Lucky me. All I want to do is write. Uncomplicated. No systems, no scary jargon and if it comes up, I ignore it. Only problem comes when suddenly nothing catches my wandering eye. I realize this post is not for me, but you make me realize how lucky I sm.
Thank you. I appreciate everything you write. I don't know if anyone younger than 50 wants to read this. It starts to make more sense to those who have seen and done everything, and still have some of their best writing ahead. Writing systems. Health systems. Relationship systems. Ah ha... and that all connects to amplify talent when time seems shorter.
I adore your posts and context. Substack as the new Tupperware party. EXACTLY! I love that you share my irritation with "Five Ways to Do X", which is call Listicle Porn. What a waste of a valuable life to never design your own path, right?
Georgia, a key essay here on how we think. As an e.g. to perhaps add to what you've so well-stated, when doing creative work, it's key to keep the "editing mind" at bay: That's how invention happens--and we're often surprise by the words "don't think" -- not fully understanding how "flow" operates. I talk about this extensively in the course on my site "Write it!" and when I teach creative writing--and, yes, once we let go of certain ways of thinking, creativity can be released by the mentor or teacher ... xx Hoping to hear more from you. ~ Mary
Correct Mary. It's a fact. It's biology. The part of our brain that writes is on the other side of the head from the brain part that edits. Once you give nature her due, you learn how to write fast, brilliantly and with plenty of mistakes and misspelling. You learn that nobody is watching you make a mess. Oh, one more gem. If you learn practical procrastination, you separate writing from editing by at least a day. The subconscious will dazzle and amaze you if you ever let it do what it was built for. People who try to write and edit at the same time create such a storm, clash, and exhaustion in their brain. Ouch!
Lucky me. All I want to do is write. Uncomplicated. No systems, no scary jargon and if it comes up, I ignore it. Only problem comes when suddenly nothing catches my wandering eye. I realize this post is not for me, but you make me realize how lucky I sm.
Thank you. I appreciate everything you write. I don't know if anyone younger than 50 wants to read this. It starts to make more sense to those who have seen and done everything, and still have some of their best writing ahead. Writing systems. Health systems. Relationship systems. Ah ha... and that all connects to amplify talent when time seems shorter.
You are a unique, powerful, and delightful voice, Abigail.
Great piece, Georgia. And it explains why every post that begins “five ways to do X” will always be 80% wrong.
I adore your posts and context. Substack as the new Tupperware party. EXACTLY! I love that you share my irritation with "Five Ways to Do X", which is call Listicle Porn. What a waste of a valuable life to never design your own path, right?
Dense and provocative. Takes a second careful reading to absorb the subtleties.
Georgia, a key essay here on how we think. As an e.g. to perhaps add to what you've so well-stated, when doing creative work, it's key to keep the "editing mind" at bay: That's how invention happens--and we're often surprise by the words "don't think" -- not fully understanding how "flow" operates. I talk about this extensively in the course on my site "Write it!" and when I teach creative writing--and, yes, once we let go of certain ways of thinking, creativity can be released by the mentor or teacher ... xx Hoping to hear more from you. ~ Mary
Correct Mary. It's a fact. It's biology. The part of our brain that writes is on the other side of the head from the brain part that edits. Once you give nature her due, you learn how to write fast, brilliantly and with plenty of mistakes and misspelling. You learn that nobody is watching you make a mess. Oh, one more gem. If you learn practical procrastination, you separate writing from editing by at least a day. The subconscious will dazzle and amaze you if you ever let it do what it was built for. People who try to write and edit at the same time create such a storm, clash, and exhaustion in their brain. Ouch!
Totally agree💞