I've been writing for over 35 years now and I'm still waylaid when I come to that barrier that separates the writer's inner sanctum from the world outside (the public, the readers).
My insight, which might have nothing to do with your process, but I'll share it anyway -- the more these rituals, as you're engaged with, are practiced, the easier it comes to move beyond them and settle into your sovereignty as a writer; not so much doubt-free, but firmly cognizant of the memory that you know you've written before and all went well, and you will continue on. What choice do you have otherwise?
Hemingway had to do this with himself constantly: remind himself that he could 'do it' and was manic about no one seeing anything he'd written until he'd hammered on it to comply with his notion of perfection (Cancer's have this problem *big time* more so than Virgos -- I oughta know as I am one 😂) One would think the opposite with Ernest, given his machismo and bluster.
But we're always beginning and with that comes that vulnerable condition you write about. Brava!
Thanks for this encouragement, Frederick! I do need to tell myself more often that I've done this before and will do so again. Perhaps it's because I've done it before I, naively, hoped it would be easier 🤣😜
Right, the thing is with each phase of writing we do the bar raises, and then we have a new set of standards we strive for and the accompanying efforts to meet the new commands. It's interesting to consider too, how, as a writer matures, the words drop away (unless one's Henry James). Shocking to read early Cormac McCarthy and Don DeLillo and then peruse their later work. I always know I'm on the right track when I'm removing more than I'm preserving.
So much hangs on the edits, right? It's funny you should say that, Stephen King is another example of the opposite, I prefer his shorter/earlier stuff where he gets to the meat of the story with less wordage.
Woooooo!! You are doing it, Susan!! You are in the stickiest, toughest part and you're still showing up for your art which is NOT EASY. I'm sure your brain can think of 1001 tempting things you'd rather do. I'm so proud of you. And thank you so much for being vulnerable and sharing the reality of your process. I think it's so rare we hear these parts, even though they are pretty much inevitable. I'm glad they help you because they certainly make me feel more accepting of my own doubts and struggles. Also get well soon!
I love this!!! As creatives we can definitely get stuck in the end goal and fall into the frustration rut. So how can we embrace the messy confusing middle bits? How can we enjoy the process? Perhaps by sharing them. And opening up about the frustrations. Also, I don't know if you follow the lunar phases but this piece makes me think of the Capricorn Full Moon we had at the beginning of this week. ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks and that's interesting. I've recently started to be more aware of the 🌝 phases, definitely something I'm learning more about as I go along. I have a live wallpaper on my Phone of the moon too.
Bravo 👏 seems like you're learning a lot about yourself and growing a lot through this process. Inspiring to witness.
Ah thanks for that, George! I'm purring 🐱😹
This post moved me.
I've been writing for over 35 years now and I'm still waylaid when I come to that barrier that separates the writer's inner sanctum from the world outside (the public, the readers).
My insight, which might have nothing to do with your process, but I'll share it anyway -- the more these rituals, as you're engaged with, are practiced, the easier it comes to move beyond them and settle into your sovereignty as a writer; not so much doubt-free, but firmly cognizant of the memory that you know you've written before and all went well, and you will continue on. What choice do you have otherwise?
Hemingway had to do this with himself constantly: remind himself that he could 'do it' and was manic about no one seeing anything he'd written until he'd hammered on it to comply with his notion of perfection (Cancer's have this problem *big time* more so than Virgos -- I oughta know as I am one 😂) One would think the opposite with Ernest, given his machismo and bluster.
But we're always beginning and with that comes that vulnerable condition you write about. Brava!
Thanks for this encouragement, Frederick! I do need to tell myself more often that I've done this before and will do so again. Perhaps it's because I've done it before I, naively, hoped it would be easier 🤣😜
Right, the thing is with each phase of writing we do the bar raises, and then we have a new set of standards we strive for and the accompanying efforts to meet the new commands. It's interesting to consider too, how, as a writer matures, the words drop away (unless one's Henry James). Shocking to read early Cormac McCarthy and Don DeLillo and then peruse their later work. I always know I'm on the right track when I'm removing more than I'm preserving.
So much hangs on the edits, right? It's funny you should say that, Stephen King is another example of the opposite, I prefer his shorter/earlier stuff where he gets to the meat of the story with less wordage.
Woooooo!! You are doing it, Susan!! You are in the stickiest, toughest part and you're still showing up for your art which is NOT EASY. I'm sure your brain can think of 1001 tempting things you'd rather do. I'm so proud of you. And thank you so much for being vulnerable and sharing the reality of your process. I think it's so rare we hear these parts, even though they are pretty much inevitable. I'm glad they help you because they certainly make me feel more accepting of my own doubts and struggles. Also get well soon!
Aw, Janelle, thank you. You've clearly been where my brain is now 😂
Have a lovely weekend.
I love this!!! As creatives we can definitely get stuck in the end goal and fall into the frustration rut. So how can we embrace the messy confusing middle bits? How can we enjoy the process? Perhaps by sharing them. And opening up about the frustrations. Also, I don't know if you follow the lunar phases but this piece makes me think of the Capricorn Full Moon we had at the beginning of this week. ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks and that's interesting. I've recently started to be more aware of the 🌝 phases, definitely something I'm learning more about as I go along. I have a live wallpaper on my Phone of the moon too.
Love that! I'm all for adding cosmic magic into everyday living. :)