Hi Hattie. A publisher requested my full m/s and on Tuesday emailed to say they are going to offer me a contract! I am over the moon and it is literally my dream come true to have a novel published by the traditional route. With a little luck and lots of hard work, this is just the beginning for me as a novelist. I’m not giving up my day job just yet though!
Loved this post, the journaling mention, the important freedom of writers and what many go through to hold on to that freedom. And I related to the grey days and the relief of them, maybe their interiority? Finally, your comments on social media really hit home for me, as I begin to promote a new novel coming out in fall. I have such a love-hate relationship, and you're right, it's exhausting. My only consolation and why I continue is that I can give some encouragement to others like me, the writing community out there, since we are all struggling. As you do in this newsletter. Thank you.
Since I’m not an official writer, I have limited my time on social media. The past few weeks I have found reason to slowly dip back into it. I just find that it isn’t good for my mental/emotional health. As far as writing goes, I wrote in abstentia at our last creative hour. I set a timer and wrote. It has led me to start writing on Sundays, setting my timer but being free to stop whenever. I love this new routine that insures that I am writing something. Anything. I thank you for that.
A great post and update, Hattie. I appreciate your honesty on feelings and journaling. Bafflingly, it's only something I started doing this year! But I've managed to keep it up every day since January (well, couple of missed days here and there) and I agree, it does make a difference to well-being and a sense of slowing down and being more at peace within my mind.
I know what you mean about the sluggish lethargy with heat, too, though I'd gladly take some right now as it's brrrr down here in Melbourne (relatively brrr, of course, but the houses here are made of tissue paper and they don't believe in double glazing, so 🥶).
Plodding! I love that you used that particular word. I’m plodding along too, editing a ms too but without a pub deal, or an agent. One page at a time. It’s all we can do.
I really enjoyed this post. Especially the parts on writers facing exile or prison and your thoughts on journaling, it sparked some profound reflection in me.
Thank you for your thoughts, Hattie! PEN international work and interview quotes were inspirational. I too would like to quit social media but can a writer afford to do it…?
Hi Hattie. A publisher requested my full m/s and on Tuesday emailed to say they are going to offer me a contract! I am over the moon and it is literally my dream come true to have a novel published by the traditional route. With a little luck and lots of hard work, this is just the beginning for me as a novelist. I’m not giving up my day job just yet though!
Loved this post, the journaling mention, the important freedom of writers and what many go through to hold on to that freedom. And I related to the grey days and the relief of them, maybe their interiority? Finally, your comments on social media really hit home for me, as I begin to promote a new novel coming out in fall. I have such a love-hate relationship, and you're right, it's exhausting. My only consolation and why I continue is that I can give some encouragement to others like me, the writing community out there, since we are all struggling. As you do in this newsletter. Thank you.
Since I’m not an official writer, I have limited my time on social media. The past few weeks I have found reason to slowly dip back into it. I just find that it isn’t good for my mental/emotional health. As far as writing goes, I wrote in abstentia at our last creative hour. I set a timer and wrote. It has led me to start writing on Sundays, setting my timer but being free to stop whenever. I love this new routine that insures that I am writing something. Anything. I thank you for that.
Good luck with book writing Hattie!
A great post and update, Hattie. I appreciate your honesty on feelings and journaling. Bafflingly, it's only something I started doing this year! But I've managed to keep it up every day since January (well, couple of missed days here and there) and I agree, it does make a difference to well-being and a sense of slowing down and being more at peace within my mind.
I know what you mean about the sluggish lethargy with heat, too, though I'd gladly take some right now as it's brrrr down here in Melbourne (relatively brrr, of course, but the houses here are made of tissue paper and they don't believe in double glazing, so 🥶).
Plodding! I love that you used that particular word. I’m plodding along too, editing a ms too but without a pub deal, or an agent. One page at a time. It’s all we can do.
Cheers from Santa Monica!
Looking forward to your book! Also I love your green velvet(?) top!
I really enjoyed this post. Especially the parts on writers facing exile or prison and your thoughts on journaling, it sparked some profound reflection in me.
Thanks for your work! :)
Thank you for your thoughts, Hattie! PEN international work and interview quotes were inspirational. I too would like to quit social media but can a writer afford to do it…?
Always good to read these, thank you
The List by Yomi Adegoke sounds very interesting!