I’ve followed and admired your writing for probably a decade, as far back as your move to the basement. But it has never been so good as it has of late. I quit writing about 8 years ago… not sure why. Words just fizzled out although the observing never stopped. Somewhere around then I picked up a paintbrush instead. Life has taken some strange twists and turns since then. Some deep joys. Some unbelievable sadness. I can only hope I’m sowing seeds. The thing about seeds is we may or may not see the harvest, right? But still we sow. And knowing that—as you point out—gives me hope.
I also once measured my life in 1,000 words, and then realized how burned out I had become (Anabaptist heritage here, too, ha). My writing has slowed considerably these last few years, but I enjoy it—and my children, my husband, my life—so much more. I really hope never to fall beneath an endless deadline again.
they have moved out of 'the boys room' and are off at school starting their adult lives now, the last one just this year. I've unofficially moved in, setup my laptop on the formerly used for homework desk and written a couple poems. I'm sure one day we'll move the Legos out and paint the walls. but after reading and reflecting on these words of yours, I feel like swapping out the superman and star wars (etc) posters with prints of Van Gogh's various sower paintings.
"I now think that, generally speaking, we are all doing the best we can with the situations we’ve been given. Maybe someday I’ll look back on that sentiment and laugh, too. Who knows." Oh so good. And also Van Gogh. I just wrote about him today too. There must be something in the air. Always thankful for your words, Shawn!
Yes, yes, yes! During my writer's retreat, friends graciously admonished me that my daily writing goals were too big, which was the main reason I wasn't meeting them at all (because if I can't get to X-number of words, why bother at all? —so went my thinking...). I've now adjusted my "goal" to a mere 300 words a day OR 1,500 words a week — painfully, ridiculously easy for me right now — et voila!. I'm writing again. Seed-sowing indeed.
Definitely. I have actually fallen in love with the "micro" daily goals of a few hundred words. Maile read in one of Kate DiCamillo's bios at the back of one of her books that she lives in such-and-such where she faithfully writes 200 words a day. C'mon! 200 words a day! Gah...now I'm off to write my 200 words...
I appreciate the image of a work marinating. Living with a story and characters for a long while has been how writing has worked for me. One of the things I love about it is how God opens new ideas and storylines wishing my WIP as I encounter things in my day to day experiences and reading. It sounds like that’s how this book is working for you.
Casting seeds sounds like encouragement to carry on - even if the seed may fall on hard ground and never grow. Keep writing anyway. Good for me to remember to keep going.
I do believe I saw this painting on person in 2022 at the Detroit Institute of Arts. I am so happy to hear of your progress on that novel. And of the way you are progressing. Keep walking. Keep sowing.
You have such a unique voice, Shawna! Thanks for writing. Have you ever read A Lust for Life? It's a creative nonfiction about Van Gogh's life based on the letters he and his brother wrote to each other. Highly recommend if you enjoy Van Gogh stories.
I’m really curious and excited about this new novel, Shawn. Thanks for the peek into your process—I take it as permission to keep plugging away on the big projects, even if I go a week without touching it.
And wow, thanks for the surprise blessing of being mentioned among these fine writers! You are generous and I appreciate the encouragement.
I'm so glad you're writing again. And writing as you're led/want to. What you described here is similar to the writing pattern I've found myself in in lately.
Last month, I read, Becca Syme's Dear Writer, Are You Intuitive? There was nothing groundbreaking about her content, but it was so affirming of intuitive writers. For years, I tried (failed and felt horribly guilty) to do the write everyday/write 1,000 words every weekday type thing. I tried to make myself outline in detail before writing anything. The end result was I lost my joy in writing and felt like I was a terrible writer. Yet I'd written SO MUCH in high school when I'd just let myself write when the muse hit.
Recently, I tried giving myself the freedom to write when I wanted to rather than forcing it and I've written 10,000 words in the past week and a half--more than I've written at one time in a couple of years. Doing this, I figured out that I'm a discovery writer. If I plot it all out in advance, I get bored and don't end up writing or writing very well. I like to figure out the story as a write. And I'm learning to trust my intuition on this. I do need to know my characters in advance and a couple of plot/tension points and then let it all marinate while I'm doing life. Then jump on the creative urge when it strikes. And yeah, like you said, I find myself living in the story constantly while I'm doing normal life which actually leads me to scribble stuff down in the margins of homeschooling, carpooling kids to activities, doing dishes, etc.
