Where commitment meets community, and every challenge shapes our story
Welcome into Flight School and this, Week Five of our 20,000 word challenge:
If you are new, we have room for you to share, learn and grow with this remarkable community. Also, remember to register for our coming Zoom live meetup next Wednesday, February 19th at 8:30 a.m. PST.
The afternoon light filters through winter branches, casting long shadows and golden warmth on our path. This is week five of our six week journey together. Like sunlight illuminating previously hidden details in the forest, your stories continue to reveal new depths. From Tracy exploring the terrain of relationship through metaphor, to Kat discovering how her art practice enriches her writing world, to Amy finding ways to create even through illness and storm - you're showing how every step of the path enriches our understanding.
Light Through the Trees
Your daily practice illuminates new possibilities. Tracy transformed domestic challenges into profound insights about power and patience. Anjali found unexpected parallels between present-day mothering and deeper family patterns. Catherine continues to discover new character depths even at 80% through her draft, proving that each step forward reveals fresh insights.
Walking Together
In a forest, every tree supports the others through an invisible network of roots and signals. Similarly, your daily check-ins have created a web of support and inspiration. When Sara needed rest, the community held space. When Judith navigated sleepless nights, your understanding flowed. We're not just writing side by side - we're strengthening each other's journey.
The Path Ahead
As the light shifts and our journey together moves toward its final weeks, let's savor these moments of shared creativity. Every scene you write, every challenge you face, every insight you share adds to our collective wisdom.
Share Your Journey
What hidden aspects of your story has this shared path revealed?
How has walking alongside others enriched your practice?
What light will you carry forward from these weeks together?
🖋️ Remember: Like afternoon light in a forest, these precious moments of shared creativity illuminate our way forward. Let's make these final steps count.Turning life's plot twists into character gold
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛ Week 5, Day 7: Our last day of this week and so great to have you here and sharing your journey! Don't forget our meeting tomorrow, Wednesday AM. 8:30 a.m. PST. We are going to talk about how you've found these weeks together and how you've grown in your writing. It's such an honor to watch each of you growing in your craft. The shares are so inspiring! Keep them going.
Remember, new week, new pages tonight at 12:01 a.m. PST! 🗒️
Week 5, Day 7: So glad to hear you're okay, Jennifer, and so thankful for your neighbors who were able to help!
This week has been my most productive yet! I finished another chapter today, one that really surprised me in the way it took form. Only two more chapters (and an epilogue) to go... and my first draft will be complete!!! I can't believe it. All thanks to this amazing community who kept me focused and pushing forward these last several weeks. Thank you.
Oof, a tumble down a ladder does not sound fun at all. I'm glad to hear that you're OK Jennifer!
Over here, I took a "chores" day today, finishing the client project and taking care of a lot of administrative business, so I didn't really have time to write. But that's okay; I'm almost finished with another chapter and I feel a bit closer with characters I'm not as familiar with, and I'm liking them more. Yesterday felt like a bit of a breakthrough, actually! The plot is moving forward, however slowly! I also bought a used copy of "Awakening the Heroes Within", and I think it will be fun exploring how some of those archetypes might relate to the characters in my novel.
Sadly, I have a meeting with a realtor tomorrow morning which couldn't be moved, and will most likely be able to join only after 9:00am. Hopefully the realtor's meeting will be on schedule so that I can catch a the second half of our meeting, but if not, I hope everyone has a nice discussion! Will be checking the pages throughout the week.
I spent the last few weeks writing and rewriting. I'm not sure about the word count but I do have many more pages because of this challenge. It's been a productive few weeks.
In the middle of intensity that lay all around me, I had my own internal intensity that pushed me to the page, to the screen, my fingers scribbling and typing, surprising me in its content, as if I was not the originator of the words that presented themselves……… Here is one of the surprises……..
Thanks for this, Tracy. The ingredients of the scene rising...dialogue, some of the great description of a location, and the inner struggle. This does what all poetry does, which is create great space too! Lots of room for silence.
