This is my first read in your Substack and I loved it. Lots of inspiration and encouragement here. Now that our four children are all grown and my husband is retired, I finally have the time and energy to dedicate to writing beyond the pages of my personal journals. Technology is a bit of a stumbling block for me, but I am an eager and willing learner and am fortunate to be living in a time when access to information, resources, and tools, plus plenty of tutorials, is widely available. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Thank you , Leenie! Technology can be a challenge and I don't want to calculate how much time I have invested in learning new technologies.
Women often are late bloomers because of their commitment to caregiving for children, partners and parents. That topic is definitely worthy of an essay!
Thank you for the Story Circle Network info! It looks like a worthwhile community. That you have pursued your creative life is wonderful. I have wondered about Substack. I have a WordPress blog which suffers from fits and starts of my posting on it. Substack seems much easier to deal with and more readily makes connection with readers. Currently, I am taking part in a ten month writing program called The Forge, https://www.theforgewriting.com, which has just begun and I am enjoying. Keeping our writing active and taking part in learning opportunities that fit us and our lives, as well as getting our writing out there as best we can is important. Thank you for this!
Hi Jenny: Story Circle Network is a wonderful organization filled with women writing about their lives. I never considered a memoir but SCN has changed that.
The Forge sounds like a wonderful opportunity. One thing I have learned is writers who teach well can have a profound impact on their students' writing development. I am already researching a second course in the winter from a different writer.
I can't say enough good things about Substack. As reader, I can spend hours reading such diversity of writing styles and am regularly inspired by what I am reading. The technology is incredibly easy to navigate. I don't want to spend my time learning any more complex technology. But it's the potential for community, feedback, and pleasant discussions that are key to my thinking and writing. I encourage anyone who has a desire to share their writing to start with Substack.
I was delighted to recognize your name as an attendee at SCN's virtual conference on Saturday, Sue. As a long time member (I joined in 2008) and board member of Story Circle Network I can testify to the many opportunities the organization offers to help women write their stories. And stay tuned. We'll be active here on Substack in the very near future.
This came at just the right time Sue! I was just doing a recording this AM while driving to work about creativity. How we're all innately born with it, but we lose it somewhere along the way. Thankfully, I feel like I'm finding mine again and I'm making it my mission to feed the grandboy's creativity as long as they'll let me.
As for my own creativity in this mid-to-latter part of life, I'm so very thankful to have found Janisse. I will forever credit her with putting me on this path. I look forward to having more time for writing endeavors if I ever make it to retirement, but I know I can't wait until then to get started. I journal every morning, usually that isn't enough time to get all the ideas out, so on the 20 minute commute to work I also do a voice recording of writing ideas and thoughts. I'm working on a memoir but progress is extremely slow. My hope is that once I have enough time, this flow I've tapped into will continue and I can pull all this stuff together into some semblance of sense and call it a book. lol
I'm looking forward to Janisse's Metaphor class coming up in November! And I'm looking forward to "elderhood" and glad you are forging the way with your beautiful words.
Congratulations upon the acceptance of your essay for publication, Sue!
After retirmement, I've jumped into writing, too. I have the same gremlins as you. I have read many books and posts and articles about the craft. One that sticks in my brain stems from the concept that to master a skill, one must put in something like 10,000 hours. The variant for writers goes something like this: We don't expect that a person can take up a piano and become a concert pianist within a year. We don't exect someone to take up baseball and make it to the big leagues a year after the first swing of the bat. So why should we, as writers, believe that we'll be masters of the craft in a year? 'Tis a journey of growth; stick-to-itness is one of the essential skills.
Now, if I can only find time to dig into that novel I started a few months ago...
Such a good point - good writing is a craft that requires practice and skill development and yet we expect to just produce high quality from the beginning. Lamott's book Bird by Bird helped me to understand that writing takes skill and time. thanks for commenting.
Thank you, Sue. I've found that since retirement, my best laid plans changed due to life events beyond my control. I'm learning to take each day with appreciation for family, friends, and the beautiful world around me, and to give myself grace if I don't "accomplish" as much as I'd like.
I don't have the drive or energy I had in my younger days and, as you know, have A LOT of garden work and other interests, so I don't see a big project like a book in my future. Essays are at the right level for this stage of my life. Thanks for commenting!
As always, I love the form and heart of your writing.
