So relatable for me at the moment. Living with stress is exhausting on all levels. I have tried so hard to get back to writing but each time another disaster hits and I'm back to square one. I want to write, I need to write but I can't. It's learning to be kind to yourself and wait out the unexpected dramas to get back to nrmality and that book () to finish writing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. x
Such great suggestions. I think you're right to point out that the European habit of stepping out for a smoking break wasn't such a bad thing, except for the smoking part of it. And I love your theatre suggestion. I've always found that when things were chaotic in the office, I liked to go to a good restaurant where you could see into the kitchen -- which is a theatre in itself. There was something very reassuring about watching the incredible precision and order of the chef and his team, each with their own role in service of a greater good. I think a good play is the same. It's very comforting to see that human beings, at least on some occasions or in certain professions, can actually manage to work together to a common purpose. Not that it ever happens in the media business.
Such a good piece. Exactly what I needed right now. I’m currently pursuing a masters while working full time and trying to get back at publishing articles while also having to move house soon and have a social life and gosh, it does get a little too much sometimes! I’ll follow your advice on taking 5 and feeling okay about just reading something for myself. Thank you!
Brava! Rest is not something you earn, it is a biological imperative. Just like I don’t have to earn the right to pee… its going to happen at some point and life is nicer for everyone if I choose the time and place in response to my body’s signals.
You always find the right words. Thank you, Kate, truly. While you're creating your audiobook, I wonder if you can walk us through the process, from both an agent/deal perspective, and the mechanics of getting it produced. Some Q's: Do writers get approval on the choice of voice talent? Is there a director? Who produces it? How long does it take? What are the budgets, etc. Thank you!
Then on that note I am not going to feel guilty about gardening, baking cookies, or watching he spring baking championship this week. I'm word-weary too! I also want to say how grateful I am that you share these thoughts with us for free, when writing is also a paying job for you. Thank you for your generosity and for caring for us even though you've never met us.
I've become a bit addicted to Broadway, and tickets are a better holiday present than some random piece of stuff that gathers dust, so here are some current shows I'd recommend:
GLENGARRY: Fantastic. Total revelation compared to the movie. And Shelley is clearly the inspiration for Odenkirk's Saul.
DORIAN GRAY: Greatest production of anything I've ever seen, and Snook should win everything.
MINCEMEAT: A great deal of snarky middlebrow fun with an absolutely heartbreaking song at the center. Could be called THE PLAN THAT GOES WRONG.
STRANGER THINGS: The acting and story are only OK, but what's on the stage is mesmerizing in its awesomeness. Every trick is used.
I also saw CYMBELINE and KOWALSKI, both of which were very good, but both are also closed.
Your encouragement is so welcome when I too hear those voices that chastise me saying "why aren't you finished with writing that book yet?!" or even outright discourage me from continuing since it's taking so long, saying "Why not just throw in the towel on this?!" Meanwhile I am writing some other things - short shiny objects that I was invited to do and got published but it takes precious time away from the "big scary project" of my book!
I’ve been wandering around out here in the fog, now and then bumping into others who are as surprised as I am to be disoriented and fearful of these times.
We’re writers. We write our way out these fearful messes. We make our characters face terrible circumstances and we do our best write them to a place of some resolution or some peace.
I've heard the stare-at-the-wall time described as "blue sky time" -- time for thinking outside of the usual borders of our thoughts. (Though the sky hasn't been especially blue around here lately!) It can be hard to make the connection between what seems like the least-productive activity (staring at nothing) and its true value of returning us to our selves as sentient, thinking beings who are not hijacked by soul-sucking productivity demands. The struggle is real. Thanks for sharing this.
So relatable for me at the moment. Living with stress is exhausting on all levels. I have tried so hard to get back to writing but each time another disaster hits and I'm back to square one. I want to write, I need to write but I can't. It's learning to be kind to yourself and wait out the unexpected dramas to get back to nrmality and that book () to finish writing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. x
Such great suggestions. I think you're right to point out that the European habit of stepping out for a smoking break wasn't such a bad thing, except for the smoking part of it. And I love your theatre suggestion. I've always found that when things were chaotic in the office, I liked to go to a good restaurant where you could see into the kitchen -- which is a theatre in itself. There was something very reassuring about watching the incredible precision and order of the chef and his team, each with their own role in service of a greater good. I think a good play is the same. It's very comforting to see that human beings, at least on some occasions or in certain professions, can actually manage to work together to a common purpose. Not that it ever happens in the media business.
Such a good piece. Exactly what I needed right now. I’m currently pursuing a masters while working full time and trying to get back at publishing articles while also having to move house soon and have a social life and gosh, it does get a little too much sometimes! I’ll follow your advice on taking 5 and feeling okay about just reading something for myself. Thank you!
Very wise. Very actionable. Thank you.
Brava! Rest is not something you earn, it is a biological imperative. Just like I don’t have to earn the right to pee… its going to happen at some point and life is nicer for everyone if I choose the time and place in response to my body’s signals.
Thank you, Kate.
Tomorrow, I am going to find my awe!
I especially like "Make peace with current pace." I've been working on that for a while, and am glad to find someone else in that position.
www.writeradvice.com
This may be one of my favorites of your newsletters. Bookmarking!
You always find the right words. Thank you, Kate, truly. While you're creating your audiobook, I wonder if you can walk us through the process, from both an agent/deal perspective, and the mechanics of getting it produced. Some Q's: Do writers get approval on the choice of voice talent? Is there a director? Who produces it? How long does it take? What are the budgets, etc. Thank you!
Then on that note I am not going to feel guilty about gardening, baking cookies, or watching he spring baking championship this week. I'm word-weary too! I also want to say how grateful I am that you share these thoughts with us for free, when writing is also a paying job for you. Thank you for your generosity and for caring for us even though you've never met us.
This resonates. Thank you.
There's nothing quite like that live-theater awe.
I've become a bit addicted to Broadway, and tickets are a better holiday present than some random piece of stuff that gathers dust, so here are some current shows I'd recommend:
GLENGARRY: Fantastic. Total revelation compared to the movie. And Shelley is clearly the inspiration for Odenkirk's Saul.
DORIAN GRAY: Greatest production of anything I've ever seen, and Snook should win everything.
MINCEMEAT: A great deal of snarky middlebrow fun with an absolutely heartbreaking song at the center. Could be called THE PLAN THAT GOES WRONG.
STRANGER THINGS: The acting and story are only OK, but what's on the stage is mesmerizing in its awesomeness. Every trick is used.
I also saw CYMBELINE and KOWALSKI, both of which were very good, but both are also closed.
Timely reminders I needed to hear.
Your encouragement is so welcome when I too hear those voices that chastise me saying "why aren't you finished with writing that book yet?!" or even outright discourage me from continuing since it's taking so long, saying "Why not just throw in the towel on this?!" Meanwhile I am writing some other things - short shiny objects that I was invited to do and got published but it takes precious time away from the "big scary project" of my book!
Thank you.
I’ve been wandering around out here in the fog, now and then bumping into others who are as surprised as I am to be disoriented and fearful of these times.
We’re writers. We write our way out these fearful messes. We make our characters face terrible circumstances and we do our best write them to a place of some resolution or some peace.
These are not easy times.
I've heard the stare-at-the-wall time described as "blue sky time" -- time for thinking outside of the usual borders of our thoughts. (Though the sky hasn't been especially blue around here lately!) It can be hard to make the connection between what seems like the least-productive activity (staring at nothing) and its true value of returning us to our selves as sentient, thinking beings who are not hijacked by soul-sucking productivity demands. The struggle is real. Thanks for sharing this.
Amen to that!