoir) has to do with thinking too much about the reader, thinking too much about what it should be and not my own vision for the story. It’s paralyzing.
Great article. I’m having the same issues with my Substack. While you found a topic and couldn’t figure out the point, I’m struggling to find topics that writers would find value in and that haven’t been done to death.
In my writing these days, I’m finding I have fun thinking of all the funny stuff to put in the book, but less motivated to actually execute.
I’ve enjoyed reading your Substack very much ❤️I find the need to be unique paralyzing. How can we be? And I think writers are hungry for anything that helps and you give so much of that!!
Ideas, maybe too niche? changing genres, after a successful career in one genre (me!), how to position yourself; also any thoughts on transitioning your platform from one genre to another (in the process of doing that but all ears); where do you land on the whole “do novelists need a platform to sell a novel to a publisher?” question; I’ll keep thinking!
Jen, bless you for this essay. It's what I needed to read and think about this week. I pivoting on my memoir, needing to clarify its point and direction. I wrote 90,000 words and most will go in a mental compost pile to help me shape a somewhat different narrative with a different, clearer point.
Thank you for this! I've been writing a weekly essay for years and this week -- gah! it did not flow as it usually does. Your ideas are helpful and I use some of them already -- so thank you. What can work for me when my Big Idea is landing flat is to let it go and shift to whatever I'm fascinated with. So this week, I wrote about a film I loved, My Old Ass about getting wisdom from your older self. I riffed on the idea and it came out well! I think. 😎
I love what you wrote, and I found myself questioning how I write. I write my weekly Substack post every Saturday and put it out at 5 pm. I don’t start writing it until 3 pm that afternoon. I know this seems crazy, but the words that I want to say flow out, almost uncontrollably. I edit and I send. I only have words that seem to be clawing their way out of me. I’m starting to be concerned that I need to study more about writing “properly”.
Thanks! I do want to learn some new writing skills and I want to be certain I don’t let my mind get stuck on being “perfect”, an old tendency I have nearly eradicated.
I want to inspire and assist women who fear aging to create resiliency, joy, and acceptance. I’m nearing 83 and have waited years to start writing, even though I’ve been told for many years I should do so. My life has been almost unimaginable.
Jen! Thank you so much for this post. The timing for me is uncanny. You have confirmed for me beyond doubt that the Universe SO wants me to write! I have been 'stuck' in my memoir for about a month, trying to figure out how to do it, how to hang together all the pieces I have written, what the heck will come next and where, all the while dragging myself into the pits because my bucket of 'get back to writing tricks' hasn't been working. You are now the third person to guide me toward "writing about the work" instead of "banging around inside it." THIRD! Message not clear enough? Even the Oracle card I pulled today speaks to how I have been impeding my 'playful interaction' with the Universe and need to let go of the figuring out and accept the gift it is sending to me. Just the idea of doing that feels liberating. So YES - I am getting weird! I am veering! I am un-sticking! Thank you, Jen. Thank you, Universe! Here I come!
These suggestions are really useful Jen. I often get so far up into my head that it doesn’t leave much room for creativity. Being outside in nature, going for a walk near the ocean where we live, without any music, podcasts etc is often helpful for letting my fretty mind loosen its death grip, which allows creativity to tiptoe back through again. 🤗
I’m here to talk about clothes though! Even if the topic hasn’t gelled for you yet — what you did say is exactly how I’ve been feeling: I’m exhausted by my closet.
I should probably read Why Bother! Again. I’m a fan from the Women’s Comfort Book days, not really a writer. I pass along writer tidbits from you to my husband who just published a coming-of-age witch novel — they’ve helped a lot. Thank you.
But I feel what you write about writing, also applies to creativity and life in general.
I want to know the title of your husband's book!! share a link! and thanks for reading even though it's writing specific -- you're right, it's about creativity for sure. I want to write about clothes and bothering, maybe what was getting in my way was trying to link it to something profound...
Well, clothing is profound. (I have a textiles degree... sociology of dress was one of my favorite classes.) Beyond covering our naked bodies, it gives us a sense of belonging and can be a creative outlet. I'm in a clothing funk around the ever present question of "Who Am I?" at the age of 58.