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛ Week 5, Day 6: Hi all! Thank you for your dear comments about my tumble. Let's just say "I'm lucky to be alive," because that could have taken me out. Praise the help of my neighbor who got her right away and later sent her son to help me with my issue (that required a tall-tall-too-tall ladder). Smoke detector beeping!
We meet in two more days! Until then, write and share how you're all doing.
For now, I'm still here and grateful for a strong body that seems to be on the mend. 🙏🏼
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛ Week 5, Day 5: Hi all, sorry I dropped off the site. 🪜I tumbled off a ladder Friday night and well...had some physical side issues to deal with! But the good news is that "I'm okay!" But it's slowed me down.
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛ Week 5, Day 3: Happy Valentines. Love is in the air! I hope you all feel it and enjoy even the tiniest evidence of this truth. Here: A good night of sleep, a glorious sunrise, a storm that bypassed us and headed inland instead, a comforting fire snapping in the woodstove, a day off to restore. I don't have a "lover" other than the world itself which is pretty great one to have. The best of all. What love is raining on you today?
Week 5, Day 3: Happy Valentines to all here, sending a hug to you all :)
A day of restoration for me too. I woke up later this morning than usual at 8:30--all the running!--to my son's sweet smile, little hands patting my face, his body burrowing into my hair. The boys giving V-Day's gifts to the ladies (me and my mother-in-law). Hooray, my chocolate stash has been refilled!
I decided I could take a day to enjoy my writing. First some Mariage Freres tea, a tin of 'Marco Polo' that my Parisian roommate left in our dorm before she moved out. Ten years expired now (boooo, where did the time go???), but it's still good. My favorite is 'Wedding Imperial' and I recommend it for anyone who likes caramel-tasting black tea. I wanted to finish my stash before possibly swearing off caffeine... spoken like a caffeine addict.
Anyway, I ended up revising a scene that I felt was relevant to last week's Studio teachings and homework. I guess giving the scene some more love. Aside from tea, I'm actually not much of a food connoissieur in real life (for instance, I go for months just eating the same canned sardines for lunch because it feels functional), but I enjoy writing about food and its cultural significance to the world in my story and what it might reveal about characters. It's really fun trying to weave it all together with the plot.
Love this: "...to my son's sweet smile, little hands patting my face, his body burrowing into my hair. The boys giving V-Day's gifts to the ladies (me and my mother-in-law). Hooray, my chocolate stash has been refilled!"
You do a great job writing about food, honestly! You embody beautifully! 🐟
I just brought my aunt some Marco Polo tea for her 90th birthday when I flew to the US in January! The French use a different word for caffeine in tea - it’s théine- but the jury is still out for me on whether it’s actually different. I think it may be absorbed a bit more gradually when it’s in tea?
I love reading about food characters are eating in books - brings such an important dimension to their culture, for me anyway.
Gratitude for bypassing storms, comforting fires, a day off to restore, and love.......in all the ways love presents........
Week 5, Day 3
What love is raining on me today......
Love is raining a lightness on me today as I watch the snow continuing to fall outside the window. My roommate just came in out of the cold white landscape and handed me a package of three Ferrero Rocher hazelnut chocolates, my favorite. How did she know? “Happy Valentine’s day.” : )
I’ve been up since a quarter to five this morning, my husband still sleeps, it’s 9:30. I’ve been looking over some pieces of writing, doing a few miscellaneous revisions, feeling good, feeling frustrated, feeling unsure, allowing it all to be here. The juxtaposition of my writing and my relationship with Dave are apparent…….the revisions, the good feelings, feelings of uncertainty, feelings of frustration, the allowing.
Love holds it all, if we allow it to. Love lightens the load, if we allow love to carry. Love will take us deeper, when we allow love to provide the oxygen as we submerge. Love will bring us back up, when we stop fighting against the current. Love will continue to be with us no matter where we re-emerge.
Great share! " Love holds it all, if we allow it to. Love lightens the load, if we allow love to carry. Love will take us deeper, when we allow love to provide the oxygen as we submerge. Love will bring us back up, when we stop fighting against the current. Love will continue to be with us no matter where we re-emerge."
