Thanks for the mention, Amanda! Yes, writing fiction is an act of ‘channeling’ for me too. The characters surface and then speak/act; my job is to listen for the next word. It is always an act of discovery, with deep (and often personal) roots.
Great to hear about your process, Ros. I’m glad to meet another channeller as I often get weird looks when I say this! And yes, definitely just listening for what they say next.
Thank you, Amanda! As you know, I don't write fiction, but my writing certainly teaches and heals me. I am excited for you as you follow this new direction:).
Ah, it's so nice to hear you discuss the evolution of your definition of writing and writers. I think I may have felt the same as you, and that may possibly be why I've waiting so long to "be a writer." I've never been a natural story teller. I remember trying to make up stories to tell my little brother. I'm sure he was happy with whatever I came up with but it always felt awkward and effortful to me. I have discovered what I absolutely love to write about. Huh, who would have known; it's exactly what I like to think about! Life! Finding meaning, finding our way, finding out about the veils that have obscured our view and moving those veils aside to see the miracles of nature and existence. Ahh. I'm a writer! I don't need to make ups stories, I can just record my thoughts. (and of course organize them in an interesting way).
Emily Conway commented on my most recent essay about how you always already were what you wanted to be, you just didn't know it. She calls it "walking into yourself." ❤️
It’s funny isn’t it how we get these ideas in our heads and then go along with them without really examining them. You’re definitely a writer, Don, and Emily is very wise. 💙
You certainly are and probably always were a writer, Don. Gosh, your essays are so well written. Your wise words often spring to mind, whether I'm judging someone who just has a different experience from me, or I'm pondering over stuff instead of being present in the shower :-)
I’ve been thinking a lot about this this week. I started a novel (my first effort) last year and then dove into Substack this year. When people ask what I write, I always lead with the novel, even though the draft is gathering dust. Maybe I do this because what I write about here is so much more personal? Because it is about that journey of self-discovery and sharing it with others. Ok, I’ll step off my soapbox now. Thanks for making me feel less alone in this feeling this week.
Not on a soap box! I think for me, it’s because that was always what I’d wanted to do and writing a novel seemed like this big shining beacon. And maybe because of the way “novelists’ are portrayed in our culture as something special. And when I was younger I really wanted to be someone special. But I’ve come to understand that all writing is just as valid as writing novels. Way more people read and interact with my writing here than have read all three of my novels combined! So it seems this writing actually resonates with people more too.
Amanda, I have felt the same growth in writing that you describe. There seems to be a series of lessons that reveal themselves when the time is right. D
I love both the idea of channeling when writing (certainly true for me) and 'walking into myself'; writing as an act of self-discovery. I never considered myself 'a writer' per say, although I've been writing since I was a child. For me, a 'proper writer' wrote books. However, as someone pointed out when I shared my doubts about my abilities, "writers are people who write". That was comforting :-) And writers read, too. (I'm told!) I used to be an avid reader, but I haven't read many books in recent years, although I have a fairly large collection. Technology has changed the way we relate to both reading and writing. I love reading essays on here... And while I've been busy living and writing a lot of non-fiction (training courses etc.) my Substack page has indeed been gathering dust since I started it, last Christmas. But I'm motivated and inspired by those comments and I'll soon start all over again...
My reading has changed too. I read a lot less fiction than I used to and a lot on here! I now know we’re all proper writers if we’re writing, whatever that may be. Look forward to the revival of your Substack! 💙
Thanks Amanda. My long-due reconnection with this platform and my own writing came about recently, with your writing marathon :-) Can't wait for the next one on Saturday <3
Amanda, my author story is so similar to yours that we must be soul sisters. Your writing discoveries have helped me move far away from my old ideas of a ‘real’ writer’s life to the kind of place you’ve found, where I am the channel for my characters, who write their own stories, and the journey is the main event. So much more relaxed and fun.
Thanks for the mention, Amanda! Yes, writing fiction is an act of ‘channeling’ for me too. The characters surface and then speak/act; my job is to listen for the next word. It is always an act of discovery, with deep (and often personal) roots.