I noted the "be positive" advice about aging with a giggle... perhaps because I do everything backwards anyway. (I had the immense advantage of having the kind of disabling conditions starting in my teens that provided many of the experiences that some of us fear about aging. I got better, so I have the wonderful option now of not finding them as scary as I might (been there, done that, survived it and thrived. I also got the option (because I had to) of learning how to learn in a completely different way than I used to. (I'm not myself today, but apparently I'm me.)
In long: Rock on with your creative flow. If it's hard, give yourself cookies as a reward. Keep an eye out for when it's unexpectedly easy.
Here's a tahini zucchini candied ginger chocolate chip cookie to celebrate, either way.
Sue, I find that pursuing creative activities as I've gotten older has become essential; in a post-paid work life, without identity derived from profession, it seemed to be way too easy to let time expand into endless "to do" items, without the prompting the balance of creative practice that a more defined schedule required.
Writing and art are my primary practices; I've found it curious to have both been recently stuck more in production or lesson mode, which I don't find as satisfying. A finished book will be welcome; the final tasks to have it finished, well, tedious. And I'm not really sure I enjoy doing drawing "practice" with an artist friend's prompts, although I'm glad to see a better shape depiction develop as a consequence. So I've realized that blog posts "just for fun" need to be in the mix, too, as well as other things.
Yay for your participation in story circle and participation in Janisse's courses. All good things!
Thank you, Lisa. I agree that the production and learning aspects of creative processes are tedious. For me, it was learning software and apps; building a website was an awful experience, with many sighs and occasional cussing. I have abandoned most of the technology, using composition notebooks for journaling and note-taking. I appreciate the easy accessibility of Substack.
This is my first read in your Substack and I loved it. Lots of inspiration and encouragement here. Now that our four children are all grown and my husband is retired, I finally have the time and energy to dedicate to writing beyond the pages of my personal journals. Technology is a bit of a stumbling block for me, but I am an eager and willing learner and am fortunate to be living in a time when access to information, resources, and tools, plus plenty of tutorials, is widely available. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Thank you , Leenie! Technology can be a challenge and I don't want to calculate how much time I have invested in learning new technologies.
Women often are late bloomers because of their commitment to caregiving for children, partners and parents. That topic is definitely worthy of an essay!
Thank you for the Story Circle Network info! It looks like a worthwhile community. That you have pursued your creative life is wonderful. I have wondered about Substack. I have a WordPress blog which suffers from fits and starts of my posting on it. Substack seems much easier to deal with and more readily makes connection with readers. Currently, I am taking part in a ten month writing program called The Forge, https://www.theforgewriting.com, which has just begun and I am enjoying. Keeping our writing active and taking part in learning opportunities that fit us and our lives, as well as getting our writing out there as best we can is important. Thank you for this!
Hi Jenny: Story Circle Network is a wonderful organization filled with women writing about their lives. I never considered a memoir but SCN has changed that.
The Forge sounds like a wonderful opportunity. One thing I have learned is writers who teach well can have a profound impact on their students' writing development. I am already researching a second course in the winter from a different writer.
I can't say enough good things about Substack. As reader, I can spend hours reading such diversity of writing styles and am regularly inspired by what I am reading. The technology is incredibly easy to navigate. I don't want to spend my time learning any more complex technology. But it's the potential for community, feedback, and pleasant discussions that are key to my thinking and writing. I encourage anyone who has a desire to share their writing to start with Substack.
Wishing you a fruitful year of writing!
Thank you, Sue. I will look into writing on Substack.
I was delighted to recognize your name as an attendee at SCN's virtual conference on Saturday, Sue. As a long time member (I joined in 2008) and board member of Story Circle Network I can testify to the many opportunities the organization offers to help women write their stories. And stay tuned. We'll be active here on Substack in the very near future.
Hi Linda! The conference was great! And wonderful news about SCN joining Substack. thanks for commenting.
This came at just the right time Sue! I was just doing a recording this AM while driving to work about creativity. How we're all innately born with it, but we lose it somewhere along the way. Thankfully, I feel like I'm finding mine again and I'm making it my mission to feed the grandboy's creativity as long as they'll let me.