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛ Week 5, Day 2: So great to see you all here supporting each other, had a small crisis of intense weather this AM but now am back! Just rain now but high winds. Now going to read all your terrific shares. Go team! 📣
I pray all has gone well for you through the night, with the high winds, living amongst trees.......I love trees, yet the combination of high winds and trees.....not so much!
Week 5, Day 2
A day of intensity, of supporting, of listening……of putting arms around those who should not have to be hearing such horrors…….
A day of de ja vu.
A day of sadness and fear……and hope.
A day of compassion for even those seemingly undeserving.
A day we got through in a good way……
Knowing there are more of these days to come……
Knowing we will continue to get through, together.
Week 5, Day 2. I see others in the group who keep carrying the torch no matter what life throws at them. This is encouraging for me to continue to release control of trying to plan out my every writing session undisturbed. I'm also learning this with my main character. She makes time to go for a swim (self care) to release control of outcomes or planning the next big thing.
My light going forward is to keep working on my passions day to day. Pick up the pen and pad anytime of day to keep the story going without perfection.
Love this: "I see others in the group who keep carrying the torch no matter what life throws at them. This is encouraging for me to continue to release control of trying to plan out my every writing session undisturbed," and so so true. We keep on keeping on!
Interesting......I didn't think of it as a poem, but, thanks! : )
I have been writing more poems lately since getting inspired by Maya C. Popa's substack, which I learned about from one of your restacks. I'm so grateful for that! I love poetry, inspired a lot by my mom's.
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛ Week 5, Day 1: Hi all! How can it be 4 p.m PST and I'm just getting to this group? The answer is a lot of papers are flying around today. I've been buried under them! 😂
The good news is that I'm here and so relieved no one was tap, tapping their foot with "WHERE is she!"
Here are some questions to jump start the conversation:
What hidden aspects of your story has this shared path revealed?
How has walking alongside others enriched your practice?
What light will you carry forward from these weeks together?
Week 5, Day 2: Yesterday I had the day entirely to myself, and I got to spend 2+ hours writing! It was glorious. Today is a "snow" day so my entire family is in the house. We'll see how productive this ends up being.
For me, walking alongside you all has enriched my practice in that I feel so much positive motivation and accountability to bring energy to it every day. I don't feel like I'm writing a book alone in a vacuum, and as a result, I find myself better able to dedicate time and space for it. In terms of hidden aspects, the focus on small details and weaving in little lessons from the day-to-day makes the writing so much more interesting (I think, I hope?). From these weeks together, the light I'm carrying forward, what I'm learning from all of you, is that I am a writer and I do have something to say. I'm not just "writing a book," I am a writer putting ideas and story into the world.
Week 5, Day 2: I caught up with Sara this morning on the phone on my way to work. As a side benefit of our conversation, I walked in front of Notre Dame instead of staying a commuting mole in the metro, as I usually do. Sara kindly listened to my rambling and gave me the space to be confused and find a couple of my own answers just by saying things out loud.
One thing she helped me realize was that a question a friend asked me yesterday actually led me to an interesting insight – the question was about the stuff that is emotionally difficult to write. Since it's not journaling, since I go back and edit stuff, am I repeatedly traumatized by having to relive difficult events each time?
The answer, for me anyway, is no. It's hard initially as the memories come back and I'm reliving difficult things for the first time. But after that, in the editing phase, I can be a bit more objective. It's still emotional, but not to the same extent.
I'm curious how others' experiences are similar or different to mine.
The power of a friend. We need to talk these things out. Great work Sara.
"Since it's not journaling, since I go back and edit stuff, am I repeatedly traumatized by having to relive difficult events each time?" The answer to this is: Yes. Sadly. So this is why therapy helps a lot. But also something to help our brains with the trauma like neurofeedback.
And it never got easier, with certain memories, Anjali. This is something I think a lot about so will keep you posted. But this is one of the hardest parts of writing about our lives...the price we pay in reliving, sensually, those memories (which the art form demands). What do we do with that??
