🙋🏼♀️✋🏼👋🏼 & 👏🏼Three hands up and applause on this one, Denise! Just what I needed to read/hear today! While my distractions are far-flung and a great distance categorically and geographically from your distractions, I feel and hear your words echoing through my pause in memoir writing progress.
I agree with Sue on her wise words about not feeling guilty about posting only when you can on Substack. I too have a hard time keeping up on Substack feeds, and usually file them for "when I have time" to read. When I receive one from you, I "make" time, because I know it will be just what I need at the time (which *Distraction The Art of Not Writing My Memoir* was for me this morning).
So cool that you made it to The Okoboji Writers Retreat! I sooooooo wanted to go, but no way I could work a trip South into my schedule. The song writing sessions called to me, but I just couldn't answer the call this year. Maybe next year!
Now to get on with my regularly scheduled day's tasks. Adjunct teaching online (developing and facilitating Learning Communities) is a 24/7 endeavor, and today is local and borough election day in Alaska. Borough Mayor, Assembly, and School Board seats are hotly contested, and so important for us to vote the progressive and positive candidates in to save our schools, town, borough, and Alaska. Then on to the national election in November.
You've inspired me to dedicate my Writing Circle time tomorrow to my memoir writing (no matter how much grading and feedback I need to do for the class I'm teaching). Onward and upward on our memoir writing, and our lives that "make" the memoirs and contribute to what's good in the world!
(If it's not too late, I'll respond to your PM about AK within the week. I'll put it on my calendar so I don't forget! 😁)
This resonates so much with me! Those "distractions" are really the everyday living of a rich and full life--how can you set that aside??
Your life and wisdom has so much to offer readers, but getting it down on paper is not anything you owe the rest of us. Do it because it means something to you to be able to share. But don't feel guilty when you don't--your life is giving back in so many ways already. (Meanwhile, your Substack readers are flooded with plenty to read-- how to keep up with it all!?!) I'd be happy to have you post your local columns for the paper here--that is a huge accomplishment to do that week in week out and I'd love to hear your take on your piece of Iowa.
As for getting the writing done--I hear you. I'm definitely struggling with the same challenges. The Okiboji event sounds wonderful. When the writing is the most important thing for YOU to do, it will happen. Meanwhile, keep living your amazing life. There is so much to do in the world. I am so glad you are doing what you do. And I love hearing about it whenever you have time.
Oh Sue, thank you for this lovely post. Why is it many of us feel we aren't doing enough when we are already overwhelmed with life in general? If the writers retreat happens next year, you might get the same motivation and commitment that I come away with. This year song writing was added to the already full writing and poetry offerings. It was quite wonderful.
Winter's coming and elections will be over. Promise yourself you'll get your butt in the chair (and NOT open your email til you're done writing for the day!) We all struggle with this but we're doers and it's hard for us to "just" sit and gather wool. Give yoursef the grace you give others, my friend!
Why not publish on Substack those every other week columns you already do? I bet we all want to read them here on Substack, no? Then at least you have fed two birds with one feeder, as they say.
I've been thinking how I can do that. Some of what I write is really only applicable to our community. But then again, it is probably applicable to all rural communities. Thanks for the suggestion.
🙋🏼♀️✋🏼👋🏼 & 👏🏼Three hands up and applause on this one, Denise! Just what I needed to read/hear today! While my distractions are far-flung and a great distance categorically and geographically from your distractions, I feel and hear your words echoing through my pause in memoir writing progress.
I agree with Sue on her wise words about not feeling guilty about posting only when you can on Substack. I too have a hard time keeping up on Substack feeds, and usually file them for "when I have time" to read. When I receive one from you, I "make" time, because I know it will be just what I need at the time (which *Distraction The Art of Not Writing My Memoir* was for me this morning).
So cool that you made it to The Okoboji Writers Retreat! I sooooooo wanted to go, but no way I could work a trip South into my schedule. The song writing sessions called to me, but I just couldn't answer the call this year. Maybe next year!
Now to get on with my regularly scheduled day's tasks. Adjunct teaching online (developing and facilitating Learning Communities) is a 24/7 endeavor, and today is local and borough election day in Alaska. Borough Mayor, Assembly, and School Board seats are hotly contested, and so important for us to vote the progressive and positive candidates in to save our schools, town, borough, and Alaska. Then on to the national election in November.
You've inspired me to dedicate my Writing Circle time tomorrow to my memoir writing (no matter how much grading and feedback I need to do for the class I'm teaching). Onward and upward on our memoir writing, and our lives that "make" the memoirs and contribute to what's good in the world!
(If it's not too late, I'll respond to your PM about AK within the week. I'll put it on my calendar so I don't forget! 😁)
What a joy to read this Kayt! Thank you.
This resonates so much with me! Those "distractions" are really the everyday living of a rich and full life--how can you set that aside??
Your life and wisdom has so much to offer readers, but getting it down on paper is not anything you owe the rest of us. Do it because it means something to you to be able to share. But don't feel guilty when you don't--your life is giving back in so many ways already. (Meanwhile, your Substack readers are flooded with plenty to read-- how to keep up with it all!?!) I'd be happy to have you post your local columns for the paper here--that is a huge accomplishment to do that week in week out and I'd love to hear your take on your piece of Iowa.
As for getting the writing done--I hear you. I'm definitely struggling with the same challenges. The Okiboji event sounds wonderful. When the writing is the most important thing for YOU to do, it will happen. Meanwhile, keep living your amazing life. There is so much to do in the world. I am so glad you are doing what you do. And I love hearing about it whenever you have time.
Oh Sue, thank you for this lovely post. Why is it many of us feel we aren't doing enough when we are already overwhelmed with life in general? If the writers retreat happens next year, you might get the same motivation and commitment that I come away with. This year song writing was added to the already full writing and poetry offerings. It was quite wonderful.
Winter's coming and elections will be over. Promise yourself you'll get your butt in the chair (and NOT open your email til you're done writing for the day!) We all struggle with this but we're doers and it's hard for us to "just" sit and gather wool. Give yoursef the grace you give others, my friend!
Thank you Suzan. My log is consumed with the election right now as I know yours is.
Thank you, Denise. I am trying to find my balance-time for my passions. Good reminders to get going on choosing what I do.
Denise, Yes, your analysis of distractions hits home. You are not alone. So good to talk with you at OWR. Go easy.
Bin thar!
Why not publish on Substack those every other week columns you already do? I bet we all want to read them here on Substack, no? Then at least you have fed two birds with one feeder, as they say.
I've been thinking how I can do that. Some of what I write is really only applicable to our community. But then again, it is probably applicable to all rural communities. Thanks for the suggestion.
I look forward to reading your book!!! May I do a blurb????
I would love that!
Write on ........
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤️
So good to see you! And now hear from you!
The retreat really energized me. Our morning breakfasts have become a highlight. Thanks for introducing me to Beth and Grant.