Thank you Emma, I think your what you don’t need list is so inspiring. I can tick them all off as not having them, but then again 🤔… It has made me think and to carry on regardless. I love writing 😘😘
I’m a new follower here, and new to writing. I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear so much of your writing today. I needed the hope that you can succeed without so many of the resume requirements and checklists to success we hear. Thank you!
Hi Cheyanne - it's so lovely to meet you here. I see from your Substack that you're recovering from burnout - I have lived through this, and had a huge career and life transition. It took a meandering path, but I got my first book deal aged 51!! I really wanted to translate that it can happen to 'normal people', that you don't need to have things like a big social media following, and most of all to try and enjoy the writing! I'm so glad that this resonated with you xx
Love, love, love what you said about not needing to be up at 5am to write! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this and yet I am a total zombie if I try this - and yes I even am in menopause which makes you wake early!
Thank you for your encouragement. And I totally agree about the joy of writing!
Hi Em, I found your page via your comment on Poorna Bells page. There’s so much I resonate with and your story - of what I’ve read so far - reading your words have felt like a lighthouse showing the way. Because every now and again, you stumble across a writer, like yourself, and it all just seems possible again. Thank you for your words…you never truly know who is reading and the deep impact they can have on an individual.
I am that burnt out, chronically ill mother. Whose children (all 5 and under) wake by 5am, so writing, before they do, is impossible. I have my journal, a pen and my curiosity and I write as often as I can, whenever I can. (I have taken a break from writing on here but I haven’t stopped writing in my everyday). As my writing friend Luisa always says “write around the edges” of life. And I do. I write around motherhood, chronic pain and fatigue, emotional burdens, time restrictions, overwhelm…..and I’m just a normal woman. I don’t have the academic achievements on paper but I do have a passion and zest for life. Even when very unwell in the past both mentally and physically, I knew there was a glimmer of hope that things could and would be different, if I just kept on writing.
All of that is to say, I think I’ve found a little restful retreat, write here among the other lemons 🍋
P.S. Anne Lamott is a favourite author of mine. Can I recommend all her books…the first I read of hers was Help, Thanks, WOW, followed by Stitches. But honestly, all of her writing is deeply impactful— and so is her TedTalk, 12 Truths 😊
Well if this isn't about the loveliest comment ever, I don't know what is. You have made my cry (in the best possible way). This is why I write - so that it may reach someone who needs to hear it in that moment. I feel your struggle, God knows I do. We are not alone, and I'm so very delighted you're here. There is always hope, and writing somehow always takes us to it (and reading). You are so welcome on the Lemon Soul sofa, I really look forward to us getting to know each other, and thank you for the book recommendation!! I will certainly be looking up more of her work. Much love x
Thank you so much for the response and your warm welcome. I’ve been looking through some of your other bits of writing this afternoon (in between motherhood of course!) and I just know I’ve found a virtual place that feels so safe and welcoming. I’m excited and happy to get to know you and others in here. I feel extremely grateful 😊
So exciting to topple the mighty Lorraine! I loved reading bird by bird, so beautiful. Is it there that she tells the lemonade story? Can’t wait to get your book!
Yes, yes, yes and a million times yes! I read Bird by Bird early in my writing journey and I'm drawn to revisit it now. It was game changing for me then. I wonder if it will be now.🤔 Great post, Emma.
Fantastic article, thanks!!! I write because I love writing. I fully agree with what you shared here and loved the Anne Lamotte quote, too. Graat job!!
This is brilliant Emma, such a wonderful insight and reminder to just pick up the pen. I have an idea and talk about it but haven’t been brave enough to start writing. I might just do that. Congrats on being a BESTSELLER 🎉
YES Han - do it!!! Oh this is so exciting. Get that idea onto the page, somehow, in any way. Just let it flow. Don't worry about all the extraneous stuff for now - flow writing is magical when we 'allow' ourselves to do it.