It must be good for us? Or we wouldn’t choose to do it. (?) Though that assumes we are, at some level, rational beings. I guess it could be a kind of desensitization therapy, a brutal version.
My experience is a little different, since I'm writing fiction. But I will say there is a kernel in the middle of my piece that absolutely is my trying to process something difficult that happened to me. And while I was almost scared to type the words the first time, it also felt good to put them down and say them out loud. And then similar to you, going back and editing it is less of an emotional experience.
Thank you for sharing your processing and your realization. I appreciate your curiousity at the end. This sparks my own curiousity and desire to pay attention more as I continue returning to my own story....... Thanks : )
Jumped into writing first thing in the morning (sort of... it was very cold today and I had trouble getting our wood stove to catch. I'm out of practice!). Tomorrow, I'm endeavoring to finish a challenging project for a client, which has been weighing on me like I'm stuck in an Ayn Rand version of purgatory (but not too deep). And if I can get past THAT hurdle, then I'm free to write again!!!! In the meantime, finishing my days (fulfilling or not) with Wuthering Heights. I'm reading it for the first time and I love it. That 1800s angst.
To answer the second question, It's been lovely how supportive people have been in this space. I'm happy to see and be amongst fellow writers exercising their creativity and pursuing their goals earnestly. As for what light I will carry forward... perhaps a bit of forbearance as I deal with my list of obligations. And as we've been talking about here, to take notice of the little things in everyday life, which can serve to enrich our stories.
It was out of random curiosity--I spotted a pretty copy at the library, and it's been one of those things I've been wanting to read. And honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect, except for a lot of turbulence!
Rudy, my stoic, stable, wonderfully good-natured husband, asked if I'd been "influenced" by the book when I was younger. Well, no, I haven't read the book until now. But I did have a turbulent childhood/growing into adulthood period, so all of this intensity feels quite familiar. So on one hand, it's a little messed up, but on the other hand, I love that Emily Brontë wrote about all these very relatable experiences 178 years ago. There's something quite amazing about connecting with writers through their books through time and space. I may be more of a Brontë girl than an Austen!
Yes! The little things in life, such a big theme for me lately.
Wood heat was my main source of heat for the last 4 years, along with space heaters. My son, bless his heart, helped me with getting a heat pump, mini split installed in December. I certainly love this easy, convenient heat, but the wood stove heat is the best.....once it's going. : )
I love the smell of woodsmoke and the quiet warmth of a wood stove! And cooking stew on top.
Yesterday's woodstove hijink was my fault though--I didn't feel like going out into the snow and below zero weather in my pajamas looking for kindling and smaller pieces of firewood and well... kind of hard to start a fire without kindling lol
Let me answer the last question...I am re-writing my Substack archive and initially, when I hammered out those early pages, I was still holding unnecessary angst. In the revision, I have the new found distance to have a bit more grace and dignity! The posts are so much stronger and for that, I'm proud. The light I carry then in the light of revision! It's a good thing. 🕯️What about you?
I love the grace and dignity that distance can bring, as in the simple act of putting to rest a piece I'm working on, going to bed, and returning in the morning with a fresh perspective. I am usually quite amazed at the revisions that flow, with more ease, from a night's worth of distance. I'm hoping to bring this valuable practice into more areas of my life.
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛ Week 5, Day 7: Our last day of this week and so great to have you here and sharing your journey! Don't forget our meeting tomorrow, Wednesday AM. 8:30 a.m. PST. We are going to talk about how you've found these weeks together and how you've grown in your writing. It's such an honor to watch each of you growing in your craft. The shares are so inspiring! Keep them going.
Remember, new week, new pages tonight at 12:01 a.m. PST! 🗒️
Week 5, Day 7: So glad to hear you're okay, Jennifer, and so thankful for your neighbors who were able to help!
This week has been my most productive yet! I finished another chapter today, one that really surprised me in the way it took form. Only two more chapters (and an epilogue) to go... and my first draft will be complete!!! I can't believe it. All thanks to this amazing community who kept me focused and pushing forward these last several weeks. Thank you.
