Day 4 of #1000wordsofsummer 2022

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Hi friends.

Today you will write 1000 words. Because maybe you are trying to work something out in a specific way, one that is available to us only when we put pen to the page. Perhaps there is some kind of problem or idea or issue, something that is both solid and tender, like a kink in your neck or a knot in your back, and you need to work it out, deliberately, methodically, over time. Knead it out, whatever it is, with your words. Return to it, directly, repeatedly, until, at last, there is a moment of relief.

Write toward the relief today.

A word about the socials, twitter and slack and instagram. (If there is more chatting going on elsewhere, great, but that’s all my little brain is capable of checking in on every day.) I am extremely touched to see how much you are all supporting each other online and even sometimes connecting in person. You are all doing great. This project is about the writing first, but community (if it’s of interest to you) is important, too. Developing friendships with other writers has been one of the most rewarding parts of this career, so I wish that for you, too. Thank you for showing up for each other.

Today’s guest author is Min Jin Lee, author of two celebrated, incredible novels, Free Food for Millionaires, and Pachinko, which was a finalist for the National Book Award. She is an activist, an educator, a charismatic public speaker, and was once a Double Jeopardy clue. She is also a real mensch. Her charitable donation will go to the Asian American Journalists Association.

Here she is talking about writing with heart:

"When I write, I allow myself the same heart I have when I read something fine and beautiful. I want to have a heart full of admiration and gratitude even for my very early drafts. I am not interested in noticing the things that don’t or won’t work when I am writing; all the editing and revisions will sort themselves out eventually. When I am writing and re-writing, I give myself freedom and permission to frolic in my infinite possibilities. I don’t care if that sounds irrational, delusional, or foolish, because already, I am those things. I am a fiction writer, and being one means I don’t expect to make sense to most upright folks. As a writer, of course, it is my job to write something worth sharing, but well before I can share, I must write and believe that I can. I am rooting for you, fellow writer. With all my heart.”

Good luck today.

Jami

You are reading Craft Talk, the home of #1000wordsofsummer and also a weekly newsletter about writing from Jami Attenberg. I’m also on twitter and instagram.