A good reminder for those days when I grumble too much to myself. I am also grateful that, in my 70s, I can still express myself pretty well in writing. Not everyone is so lucky.
Great piece (as usual). It reminded me of how back in my teenage years I used to dream of making it rich as a writer where now I only dream of making enough to pay rent. Funny though that as my financial ambitions dwindled, my literary aspirations have actually risen. I suppose there's a moral in there somewhere...
Oh, this is so true, John. Having walked away from the bi-monthly pay-cheque and benefits in the past half year, I find myself feeling moments and more of the old magic that books and writing caused me to feel, and still do, just under the surface of this adult thing... Thank you for sharing.
Thank you John for this comment. I've just come off a year of maternity leave as a first time mom, and since my daughter was born, I've read more and written more than I had in the previous three years combined chasing a corporate paycheck. And even now that I've returned to work but only part time so I have equal time to give to my daughter, I find myself still with so much time/energy to dedicate being creative - I think in large part because I'm not so mentally bogged down.
So true! I was working a full time job and sometimes two (or even three) casual positions while I wrote my first four novels, which perhaps explains why a fictional author I created in No Quarter, my fourth, commented that writing for him was "like using a ballpeen hammer to get a sliver out of his thumb." A couple of grants, some savings and my partner's CERB allowed me then to devote the past three years exclusively to my fiction. I wrote three complete novels during this time and am happy to report that in No Quarter's sequel (which I've just finished editing) the same writer found "the words flowing with the ease of water through his fingers."
Thanks, Alison! I've been lucky to be given some really cool things this week. Two caps and a hat from Aotearoa New Zealand. Plus, wild bears tooth and chanterelle mushrooms ($25 a pound at Wholefoods!) I've been playing thank you songs. Alanis Morrissette, Ariana Grande... and want to thank you for all your help with my thesis, and for these generous and informative posts. We are unfortunately conditioned to crave more, and not be satisfied with what we have, mostly because that's how capitalism works. I loved how in MAD MEN the rise of advertising was all about making people anxious and jealous. Anxious that they didn't have enough, weren't complete, needed more material things. And also to be jealous of what others had, and how you weren't really a success unless you were keeping up with the Joneses. The result is... tons of garbage. Closets full of clothes and shoes we don't wear. Sorry, I'm sounding curmudgeonly, but we really need a Less is More approach to save this world... Meanwhile, the sun shines and I'm thankful for that, so time to go out into it. cheers DG
I loved working on your thesis! And am glad you get something out of the Unschool! Yes, to recognizing being content: it is enough. I feel very blessed to be able to do what I am doing now, even as it grows. I feel free. And that is something capitalism cannot create or buy! thank you for that reminder! Put on that hat! Eat those mushrooms!
"I can spend hours alone—the writer in me has to be more than okay with that."
I was reflecting on this feeling the other day, about how much time alone writers truly spend. Not only even just while writing, but while reading, while listening to music through headphones, while doing other solitary creative activities when they need a break from the screen or the page but don't want to turn their brain off outright (mine is cross stitching). As an introvert, I'm truly blessed that I have such fruitful solitary pursuits.
This punched me in the gut a little. I had to pause, because, up until recently, every time I thought about "becoming a writer," I thought that meant finishing my novel and getting published.
I'm in the trenches of that pre-published writer life. I'm still navigating where I fit in as a writer–and, I'll be vulnerable here for a second, DEEP in the trenches of figuring out the next chapter of my life. I asked myself this evening: what would my life look like if I said YES to the writer in me? Your line above made me realize that getting published isn't the destination. Heck, finishing this book isn't the destination. It's one stop on a long train ride, where the tracks are made of volumes of work–all different kinds of work. My dream is to build a life around my writing and to find joy, opportunity and gratitude in the making of that dream. I want to write everything. I want to journal, to write stories and blog posts, to share insights and wisdom as you do with this newsletter. More than anything, I want to tap the vein of my writing potential and see how deep it goes.
I am so grateful to have my imagination and the ability to express myself through words; to have something that I can be so passionate about. I simply do not want to waste this gift and I think the best way to show my gratitude for it, is to explore it, quit setting limits and most of all, share it with others.
At times I look at the strange collection that is my work--and at the further disparity of all the other ideas in my head. I am not a niche writer. And never will be. Yes, to reveling in the directions, the paths, the joy!
Publishing that first piece IS exciting--I cannot take away from that. But there is a joy in going further and further. You feel yourself growing. Learning is so enlivening.
Aw, Andrew! Thank you for being on board here! This makes my day!
Just finished polishing the "prompts" for the Day Out of the Ordinary aka Holiday course, and posted. Looking forward, but always good to pause for Thanks, yes.
Happy Thanksgiving Alison! I love the quotes you included. All food for thought. There is always much to be thankful for. ❤
Darlene, mental food to accompany turkey and cranberries! Have a very good weekend!
A good reminder for those days when I grumble too much to myself. I am also grateful that, in my 70s, I can still express myself pretty well in writing. Not everyone is so lucky.
Yes! So true... was thinking that recently about thinking, ageing, writing. And a big "yes" to the grumbly thing--I am familiar...!
