Joy Lennick It's amazing what we learn about ourselves as the years roll by...I have no illusions about myself or my writing, but didn't appreciate how empathetic I am. I have never wanted to be 'one of the sheep' but am more than willing to help anyone in the flock... Cheers.
Isn’t it interesting that we have these themes without trying or choosing them? Mine are probably: family, choices, perception (different perceptions of the same thing), memory. I notice that over time, too, a new theme will pop up.
I've just had it pointed out to me that my stories ALWAYS include family tensions! Usually sibling rivalry, controlling parents, characters who've been moulded into people pleasers. Whatever I think I'm writing, I always seem to come back to this.
What a great article. Unconscious threads in mine are; empowerment of women (mostly), the rising of the underdog, murder (eek) women killers, women discovering their sexuality, sexual awakening, forces outside of explanation (healers etc), darkness within souls, hope, romance, and love.
The theme in my poetry that I didn't realize until pointed out was that I often used snow and ice as imagery to depict depression. Ever since that was pointed out to me, I have begun using ice and water to depict mental health in my writing.
Way back when I was a baby writer, my themes were all about identities, mostly lesbian identity, but also political identities. As in, "This is what lesbian life is like." Or "Look at us try to stop the Contra war in Nicaragua." I thought for a few years there that my writing was going to be about history, as in, "Here's an important moment in how we got to be who we are." I'm still very interested in that. I've written two books, so far, about that. Both of the books also deal a lot with father-daughter relationships.
I had no idea what I would be writing about here on Substack, but it turns out what I'm writing about is letting go of identities, and facing head-on the emotional/spiritual journey of how we got to be who we are (how I got to be who I am). The core thread is Emotional Consciousness. And magic. I'm also writing about magic.
Wonderful essay! And it has my mind circling around all the writing I’ve done. Many themes reappear for me: grief, longing, gratitude, and being absolutely gobsmacked by life.
For me I think it’s social justice, ancient civilizations and how theyve affected us today, and journalistic integrity. I branched into fiction several years ago bc I was getting too preachy. I find I connect more through story and metaphor and can still ‘make a difference’ and reach a larger audience. I do non-fiction posts but try to lighten up more now than a few years ago. Thanks for asking!
This is a beautiful contemplation. I believe I have more than an inkling to what my themes are, but I appreciate your sage advice and I'll reread some of my essays to dive deeper and see what I can discover knew.
This makes me wonder whether writing could (I’m sure I’m not the first to think of or try this) be a way of helping children overcome internal challenges, process their emotions or reveal more of what is affecting them in a way that teachers/adults can analyse, with a view to supporting them.
I think my writing holds the same themes as my life - being with trauma, mental illness, finding joy, learning openness, hmmm. I'm going to ponder this as I continue to write. Although I must make a confession, I do not like to reread previous work. I also don't like to revisit places I've lived or reconnect with people I haven't had contact with in a long time. I always say, "I don't like to go back." And this is true. It may be because I have a lot of not so great memories that I don't want to revisit, but I know something else is going on there too. Will ponder this as well. Thanks, Amanda!
I’ve certainly had to go back over and over to work through trauma. I guess maybe I don’t like to do it unless I have to. If I know it will help me live with more spaciousness, then I do it. Thanks:)
I found by looking back at my writing and spotting themes that kept coming up, I was able to look at why and let more things go. But we’re all different! 💙
Great advice Amanda. Can’t wait to see what it reveals.
Come back and let me know, Anna! 💙
Joy Lennick It's amazing what we learn about ourselves as the years roll by...I have no illusions about myself or my writing, but didn't appreciate how empathetic I am. I have never wanted to be 'one of the sheep' but am more than willing to help anyone in the flock... Cheers.
That's a great insight into yourself, Joy, and a lovely trait to have. Thanks for sharing.
Isn’t it interesting that we have these themes without trying or choosing them? Mine are probably: family, choices, perception (different perceptions of the same thing), memory. I notice that over time, too, a new theme will pop up.
Yes something deep inside us, or maybe out in the universe, knows we need to explore them, I believe. We share similar themes!
Yes, I thought so, reading your list!
