I thoroughly enjoyed your responses--thank you. I had a writing instructor in college who wore a wedding ring because, as she told us, her students, "I'm married to my writing."
I love the frame of "writing as my way of showing up in the world." It takes so much pressure off of those of us who aren't inclined to show up in the physical sense of the word.
Amanda has certainly chosen some incredible people for this series and I'm honored to be included!
Lovely to read all this and thanks to Anastasia for such thoughtful responses!
I definitely go on intuition, though there are many things for which planning has to come in at some point. Selling a nonfiction book to a publisher, for example, almost always requires a detailed book proposal. It’s a seesaw doing that planning while keeping the spark alive.
I sold my book on proposal! But I don't know if I'll ever take that route again, because it brings someone else into the process of initial creation, which has been truly challenging for me. A minor complaint when I'm privileged enough to have found a publisher, I think, but definitely a lesson I've learned.
It’s an interesting process, isn’t it? My agent is very collaborative, so I appreciate what we can do together, but on the other hand would probably work a little better just writing it first and giving an outline afterward if need be. Proposal does give me a weird feeling of having already “used up” the ideas.
"I felt a certain obligation to be more social, even though social events often felt uncomfortable." Anastasia, I hear you on that one! And on how limiting the social time allows deepening your relationship with writing. The other part that stood out for me was: "Being confident in one’s unique way of seeing things goes a long way, I think, no matter the subject or idea. And we all have the ability, in my opinion, to create new worlds or ideas of worlds." And now it strikes me that these two are related: More time immersed in one's own world can release the horizons of the mind. At least I find, as an autistic person, that being less social helps me sink more deeply into my own way of seeing, which adds up (usually) to more confidence and more creativity.
Lovely to read your answers. I can relate to so much of what you shared with us, including your music passion: "I used to make mixtapes recorded from the radio" I did this too! When I was eight, I was sent to live with relatives in the U.S. for close to a year. I didn't speak English at the time and struggled to make friends. I not only made mixtapes but often danced along to the songs when no one was watching. I think music became a way for me to cope with the loneliness I felt back then.
That connection to music has stuck with me since. Like you, I often play songs in the background while writing about a specific period of my life. The same applies to my fiction writing: a song that fits the mood of a story I'm crafting often helps me immerse deeper in that imagined world. I've often found songs to complement the atmosphere of a story I've written so well that it feels like the story and the song must coexist and be experienced together, almost like the scene of a movie. Otherwise, it almost feels like the story is missing something when you read it. Have you ever experienced this?
It would be amazing if authors who do this could create a playlist or list the song for their readers!! And you're the only other person I've met who recorded mixtapes from the radio. There must be more of us!
Ian Rankin, the Scottish writer most famous for his Rebus series, often includes a playlist in his foreword. So do Neil Gaiman & Charles de Lint (my urban fantasy slip is showing) and Susan Cain had a Bittersweet playlist to accompany her book.
Hi Anastasia (and Amanda). I am too new in this writing space to know yet how or where I like to write. Right now, it comes in spurts and flows out of me when it flows. When it doesn't, well, let's just say I recognize now to jot something down even if it doesn't make sense, but I don't belabour my lack of flow for too long.
I relate to the only child, single mother, being watchful and hyper-vigilant of her moods. It's an art in itself isn't it? It's what made me so independent but also kind of f'd up.
Lovely,Anastasia. It’s so interesting to see how other writers discover themselves. Your grandmother was just what you needed as a catalyst, but you did the work. And isn’t it lucky that you loved doing it? ☺️
Definitely I rely on intuition. It’s SO hard to plan anything when it comes to writing, which I wonder if that’ll be my downfall. I really admire how folks can sit and organize a piece of writing, but I think it’s true what they say to keep writing through the pages to get to what you really want to say. Then, I think, it’s easier to play around with the form and to have a long view. My MFA advisor Ken Chen said to get all the toys in the sandbox first and watch how you’re playing with them. I really love this metaphor for writing process.
Likewise - I love that you wrote of constantly rebuilding your self-trust. I go through the same thing every time, getting self conscious and questioning myself with each new piece.
"writing is something I am married to."
So true of musicians
And songwriters.
Almost like "the other woman" when married.
Time away from home is time away from home
Even without leaving the house.
Sorry, my ego has been exposed again. I should have prefaced with "I really identify with your responses."
Malcolm, that certainly came through! It's unlikely I'll ever be married in a legal sense, so my writing is my primary partner 🙃
I thoroughly enjoyed your responses--thank you. I had a writing instructor in college who wore a wedding ring because, as she told us, her students, "I'm married to my writing."
Hi, Anastasia, lovely to see you here.
A bit of both. I need a spark - often two seemingly unrelated ideas colliding - but I am an unrecovered planner!
My very late in life slef-diagnosis has given me permission to focus on writing as my way of showing up in the world.
Yes. Anastasia, and everyone else you've had on here, almost all of whom I already followed!
