I subscribed to your newsletter because there's so much you say that inspires so many of us. I have read and stopped reading many others - yours is truly worth my time (and again - how do you do that so many times a week?????!!!?!). You don't have to worry about being a better person. You already spread so much positivity in this world. Best, Suzanne
Love the picture! Love all the pictures! I don't know how you manage to continually write such meaningful and inspiring newsletters, but thank you for doing it! I really enjoy them and take them to heart! I also wish I had your writing stamina... LOL.
I SO relate to these lines: "Already I can see there’s two smaller storylines that need to feel more rewarding and fully realized. And I’ll probably need to retroactively outline the final third so I can see what order everything needs to happen in for it to make sense, but also for it to feel more suspenseful to the reader. And I need to smooth out the narrator’s voice...." By sharing you have given me confidence to keep going..
The main character in my current WIP is named Jasmine and that detail about the flowers on the sidewalk felt like plucking a string in my brain. I don't know if it will lead to anything concrete, but I love the visual.
Hi, Jamie. Thanks for this reminder of simple observations of the world around us. And writing stuff to throw away!
That may help me a lot. I’ve struggled recently bc I have two *very* different stories fighting for supremacy in my creative space, resulting in gridlock. Maybe the answer is writing to throw away. Perhaps writing to declutter.
I read two very different,but both excellent, books this weekend; A Separation by Kate Kitamura and The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett (has she ever written anything that I wouldn’t like?!). I haven’t been writing lately and feel untethered from it. Maybe I’m a reader rather than a writer…trying to reconcile myself to this as I struggle to find a reason to write.
I think there are ebbs and flows over a lifetime of writing. For me sometimes the reason to write is simply just to keep myself company, but I know reading can provide the same kind of comfort. I'm glad you're reading--those are both wonderful writers.
Lovely post! I kept the #1000words going through today because I needed it, because I've had a dry spell, unusual for me, and I was... parched. The words. The words! They're always waiting. Thanks for the kickstart of #mini1000! It gets me going every time And - yay for Portland stop!
Two things in this piece stood out to me and helped me feel less alone. 1. That you wish you were a better person and wondered if you’d get somewhere else. From my perspective, you seem to be at THE place! Getting paid to write. 2. Writing a scene you know won’t work just to get it out of the way. I needed that permission.
This week, I think I did a thorough and good critique of a story for a person in my writing group.
The most recent #1000 post is locked to me though I believe I’m a subscriber. Is anyone else having this issue? I’ll recheck my settings. The rest are not locked.
The desire to be "a better person" sat me up in my seat. You're not alone in effort or yearning. Write on.
Thanks for telling us this story about your lily and your process! Your posts/letters are a welcome haven.
I’m reading Death of the Author by Nnedi Okoafor. In a way, it’s like these missives of yours: story and meta story.
I subscribed to your newsletter because there's so much you say that inspires so many of us. I have read and stopped reading many others - yours is truly worth my time (and again - how do you do that so many times a week?????!!!?!). You don't have to worry about being a better person. You already spread so much positivity in this world. Best, Suzanne
Love the picture! Love all the pictures! I don't know how you manage to continually write such meaningful and inspiring newsletters, but thank you for doing it! I really enjoy them and take them to heart! I also wish I had your writing stamina... LOL.
I’m so glad to hear this!! I wish I knew where the stamina comes from. I definitely do not have the discipline in other areas in my life ha.
I SO relate to these lines: "Already I can see there’s two smaller storylines that need to feel more rewarding and fully realized. And I’ll probably need to retroactively outline the final third so I can see what order everything needs to happen in for it to make sense, but also for it to feel more suspenseful to the reader. And I need to smooth out the narrator’s voice...." By sharing you have given me confidence to keep going..
So much of this resonated with me. Thank you. I'm also very excited about your event in Portland. <3
The main character in my current WIP is named Jasmine and that detail about the flowers on the sidewalk felt like plucking a string in my brain. I don't know if it will lead to anything concrete, but I love the visual.
Looking forward to your reading in Portland!
Ah great! I'm glad you'll be there!
Hi, Jamie. Thanks for this reminder of simple observations of the world around us. And writing stuff to throw away!
That may help me a lot. I’ve struggled recently bc I have two *very* different stories fighting for supremacy in my creative space, resulting in gridlock. Maybe the answer is writing to throw away. Perhaps writing to declutter.
"Writing to declutter" is a great phrase.
I read two very different,but both excellent, books this weekend; A Separation by Kate Kitamura and The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett (has she ever written anything that I wouldn’t like?!). I haven’t been writing lately and feel untethered from it. Maybe I’m a reader rather than a writer…trying to reconcile myself to this as I struggle to find a reason to write.
I think there are ebbs and flows over a lifetime of writing. For me sometimes the reason to write is simply just to keep myself company, but I know reading can provide the same kind of comfort. I'm glad you're reading--those are both wonderful writers.
Lovely post! I kept the #1000words going through today because I needed it, because I've had a dry spell, unusual for me, and I was... parched. The words. The words! They're always waiting. Thanks for the kickstart of #mini1000! It gets me going every time And - yay for Portland stop!
Two things in this piece stood out to me and helped me feel less alone. 1. That you wish you were a better person and wondered if you’d get somewhere else. From my perspective, you seem to be at THE place! Getting paid to write. 2. Writing a scene you know won’t work just to get it out of the way. I needed that permission.
This week, I think I did a thorough and good critique of a story for a person in my writing group.
The most recent #1000 post is locked to me though I believe I’m a subscriber. Is anyone else having this issue? I’ll recheck my settings. The rest are not locked.
Do you mean at the mini 1000? That’s a different paid subscription if that’s the case.