What I know to true is when I start something I finish it.
What I know to be true is I love to write, and I absolutely can write this memoir.
What I know to be true is that I need to write early in the morning when I feel most creative.
What I know to be true is when I take the time to clear my mind to meditate before I write the words flow easier
What I know to be true is I need to police myself once I sit down to write I will set a timer for a designated time, and not move from my chair until I am finished.
What I know to be true is once I meditate before writing the words flow much better.
What I know to be true is that I have a story that is important to me and I’m going to tell it.
What I know to be true is that someone will pick up my book and read it and feel they can rise above many difficult obstacles and learn to move on.
Needed this today Brooke! I’m feeling stuck at the very end of my memoir, over thinking and doubting it all. I woke up this morning with that very thought...why continue?
I live our accountability group and I can’t wait to hear about the 2.0 version. Thank you for this encouragement!
I'm going to print this out and keep it on my desk for those times I sit down to write and just can't. I write one paragraph and critisize it and give up for all the reasons you mentioned. I look forward to seeing youn next Sunday evening. You always have great things to share.
Thank you, especially for the first case study. I'm currently writing my abortion story after trying to keep it a secret for over 50 years. My first book was a collection of personal essays in which I laid bare my racial conditioning - what I'd been taught to believe about being white. People often said I was brave to write that book and asked if I was afraid of what others might think of me once it was published. I did have moments of worry, but it wasn't enough to impede my writing. This book, however, is a whole different thing. I can get paralyzed if I start thinking about people's reactions to my story. The shame around abortion is so toxic, it can make a person physically ill. I know the story has to be written, and I'm committed to finishing it and getting it into the hands of the right publisher. But honestly, I'm emotionally exhausted at the end of each writing day. Without the encouragement of my fellow writers, I don't think I'd be able to stay the course.
Thanks for sharing this, Phyllis. I know it's true what you write about abortion, and why it's so important to do this kind of writing—to normalize our stories and release the shame for all of us. So glad you're doing it.
Another great article. What I know about my writing: If I just show up and sit at the desk and just start and be present the enjoyment will come despite all the resistance I was feeling before I started.
Thank you for this reminder and the question. What I know to be true is that I cannot write without deadlines. Even if they are arbitrary, based on a birthday or anniversary of some kind, they motivate me into getting the work done.
You have no idea how badly I needed to hear “comparison is the death of creativity” this morning. The timing is nothing short of divine. Thank you!
I'm so glad. I've suffered from this myself at times. It's not easy to cast aside, but you can!
What I know to true is when I start something I finish it.
What I know to be true is I love to write, and I absolutely can write this memoir.
What I know to be true is that I need to write early in the morning when I feel most creative.
What I know to be true is when I take the time to clear my mind to meditate before I write the words flow easier
What I know to be true is I need to police myself once I sit down to write I will set a timer for a designated time, and not move from my chair until I am finished.
What I know to be true is once I meditate before writing the words flow much better.
What I know to be true is that I have a story that is important to me and I’m going to tell it.
What I know to be true is that someone will pick up my book and read it and feel they can rise above many difficult obstacles and learn to move on.
Thank you. Love this list.
Needed this today Brooke! I’m feeling stuck at the very end of my memoir, over thinking and doubting it all. I woke up this morning with that very thought...why continue?
I live our accountability group and I can’t wait to hear about the 2.0 version. Thank you for this encouragement!
I'm going to print this out and keep it on my desk for those times I sit down to write and just can't. I write one paragraph and critisize it and give up for all the reasons you mentioned. I look forward to seeing youn next Sunday evening. You always have great things to share.
Thank you, Carla. I appreciate you coming to the Five Things class and I'll see you there!
Why bother indeed. Great title for a book 🤓❤️
And so inspiring! 😆😆
The booksellers actually did want me to change the title and I didn’t want to.. always wonder if I made a mistake.
Thank you, especially for the first case study. I'm currently writing my abortion story after trying to keep it a secret for over 50 years. My first book was a collection of personal essays in which I laid bare my racial conditioning - what I'd been taught to believe about being white. People often said I was brave to write that book and asked if I was afraid of what others might think of me once it was published. I did have moments of worry, but it wasn't enough to impede my writing. This book, however, is a whole different thing. I can get paralyzed if I start thinking about people's reactions to my story. The shame around abortion is so toxic, it can make a person physically ill. I know the story has to be written, and I'm committed to finishing it and getting it into the hands of the right publisher. But honestly, I'm emotionally exhausted at the end of each writing day. Without the encouragement of my fellow writers, I don't think I'd be able to stay the course.
Thanks for sharing this, Phyllis. I know it's true what you write about abortion, and why it's so important to do this kind of writing—to normalize our stories and release the shame for all of us. So glad you're doing it.
Yes! And I think this is true as well for many (most?) fiction writers. And even some writers of nonfiction (non-memoir).
Brilliant. What I know: I am doing what’s right for me. Perfection, shame, self-consciousness be damned.
Another great article. What I know about my writing: If I just show up and sit at the desk and just start and be present the enjoyment will come despite all the resistance I was feeling before I started.
Love it!
What I know to be true: nobody is going to make my writing dream come true, but me.
Yes--truth!
Love this!
I love this! Thank you ❤️
Thank you for this reminder and the question. What I know to be true is that I cannot write without deadlines. Even if they are arbitrary, based on a birthday or anniversary of some kind, they motivate me into getting the work done.
I needed to read this today! Thank you!