And thank you... no idea how these algorithms work as the book isn't even out yet, I don't know if it's sales or clicks or what, but it's something!??! xx
Fabulous advice Emma. Writing like noone is reading feels like the only way to get words on the page for me! I just keep promising myself I can edit it all later 😊
and you can... absolutely you can. That is exactly what I'm doing now with book 2. Splurging, and enjoying the splurge. Refinement comes later. I think that's a huge part of the block - I'm definitely a perfectionist, as I suspect many of us are, and striving for that at the outset means we will never get very far! We can absolutely edit later x
Fabulous post! Thank you, Emma. As someone who found writing in my 40s, so much of this resonates. Also, Anne Lamott is wonderful. LOVE Bird by Bird. Huge congrats on your book. Such an exciting time and a very inspirational story for someone like me. (Also fun to see that #2 , Chasing Fog, is by another Substacker, Laura Pashby!)
Oh isn't she - Bird by Bird is such a find!! Not sure why I haven't come across it before. And yes Laura Pashby is amazing, I love her work. It's never too late... just need to keep reminding ourselves why we are here! Thanks so much for the response xx
Such a great post! In my MLitt class this week we were considering definition for ‘publication’ and ‘book’. One reflection was that a ‘book’ needn’t be a bound copy of a text…as writers we can say, ‘I’ve written a book’ and there is do much in that whether it’s traditionally published or not.
I agree, nice as book launches etc are, there is so much joy in the process. I feel the same about gardening…folk walk about it admiring how beautiful the finished product looks. Although that is gratifying, my real joy comes from having my hands in the soil, planting stuff that I won’t see until Spring and appreciating every plant and creature that makes its home there.
I love this gardening analogy - it's quite brilliant. It's not about the garden, it is ALL about the process. The love, thought and consideration that has happened along the way. Beautiful x
Thank you Emma, I think your what you don’t need list is so inspiring. I can tick them all off as not having them, but then again 🤔… It has made me think and to carry on regardless. I love writing 😘😘
And you are so very talented with a lot of really meaningful things to say. Keep hold of that my friend, and keep writing. Much love ❤️
I’m a new follower here, and new to writing. I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear so much of your writing today. I needed the hope that you can succeed without so many of the resume requirements and checklists to success we hear. Thank you!
Hi Cheyanne - it's so lovely to meet you here. I see from your Substack that you're recovering from burnout - I have lived through this, and had a huge career and life transition. It took a meandering path, but I got my first book deal aged 51!! I really wanted to translate that it can happen to 'normal people', that you don't need to have things like a big social media following, and most of all to try and enjoy the writing! I'm so glad that this resonated with you xx
I adore Bird by Bird, and everything else Anne writes tbh!! So profound and incredibly inspirational - glad you found her xx
I think it's the first book 'on writing' that I am devouring like a novel. Her writing is wonderful - I will definitely explore more! x
Love, love, love what you said about not needing to be up at 5am to write! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this and yet I am a total zombie if I try this - and yes I even am in menopause which makes you wake early!
Thank you for your encouragement. And I totally agree about the joy of writing!
Thanks so much for your comment!! We do NOT need to be up at 5am 🤣😍😍😍😍
Hi Em, I found your page via your comment on Poorna Bells page. There’s so much I resonate with and your story - of what I’ve read so far - reading your words have felt like a lighthouse showing the way. Because every now and again, you stumble across a writer, like yourself, and it all just seems possible again. Thank you for your words…you never truly know who is reading and the deep impact they can have on an individual.
I am that burnt out, chronically ill mother. Whose children (all 5 and under) wake by 5am, so writing, before they do, is impossible. I have my journal, a pen and my curiosity and I write as often as I can, whenever I can. (I have taken a break from writing on here but I haven’t stopped writing in my everyday). As my writing friend Luisa always says “write around the edges” of life. And I do. I write around motherhood, chronic pain and fatigue, emotional burdens, time restrictions, overwhelm…..and I’m just a normal woman. I don’t have the academic achievements on paper but I do have a passion and zest for life. Even when very unwell in the past both mentally and physically, I knew there was a glimmer of hope that things could and would be different, if I just kept on writing.
