I loved this--beautiful, hypnotizing writing (your novel will be amazing). The first part made me think about advice I've heard that is sort of cliche so you've probably heard it too: every story has already been written, but no one has written it the way *you* will. It kind of makes me roll my eyes but it also brings me relief, like I don't have to reinvent the wheel, I just need to bring my perspective and style to the story.
And then this part--"Sometimes we will swap laptops so I can read what she’s been working on, and vice versa, and our responses never fully satisfy each other." I really appreciated this because I find myself so eager to share my work with friends, but almost every time I am left dissatisfied by their responses. For a while I complained to my partner that no one understands me, no one reads me thoughtfully, no one gives the kind of time and care to their feedback like I do. But over time I've revisited feedback I've gotten and seen that people are usually actually very encouraging and thoughtful, like, objectively kind. Yet it still doesn't feel satisfying enough. So now I'm wondering whether "full satisfaction" from an outside reader is even possible. A writer friend once said, "No one will care about your work as much as you do" and it was a tough pill to swallow but it's true, and i guess that's the way it should be, anyway.
omg sorry for the diary entry, all this to say: this was lovely, it really resonated, and for the love of god please keep working on your novel <3
thank you for such a thoughtful comment, lindsey 💗 the first thought is so true and beautiful regardless of how cliche it is! and i think it’s both reassuring and humbling in equal measure to realise that no one criticises us more than ourselves - simply because they don’t really care enough to - but that’s a good thing! I’m so glad this resonated and am so excited to read your future novel, too 💗💗
I love this! Writing your novel is absolutely worthwhile, and I’ll buy your book one day I solemnly swear. Mt. Eerie lived in Olympia, in the town where I went to college, and I love them. Excellent piece and beautiful music <3
ahh I’m glad you like their music too! he makes the pacific northwest sound so beautiful, I’ve never been but get a real sense of it - I hope you enjoyed college there 💓 and thank you so much - can’t even imagine a day when it will be complete let alone available to buy but here’s hoping!
i'm working on my first proper writing collection at the moment (albeit self-published) and this piece resonated with me heavily !! the endless cycle of how we perceive of our craft & work is treacherous, but i'm glad i'm not alone in it :)
loved this - there’s something very suffocating about the impulse to constantly be part of the discourse. on another note, the world would be blessed by a novel from you - I for one am incredibly excited to read it <3
loved this! taking yourself seriously as a new writer is HARD, especially with all the social media noise and the pressure to be both good and marketable. it's something I'm struggling with as I work on my own novel, so it's good to know I'm not alone.
going to be first in line at the bookstore once you eventually do publish your book 🫡 everything you write has such character to it and everything is already derivative of something else and what really matters is *your* voice is still distinctly uniquely yours and i think even the most overused tired cliche tropes can be something new and refreshing if it's told by the right person.
The solitude of writing is both the best and worst aspects of it. I used to be afraid of it, but now I embrace it, to the point where I have to wonder if I've become too comfortable with it.
Keep working on the novel! The day you finish the first draft will be one of the most memorable days of your life.
i enjoy your writing so much! i've experienced a great deal of creative anxiety recently, which has for the most part kept me off substack for the last few weeks. i struggle with the idea that everything i may/will want to say has been/will be written better than i ever could. i plan on fighting that monster off this month, and it feels better knowing that even if that battle feels solitary (because it is), i'm not the only one engaged in a similar, if not the same, fight.
Absolutely beautiful and authentic piece:)) I had an aha moment last night that all the internal nausea I have been feeling over writing and employment all trace back to the heavy existential task of feeling good enough —- it seems there is a constant battle between submitting to what’s ‘in’ and really trusting in yourself at the cost of not being seen my the masses. Your piece was so needed this morning. Thank you!
Loved your piece!I have been struggling to even tell people I’ve decided to write on here :) Even now that I came finally after months of overthinking, I hide behind my technical posts (I have 4 half-written to come next). I wonder when I will really believe that I have something with saying and take that seriously to place into the world without second doubts.
I loved this--beautiful, hypnotizing writing (your novel will be amazing). The first part made me think about advice I've heard that is sort of cliche so you've probably heard it too: every story has already been written, but no one has written it the way *you* will. It kind of makes me roll my eyes but it also brings me relief, like I don't have to reinvent the wheel, I just need to bring my perspective and style to the story.