I have NO idea whether this is sustainable in the long-run or can fit with traditional publishing, but it is how I'm able to write right now. That's not to say scheduled writing with word goals and detailed outlines are wrong--not at all! They just were not the right fit for me.
Sounds like you're finding your process, which is so important for each of us. Keep going, Abigail, and try not to worry about the big picture questions, at least for now.
Thank you for all of these reminders, Shawn! They are speaking right to where I am today. I’m working on an essay collection from essays I’ve written slowly over the last five years. The slow writing mindset doesn’t always translate to the writing I do in this space, but I’m trying to incorporate them and find the threads.
Now I’m looking at this poem with fresh eyes offline, inviting readers to give me feedback in a writing group, letting it sit with the essays I’ve accumulated and discovering that there’s space to revise and invite it into the collection to tell a missing part of the story.
I’ve followed and admired your writing for probably a decade, as far back as your move to the basement. But it has never been so good as it has of late. I quit writing about 8 years ago… not sure why. Words just fizzled out although the observing never stopped. Somewhere around then I picked up a paintbrush instead. Life has taken some strange twists and turns since then. Some deep joys. Some unbelievable sadness. I can only hope I’m sowing seeds. The thing about seeds is we may or may not see the harvest, right? But still we sow. And knowing that—as you point out—gives me hope.
That's very kind of you to say, Dianne. Thank you. And yes . . . "but still we sow." Well said.
I also once measured my life in 1,000 words, and then realized how burned out I had become (Anabaptist heritage here, too, ha). My writing has slowed considerably these last few years, but I enjoy it—and my children, my husband, my life—so much more. I really hope never to fall beneath an endless deadline again.
I hear you, Jolina.
This feels like grace. Thank you.
Thanks for reading, Kelly.
Annelise Roberts not-writing posts, esp. this one.... well, they're all stellar
https://anneliseroberts.substack.com/p/i-cant-write?publication_id=900583&post_id=141713632&isFreemail=false&r=2retg
...
And kudos to you for reminding writers everywhere about the long game--your recalibration/reframing perspective is so necessary, Shawn.
Yes. The loooooooong game :)
they have moved out of 'the boys room' and are off at school starting their adult lives now, the last one just this year. I've unofficially moved in, setup my laptop on the formerly used for homework desk and written a couple poems. I'm sure one day we'll move the Legos out and paint the walls. but after reading and reflecting on these words of yours, I feel like swapping out the superman and star wars (etc) posters with prints of Van Gogh's various sower paintings.
Goodness, that Lego comment nearly brought tears to my eyes.
"I now think that, generally speaking, we are all doing the best we can with the situations we’ve been given. Maybe someday I’ll look back on that sentiment and laugh, too. Who knows." Oh so good. And also Van Gogh. I just wrote about him today too. There must be something in the air. Always thankful for your words, Shawn!
Yes! Van Gogh is in the air. Thank you, Andrea.
Slow plodding is okay... grace and peace to you...
Thanks, Ryan. And also to you.
Yes, yes, yes! During my writer's retreat, friends graciously admonished me that my daily writing goals were too big, which was the main reason I wasn't meeting them at all (because if I can't get to X-number of words, why bother at all? —so went my thinking...). I've now adjusted my "goal" to a mere 300 words a day OR 1,500 words a week — painfully, ridiculously easy for me right now — et voila!. I'm writing again. Seed-sowing indeed.
Definitely. I have actually fallen in love with the "micro" daily goals of a few hundred words. Maile read in one of Kate DiCamillo's bios at the back of one of her books that she lives in such-and-such where she faithfully writes 200 words a day. C'mon! 200 words a day! Gah...now I'm off to write my 200 words...
Yes! That's the equivalent of a social media post or a text. WE CAN DO THIS.
