Jami, I hope you know how much it helps us (the happy band of Craft Talk readers) to hear about your process. It's like having the wisest, kindest guide. In my own work, I'm currently digging deeper into giving my messy early work on this book a shape--which means I am also actually *committing* to the book, which stirs up its own emotional messiness. Just trying to stay here for all of it.
So helpful, especially you delving deep into the emotional process. What you say is reassuring, because one can convince oneself it’s avoidance when it’s really not. The idea of doing everyday things to help the process is essential. My spouse and I have coined this “letting the boys (and girls) in the basement do their thing.” That we allow our deepest parts of creativity and intuition work through the process in that subconscious and soul space (whatever it is), has always felt right. It makes space for the emergence of great things! Thank you for your candor in everything.
Writing the tough stuff takes a lot of courage, in my experience, yet the book is greater for it. It's hard to confront it in early drafts. But maybe we get to the real meat of the story faster? Maybe as we get more experience with the writing process, we're less shy about facing this part and we have stamina to do it sooner? Your article really brought home so many times when I've had to write through very difficult material and how often my body would have somatic reactions as the emotions processed through. But often those parts were the ones readers most often mentioned as their favorites. Go figure.
I love all of this, thank you - this description of what it feels like to keep writing, to always be involved in the writing process, at whatever stage, resonates so deeply with me, as does your sentiment that it's always about the writing, getting back to it, doing it for the allotted time that day, and then getting out only to return the next. Maybe the deeper emotions have emerged more quickly because you know how to access them better now, you know your cues better, your own hacks better. You know your process - what works, what didn't, what you need. It doesn't mean it's any less magical, it's just well-honed this craft of yours. Congratulations to you and thank you for all you do.
I’m finally working myself into a spot where I’m going to start making writing a priority. I wrote some tough stuff a few weeks ago, and plan on writing some more tough pieces soon.
I hear you, Jami. I do. I'm in the middle of book 3. And also working on script number 18. Some days are good, some days are bad, but most days it's me pushing forward because this here is what I do. I write because I love writing. I write because I have to pay the bills. ~ Happy writing to everybody!🥰
I too plant things in my garden when I’ve had enough of living in my head. That said, I also think as an educator that I get built in seasons of this in the summer (though not all do!). I know you *just* had a book out and you’re already into another one out of necessity — do you ever wish you had more time in between, or does the momentum from one project carry over into the next in a way that suits you?
Jami, I hope you know how much it helps us (the happy band of Craft Talk readers) to hear about your process. It's like having the wisest, kindest guide. In my own work, I'm currently digging deeper into giving my messy early work on this book a shape--which means I am also actually *committing* to the book, which stirs up its own emotional messiness. Just trying to stay here for all of it.
So helpful, especially you delving deep into the emotional process. What you say is reassuring, because one can convince oneself it’s avoidance when it’s really not. The idea of doing everyday things to help the process is essential. My spouse and I have coined this “letting the boys (and girls) in the basement do their thing.” That we allow our deepest parts of creativity and intuition work through the process in that subconscious and soul space (whatever it is), has always felt right. It makes space for the emergence of great things! Thank you for your candor in everything.
Writing the tough stuff takes a lot of courage, in my experience, yet the book is greater for it. It's hard to confront it in early drafts. But maybe we get to the real meat of the story faster? Maybe as we get more experience with the writing process, we're less shy about facing this part and we have stamina to do it sooner? Your article really brought home so many times when I've had to write through very difficult material and how often my body would have somatic reactions as the emotions processed through. But often those parts were the ones readers most often mentioned as their favorites. Go figure.
I love all of this, thank you - this description of what it feels like to keep writing, to always be involved in the writing process, at whatever stage, resonates so deeply with me, as does your sentiment that it's always about the writing, getting back to it, doing it for the allotted time that day, and then getting out only to return the next. Maybe the deeper emotions have emerged more quickly because you know how to access them better now, you know your cues better, your own hacks better. You know your process - what works, what didn't, what you need. It doesn't mean it's any less magical, it's just well-honed this craft of yours. Congratulations to you and thank you for all you do.
I’m finally working myself into a spot where I’m going to start making writing a priority. I wrote some tough stuff a few weeks ago, and plan on writing some more tough pieces soon.
I love this so much: "See things in the real world instead of just living in the challenging space of my interior self."
I hear you, Jami. I do. I'm in the middle of book 3. And also working on script number 18. Some days are good, some days are bad, but most days it's me pushing forward because this here is what I do. I write because I love writing. I write because I have to pay the bills. ~ Happy writing to everybody!🥰
I too plant things in my garden when I’ve had enough of living in my head. That said, I also think as an educator that I get built in seasons of this in the summer (though not all do!). I know you *just* had a book out and you’re already into another one out of necessity — do you ever wish you had more time in between, or does the momentum from one project carry over into the next in a way that suits you?