Thank you for sharing this, Hattie! Love the journal entries - if I was ever able to write a book and finish it, I would walk around just telling people 'I wrote a book! I wrote a book!' You should be incredibly proud. Can't wait to read it.
I loved reading this Hattie. Thank you for sharing. Giving visibility to what a vulnerable and difficult process the whole writing thing is, which it sounds like the content of your book will do too, is such a gift to us fellow writers. And reading you write about the process you’re writing about.... it’s all a bit meta isn’t it?! 🤪 huge congrats, and can’t wait to read it. E x
I absolutely love this post! Reading your ups and downs in the journal is great, and makes me resolve again to keep one. Congratulations on handing in your book, and GETTING IT DONE!! I'm so impressed and inspired by you. Love from one in mid-panic mode!! 😆
“ I can’t tell whether what I’m reading is good or awful any more. I’ve looked at it so much.” I’ve interviewed so many musicians who come to this same point with their albums. Almost all of them conclude this when it’s done.
The entry on 16 December was my favourite, Hattie.
"Chapter 2, which was the hardest to write, is suddenly my favourite chapter." I can't love this enough. It's interesting how that happens. Thank you for sharing your private world with your book baby. It certainly normalises so many of my experiences with my writing.
Happy new year! loved this post and it’s so true... loved reading your diary entries and I’m gonna look back at mine from the last min sweat of my portfolio preparation (which really had similar painful moments) enjoy the amazing feeling of having submitted!! Congratulations 🙌 🥂🍾
Yes, I know what you mean. I think you will keep going, because the good thing about the MA is that the need to produce work sort of gets into your bones – so don't worry if you lapse a little bit, because I don't think you'll stay away from writing for long.
How wonderful to find this in my inbox. CONGRATULATIONS! You wrote a book! I loved reading the journal, especially the asterisks in place of names - I can’t wait to find out who you’ve interviewed. Do you have a publication date? I’m really looking forward to reading this. I’m also looking forward to joining you for more writing sessions in the coming year. Cx
Congratulations Hattie, you have written a book! Delighted for you and really appreciate you sharing your journal entries. Your email landed in the midst of my own moment of sheer panic, I have a deadline on Monday. When I sat down at 5am this morning I thought I was nearly there. I love your Six Stages of the Creative Process and have a copy stuck on the wall beside me. This morning I was enjoying being in Stage 5 'this might be ok' by lunch time after a lot of work I was entering Stage 6 'this is amazing' until I realised I'm about 2k over the word count!!! I'm about to start another round of editing and pray that I don't rip the heart and guts out of the piece. Wed 20 December yep, thats where I am tonight. Four seasons in one day, I love writing!
Thanks so much for sharing this roller-coaster ride. It makes me feel so non-crazy to know a seasoned writer goes through the same scramble I do every day. Also, your ability to find the emotional plumb-line in a topic is what I loved most about your podcast episodes. I really can't wait for your book. Congrats for getting the edits in!
I really love this post!! It was incredibly relatable -- particularly about not knowing if your writing is good or bad or if you’ve just read it too much... I’m on about edit 3 of my novel and what I’m seeing as the big line edit ahead of approaching agents... and i will be swinging between YES and NO every few paragraphs!!
This is so wonderful, Hattie! I am so excited for you! YOU WROTE A BOOK!!! I loved getting a sneak peek into your journals through this essay and so much of the excitement and worry resonated with me. I *just* completed the first draft of my manuscript and feel all the things as well - pride, joy, worry, dread.... what if it's terrible?! what if it's good?!
Thanks for sharing this, it sure helps knowing other writers go through the same emotional rollercoaster of madness in their own minds! Writing can be lonely and podcasts/newsletters like yours can do the world of good, particularly posts like this one. Congratulations for writing your book :)
Thank you for sharing this, Hattie! Love the journal entries - if I was ever able to write a book and finish it, I would walk around just telling people 'I wrote a book! I wrote a book!' You should be incredibly proud. Can't wait to read it.
Thank you lovely friend xxx
I loved reading this Hattie. Thank you for sharing. Giving visibility to what a vulnerable and difficult process the whole writing thing is, which it sounds like the content of your book will do too, is such a gift to us fellow writers. And reading you write about the process you’re writing about.... it’s all a bit meta isn’t it?! 🤪 huge congrats, and can’t wait to read it. E x
It's horribly meta! Thanks so much Emma x
surgery comparison made me laugh out loud
Very very similar jobs, E
I absolutely love this post! Reading your ups and downs in the journal is great, and makes me resolve again to keep one. Congratulations on handing in your book, and GETTING IT DONE!! I'm so impressed and inspired by you. Love from one in mid-panic mode!! 😆
Thanks dude – I was thinking you've had the live 'Hattie's journal' experience more than anyone... I can only apologise! xx
“ I can’t tell whether what I’m reading is good or awful any more. I’ve looked at it so much.” I’ve interviewed so many musicians who come to this same point with their albums. Almost all of them conclude this when it’s done.
