I keep a small notebook and pen in my pocket whenever I'm in a "wasted years" season. I try to remember to record random thoughts for story, dialog, character, essays, whatever occurs to me. They are mismatched bits, but they help me to feel like I'm still progressing, even if I don't have time to develop the ideas right now. I may never get back to these ideas, but something about writing them down helps me.
Jaclyn, this is such a valuable practice. A wonderful way to stay in touch with your writing self when it's not the season for churning out content. Most importantly, doing this helps us to keep noticing things! Thanks for mentioning that here.
"The reward is the work". Yes!! I love this so much. I have experienced the shift in creating for the joy of creating,--regardless of what accolades (or not) come in the aftermath of the release. The work is generative, and when we can play and enjoy the freedom of that invitation, the work becomes something more--something transcendent.
To answer your question though - it's honestly taken a lot of therapy to deal with the wasted years. Ha. I'm sure you meant just "wasted" in writing, but I think the same thought can apply to life. There's definitely truth to the idea that we grow through the rough patches and the plain.
Thank you to both you and Maile for your continued encouragement to writers. How wonderful to see your audience grow!
On the not writing piece I know that my creativity and my ability to think in general or greatly affected by the pandemic lockdown starting in March 2020 here on the West coast. It lasted a good long while, and I've noticed my creativity returning. I did release a new book of poetry late last summer, by the grace of God, but I think it was only because I was able to cut and paste what I already had created. If that makes any sense. Taking time to pause and notice and rest and listen are just now coming back to me.
Thanks for sharing your journey, Jody. I know a lot of people (including myself) who found those years creatively paralyzing. Glad to hear your returning to noticing and listening.
Thanks for these reminders and encouragements, Shawn! I have struggled the past couple of years over my inability to write. At first I thought I was just tired of it after finishing the novel, and then I literally couldn’t access it inside myself. There are a variety of reasons for that I think—lack of time, lack of internal resources, grief, and psychological and psychiatric factors—but it’s all boiled down to second guessing myself on a lot of levels. These reminders are precious. And I can sense the desire to write reviving in me and know that I’ll get back to it when the time is right. I’m hopeful that will be sooner rather than later.
Hang in there, Amber, and just be faithful to the small nudges that bring you back to writing. As long as you do that, the writing will happen when it should.
I didn’t start really writing until my late thirties and feel glad about it. The longer you live the richer stories you can tell. It makes me not fear aging.
I keep a small notebook and pen in my pocket whenever I'm in a "wasted years" season. I try to remember to record random thoughts for story, dialog, character, essays, whatever occurs to me. They are mismatched bits, but they help me to feel like I'm still progressing, even if I don't have time to develop the ideas right now. I may never get back to these ideas, but something about writing them down helps me.
Jaclyn, this is such a valuable practice. A wonderful way to stay in touch with your writing self when it's not the season for churning out content. Most importantly, doing this helps us to keep noticing things! Thanks for mentioning that here.
I love coming here. Thank you for sharing this. "There are no wasted years."
Thanks for stopping by. :)
"The reward is the work". Yes!! I love this so much. I have experienced the shift in creating for the joy of creating,--regardless of what accolades (or not) come in the aftermath of the release. The work is generative, and when we can play and enjoy the freedom of that invitation, the work becomes something more--something transcendent.
Yes!
Great post.
To answer your question though - it's honestly taken a lot of therapy to deal with the wasted years. Ha. I'm sure you meant just "wasted" in writing, but I think the same thought can apply to life. There's definitely truth to the idea that we grow through the rough patches and the plain.
I hear you, Brooke. And yeah, great point about the years that feel just sort of wasted in general. That's tough.
Thank you to both you and Maile for your continued encouragement to writers. How wonderful to see your audience grow!
On the not writing piece I know that my creativity and my ability to think in general or greatly affected by the pandemic lockdown starting in March 2020 here on the West coast. It lasted a good long while, and I've noticed my creativity returning. I did release a new book of poetry late last summer, by the grace of God, but I think it was only because I was able to cut and paste what I already had created. If that makes any sense. Taking time to pause and notice and rest and listen are just now coming back to me.
Best wishes on the new podcast.
Thanks for sharing your journey, Jody. I know a lot of people (including myself) who found those years creatively paralyzing. Glad to hear your returning to noticing and listening.
Thanks for these reminders and encouragements, Shawn! I have struggled the past couple of years over my inability to write. At first I thought I was just tired of it after finishing the novel, and then I literally couldn’t access it inside myself. There are a variety of reasons for that I think—lack of time, lack of internal resources, grief, and psychological and psychiatric factors—but it’s all boiled down to second guessing myself on a lot of levels. These reminders are precious. And I can sense the desire to write reviving in me and know that I’ll get back to it when the time is right. I’m hopeful that will be sooner rather than later.
Hang in there, Amber, and just be faithful to the small nudges that bring you back to writing. As long as you do that, the writing will happen when it should.
Thanks, Shawn!
I always find such encouragement in your words. Thank you.
Thanks, Abby. I'm so glad we're still in touch after all these years! I appreciate your encouragement.
I'm glad too :)
I didn’t start really writing until my late thirties and feel glad about it. The longer you live the richer stories you can tell. It makes me not fear aging.
Been in a writing dry season and it’s so good to hear the time is not wasted.
Lots of grace and gratefulness, that's for sure.