I love the frame of "writing as my way of showing up in the world." It takes so much pressure off of those of us who aren't inclined to show up in the physical sense of the word.
Amanda has certainly chosen some incredible people for this series and I'm honored to be included!
Yes, very much. Amanda is such a generous soul.
I like the "unrecovered planner" bucket. Very much swim in that one. ☀️
Chevanne Scordinsky posted yesterday that she has folders for each month in 2024 already set up with post ideas or outlines in them. I'm so envious.
But then, I need those sparks. How do you plan spontaneity?
I'm not sure. I'm much more productive with frameworks and milestones spread out far enough for me to flex inside. ;)
I'm working towards that balance.
Lovely to read all this and thanks to Anastasia for such thoughtful responses!
I definitely go on intuition, though there are many things for which planning has to come in at some point. Selling a nonfiction book to a publisher, for example, almost always requires a detailed book proposal. It’s a seesaw doing that planning while keeping the spark alive.
I sold my book on proposal! But I don't know if I'll ever take that route again, because it brings someone else into the process of initial creation, which has been truly challenging for me. A minor complaint when I'm privileged enough to have found a publisher, I think, but definitely a lesson I've learned.
It’s an interesting process, isn’t it? My agent is very collaborative, so I appreciate what we can do together, but on the other hand would probably work a little better just writing it first and giving an outline afterward if need be. Proposal does give me a weird feeling of having already “used up” the ideas.
"I felt a certain obligation to be more social, even though social events often felt uncomfortable." Anastasia, I hear you on that one! And on how limiting the social time allows deepening your relationship with writing. The other part that stood out for me was: "Being confident in one’s unique way of seeing things goes a long way, I think, no matter the subject or idea. And we all have the ability, in my opinion, to create new worlds or ideas of worlds." And now it strikes me that these two are related: More time immersed in one's own world can release the horizons of the mind. At least I find, as an autistic person, that being less social helps me sink more deeply into my own way of seeing, which adds up (usually) to more confidence and more creativity.
I so agree with you Priscilla. I am grateful to have had this realization now rather than later (or never). ✨✨
Hi Anastasia,
Lovely to read your answers. I can relate to so much of what you shared with us, including your music passion: "I used to make mixtapes recorded from the radio" I did this too! When I was eight, I was sent to live with relatives in the U.S. for close to a year. I didn't speak English at the time and struggled to make friends. I not only made mixtapes but often danced along to the songs when no one was watching. I think music became a way for me to cope with the loneliness I felt back then.
That connection to music has stuck with me since. Like you, I often play songs in the background while writing about a specific period of my life. The same applies to my fiction writing: a song that fits the mood of a story I'm crafting often helps me immerse deeper in that imagined world. I've often found songs to complement the atmosphere of a story I've written so well that it feels like the story and the song must coexist and be experienced together, almost like the scene of a movie. Otherwise, it almost feels like the story is missing something when you read it. Have you ever experienced this?
It would be amazing if authors who do this could create a playlist or list the song for their readers!! And you're the only other person I've met who recorded mixtapes from the radio. There must be more of us!
Ian Rankin, the Scottish writer most famous for his Rebus series, often includes a playlist in his foreword. So do Neil Gaiman & Charles de Lint (my urban fantasy slip is showing) and Susan Cain had a Bittersweet playlist to accompany her book.
🩵🩵🩵
Hi Anastasia (and Amanda). I am too new in this writing space to know yet how or where I like to write. Right now, it comes in spurts and flows out of me when it flows. When it doesn't, well, let's just say I recognize now to jot something down even if it doesn't make sense, but I don't belabour my lack of flow for too long.
I relate to the only child, single mother, being watchful and hyper-vigilant of her moods. It's an art in itself isn't it? It's what made me so independent but also kind of f'd up.
Lol, same. 🩵🩵🩵 We made it through, we carry what we carry, and we can transform it in some ways, which is quite special, I think.
Wonderful, insightful conversation between two talented writers. A treat! Thank you both.
Thank you so much!
Lovely,Anastasia. It’s so interesting to see how other writers discover themselves. Your grandmother was just what you needed as a catalyst, but you did the work. And isn’t it lucky that you loved doing it? ☺️
so very lucky, Ramona!
"I’m constantly in the process of regaining trust in myself." FELT.
Definitely I rely on intuition. It’s SO hard to plan anything when it comes to writing, which I wonder if that’ll be my downfall. I really admire how folks can sit and organize a piece of writing, but I think it’s true what they say to keep writing through the pages to get to what you really want to say. Then, I think, it’s easier to play around with the form and to have a long view. My MFA advisor Ken Chen said to get all the toys in the sandbox first and watch how you’re playing with them. I really love this metaphor for writing process.
Team intuition!
Likewise - I love that you wrote of constantly rebuilding your self-trust. I go through the same thing every time, getting self conscious and questioning myself with each new piece.
Thamk you. I never tire of advice and perspectives on writing. I will be back to read more.
Thank you Amanda & Anastasia ❤️