Well that's good to know!
Thanks for sharing your pain and joy. It made me feel like a normal person.
Haha – thank you Marg! Your comment made me feel like a normal person!
The entry on 16 December was my favourite, Hattie.
"Chapter 2, which was the hardest to write, is suddenly my favourite chapter." I can't love this enough. It's interesting how that happens. Thank you for sharing your private world with your book baby. It certainly normalises so many of my experiences with my writing.
Thanks so much Sunshine, that's so lovely to hear.
Congratulations, Hattie! And thanks for sharing your journal entries. Is there a chapter on imposter syndrome? 😉
Already looking forward to reading the published work.
I don't think I use the term 'imposter syndrome', but that feeling is definitely discussed! Thanks Tony.
Happy new year! loved this post and it’s so true... loved reading your diary entries and I’m gonna look back at mine from the last min sweat of my portfolio preparation (which really had similar painful moments) enjoy the amazing feeling of having submitted!! Congratulations 🙌 🥂🍾
Thanks so much Tara, and congratulations on your portfolio x
thanks hattie - just need to keep going now and not let all the writing buzz drift away.
Yes, I know what you mean. I think you will keep going, because the good thing about the MA is that the need to produce work sort of gets into your bones – so don't worry if you lapse a little bit, because I don't think you'll stay away from writing for long.
How wonderful to find this in my inbox. CONGRATULATIONS! You wrote a book! I loved reading the journal, especially the asterisks in place of names - I can’t wait to find out who you’ve interviewed. Do you have a publication date? I’m really looking forward to reading this. I’m also looking forward to joining you for more writing sessions in the coming year. Cx
7 November! Thanks so much Charlotte. I'm really excited to share the new interviews.
Congratulations Hattie, you have written a book! Delighted for you and really appreciate you sharing your journal entries. Your email landed in the midst of my own moment of sheer panic, I have a deadline on Monday. When I sat down at 5am this morning I thought I was nearly there. I love your Six Stages of the Creative Process and have a copy stuck on the wall beside me. This morning I was enjoying being in Stage 5 'this might be ok' by lunch time after a lot of work I was entering Stage 6 'this is amazing' until I realised I'm about 2k over the word count!!! I'm about to start another round of editing and pray that I don't rip the heart and guts out of the piece. Wed 20 December yep, thats where I am tonight. Four seasons in one day, I love writing!
What a lovely message to get. Thanks Kathryn. I am SURE you are back in stage 6 by now and have met your deadline – if not, you can do it!!
Thanks so much for sharing this roller-coaster ride. It makes me feel so non-crazy to know a seasoned writer goes through the same scramble I do every day. Also, your ability to find the emotional plumb-line in a topic is what I loved most about your podcast episodes. I really can't wait for your book. Congrats for getting the edits in!
Thank you so much, and what a kind thing to say about the emotional plumb-line – I like that!
I really love this post!! It was incredibly relatable -- particularly about not knowing if your writing is good or bad or if you’ve just read it too much... I’m on about edit 3 of my novel and what I’m seeing as the big line edit ahead of approaching agents... and i will be swinging between YES and NO every few paragraphs!!
Thanks Grace. You can do it!
So true and so honest. Parallels my experience of the past year.
So glad it resonated with you – thanks Mary.
This is so wonderful, Hattie! I am so excited for you! YOU WROTE A BOOK!!! I loved getting a sneak peek into your journals through this essay and so much of the excitement and worry resonated with me. I *just* completed the first draft of my manuscript and feel all the things as well - pride, joy, worry, dread.... what if it's terrible?! what if it's good?!
I can't wait to read your book!
Congratulations on your first draft Petya! That's such a huge milestone and I think probably the hardest stage. Thanks so much for the kind comments.
Thanks for sharing this, it sure helps knowing other writers go through the same emotional rollercoaster of madness in their own minds! Writing can be lonely and podcasts/newsletters like yours can do the world of good, particularly posts like this one. Congratulations for writing your book :)
Thanks so much Hayley!