Great to hear about your process, Ros. I’m glad to meet another channeller as I often get weird looks when I say this! And yes, definitely just listening for what they say next.
Thank you for this, Amanda. Saturday 16th I would have to leave at 12:30. Is it OK to attend?
Yes of course, Fran. Will be lovely to have you there 💙
Thank you, Amanda! As you know, I don't write fiction, but my writing certainly teaches and heals me. I am excited for you as you follow this new direction:).
Thanks Emily. Your beautiful writing teaches and heals me too.
Oh, that’s wonderful! That’s what I want it to do.
Ah, it's so nice to hear you discuss the evolution of your definition of writing and writers. I think I may have felt the same as you, and that may possibly be why I've waiting so long to "be a writer." I've never been a natural story teller. I remember trying to make up stories to tell my little brother. I'm sure he was happy with whatever I came up with but it always felt awkward and effortful to me. I have discovered what I absolutely love to write about. Huh, who would have known; it's exactly what I like to think about! Life! Finding meaning, finding our way, finding out about the veils that have obscured our view and moving those veils aside to see the miracles of nature and existence. Ahh. I'm a writer! I don't need to make ups stories, I can just record my thoughts. (and of course organize them in an interesting way).
Emily Conway commented on my most recent essay about how you always already were what you wanted to be, you just didn't know it. She calls it "walking into yourself." ❤️
It’s funny isn’t it how we get these ideas in our heads and then go along with them without really examining them. You’re definitely a writer, Don, and Emily is very wise. 💙
You certainly are and probably always were a writer, Don. Gosh, your essays are so well written. Your wise words often spring to mind, whether I'm judging someone who just has a different experience from me, or I'm pondering over stuff instead of being present in the shower :-)
I’ve been thinking a lot about this this week. I started a novel (my first effort) last year and then dove into Substack this year. When people ask what I write, I always lead with the novel, even though the draft is gathering dust. Maybe I do this because what I write about here is so much more personal? Because it is about that journey of self-discovery and sharing it with others. Ok, I’ll step off my soapbox now. Thanks for making me feel less alone in this feeling this week.
Not on a soap box! I think for me, it’s because that was always what I’d wanted to do and writing a novel seemed like this big shining beacon. And maybe because of the way “novelists’ are portrayed in our culture as something special. And when I was younger I really wanted to be someone special. But I’ve come to understand that all writing is just as valid as writing novels. Way more people read and interact with my writing here than have read all three of my novels combined! So it seems this writing actually resonates with people more too.
Amanda, I have felt the same growth in writing that you describe. There seems to be a series of lessons that reveal themselves when the time is right. D
Yes I’ve come to believe everything is happening as and when it should.
I love both the idea of channeling when writing (certainly true for me) and 'walking into myself'; writing as an act of self-discovery. I never considered myself 'a writer' per say, although I've been writing since I was a child. For me, a 'proper writer' wrote books. However, as someone pointed out when I shared my doubts about my abilities, "writers are people who write". That was comforting :-) And writers read, too. (I'm told!) I used to be an avid reader, but I haven't read many books in recent years, although I have a fairly large collection. Technology has changed the way we relate to both reading and writing. I love reading essays on here... And while I've been busy living and writing a lot of non-fiction (training courses etc.) my Substack page has indeed been gathering dust since I started it, last Christmas. But I'm motivated and inspired by those comments and I'll soon start all over again...
My reading has changed too. I read a lot less fiction than I used to and a lot on here! I now know we’re all proper writers if we’re writing, whatever that may be. Look forward to the revival of your Substack! 💙
Thanks Amanda. My long-due reconnection with this platform and my own writing came about recently, with your writing marathon :-) Can't wait for the next one on Saturday <3
Me too 💙
I realy like for you
Thank you!
Amanda, my author story is so similar to yours that we must be soul sisters. Your writing discoveries have helped me move far away from my old ideas of a ‘real’ writer’s life to the kind of place you’ve found, where I am the channel for my characters, who write their own stories, and the journey is the main event. So much more relaxed and fun.
Definitely soul sisters 💙