Ahh! So much here to love! Urgent with velocity—that’s everything. But also your, “Stop it” to which I say, “Okay! I’ll try!”. One thing this made me think about is our (writers) tendencies to have epiphanies. How wonderful to have a moment when we figure something out (plot or practice). But like true beginners, that is so often replaced by a new epiphany. And if the old (discarded? Forgotten?) one is quoted back, we might deny ever having had it. What a riot! Best to try and enjoy the ride when possible! 💞
I really appreciate your perspective, always, and this time especially. I think I ruin some of my writing in second and third and fourth drafts by making it writerly, losing the original inspiration while making it technically better. I have taken endless workshops, completed an MFA series of fiction writing classes, I have it DOWN. I listened to suggestions from editors and agents and changed things. The original vision only gets farther away. I woke up today. Thank you.
I love your thoughts, Alice! I’m working on something right now that I started 17 years ago when I first started to write. I know I’ve been trying to protect something within the manuscript and you’ve labelled it! Another review is called for, this time with an eye peeled for those attributes you list. Thank you!!!
I cannot say enough how much I love this. On all levels. The personal storytelling. The literary insight. The easy transition toward the world of us. The idea that we could welcome the sunrise and begin again.
I’ve just recently learned about the beginners mind, and now I read this. The universe really can give us what we need to hear/understand exactly when we need it. Thank you for this.
"Knowing when to stop is as important as starting without prejudice. When did you stop coloring when you were eight? Get back in touch with that wisdom." Thank you. Alice. My writing desk is most alive when my inner 8-year-old holds the crayons. I appreciate the encouragement to let her do her thing.
Ahh! So much here to love! Urgent with velocity—that’s everything. But also your, “Stop it” to which I say, “Okay! I’ll try!”. One thing this made me think about is our (writers) tendencies to have epiphanies. How wonderful to have a moment when we figure something out (plot or practice). But like true beginners, that is so often replaced by a new epiphany. And if the old (discarded? Forgotten?) one is quoted back, we might deny ever having had it. What a riot! Best to try and enjoy the ride when possible! 💞
Just beautiful, timely, real and right. Incredibly large and generous of you, not least. Thank you.
I love this so much—this is what I needed to hear today. Going to reread it first thing tomorrow morning.
I really appreciate your perspective, always, and this time especially. I think I ruin some of my writing in second and third and fourth drafts by making it writerly, losing the original inspiration while making it technically better. I have taken endless workshops, completed an MFA series of fiction writing classes, I have it DOWN. I listened to suggestions from editors and agents and changed things. The original vision only gets farther away. I woke up today. Thank you.
I needed to hear every sentence of this 🙏
What a great post, Alice! Thank you.
I love your thoughts, Alice! I’m working on something right now that I started 17 years ago when I first started to write. I know I’ve been trying to protect something within the manuscript and you’ve labelled it! Another review is called for, this time with an eye peeled for those attributes you list. Thank you!!!
I cannot say enough how much I love this. On all levels. The personal storytelling. The literary insight. The easy transition toward the world of us. The idea that we could welcome the sunrise and begin again.
I’ve just recently learned about the beginners mind, and now I read this. The universe really can give us what we need to hear/understand exactly when we need it. Thank you for this.
Thank you Alice
Thanks for this post!
Thanks Alice. Trying to drop the scales from my eyes...
Thank you. Much needed shift in perspective.🤗
A friend pointed me to this great song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69XtYyEj0X8
Thank you for this and everything , Alice.
"Knowing when to stop is as important as starting without prejudice. When did you stop coloring when you were eight? Get back in touch with that wisdom." Thank you. Alice. My writing desk is most alive when my inner 8-year-old holds the crayons. I appreciate the encouragement to let her do her thing.