Week 5, Day 7:
Oof, a tumble down a ladder does not sound fun at all. I'm glad to hear that you're OK Jennifer!
Over here, I took a "chores" day today, finishing the client project and taking care of a lot of administrative business, so I didn't really have time to write. But that's okay; I'm almost finished with another chapter and I feel a bit closer with characters I'm not as familiar with, and I'm liking them more. Yesterday felt like a bit of a breakthrough, actually! The plot is moving forward, however slowly! I also bought a used copy of "Awakening the Heroes Within", and I think it will be fun exploring how some of those archetypes might relate to the characters in my novel.
Sadly, I have a meeting with a realtor tomorrow morning which couldn't be moved, and will most likely be able to join only after 9:00am. Hopefully the realtor's meeting will be on schedule so that I can catch a the second half of our meeting, but if not, I hope everyone has a nice discussion! Will be checking the pages throughout the week.
Hello.
I spent the last few weeks writing and rewriting. I'm not sure about the word count but I do have many more pages because of this challenge. It's been a productive few weeks.
Week 5, Day 7
In the middle of intensity that lay all around me, I had my own internal intensity that pushed me to the page, to the screen, my fingers scribbling and typing, surprising me in its content, as if I was not the originator of the words that presented themselves……… Here is one of the surprises……..
No Separation
You said, there is no connection.
I said, there is no separation
Between a mother’s wounds
And your fear of her bleeding
When she does not die.
You said, show me how you know.
I said, look into my eyes
And you will see history here,
Contained in the dark pools
Below the sunlit surface.
You said, I need you to tell me more.
I asked, why?
Why should I be the one
To absorb your denial and ridicule
When you refuse to accept
How I was put in the shadows,
Chained, and burned,
Slandered, and buried,
As you, claiming to be innocent,
Stood by and struck the match.
They came after you as well,
Used you to tighten the screws,
Used you to bury the innocent,
Promising a position above ground,
As your fear reached for the promise.
You did not ask me then
To tell you more, to explain
How we could have linked our arms,
Holding our babies, together,
As we formed a circle of no separation.
You said, I did not know.
I said, yes you did.
Thanks for this, Tracy. The ingredients of the scene rising...dialogue, some of the great description of a location, and the inner struggle. This does what all poetry does, which is create great space too! Lots of room for silence.
Week 5, Day 7. Jennifer, I'm glad to hear you are on the mend!
I'm 2k short of the goal, but I'm grateful for the 18k progress into my story. By the call tomorrow, I will close the gap a little more.
I love that signing up for the challenge keeps me on track and the story on my mind whether writing or not.
Love having you here, Jill! See you soon.
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛ Week 5, Day 6: Hi all! Thank you for your dear comments about my tumble. Let's just say "I'm lucky to be alive," because that could have taken me out. Praise the help of my neighbor who got her right away and later sent her son to help me with my issue (that required a tall-tall-too-tall ladder). Smoke detector beeping!
We meet in two more days! Until then, write and share how you're all doing.
For now, I'm still here and grateful for a strong body that seems to be on the mend. 🙏🏼
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛ Week 5, Day 5: Hi all, sorry I dropped off the site. 🪜I tumbled off a ladder Friday night and well...had some physical side issues to deal with! But the good news is that "I'm okay!" But it's slowed me down.
I'm going through all your terrific shares below.
Oh no!! Sorry to hear about that! Glad to hear that you're okay, I hope you are feeling better and better, Jennifer. Sending healing thoughts!
Wow! So grateful to hear you are okay! Understandable, the slowing down, and I pray you take all the slowing down you need to recover fully.
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛ Week 5, Day 3: Happy Valentines. Love is in the air! I hope you all feel it and enjoy even the tiniest evidence of this truth. Here: A good night of sleep, a glorious sunrise, a storm that bypassed us and headed inland instead, a comforting fire snapping in the woodstove, a day off to restore. I don't have a "lover" other than the world itself which is pretty great one to have. The best of all. What love is raining on you today?