I've just had it pointed out to me that my stories ALWAYS include family tensions! Usually sibling rivalry, controlling parents, characters who've been moulded into people pleasers. Whatever I think I'm writing, I always seem to come back to this.
Yes whatever I think I’m writing my themes always appear.
What a great article. Unconscious threads in mine are; empowerment of women (mostly), the rising of the underdog, murder (eek) women killers, women discovering their sexuality, sexual awakening, forces outside of explanation (healers etc), darkness within souls, hope, romance, and love.
Love the light and dark contrasts there!
I'm wondering now is there a balance in my work, or do I just hope there is. :)
Hmmmm ill try to be aware of these things. What a great tool for self awareness
The theme in my poetry that I didn't realize until pointed out was that I often used snow and ice as imagery to depict depression. Ever since that was pointed out to me, I have begun using ice and water to depict mental health in my writing.
I really like that imagery and symbolism.
I notice the same recurring themes in my writing too. I think it’s a reflection of our core essence.
You certainly have me thinking... I know there are themes in my work. I think maybe it's the hunger for love and care.
I would say they are very prevalent in your work. And to understand.
Yes, true! ❤️
Way back when I was a baby writer, my themes were all about identities, mostly lesbian identity, but also political identities. As in, "This is what lesbian life is like." Or "Look at us try to stop the Contra war in Nicaragua." I thought for a few years there that my writing was going to be about history, as in, "Here's an important moment in how we got to be who we are." I'm still very interested in that. I've written two books, so far, about that. Both of the books also deal a lot with father-daughter relationships.
I had no idea what I would be writing about here on Substack, but it turns out what I'm writing about is letting go of identities, and facing head-on the emotional/spiritual journey of how we got to be who we are (how I got to be who I am). The core thread is Emotional Consciousness. And magic. I'm also writing about magic.
Ha I love that it has completely turned around! And magic, we all need more of that.
Wonderful essay! And it has my mind circling around all the writing I’ve done. Many themes reappear for me: grief, longing, gratitude, and being absolutely gobsmacked by life.
Life is gobsmacking!
For me I think it’s social justice, ancient civilizations and how theyve affected us today, and journalistic integrity. I branched into fiction several years ago bc I was getting too preachy. I find I connect more through story and metaphor and can still ‘make a difference’ and reach a larger audience. I do non-fiction posts but try to lighten up more now than a few years ago. Thanks for asking!
Yes not being too preachy in our writing is important. It’s hard sometimes though when we feel strongly about something!
I’m trying to cultivate my funny bone—if I can just locate it, haha.
That is so true. For me they are silence, fear, loneliness. They always come up.
Silence is a really interesting one. In what way does this appear?
The need for silence, or describing how noises are annoying, or using silence as a way to describe peace and well being.
This is a beautiful contemplation. I believe I have more than an inkling to what my themes are, but I appreciate your sage advice and I'll reread some of my essays to dive deeper and see what I can discover knew.
Do let me know if you find anything that surprises you.
This makes me wonder whether writing could (I’m sure I’m not the first to think of or try this) be a way of helping children overcome internal challenges, process their emotions or reveal more of what is affecting them in a way that teachers/adults can analyse, with a view to supporting them.
I’m sure it could be but I don’t know enough about working with kids to say anymore than that!
I think my writing holds the same themes as my life - being with trauma, mental illness, finding joy, learning openness, hmmm. I'm going to ponder this as I continue to write. Although I must make a confession, I do not like to reread previous work. I also don't like to revisit places I've lived or reconnect with people I haven't had contact with in a long time. I always say, "I don't like to go back." And this is true. It may be because I have a lot of not so great memories that I don't want to revisit, but I know something else is going on there too. Will ponder this as well. Thanks, Amanda!
Sometimes, going back is the biggest step forward we can take…
I’ve certainly had to go back over and over to work through trauma. I guess maybe I don’t like to do it unless I have to. If I know it will help me live with more spaciousness, then I do it. Thanks:)
I found by looking back at my writing and spotting themes that kept coming up, I was able to look at why and let more things go. But we’re all different! 💙
I don’t doubt it. I think that’s probably a practice that will show up at some point for me. It’s out there anyway as an opportunity:)