@DonBoivin was the perfect writer to start your series with. Thanks for sharing his insights with us...I especially loved seeing his journal note which led to one of his popular posts. I look forward to the next monthly installment, Amanda.
Truly, wonderful! Thank you Amanda for your skill and energy to highlight other writers—that is such an unselfish act in this age of “self-promotion.” And Don…I learned more about you as you reflected upon Amanda’s questions; thank you as well for your authenticity.
It's certainly interesting digging into what makes a writer tick and what makes their writing different than others. Don adds an interesting twist to Mary Oliver's succinct advice -"Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell others about it."
As I understand it, he recommends we let readers know what it was in us that got us to end up in that "place" in life where we make the observations. Good advice - Thanks for sharing.
Don, I am SO grateful to have found you. Your writing is transformative. That Emily Dickenson quote and your writing, as it so often does, took my breath away. I learned so much from this mindful interview. Thank you so much and thank you Amanda, this series is going to be phenomenal!
Thank you Amanda and Don for this inspiring and helpful interview. It’s always such a joy to read about other writers’ processes, especially ones I admire like Don (I’ve just discovered your Substack thanks to this Amanda!). There’s also a lot here that’s actionable, and I really like Don’s response about mindful writing. What resonated with me most, though, was the part of the interview where Don addresses fear: “Well, I understand now, after some years of reflection, that if I don’t finish the book, if I never show it to the world, I won’t have to face the possible rejection. Or, almost as bad, I won’t have to risk learning that my novel is mediocre at best. Right now, my view of the book is that it is unique, engaging, and fun. It is the book I would have read and enjoyed when I was twelve years old. And I know now that I am attached to that view and don’t want to risk giving it up.” I relate to this so deeply: being attached to a view of my writing and therefore unwilling to risk its integrity by sharing it with an audience. Anyway, sorry for the long comment 😅. Thanks again to both of you.
Amanda, thank you for this interview with my twin. I so enjoyed the entire interview. It's 4:52 am and I'm wide awake after reading this.! My ideas now are swirling through my mind like a twister! I've always enjoyyed reading everything my brother writes. His interesting , enjoyable work always gives my mind so much more to contemplate, gives me so pleasure, and I couldn't be more proud of him. Thank you!
Thank you, Don, for sharing your wisdom. I love your mission statement - "Any writing I do, in Substack or elsewhere, must be infused with self, with love, with integrity. It must be honest—it must be my truth. It must not be arrogant. In other words, it must contain within its heart the understanding that all humans suffer." @Don Boivin is one of the most generous writers/readers here on Substack, so encouraging and supportive of other writers, even a newbie like me. If it weren't for Don (and a few other kind souls - @Perry J Greenbaum, @Thomas Kuegler), I might have gotten discouraged within a few weeks.
What a great interview! I’ve been looking forward to the start of this series with a couple writers I admire - I was not disappointed! ✨
Great start to your series Amanda. Don is a fascinating individual with a lot of stories to share. I look forward to future interviews.
@DonBoivin was the perfect writer to start your series with. Thanks for sharing his insights with us...I especially loved seeing his journal note which led to one of his popular posts. I look forward to the next monthly installment, Amanda.
I enjoyed this interview. Bravo to you, Amanda! Bravo @DonBoivin! (although I know you're not looking for Bravos 😉)
Thanks for the inspiration.
A wonderful interview. Art and writing in general is the doorway to the soul.
Truly, wonderful! Thank you Amanda for your skill and energy to highlight other writers—that is such an unselfish act in this age of “self-promotion.” And Don…I learned more about you as you reflected upon Amanda’s questions; thank you as well for your authenticity.
It's certainly interesting digging into what makes a writer tick and what makes their writing different than others. Don adds an interesting twist to Mary Oliver's succinct advice -"Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell others about it."
As I understand it, he recommends we let readers know what it was in us that got us to end up in that "place" in life where we make the observations. Good advice - Thanks for sharing.
Don, I am SO grateful to have found you. Your writing is transformative. That Emily Dickenson quote and your writing, as it so often does, took my breath away. I learned so much from this mindful interview. Thank you so much and thank you Amanda, this series is going to be phenomenal!
Excellent!
Thank you Amanda and Don for this inspiring and helpful interview. It’s always such a joy to read about other writers’ processes, especially ones I admire like Don (I’ve just discovered your Substack thanks to this Amanda!). There’s also a lot here that’s actionable, and I really like Don’s response about mindful writing. What resonated with me most, though, was the part of the interview where Don addresses fear: “Well, I understand now, after some years of reflection, that if I don’t finish the book, if I never show it to the world, I won’t have to face the possible rejection. Or, almost as bad, I won’t have to risk learning that my novel is mediocre at best. Right now, my view of the book is that it is unique, engaging, and fun. It is the book I would have read and enjoyed when I was twelve years old. And I know now that I am attached to that view and don’t want to risk giving it up.” I relate to this so deeply: being attached to a view of my writing and therefore unwilling to risk its integrity by sharing it with an audience. Anyway, sorry for the long comment 😅. Thanks again to both of you.
Amanda, thank you for this interview with my twin. I so enjoyed the entire interview. It's 4:52 am and I'm wide awake after reading this.! My ideas now are swirling through my mind like a twister! I've always enjoyyed reading everything my brother writes. His interesting , enjoyable work always gives my mind so much more to contemplate, gives me so pleasure, and I couldn't be more proud of him. Thank you!
Thank you, Don, for sharing your wisdom. I love your mission statement - "Any writing I do, in Substack or elsewhere, must be infused with self, with love, with integrity. It must be honest—it must be my truth. It must not be arrogant. In other words, it must contain within its heart the understanding that all humans suffer." @Don Boivin is one of the most generous writers/readers here on Substack, so encouraging and supportive of other writers, even a newbie like me. If it weren't for Don (and a few other kind souls - @Perry J Greenbaum, @Thomas Kuegler), I might have gotten discouraged within a few weeks.
Thank you Amanda, for putting this together. <3