Great piece (as usual). It reminded me of how back in my teenage years I used to dream of making it rich as a writer where now I only dream of making enough to pay rent. Funny though that as my financial ambitions dwindled, my literary aspirations have actually risen. I suppose there's a moral in there somewhere...
Oh, this is so true, John. Having walked away from the bi-monthly pay-cheque and benefits in the past half year, I find myself feeling moments and more of the old magic that books and writing caused me to feel, and still do, just under the surface of this adult thing... Thank you for sharing.
Thank you John for this comment. I've just come off a year of maternity leave as a first time mom, and since my daughter was born, I've read more and written more than I had in the previous three years combined chasing a corporate paycheck. And even now that I've returned to work but only part time so I have equal time to give to my daughter, I find myself still with so much time/energy to dedicate being creative - I think in large part because I'm not so mentally bogged down.
So true! I was working a full time job and sometimes two (or even three) casual positions while I wrote my first four novels, which perhaps explains why a fictional author I created in No Quarter, my fourth, commented that writing for him was "like using a ballpeen hammer to get a sliver out of his thumb." A couple of grants, some savings and my partner's CERB allowed me then to devote the past three years exclusively to my fiction. I wrote three complete novels during this time and am happy to report that in No Quarter's sequel (which I've just finished editing) the same writer found "the words flowing with the ease of water through his fingers."
Resourcefulness--a writer's salvation. But the words "flowing" and "ease" say so much!
All so true. Thank you for taking the time to make me take the time to ponder.
Thank you for reading! If nothing else, Thanksgiving should be a Pause! (Followed by pumpkin pie, but still...)
Thanks, Alison! I've been lucky to be given some really cool things this week. Two caps and a hat from Aotearoa New Zealand. Plus, wild bears tooth and chanterelle mushrooms ($25 a pound at Wholefoods!) I've been playing thank you songs. Alanis Morrissette, Ariana Grande... and want to thank you for all your help with my thesis, and for these generous and informative posts. We are unfortunately conditioned to crave more, and not be satisfied with what we have, mostly because that's how capitalism works. I loved how in MAD MEN the rise of advertising was all about making people anxious and jealous. Anxious that they didn't have enough, weren't complete, needed more material things. And also to be jealous of what others had, and how you weren't really a success unless you were keeping up with the Joneses. The result is... tons of garbage. Closets full of clothes and shoes we don't wear. Sorry, I'm sounding curmudgeonly, but we really need a Less is More approach to save this world... Meanwhile, the sun shines and I'm thankful for that, so time to go out into it. cheers DG
I loved working on your thesis! And am glad you get something out of the Unschool! Yes, to recognizing being content: it is enough. I feel very blessed to be able to do what I am doing now, even as it grows. I feel free. And that is something capitalism cannot create or buy! thank you for that reminder! Put on that hat! Eat those mushrooms!
"I can spend hours alone—the writer in me has to be more than okay with that."
I was reflecting on this feeling the other day, about how much time alone writers truly spend. Not only even just while writing, but while reading, while listening to music through headphones, while doing other solitary creative activities when they need a break from the screen or the page but don't want to turn their brain off outright (mine is cross stitching). As an introvert, I'm truly blessed that I have such fruitful solitary pursuits.
Happy Thanksgiving!
So true--it's our fuel-up time! Wishing you a happy Happy Thanksgiving, Tara!
"Then I was published."
This punched me in the gut a little. I had to pause, because, up until recently, every time I thought about "becoming a writer," I thought that meant finishing my novel and getting published.
I'm in the trenches of that pre-published writer life. I'm still navigating where I fit in as a writer–and, I'll be vulnerable here for a second, DEEP in the trenches of figuring out the next chapter of my life. I asked myself this evening: what would my life look like if I said YES to the writer in me? Your line above made me realize that getting published isn't the destination. Heck, finishing this book isn't the destination. It's one stop on a long train ride, where the tracks are made of volumes of work–all different kinds of work. My dream is to build a life around my writing and to find joy, opportunity and gratitude in the making of that dream. I want to write everything. I want to journal, to write stories and blog posts, to share insights and wisdom as you do with this newsletter. More than anything, I want to tap the vein of my writing potential and see how deep it goes.
I am so grateful to have my imagination and the ability to express myself through words; to have something that I can be so passionate about. I simply do not want to waste this gift and I think the best way to show my gratitude for it, is to explore it, quit setting limits and most of all, share it with others.
As always, thank you for the insight <3
Christina--thank you for sharing this.
At times I look at the strange collection that is my work--and at the further disparity of all the other ideas in my head. I am not a niche writer. And never will be. Yes, to reveling in the directions, the paths, the joy!
Publishing that first piece IS exciting--I cannot take away from that. But there is a joy in going further and further. You feel yourself growing. Learning is so enlivening.
Happy Thanksgiving!
This post was very timely. I wasn't able to log in when I first read it, but it resonated. Off to enjoy the little things. Thank you, Alison!
Thank you for reading, Jean. So glad you are here! Have a wonderful day!
I loved this Alison and will reread it often. Thank you for this and thank you for being you!
Aw, Andrew! Thank you for being on board here! This makes my day!
Just finished polishing the "prompts" for the Day Out of the Ordinary aka Holiday course, and posted. Looking forward, but always good to pause for Thanks, yes.