My husband's book is called The Last Wrathwitch. https://www.davidpaulgeorge.com He self-published, couldn't get an agent, yada, yada, yada. If you like to listen to books, I can send you a free Spotify link. He just finished recording the audiobook.
Okay, I will send you a link in a minute. Ha! I really came here to talk about clothing. Happy to send this to you. He’s more into writing than promotion.
Agree I love the idea of having principles or foundational ingredients for our novels, regardless of genre. Every time I finish one, I feel like I add one or more to the list.
I love the principles for your novels. I share many of the same--especially "Reflect and amplify the power and beauty of older women". Thank you for sharing.
This is all so helpful, especially the prompts. And I love your friend’s practice of using objects to represent the people who might judge her work. I’m going to be revisiting this as I stumble through a bunch of half-started essays.
And on the clothes front, I’m starting a podcast soon about our relationships with our belongings so if you’d want to be a guest to discuss your relationship with your clothing, I’m happy to reach out down the road.
That would be fun! If I ever come up with something coherent to say. 😘
“What I’m avoiding saying…” has been my best prompt for years! I put it in a journal and loop back. Thanks for the reminder and other ideas!
Oh that’s a good one! Thank you!
Agreed, this prompt is brilliant, Tammi!
Here's mine. When the rent is due and the well for article ideas has run dry, I ask a friend about what they're doing. Everyone loves, if not to be the center of attention, then at least to be noticed. It feels great to lift someone else up while gaining an original source.
Love!!
This is wonderful. I particularly love the “get weird”. And can agree that there are times I feel most authentic when flying my freak flag 😜🤣
And just mixing it up
Love this post and it’s like you wrote it for me. I love the reminder that newsletter can be helpful to readers but they have to serve the writer, too. My particular stuck (with my memoir) has to do with thinking too much about the reader, thinking too much about what it should be and not my own vision for the story. It’s paralyzing.
It’s really hard with memoir, which is the hardest genre to write. I feel you!!
Great article. I’m having the same issues with my Substack. While you found a topic and couldn’t figure out the point, I’m struggling to find topics that writers would find value in and that haven’t been done to death.
In my writing these days, I’m finding I have fun thinking of all the funny stuff to put in the book, but less motivated to actually execute.
I’ve enjoyed reading your Substack very much ❤️I find the need to be unique paralyzing. How can we be? And I think writers are hungry for anything that helps and you give so much of that!!
Thank you. I truly appreciate you saying so. ♥️ However, if there are topics you can think of, I’m all ears 😃
Ideas, maybe too niche? changing genres, after a successful career in one genre (me!), how to position yourself; also any thoughts on transitioning your platform from one genre to another (in the process of doing that but all ears); where do you land on the whole “do novelists need a platform to sell a novel to a publisher?” question; I’ll keep thinking!
Those are a good start. 😃
Jen, bless you for this essay. It's what I needed to read and think about this week. I pivoting on my memoir, needing to clarify its point and direction. I wrote 90,000 words and most will go in a mental compost pile to help me shape a somewhat different narrative with a different, clearer point.
Hey take heart! There’s a point to carve out and all that writing made you a better writer!! This is what I tell myself as I rewrite a 130k words!!
I love this - I tell these to my coaching clients, but always need someone else to remind me of them!
Thank you for this! I've been writing a weekly essay for years and this week -- gah! it did not flow as it usually does. Your ideas are helpful and I use some of them already -- so thank you. What can work for me when my Big Idea is landing flat is to let it go and shift to whatever I'm fascinated with. So this week, I wrote about a film I loved, My Old Ass about getting wisdom from your older self. I riffed on the idea and it came out well! I think. 😎
Oh! And I'm looking forward to the clothes essay!
I loved that movie too! Glad the post was helpful ❤️
I love what you wrote, and I found myself questioning how I write. I write my weekly Substack post every Saturday and put it out at 5 pm. I don’t start writing it until 3 pm that afternoon. I know this seems crazy, but the words that I want to say flow out, almost uncontrollably. I edit and I send. I only have words that seem to be clawing their way out of me. I’m starting to be concerned that I need to study more about writing “properly”.