As for my own creativity in this mid-to-latter part of life, I'm so very thankful to have found Janisse. I will forever credit her with putting me on this path. I look forward to having more time for writing endeavors if I ever make it to retirement, but I know I can't wait until then to get started. I journal every morning, usually that isn't enough time to get all the ideas out, so on the 20 minute commute to work I also do a voice recording of writing ideas and thoughts. I'm working on a memoir but progress is extremely slow. My hope is that once I have enough time, this flow I've tapped into will continue and I can pull all this stuff together into some semblance of sense and call it a book. lol
I'm looking forward to Janisse's Metaphor class coming up in November! And I'm looking forward to "elderhood" and glad you are forging the way with your beautiful words.
You are on the path! Do check out Story Circle Network - they focus on storytelling and memoirs and offer affordable workshops and classes.
I am also registered for the Metaphor class. See you there!
Thanks for your kind words and taking the time to comment.
Congratulations upon the acceptance of your essay for publication, Sue!
After retirmement, I've jumped into writing, too. I have the same gremlins as you. I have read many books and posts and articles about the craft. One that sticks in my brain stems from the concept that to master a skill, one must put in something like 10,000 hours. The variant for writers goes something like this: We don't expect that a person can take up a piano and become a concert pianist within a year. We don't exect someone to take up baseball and make it to the big leagues a year after the first swing of the bat. So why should we, as writers, believe that we'll be masters of the craft in a year? 'Tis a journey of growth; stick-to-itness is one of the essential skills.
Now, if I can only find time to dig into that novel I started a few months ago...
Such a good point - good writing is a craft that requires practice and skill development and yet we expect to just produce high quality from the beginning. Lamott's book Bird by Bird helped me to understand that writing takes skill and time. thanks for commenting.
Thank you, Sue. I've found that since retirement, my best laid plans changed due to life events beyond my control. I'm learning to take each day with appreciation for family, friends, and the beautiful world around me, and to give myself grace if I don't "accomplish" as much as I'd like.
I don't have the drive or energy I had in my younger days and, as you know, have A LOT of garden work and other interests, so I don't see a big project like a book in my future. Essays are at the right level for this stage of my life. Thanks for commenting!
You inspire me and thank you.
Thank you, my friend!
As always, I love the form and heart of your writing.
I noted the "be positive" advice about aging with a giggle... perhaps because I do everything backwards anyway. (I had the immense advantage of having the kind of disabling conditions starting in my teens that provided many of the experiences that some of us fear about aging. I got better, so I have the wonderful option now of not finding them as scary as I might (been there, done that, survived it and thrived. I also got the option (because I had to) of learning how to learn in a completely different way than I used to. (I'm not myself today, but apparently I'm me.)
In long: Rock on with your creative flow. If it's hard, give yourself cookies as a reward. Keep an eye out for when it's unexpectedly easy.
Here's a tahini zucchini candied ginger chocolate chip cookie to celebrate, either way.
Vale!
Ummm...I want that cookie recipe!
I think we should discuss an interview for Fifteen Years and Counting. Your journey sounds powerful. If you are interested, message me.
Looks like my reply (cool, yeah!) didn't go through.
As far as cookie recipe... I'm going to see what I can get from the gremlin who magically drops off said cookies at my door when no one is looking.
Me too on that cookie please! Sounds like a wonderful reward! 🤗
Congratulations on your piece being accepted for publication!
Thank you, Sarah. I read your Sandhill essay this morning—now I want to visit it! Your observations are beautifully described.
Thank you! If you are ever out this way, it is definitely worth a visit, any time of year.
Sue, I find that pursuing creative activities as I've gotten older has become essential; in a post-paid work life, without identity derived from profession, it seemed to be way too easy to let time expand into endless "to do" items, without the prompting the balance of creative practice that a more defined schedule required.
Writing and art are my primary practices; I've found it curious to have both been recently stuck more in production or lesson mode, which I don't find as satisfying. A finished book will be welcome; the final tasks to have it finished, well, tedious. And I'm not really sure I enjoy doing drawing "practice" with an artist friend's prompts, although I'm glad to see a better shape depiction develop as a consequence. So I've realized that blog posts "just for fun" need to be in the mix, too, as well as other things.
Yay for your participation in story circle and participation in Janisse's courses. All good things!
Thank you, Lisa. I agree that the production and learning aspects of creative processes are tedious. For me, it was learning software and apps; building a website was an awful experience, with many sighs and occasional cussing. I have abandoned most of the technology, using composition notebooks for journaling and note-taking. I appreciate the easy accessibility of Substack.