All of that is to say, I think I’ve found a little restful retreat, write here among the other lemons 🍋
P.S. Anne Lamott is a favourite author of mine. Can I recommend all her books…the first I read of hers was Help, Thanks, WOW, followed by Stitches. But honestly, all of her writing is deeply impactful— and so is her TedTalk, 12 Truths 😊
Well if this isn't about the loveliest comment ever, I don't know what is. You have made my cry (in the best possible way). This is why I write - so that it may reach someone who needs to hear it in that moment. I feel your struggle, God knows I do. We are not alone, and I'm so very delighted you're here. There is always hope, and writing somehow always takes us to it (and reading). You are so welcome on the Lemon Soul sofa, I really look forward to us getting to know each other, and thank you for the book recommendation!! I will certainly be looking up more of her work. Much love x
Thank you so much for the response and your warm welcome. I’ve been looking through some of your other bits of writing this afternoon (in between motherhood of course!) and I just know I’ve found a virtual place that feels so safe and welcoming. I’m excited and happy to get to know you and others in here. I feel extremely grateful 😊
❤️❤️❤️
So exciting to topple the mighty Lorraine! I loved reading bird by bird, so beautiful. Is it there that she tells the lemonade story? Can’t wait to get your book!
I know - the Lorraine thing is hilarious! I'm still in Bird by Bird - haven't got to the lemonade story yet - look forward to that. Thank you lovely x
Yes, yes, yes and a million times yes! I read Bird by Bird early in my writing journey and I'm drawn to revisit it now. It was game changing for me then. I wonder if it will be now.🤔 Great post, Emma.
Oh I wonder if it will be as impactful this time around! I'm so glad I found it xx
Thank you for this reminder ❤️
❤️
Bird by Bird is on my shelf! Can’t wait to start it after I finish The Artist’s Way!
Oh you have a treat in store 🥰
Fantastic article, thanks!!! I write because I love writing. I fully agree with what you shared here and loved the Anne Lamotte quote, too. Graat job!!
Aah thanks so much. It’s a great quote isn’t it? 🥰
Yes!
Great
Oh, I needed this tonight! Such wise and compassionate words 💙
Aah Bonnie this makes me so happy!! 💙
This is brilliant Emma, such a wonderful insight and reminder to just pick up the pen. I have an idea and talk about it but haven’t been brave enough to start writing. I might just do that. Congrats on being a BESTSELLER 🎉
YES Han - do it!!! Oh this is so exciting. Get that idea onto the page, somehow, in any way. Just let it flow. Don't worry about all the extraneous stuff for now - flow writing is magical when we 'allow' ourselves to do it.
And thank you... no idea how these algorithms work as the book isn't even out yet, I don't know if it's sales or clicks or what, but it's something!??! xx
It’s certainly something … a good something xx
❤️
Fabulous advice Emma. Writing like noone is reading feels like the only way to get words on the page for me! I just keep promising myself I can edit it all later 😊
and you can... absolutely you can. That is exactly what I'm doing now with book 2. Splurging, and enjoying the splurge. Refinement comes later. I think that's a huge part of the block - I'm definitely a perfectionist, as I suspect many of us are, and striving for that at the outset means we will never get very far! We can absolutely edit later x
Fabulous post! Thank you, Emma. As someone who found writing in my 40s, so much of this resonates. Also, Anne Lamott is wonderful. LOVE Bird by Bird. Huge congrats on your book. Such an exciting time and a very inspirational story for someone like me. (Also fun to see that #2 , Chasing Fog, is by another Substacker, Laura Pashby!)
Oh isn't she - Bird by Bird is such a find!! Not sure why I haven't come across it before. And yes Laura Pashby is amazing, I love her work. It's never too late... just need to keep reminding ourselves why we are here! Thanks so much for the response xx
Sorry about the typos! I’m very tired.
Such a great post! In my MLitt class this week we were considering definition for ‘publication’ and ‘book’. One reflection was that a ‘book’ needn’t be a bound copy of a text…as writers we can say, ‘I’ve written a book’ and there is do much in that whether it’s traditionally published or not.
I agree, nice as book launches etc are, there is so much joy in the process. I feel the same about gardening…folk walk about it admiring how beautiful the finished product looks. Although that is gratifying, my real joy comes from having my hands in the soil, planting stuff that I won’t see until Spring and appreciating every plant and creature that makes its home there.
I love this gardening analogy - it's quite brilliant. It's not about the garden, it is ALL about the process. The love, thought and consideration that has happened along the way. Beautiful x