Week 5, Day 3: Happy Valentines to all here, sending a hug to you all :)
A day of restoration for me too. I woke up later this morning than usual at 8:30--all the running!--to my son's sweet smile, little hands patting my face, his body burrowing into my hair. The boys giving V-Day's gifts to the ladies (me and my mother-in-law). Hooray, my chocolate stash has been refilled!
I decided I could take a day to enjoy my writing. First some Mariage Freres tea, a tin of 'Marco Polo' that my Parisian roommate left in our dorm before she moved out. Ten years expired now (boooo, where did the time go???), but it's still good. My favorite is 'Wedding Imperial' and I recommend it for anyone who likes caramel-tasting black tea. I wanted to finish my stash before possibly swearing off caffeine... spoken like a caffeine addict.
Anyway, I ended up revising a scene that I felt was relevant to last week's Studio teachings and homework. I guess giving the scene some more love. Aside from tea, I'm actually not much of a food connoissieur in real life (for instance, I go for months just eating the same canned sardines for lunch because it feels functional), but I enjoy writing about food and its cultural significance to the world in my story and what it might reveal about characters. It's really fun trying to weave it all together with the plot.
Love this: "...to my son's sweet smile, little hands patting my face, his body burrowing into my hair. The boys giving V-Day's gifts to the ladies (me and my mother-in-law). Hooray, my chocolate stash has been refilled!"
You do a great job writing about food, honestly! You embody beautifully! 🐟
I just brought my aunt some Marco Polo tea for her 90th birthday when I flew to the US in January! The French use a different word for caffeine in tea - it’s théine- but the jury is still out for me on whether it’s actually different. I think it may be absorbed a bit more gradually when it’s in tea?
I love reading about food characters are eating in books - brings such an important dimension to their culture, for me anyway.
Awe....such a beautiful way to wake up! ".....little hands patting my face." : )
The tea sounds yummy, I'll need to look into that. I offer solidarity from a coffee "caffeine addict."
I look forward to hearing what food's "cultural significance.....might reveal about the characters." Sounds like a fun weaving : )
Gratitude for bypassing storms, comforting fires, a day off to restore, and love.......in all the ways love presents........
Week 5, Day 3
What love is raining on me today......
Love is raining a lightness on me today as I watch the snow continuing to fall outside the window. My roommate just came in out of the cold white landscape and handed me a package of three Ferrero Rocher hazelnut chocolates, my favorite. How did she know? “Happy Valentine’s day.” : )
I’ve been up since a quarter to five this morning, my husband still sleeps, it’s 9:30. I’ve been looking over some pieces of writing, doing a few miscellaneous revisions, feeling good, feeling frustrated, feeling unsure, allowing it all to be here. The juxtaposition of my writing and my relationship with Dave are apparent…….the revisions, the good feelings, feelings of uncertainty, feelings of frustration, the allowing.
Love holds it all, if we allow it to. Love lightens the load, if we allow love to carry. Love will take us deeper, when we allow love to provide the oxygen as we submerge. Love will bring us back up, when we stop fighting against the current. Love will continue to be with us no matter where we re-emerge.
Great share! " Love holds it all, if we allow it to. Love lightens the load, if we allow love to carry. Love will take us deeper, when we allow love to provide the oxygen as we submerge. Love will bring us back up, when we stop fighting against the current. Love will continue to be with us no matter where we re-emerge."
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛ Week 5, Day 2: So great to see you all here supporting each other, had a small crisis of intense weather this AM but now am back! Just rain now but high winds. Now going to read all your terrific shares. Go team! 📣
I pray all has gone well for you through the night, with the high winds, living amongst trees.......I love trees, yet the combination of high winds and trees.....not so much!
Week 5, Day 2
A day of intensity, of supporting, of listening……of putting arms around those who should not have to be hearing such horrors…….
A day of de ja vu.
A day of sadness and fear……and hope.
A day of compassion for even those seemingly undeserving.