If it’s working for you and what you want, keep doing it!! Really!!!
Thanks! I do want to learn some new writing skills and I want to be certain I don’t let my mind get stuck on being “perfect”, an old tendency I have nearly eradicated.
And always keep in mind your goals — what you want from your newsletter.
I want to inspire and assist women who fear aging to create resiliency, joy, and acceptance. I’m nearing 83 and have waited years to start writing, even though I’ve been told for many years I should do so. My life has been almost unimaginable.
That’s fantastic!! And a wonderful focus. ❤️❤️❤️
Jen! Thank you so much for this post. The timing for me is uncanny. You have confirmed for me beyond doubt that the Universe SO wants me to write! I have been 'stuck' in my memoir for about a month, trying to figure out how to do it, how to hang together all the pieces I have written, what the heck will come next and where, all the while dragging myself into the pits because my bucket of 'get back to writing tricks' hasn't been working. You are now the third person to guide me toward "writing about the work" instead of "banging around inside it." THIRD! Message not clear enough? Even the Oracle card I pulled today speaks to how I have been impeding my 'playful interaction' with the Universe and need to let go of the figuring out and accept the gift it is sending to me. Just the idea of doing that feels liberating. So YES - I am getting weird! I am veering! I am un-sticking! Thank you, Jen. Thank you, Universe! Here I come!
have a blast!!!
These suggestions are really useful Jen. I often get so far up into my head that it doesn’t leave much room for creativity. Being outside in nature, going for a walk near the ocean where we live, without any music, podcasts etc is often helpful for letting my fretty mind loosen its death grip, which allows creativity to tiptoe back through again. 🤗
oh the ocean!!!! I am goign to visit my sister in Florida next week and I can't wait to be near the water!
What an absolute pleasure. Enjoy! 🤩
This is exactly what I needed to read today - thank you.
I’m glad it’s helpful!!
I’m here to talk about clothes though! Even if the topic hasn’t gelled for you yet — what you did say is exactly how I’ve been feeling: I’m exhausted by my closet.
I should probably read Why Bother! Again. I’m a fan from the Women’s Comfort Book days, not really a writer. I pass along writer tidbits from you to my husband who just published a coming-of-age witch novel — they’ve helped a lot. Thank you.
But I feel what you write about writing, also applies to creativity and life in general.
And finally here is a link to something that I just read on writing that I think you might enjoy: https://www.experimental-history.com/p/28-slightly-rude-notes-on-writing?utm_medium=email
I want to know the title of your husband's book!! share a link! and thanks for reading even though it's writing specific -- you're right, it's about creativity for sure. I want to write about clothes and bothering, maybe what was getting in my way was trying to link it to something profound...
Well, clothing is profound. (I have a textiles degree... sociology of dress was one of my favorite classes.) Beyond covering our naked bodies, it gives us a sense of belonging and can be a creative outlet. I'm in a clothing funk around the ever present question of "Who Am I?" at the age of 58.
My husband's book is called The Last Wrathwitch. https://www.davidpaulgeorge.com He self-published, couldn't get an agent, yada, yada, yada. If you like to listen to books, I can send you a free Spotify link. He just finished recording the audiobook.
Stlll riding Jen's coattails, Julie. writer.rider.dreamer@gmail.com Would adore the audio version!
Okay, I will send you a link in a minute. Ha! I really came here to talk about clothing. Happy to send this to you. He’s more into writing than promotion.
awesome!!!! and yes clothing is profound, trying to find the profundity :)
Okay. I took "awesome" to mean you would like a link to his audio book and sent one to jen@jenniferlouden.com
oh thank you!!!!
Like Jen, the COA witch nove name, please.
It’s called The Last Wrathwitch by David Paul George
Agree I love the idea of having principles or foundational ingredients for our novels, regardless of genre. Every time I finish one, I feel like I add one or more to the list.
I love the principles for your novels. I share many of the same--especially "Reflect and amplify the power and beauty of older women". Thank you for sharing.
Oh yes!!!!🔥