The picture above accompanied my first post for Writual. And even though I think I might be closing up shop on Writual for the time being, I still believe in begin.
There was a lot that came up for me during this “time off” particularly about my writing. In spite of the fact that writing is the way I process my experiences, this is probably the first time in years that I’ve gone so long without writing something. And it was an equal amount of time that I went without any kind of feedback about my work. When I write my weekly posts, I usually get some comments about the work I’m doing, which always feels nice to get. Also during this time, I got two rejections for essays I submitted. In one day. After a couple of weeks of not having a tether to my writing practice, I began feeling as though I have been completely on the wrong track.
As I was deliberating how to go forward, I read an article one morning that asked the question, “What is your ambition?” The writer shared her own response along with her reasons to write. It got me thinking, “What is my writing ambition? To peddle classes and workshops? Write more books? Do I really want to hawk my work for the next 15-20 years?” My answer was sounding a little like no.
In the inimitable way of the universe, I got another nudge in the form of an email notifying me that one of my essays wouldn’t be available online anymore as the publishing website was being discontinued. The founder, Lesley Jane Seymour, was in the process of reinventing herself and was looking ahead to other pursuits and efforts than managing and publishing her site, Covey Club.
Now, I’m nowhere near the likes of Lesley Jane Seymour, but her experience brought mine into sharper focus. I am a writer and my ambition is to write. I want to write more books, more essays, more stories. I also want to uplift the writing voices of others. So here’s what I’m going to do: Keep my two weekly writing groups going (one private, one public). I’m going to continue to meet with my Writing Through Grief writing group in person and I’m going to probably say yes to almost anyone who asks me to do a book talk or a writing workshop. (I have a couple coming up!) And I’m going to promote the heck out of the anthology, Everyday Grief, when it comes out this spring.
I am going to work on Annie’s nonprofit, A Pocket Full of Rocks, and promote the things she loved in life—kindness, environmental responsibility and breast cancer advocacy.
I’m going to pause the Writual newsletter (because let’s be honest…it’s not like I have thousands of writers waiting breathlessly for each post! :) but I am going to keep the previous posts up in addition to including a list of the writing tips I’ve shared with my writing group. And Silver Linings is here to stay—don’t worry—I’m not leaving completely! If you’re a subscriber, that will still keep showing up in your inbox.
Things change…I definitely have…and I think going forward with more intentional writing projects is a good first step. (This is just like me, by the way—I quit the things that bring in an income to work on the things that don’t. Angelo is already shaking his head in disbelief!)
And even though I’m “stopping” one thing, I still strongly believe in my first message to you and that is—begin. And don’t stop. Keep writing, even if it’s just a few words at a time. Write in the minutes, the margins, the stoplights. Your words will get you to where you need to be.
I believe that.
One more thing before I go—Thank you! For your support, your comments, your hearts…all the things you do to help me keep at this—you all are the best. I’m not exaggerating one little bit! I’m so grateful to you. xo
🙏 And so we begin
It’s good to make yourself your main priority. It’s going to work out well…