on my refrigerator, for years, yes literally years, has hung a greeting card with these words~'How we live our days, is, of course, how we live our lives" ~ Annie Dillard
I imagine you and Annie walking down a road (life) holding hands and talking about writing. And also there are your loving friends and fans and fellow life dancers all holding hands and encouraging you on. (yes, it's crowded, but in a good way ; ) P.S. i shared a quote with you because i'm not a writer, i'm a reader✨💖
Ahh. One of the very best quotes. So true, in so many ways. Thank you for these thoughtful words, Bernadette (not just the quote—yours). It means a lot. 🩷
"And isn’t living always the first draft?" 😮💨 That hit me in my chest. Sometimes my life feels like the first draft with red ink corrections alllll over it. Failure! Mess! Glory! YESSS!!!! So happy that you've hit a writing stride. I love love loved this, Caroline. Your letters always feel like a much needed hug. Also, FRAGGLE ROCK POR VIDA! 😍
To me, Caroline, this is surrender: “It’s a process, requiring some adjustment and a decent amount of trust.” And when accompanied by its cousin faith (as in trust, not religion) majestic things unfold.
I feel this so much and I hope the muse continues to whisper in your ear! The Dip is a horrendous place to dwell BUT what you said about living the first draft helps tremendously as I navigate this myself. Reading Martyr! was such a blessing and a curse 😅 Tying this novel to your letter here, I loved Akbar’s descriptions of random strangers and passers by. Those brilliant fictional gems can only come from a keen observer, such as yourself, living out their first draft.
Happy New Year Caroline. It’s a Perfect time of year for cave writing/reading. Here in Germany the season dictates the energy and where to spend it. Sometimes it’s the process that ignites our greatest growth. Nevertheless, I look forward to your musings, sharing and (possible, no pressure) novel with great anticipation. As always, I think your words hit target. Thank you.
Yay for a flow state! My word for this year is FLOURISH, and it sounds like your words are somewhere in that vicinity. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. 💙
I loved this! So often I felt myself nodding in agreement to what you shared. Thank you for writing what were just words/thoughts/feelings floating around in my head. ❤️
Don't forget Marjory the Trash Heap is down there! It's not trash--it's wisdom!
Your article reminds of this from Anne Lamott: “E.L. Doctorow said once said that 'Writing a novel is like driving at night in the fog. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.'
Congrats on all the writing, Caroline! ☺️ I am diving back into my neglected novel revision after a huge time-consuming and unpaid contract came to an end (that involved going down a chimney;). But preschool re-opens tomorrow and I am asking all the creativity goddesses to show up at my desk and yours in 2025!
Happy new year, Caroline! This was a beautiful and powerful one. So glad to know that you’ve made progress on your novel - I’m sure it’s pure brilliance!
on my refrigerator, for years, yes literally years, has hung a greeting card with these words~'How we live our days, is, of course, how we live our lives" ~ Annie Dillard
I imagine you and Annie walking down a road (life) holding hands and talking about writing. And also there are your loving friends and fans and fellow life dancers all holding hands and encouraging you on. (yes, it's crowded, but in a good way ; ) P.S. i shared a quote with you because i'm not a writer, i'm a reader✨💖
Ahh. One of the very best quotes. So true, in so many ways. Thank you for these thoughtful words, Bernadette (not just the quote—yours). It means a lot. 🩷
"And isn’t living always the first draft?" 😮💨 That hit me in my chest. Sometimes my life feels like the first draft with red ink corrections alllll over it. Failure! Mess! Glory! YESSS!!!! So happy that you've hit a writing stride. I love love loved this, Caroline. Your letters always feel like a much needed hug. Also, FRAGGLE ROCK POR VIDA! 😍
Pretty sure you have never written anything that is trash. Fictional or non, all your writing is a treasure chest of written gold!
To me, Caroline, this is surrender: “It’s a process, requiring some adjustment and a decent amount of trust.” And when accompanied by its cousin faith (as in trust, not religion) majestic things unfold.
I honor you. 🙏
Thank you, James. 😊 Appreciate you.
I feel this so much and I hope the muse continues to whisper in your ear! The Dip is a horrendous place to dwell BUT what you said about living the first draft helps tremendously as I navigate this myself. Reading Martyr! was such a blessing and a curse 😅 Tying this novel to your letter here, I loved Akbar’s descriptions of random strangers and passers by. Those brilliant fictional gems can only come from a keen observer, such as yourself, living out their first draft.
I really love the reframing of years as seasons ✨ It sounds like you’ve been in a bit of a flow state. So happy for you! Keep going 💛
Happy New Year Caroline. It’s a Perfect time of year for cave writing/reading. Here in Germany the season dictates the energy and where to spend it. Sometimes it’s the process that ignites our greatest growth. Nevertheless, I look forward to your musings, sharing and (possible, no pressure) novel with great anticipation. As always, I think your words hit target. Thank you.
Yay for a flow state! My word for this year is FLOURISH, and it sounds like your words are somewhere in that vicinity. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. 💙
Oh, I love that word! Thank you, Kris.
I loved this! So often I felt myself nodding in agreement to what you shared. Thank you for writing what were just words/thoughts/feelings floating around in my head. ❤️
Thank you, Natalie! So happy to hear it spoke to you. ❤️
Don't forget Marjory the Trash Heap is down there! It's not trash--it's wisdom!
Your article reminds of this from Anne Lamott: “E.L. Doctorow said once said that 'Writing a novel is like driving at night in the fog. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.'
May what you need find you in your cave!
Love this for you!! I think we should host a creativity retreat called Expression without Borders.
Yes!! I’m in.
❤️💪🏾😘
😘
We’re all rooting you on, Caroline! May this season be exactly what you need. Happy writing!
Onward, Caroline! ❤️💫
Congrats on all the writing, Caroline! ☺️ I am diving back into my neglected novel revision after a huge time-consuming and unpaid contract came to an end (that involved going down a chimney;). But preschool re-opens tomorrow and I am asking all the creativity goddesses to show up at my desk and yours in 2025!
Happy new year, Caroline! This was a beautiful and powerful one. So glad to know that you’ve made progress on your novel - I’m sure it’s pure brilliance!