Ok, here we go. In that spirit of focusing on lessons learned during 2009—rather than dwelling on shortcomings we’d like to try to resolve in the year to come—let's share that thing or two that we've learned about writing--and/or being a writer--over the past year. Feel free to post in comments or in a post on your own blog here on the site. If you do the latter, ping me through the site (or email me at [email protected]) and we’ll “feature” your post here on the main page. Stay tuned for lists from SW group creators Daphne Uviller, E. Victoria Flynn, and Laura Didyk, coming soon...
Here’s my list—it’s not 10, it’s 5. Which leads to the first lesson I learned about writing this year:
1. Adjust your goals accordingly.2. When the shit hits the fan, write about it. My husband’s January 2009 layoff fueled my column at Recessionwire.com, “Love in the Time of Layoff,” which, in turn, informed a book proposal, and most recently this lovely recap at Yahoo’s Shine by SW member Marci Alboher, which led to who knows what else!
3. Topics—especially book topics—change and grow as you do. Rarely does one write precisely the book one thought she set out to write. At least, I don’t, it seems...
4. If you’re not writing at the moment, or even for a while, it doesn’t mean you’re not A Writer. Learned this one as I went somewhat MIA during an uncomfortable pregnancy, during which time I couldn’t seem to write anything longer than a blog post here and there.
5. And finally, my last and most important lesson of all: Friends Don’t Let Friends Write Alone. When my stalwart writing partner, SW member Daphne Uviller, traveled from upstate down to my Brooklyn neighborhood five weeks after I had my twins just to sit with me for an hour for a writing date and help me feel like my full self again, I learned the value of this principle all over again. And here at She Writes, I learn it in some new form each and every day.
Got some lessons to share? Again, write a blog post listing what you’ve learned about writing—and/or being a writer—in 2009. Send me an email through the site (or at [email protected]) and I’ll feature your post here on the main page. Let’s share our community’s wisdom as, together, we kick off 2010!
As for more learning, I'd like to share a bit of great women's publishing history (or herstory) I just rediscovered. While we are all reflecting on what it's like to write, here's the equivalent from women publishers: an exciting interview with Felice Newman and Frédérique Delacoste of Cleis Press at http://www.cleispress.com/about.php. They are talking about the incredible many-year-adventure of publishing... us. From their first book, in 1981, "Fight Back: Feminist Resistance to Male Violence," to Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West, Ann Bannon and pulp fiction from the fifties, to "The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women" -- an often provocative affair that perfectly mirrors the risks and pains we are taking when we come out and write.
I learned in order to write my key note speech I had to visualize my ultimate goal and then it just flowed. Amazing break through for a writer who can write books, and write training materials, but a key note speech is a different animal. I am so happy I now have several pages written. There is something to be said for visualization :)
Maybe a little late for a retrospective now? Or never too late for reflection? I learned that the critic in my own head can be especially loud when my writing becomes truthful about the darker aspects of human behavior. And that reading to others can help me distinguish between poor writing and fear of expressing. Thank you to all that held space for listening deeply last year.
I learned (I hope) to quit thinking I have to have a major chunk of time to write. Pages pile up. Working even an hour a day--if you do it consistently--will eventually grow a novel.
In 2009, I applied to MFA writing programs. I will start hearing whether I got in in the next weeks and months. All of the hard work I did to complete my applications and manuscripts showed me that I will write regardless of what happens with any of these schools. It was an empowering experience.
Here's one: be open to suggestions. When I was telling a friend about a YA novel idea she said "That's a screenplay!" It never crossed my mind that I could be so creative and do something unexpected. So I'm working on that now. What a good idea! So share with your writing friends and you will be supported and pleasantly surprised!
I learned that when I write, I feel better. Whether it's a piece that stems from pain or joy, personal experience or third-person reporting, something I publish or never share, it just seems to feel good when my fingers are moving and the words appear from my head and my heart.
I learned that writing is something I can't shake off, can't ignore for very long, can't not do without feeling less of who I am, or who I am supposed to be. So, for the first time in my life I can say when asked, "I'm a writer", and then smile in a Mona Lisa kind of way… knowing that means something much more simple and much more complicated than it sounds. It's like my dirty little secret really.
This is a very good post, at a time when I HAD been thinking about the writing I didn't accomplish in 2009. I'd like to add to it via my own blog on this site, but haven't figured out how to do it yet . . .
Hi Deborah--just read through your posts on Love in the Time of Layoff. Really liked. And good to see you a few weeks ago at the meeting and thanks for remembering the overlap from NCRW ... seems another life ago!
Writing
As for more learning, I'd like to share a bit of great women's publishing history (or herstory) I just rediscovered. While we are all reflecting on what it's like to write, here's the equivalent from women publishers: an exciting interview with Felice Newman and Frédérique Delacoste of Cleis Press at http:/
I learned in order to write my key note speech I had to visualize my ultimate goal and then it just flowed. Amazing break through for a writer who can write books, and write training materials, but a key note speech is a different animal. I am so happy I now have several pages written. There is something to be said for visualization :)
Maybe a little late for a retrospective now? Or never too late for reflection? I learned that the critic in my own head can be especially loud when my writing becomes truthful about the darker aspects of human behavior. And that reading to others can help me distinguish between poor writing and fear of expressing. Thank you to all that held space for listening deeply last year.
I learned (I hope) to quit thinking I have to have a major chunk of time to write. Pages pile up. Working even an hour a day--if you do it consistently--will eventually grow a novel.
In 2009, I applied to MFA writing programs. I will start hearing whether I got in in the next weeks and months. All of the hard work I did to complete my applications and manuscripts showed me that I will write regardless of what happens with any of these schools. It was an empowering experience.
Here's one: be open to suggestions. When I was telling a friend about a YA novel idea she said "That's a screenplay!" It never crossed my mind that I could be so creative and do something unexpected. So I'm working on that now. What a good idea! So share with your writing friends and you will be supported and pleasantly surprised!
I learned that when I write, I feel better. Whether it's a piece that stems from pain or joy, personal experience or third-person reporting, something I publish or never share, it just seems to feel good when my fingers are moving and the words appear from my head and my heart.
I learned that writing is something I can't shake off, can't ignore for very long, can't not do without feeling less of who I am, or who I am supposed to be. So, for the first time in my life I can say when asked, "I'm a writer", and then smile in a Mona Lisa kind of way… knowing that means something much more simple and much more complicated than it sounds. It's like my dirty little secret really.
Happy New Year, one and all.
LAE
I learned that writing is the most fun when you write with a partner, especially if her name is Deborah! Happy New Year Sweetie.
I found how to submit a blog post and did so. Thanks for the opportunity.
This is a very good post, at a time when I HAD been thinking about the writing I didn't accomplish in 2009. I'd like to add to it via my own blog on this site, but haven't figured out how to do it yet . . .
Hi Deborah--just read through your posts on Love in the Time of Layoff. Really liked. And good to see you a few weeks ago at the meeting and thanks for remembering the overlap from NCRW ... seems another life ago!