A day we got through in a good way……
Knowing there are more of these days to come……
Knowing we will continue to get through, together.
Week 5, Day 2. I see others in the group who keep carrying the torch no matter what life throws at them. This is encouraging for me to continue to release control of trying to plan out my every writing session undisturbed. I'm also learning this with my main character. She makes time to go for a swim (self care) to release control of outcomes or planning the next big thing.
My light going forward is to keep working on my passions day to day. Pick up the pen and pad anytime of day to keep the story going without perfection.
Love this: "I see others in the group who keep carrying the torch no matter what life throws at them. This is encouraging for me to continue to release control of trying to plan out my every writing session undisturbed," and so so true. We keep on keeping on!
"......keep the story going without perfection." Yes! Definitely a challenge of mine that I have been rising up to more consistently. Thank you!
Week 5, Day 1
What hidden aspects of my story has this shared path revealed?
- discord is still a cunning, attractive familiar
- remnants of pain, distrust and need for control still remain
- old ways of navigating continue to rise up and take the wheel
How has walking alongside others enriched my practice?
- I feel I am in a safe place where honesty is welcome
- knowing you’re all out there, even in the silence, keeps me moving
What light will I carry forward from these weeks together?
- I carry my inner light to illuminate the dark
- I continue to bring myself to the work
- I am strengthening a muscle
- I have something to say
- I write
Nice! A poem.
Interesting......I didn't think of it as a poem, but, thanks! : )
I have been writing more poems lately since getting inspired by Maya C. Popa's substack, which I learned about from one of your restacks. I'm so grateful for that! I love poetry, inspired a lot by my mom's.
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛ Week 5, Day 1: Hi all! How can it be 4 p.m PST and I'm just getting to this group? The answer is a lot of papers are flying around today. I've been buried under them! 😂
The good news is that I'm here and so relieved no one was tap, tapping their foot with "WHERE is she!"
Here are some questions to jump start the conversation:
What hidden aspects of your story has this shared path revealed?
How has walking alongside others enriched your practice?
What light will you carry forward from these weeks together?
Week 5, Day 2: Yesterday I had the day entirely to myself, and I got to spend 2+ hours writing! It was glorious. Today is a "snow" day so my entire family is in the house. We'll see how productive this ends up being.
For me, walking alongside you all has enriched my practice in that I feel so much positive motivation and accountability to bring energy to it every day. I don't feel like I'm writing a book alone in a vacuum, and as a result, I find myself better able to dedicate time and space for it. In terms of hidden aspects, the focus on small details and weaving in little lessons from the day-to-day makes the writing so much more interesting (I think, I hope?). From these weeks together, the light I'm carrying forward, what I'm learning from all of you, is that I am a writer and I do have something to say. I'm not just "writing a book," I am a writer putting ideas and story into the world.
Thank you! "I'm not just "writing a book," I am a writer putting ideas and story into the world." Ditto!
I love this; and yes, you are creating and adding more beauty to this world and we are all glad of it!
Very nice: don't feel like I'm writing a book alone in a vacuum, and as a result, I find myself better able to dedicate time and space for it.
Thank you for this share. YES! That's the goal.
Week 5, Day 2: I caught up with Sara this morning on the phone on my way to work. As a side benefit of our conversation, I walked in front of Notre Dame instead of staying a commuting mole in the metro, as I usually do. Sara kindly listened to my rambling and gave me the space to be confused and find a couple of my own answers just by saying things out loud.
One thing she helped me realize was that a question a friend asked me yesterday actually led me to an interesting insight – the question was about the stuff that is emotionally difficult to write. Since it's not journaling, since I go back and edit stuff, am I repeatedly traumatized by having to relive difficult events each time?
The answer, for me anyway, is no. It's hard initially as the memories come back and I'm reliving difficult things for the first time. But after that, in the editing phase, I can be a bit more objective. It's still emotional, but not to the same extent.
I'm curious how others' experiences are similar or different to mine.
The power of a friend. We need to talk these things out. Great work Sara.