I appreciate the image of a work marinating. Living with a story and characters for a long while has been how writing has worked for me. One of the things I love about it is how God opens new ideas and storylines wishing my WIP as I encounter things in my day to day experiences and reading. It sounds like that’s how this book is working for you.
Yes! I think you're right. Living with our characters is so important. Giving them time to round out.
Casting seeds sounds like encouragement to carry on - even if the seed may fall on hard ground and never grow. Keep writing anyway. Good for me to remember to keep going.
Yes! Good point. We have such little control over what grows from the seeds we cast. But we can still keep going, keep writing.
I do believe I saw this painting on person in 2022 at the Detroit Institute of Arts. I am so happy to hear of your progress on that novel. And of the way you are progressing. Keep walking. Keep sowing.
Oh, I'm jealous! That would be so cool. And thanks for the encouragement, Erin. Congrats on your new book release!
Thanks, Shawn!
You're so kind to recommend me, Shawn. Also, I love Van Gogh lore.
You have such a unique voice, Shawna! Thanks for writing. Have you ever read A Lust for Life? It's a creative nonfiction about Van Gogh's life based on the letters he and his brother wrote to each other. Highly recommend if you enjoy Van Gogh stories.
I haven't! I'll have to find it.
I’m really curious and excited about this new novel, Shawn. Thanks for the peek into your process—I take it as permission to keep plugging away on the big projects, even if I go a week without touching it.
And wow, thanks for the surprise blessing of being mentioned among these fine writers! You are generous and I appreciate the encouragement.
The third space stuff really resonates with me, Tresta, so thanks for writing about it. Keep going.
Sounds like wisdom is guiding your process, Shawn! And "those who hold her [wisdom] fast will be blessed" (Proverbs 3:18b).
I hope so, Nancy! Thanks for the encouragement.
I'm so glad you're writing again. And writing as you're led/want to. What you described here is similar to the writing pattern I've found myself in in lately.
Last month, I read, Becca Syme's Dear Writer, Are You Intuitive? There was nothing groundbreaking about her content, but it was so affirming of intuitive writers. For years, I tried (failed and felt horribly guilty) to do the write everyday/write 1,000 words every weekday type thing. I tried to make myself outline in detail before writing anything. The end result was I lost my joy in writing and felt like I was a terrible writer. Yet I'd written SO MUCH in high school when I'd just let myself write when the muse hit.
Recently, I tried giving myself the freedom to write when I wanted to rather than forcing it and I've written 10,000 words in the past week and a half--more than I've written at one time in a couple of years. Doing this, I figured out that I'm a discovery writer. If I plot it all out in advance, I get bored and don't end up writing or writing very well. I like to figure out the story as a write. And I'm learning to trust my intuition on this. I do need to know my characters in advance and a couple of plot/tension points and then let it all marinate while I'm doing life. Then jump on the creative urge when it strikes. And yeah, like you said, I find myself living in the story constantly while I'm doing normal life which actually leads me to scribble stuff down in the margins of homeschooling, carpooling kids to activities, doing dishes, etc.
I have NO idea whether this is sustainable in the long-run or can fit with traditional publishing, but it is how I'm able to write right now. That's not to say scheduled writing with word goals and detailed outlines are wrong--not at all! They just were not the right fit for me.
Sounds like you're finding your process, which is so important for each of us. Keep going, Abigail, and try not to worry about the big picture questions, at least for now.
Thank you for all of these reminders, Shawn! They are speaking right to where I am today. I’m working on an essay collection from essays I’ve written slowly over the last five years. The slow writing mindset doesn’t always translate to the writing I do in this space, but I’m trying to incorporate them and find the threads.
On a snow day, I wrote a poem that I included in this post: https://stuffmomsgoogle.substack.com/p/how-to-make-a-snow-day-magical
Now I’m looking at this poem with fresh eyes offline, inviting readers to give me feedback in a writing group, letting it sit with the essays I’ve accumulated and discovering that there’s space to revise and invite it into the collection to tell a missing part of the story.
How exciting, Ashley! I'll check it out. Thanks for reading (and sharing).