So many creative artists were relatively unknown when they died, yet today they are revered. This is true in music as well as literature.
Thank you for the reminder about those who "kept writing when no one was listening." Thanks also for mentioning Emily Dickinson, who published -- anonymously -- only ten out of her nearly 1,800 poems. She, too, kept writing, even though no one was reading...
Truly amazing output. I often think about artists who got no to little recognition before they died—Kahlo, Van Gogh, and others—and what they'd make of their modern pop culture fame.
Right on the mark for me. I wake up almost every day since my debut novel fell relatively flat and struggle to wonder why I even try if no one is listening. Oh, yeah, it's because I can't not write. It's my soul. So, I keep getting up every day and writing new things, imagining new stories. Maybe, someday, people will love it. But, I will always love it, because it is who I am. Thank you.
Love this, Brooke. Love Mark Nepo's "writing when no one is listening," which every writer needs to ponder (I think it can be a source of strength, or more strength than writing for outcomes, because to write when no one is listening attunes you to writing for yourself.
Wonderful post. I loved that Daily episode. I was weeping along with the reporter at the end. The advice that I took from that episode is one that all great writing instructors (like you!) give to their students (like me😉): Be specific. Specificity -according to this reporter who had thought deeply about the music--is what makes Taylor’s songs so universal and profound.
I'm so pleased to be able to read all you've been writing here. I feel I'm finally beginning to know who you are. I truly felt this one. I wrote three different stories the past fifteen years, and only decided to try to publish a few years ago. Writing has been my escape and joy. The same as music and experiencing wilderness. All three are a way of dealing with childhood trauma. Thank you.
I loved this . Especially about visiting a place in the past and not necessarily being ready to leave it when the session is over . And every time I do need to be reminded that our words do matter . That being a memoirist is not self indulgent . Thank you for that encouragement and validation. I am sure I would not be writing right now if it weren’t for you .
I don’t know much about Taylor Swift and am inspired to listen to her . Right now I am being inspired by Julie Louis Dreyfus podcasts Make Me Wiser as she interviews older women. The wisdom they are sharing has just been mind blowing .
I am Inspired by SO many writers, but lately it’s been Melissa Febos and Megan Falley (along with many already mentioned) as well as Roxanne Gay, Ross Gay, Jeannine Ouellette, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, and James Crews.
I needed to read this today, thank you for your wise words Brooke and everyone else's in the comments. For memoir inspiration, Glennon Doyle of course, and Kerri ní Dochartaigh. For storytelling, specificity and crying-laughing, comedian Hannah Gadsby's show Nanette. In music, the incomparable Sinéad O'Connor, for doing the work that needed to be done and for keeping at it when no-one wanted to listen.
So many creative artists were relatively unknown when they died, yet today they are revered. This is true in music as well as literature.
Thank you for the reminder about those who "kept writing when no one was listening." Thanks also for mentioning Emily Dickinson, who published -- anonymously -- only ten out of her nearly 1,800 poems. She, too, kept writing, even though no one was reading...
Truly amazing output. I often think about artists who got no to little recognition before they died—Kahlo, Van Gogh, and others—and what they'd make of their modern pop culture fame.
Right on the mark for me. I wake up almost every day since my debut novel fell relatively flat and struggle to wonder why I even try if no one is listening. Oh, yeah, it's because I can't not write. It's my soul. So, I keep getting up every day and writing new things, imagining new stories. Maybe, someday, people will love it. But, I will always love it, because it is who I am. Thank you.
Amen!
Love this, Brooke. Love Mark Nepo's "writing when no one is listening," which every writer needs to ponder (I think it can be a source of strength, or more strength than writing for outcomes, because to write when no one is listening attunes you to writing for yourself.
Wonderful post. I loved that Daily episode. I was weeping along with the reporter at the end. The advice that I took from that episode is one that all great writing instructors (like you!) give to their students (like me😉): Be specific. Specificity -according to this reporter who had thought deeply about the music--is what makes Taylor’s songs so universal and profound.
She’s writing well -crafted memoir...
I had that exact same thought -- it was so well said!
Such an important and appreciated post. And here's Aimee Mann's Six-Word Memoir: "Couldn't cope so I wrote songs."
Do you memorize all these amazing 6-word memoirs? I feel like I'd be hard-pressed to name someone you don't have. :) Thanks, Larry!
I have a shocking number of Sixes in my head...especially the most elegant ones.
I'm so pleased to be able to read all you've been writing here. I feel I'm finally beginning to know who you are. I truly felt this one. I wrote three different stories the past fifteen years, and only decided to try to publish a few years ago. Writing has been my escape and joy. The same as music and experiencing wilderness. All three are a way of dealing with childhood trauma. Thank you.
Thank you, Karen!
I loved this . Especially about visiting a place in the past and not necessarily being ready to leave it when the session is over . And every time I do need to be reminded that our words do matter . That being a memoirist is not self indulgent . Thank you for that encouragement and validation. I am sure I would not be writing right now if it weren’t for you .
I don’t know much about Taylor Swift and am inspired to listen to her . Right now I am being inspired by Julie Louis Dreyfus podcasts Make Me Wiser as she interviews older women. The wisdom they are sharing has just been mind blowing .
I love love love this. I loved it from the moment I read the title.
Brooke--loved every word of this. Thank you.
xcj
Thank you for subscribing and reading, Carol. Means a lot to me!
Mary Oliver always.
The novel The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold, is an inspiring story about the courage to die to self in order to truly live.
Thanks for the suggestion!
I am Inspired by SO many writers, but lately it’s been Melissa Febos and Megan Falley (along with many already mentioned) as well as Roxanne Gay, Ross Gay, Jeannine Ouellette, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, and James Crews.
I needed to read this today, thank you for your wise words Brooke and everyone else's in the comments. For memoir inspiration, Glennon Doyle of course, and Kerri ní Dochartaigh. For storytelling, specificity and crying-laughing, comedian Hannah Gadsby's show Nanette. In music, the incomparable Sinéad O'Connor, for doing the work that needed to be done and for keeping at it when no-one wanted to listen.
Just what I needed to read! Thank you
This was such a lovely read!
Thanks for reading!
I'll come back to this again and again. Wonderful words in both the post and the notes of others.
Such a kind note. Thank you!