"Since it's not journaling, since I go back and edit stuff, am I repeatedly traumatized by having to relive difficult events each time?" The answer to this is: Yes. Sadly. So this is why therapy helps a lot. But also something to help our brains with the trauma like neurofeedback.
And it never got easier, with certain memories, Anjali. This is something I think a lot about so will keep you posted. But this is one of the hardest parts of writing about our lives...the price we pay in reliving, sensually, those memories (which the art form demands). What do we do with that??
It must be good for us? Or we wouldn’t choose to do it. (?) Though that assumes we are, at some level, rational beings. I guess it could be a kind of desensitization therapy, a brutal version.
Thank your for your interesting thoughts....... a brutal version of desensitization therapy.....
My experience is a little different, since I'm writing fiction. But I will say there is a kernel in the middle of my piece that absolutely is my trying to process something difficult that happened to me. And while I was almost scared to type the words the first time, it also felt good to put them down and say them out loud. And then similar to you, going back and editing it is less of an emotional experience.
Thank you for sharing your processing and your realization. I appreciate your curiousity at the end. This sparks my own curiousity and desire to pay attention more as I continue returning to my own story....... Thanks : )
Week 5, Day 1: Hello!
Jumped into writing first thing in the morning (sort of... it was very cold today and I had trouble getting our wood stove to catch. I'm out of practice!). Tomorrow, I'm endeavoring to finish a challenging project for a client, which has been weighing on me like I'm stuck in an Ayn Rand version of purgatory (but not too deep). And if I can get past THAT hurdle, then I'm free to write again!!!! In the meantime, finishing my days (fulfilling or not) with Wuthering Heights. I'm reading it for the first time and I love it. That 1800s angst.
To answer the second question, It's been lovely how supportive people have been in this space. I'm happy to see and be amongst fellow writers exercising their creativity and pursuing their goals earnestly. As for what light I will carry forward... perhaps a bit of forbearance as I deal with my list of obligations. And as we've been talking about here, to take notice of the little things in everyday life, which can serve to enrich our stories.
Building fires everyday! It definitely requires a touch!
Man, Wuthering Heights. That is intense. You must need some of that for your novel?
Great shares. TY
It was out of random curiosity--I spotted a pretty copy at the library, and it's been one of those things I've been wanting to read. And honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect, except for a lot of turbulence!
Rudy, my stoic, stable, wonderfully good-natured husband, asked if I'd been "influenced" by the book when I was younger. Well, no, I haven't read the book until now. But I did have a turbulent childhood/growing into adulthood period, so all of this intensity feels quite familiar. So on one hand, it's a little messed up, but on the other hand, I love that Emily Brontë wrote about all these very relatable experiences 178 years ago. There's something quite amazing about connecting with writers through their books through time and space. I may be more of a Brontë girl than an Austen!
Stay warm out there!
Yes! The little things in life, such a big theme for me lately.
Wood heat was my main source of heat for the last 4 years, along with space heaters. My son, bless his heart, helped me with getting a heat pump, mini split installed in December. I certainly love this easy, convenient heat, but the wood stove heat is the best.....once it's going. : )
I love the smell of woodsmoke and the quiet warmth of a wood stove! And cooking stew on top.
Yesterday's woodstove hijink was my fault though--I didn't feel like going out into the snow and below zero weather in my pajamas looking for kindling and smaller pieces of firewood and well... kind of hard to start a fire without kindling lol
Let me answer the last question...I am re-writing my Substack archive and initially, when I hammered out those early pages, I was still holding unnecessary angst. In the revision, I have the new found distance to have a bit more grace and dignity! The posts are so much stronger and for that, I'm proud. The light I carry then in the light of revision! It's a good thing. 🕯️What about you?
I love the grace and dignity that distance can bring, as in the simple act of putting to rest a piece I'm working on, going to bed, and returning in the morning with a fresh perspective. I am usually quite amazed at the revisions that flow, with more ease, from a night's worth of distance. I'm hoping to bring this valuable practice into more areas of my life.