I'm new to poetry and what you say here is so helpful as I consider all the advice readily available on web today. Your thoughts ring out clearly to me.
Why is it so hard for us to do what we are good at and be ok with doing that? Meaning, it is significantly easier to identify where we lack and dwell on that. Which, ultimately, can be a fear that paralyzes instead of freedom to "move about the cabin." Thank you for this reminder that it's ok to know and do what we are good at. Maybe I needed to hear this today.
I first read this concept from you some four or five years ago and it buried itself deep in my psyche. How wonderful to remember that I get to celebrate who I already am as a writer, and not just ceaselessly strive to be, nebulously, “better.” Thank you.
Thank you for this reminder to cultivate the gifts God's given us so we can best benefit our communities (and readers). Thank you for leaning into your gifts of encouragement. I've enjoyed your posts for years -- even preSubstack.
Two of my writing gifts are mystery plotting and wry humor. After years of practice and praying (and sometimes crying as the rejections reached triple digits), God's given me a publisher for my first cozy murder mystery, Not to Be. Bandersnatch Books releases this story based on two twenty-something sisters who must use their complementary verbal and visual strengths to solve crimes on June 24th. If you'd have any interest in reading the book, my publisher is seeking endorsements and would be happy to send you a file of the manuscript. It would be an honor if it is a fit for you.
What is my territory? Such a good thing to know. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, but how easy it is for me to shrug my shoulders at what comes most naturally and long for someone else's gift. Thank you for telling your students (and all of us!) to recognize our strengths. The Fondue Pot Principle is going in my commonplace.
Thank you so much for this. It is sweet encouragement to remember that my gifts are uniquely suited to bring certain people joy—and that means it really is okay if what I write is not everyone’s cup of tea.
In my graduate work, in response to one of my assignments, my professor wrote "this is excellent work." I stop reading and begin to asks my self what did he mean by that. I spent the rest of the afternoon pondering what did he mean when he said excellent. Finally another voice in my head said, "Stop this, go back and read it again." So I did, and sure enough it said 'excellent." The voice in my head said look it is in black and white. Excellent means excellent.
This is so helpful! I am so hard on myself; realizing I already have something to build on as opposed to forcing on what I lack gives me a place to start from.
I saw Allen recently at the Columbus Library where he was talking about Theo of Golden. I stood in line to get my book autographed. He’s a treasure, present company included.
I'm new to poetry and what you say here is so helpful as I consider all the advice readily available on web today. Your thoughts ring out clearly to me.
Why is it so hard for us to do what we are good at and be ok with doing that? Meaning, it is significantly easier to identify where we lack and dwell on that. Which, ultimately, can be a fear that paralyzes instead of freedom to "move about the cabin." Thank you for this reminder that it's ok to know and do what we are good at. Maybe I needed to hear this today.
I first read this concept from you some four or five years ago and it buried itself deep in my psyche. How wonderful to remember that I get to celebrate who I already am as a writer, and not just ceaselessly strive to be, nebulously, “better.” Thank you.
Thank you for this reminder to cultivate the gifts God's given us so we can best benefit our communities (and readers). Thank you for leaning into your gifts of encouragement. I've enjoyed your posts for years -- even preSubstack.
Two of my writing gifts are mystery plotting and wry humor. After years of practice and praying (and sometimes crying as the rejections reached triple digits), God's given me a publisher for my first cozy murder mystery, Not to Be. Bandersnatch Books releases this story based on two twenty-something sisters who must use their complementary verbal and visual strengths to solve crimes on June 24th. If you'd have any interest in reading the book, my publisher is seeking endorsements and would be happy to send you a file of the manuscript. It would be an honor if it is a fit for you.
Thanks!
katherine.ladny.mitchell@gmail.com
What is my territory? Such a good thing to know. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, but how easy it is for me to shrug my shoulders at what comes most naturally and long for someone else's gift. Thank you for telling your students (and all of us!) to recognize our strengths. The Fondue Pot Principle is going in my commonplace.
Thank you so much for this. It is sweet encouragement to remember that my gifts are uniquely suited to bring certain people joy—and that means it really is okay if what I write is not everyone’s cup of tea.
In my graduate work, in response to one of my assignments, my professor wrote "this is excellent work." I stop reading and begin to asks my self what did he mean by that. I spent the rest of the afternoon pondering what did he mean when he said excellent. Finally another voice in my head said, "Stop this, go back and read it again." So I did, and sure enough it said 'excellent." The voice in my head said look it is in black and white. Excellent means excellent.
This is so helpful! I am so hard on myself; realizing I already have something to build on as opposed to forcing on what I lack gives me a place to start from.
I saw Allen recently at the Columbus Library where he was talking about Theo of Golden. I stood in line to get my book autographed. He’s a treasure, present company included.
Thank you for this Jonathan. So good. More timely for me than you know.
Thank you so much, JR! This is exactly what I needed to read today.
Thank you for this reminder. I loved listening to you and Allen! Wonderful talk with two wonderful men. Thanks for sharing it!
Wonderful encouragement! That’s going to get me to my writing desk much quicker.