And then this part--"Sometimes we will swap laptops so I can read what she’s been working on, and vice versa, and our responses never fully satisfy each other." I really appreciated this because I find myself so eager to share my work with friends, but almost every time I am left dissatisfied by their responses. For a while I complained to my partner that no one understands me, no one reads me thoughtfully, no one gives the kind of time and care to their feedback like I do. But over time I've revisited feedback I've gotten and seen that people are usually actually very encouraging and thoughtful, like, objectively kind. Yet it still doesn't feel satisfying enough. So now I'm wondering whether "full satisfaction" from an outside reader is even possible. A writer friend once said, "No one will care about your work as much as you do" and it was a tough pill to swallow but it's true, and i guess that's the way it should be, anyway.
omg sorry for the diary entry, all this to say: this was lovely, it really resonated, and for the love of god please keep working on your novel <3
thank you for such a thoughtful comment, lindsey 💗 the first thought is so true and beautiful regardless of how cliche it is! and i think it’s both reassuring and humbling in equal measure to realise that no one criticises us more than ourselves - simply because they don’t really care enough to - but that’s a good thing! I’m so glad this resonated and am so excited to read your future novel, too 💗💗
I love this! Writing your novel is absolutely worthwhile, and I’ll buy your book one day I solemnly swear. Mt. Eerie lived in Olympia, in the town where I went to college, and I love them. Excellent piece and beautiful music <3
ahh I’m glad you like their music too! he makes the pacific northwest sound so beautiful, I’ve never been but get a real sense of it - I hope you enjoyed college there 💓 and thank you so much - can’t even imagine a day when it will be complete let alone available to buy but here’s hoping!
some very astute observations
💓💓thank you so much
i'm working on my first proper writing collection at the moment (albeit self-published) and this piece resonated with me heavily !! the endless cycle of how we perceive of our craft & work is treacherous, but i'm glad i'm not alone in it :)
Good luck with it!
💗💗💗
loved this - there’s something very suffocating about the impulse to constantly be part of the discourse. on another note, the world would be blessed by a novel from you - I for one am incredibly excited to read it <3
💗💗💗 thank you Mel, that means a lot!
loved this! taking yourself seriously as a new writer is HARD, especially with all the social media noise and the pressure to be both good and marketable. it's something I'm struggling with as I work on my own novel, so it's good to know I'm not alone.
you’re not alone at all - we’re all in the same boat and I’m so glad you relate x
I love your writing so much
thank you 💗💗
going to be first in line at the bookstore once you eventually do publish your book 🫡 everything you write has such character to it and everything is already derivative of something else and what really matters is *your* voice is still distinctly uniquely yours and i think even the most overused tired cliche tropes can be something new and refreshing if it's told by the right person.
💙 you are so kind wenyi, thank you (and right back at you!)
The solitude of writing is both the best and worst aspects of it. I used to be afraid of it, but now I embrace it, to the point where I have to wonder if I've become too comfortable with it.
Keep working on the novel! The day you finish the first draft will be one of the most memorable days of your life.
💗💗💗 thank you for the encouragement!!
- LOVED this
- LOVE when you talk about Rosa <3
- desperate for you to write this book
💓💓💓 thank you so much
claustrophobic is an excellent descriptor
i enjoy your writing so much! i've experienced a great deal of creative anxiety recently, which has for the most part kept me off substack for the last few weeks. i struggle with the idea that everything i may/will want to say has been/will be written better than i ever could. i plan on fighting that monster off this month, and it feels better knowing that even if that battle feels solitary (because it is), i'm not the only one engaged in a similar, if not the same, fight.
Absolutely beautiful and authentic piece:)) I had an aha moment last night that all the internal nausea I have been feeling over writing and employment all trace back to the heavy existential task of feeling good enough —- it seems there is a constant battle between submitting to what’s ‘in’ and really trusting in yourself at the cost of not being seen my the masses. Your piece was so needed this morning. Thank you!
Loved your piece!I have been struggling to even tell people I’ve decided to write on here :) Even now that I came finally after months of overthinking, I hide behind my technical posts (I have 4 half-written to come next). I wonder when I will really believe that I have something with saying and take that seriously to place into the world without second doubts.