Thanks, Kristin! I think part of it too is that while I acknowledge that "building wisdom all along" is a completely legit way of doing creative work, I still have this notion that "starting strong at 23" is the way to go.
Let me encourage you to start small! What if you wrote half a sentence a day, for a month? (I'm worried this sounds facetious -- it's not! I mean it. Set a teensy goal that you can definitely keep, and build from there.)
The Brother video!! That sound has been embedded deep in my brain since 1995. Every time I hit “print” on a paper it felt like a tiny firing squad in my tiny dorm room.
Do you think most writers have an inner narrative going, Julie? I find when I listen to my inner narrater I write some really cool stuff. And I didn't take any creative writing courses until I was well past college and grad school.
I know I certainly do! But I also know that some writers get their inspiration on what and how to write in many different ways (I know a writer who sees an image, almost, or like a movie, and writes that down). It's one of the reasons I'm obsessed with other writers' processes -- it's so fascinating.
Beautiful Julie, my own path to writing was kinda similarly roundabout but took even longer! You've been building wisdom all along
Thanks, Kristin! I think part of it too is that while I acknowledge that "building wisdom all along" is a completely legit way of doing creative work, I still have this notion that "starting strong at 23" is the way to go.
This resonated with me so much. I am an aspiring author and I barely write everyday. I always let something get in the way
Let me encourage you to start small! What if you wrote half a sentence a day, for a month? (I'm worried this sounds facetious -- it's not! I mean it. Set a teensy goal that you can definitely keep, and build from there.)
Your message about showing up to do the work, regardless of self-doubt, is the antidote for sure.
It's what my whole Substack is about! :)
The Brother video!! That sound has been embedded deep in my brain since 1995. Every time I hit “print” on a paper it felt like a tiny firing squad in my tiny dorm room.
I just wanted to say I love the photo with the BK crown so much. It seems you were just as much fun then as now!
Do you think most writers have an inner narrative going, Julie? I find when I listen to my inner narrater I write some really cool stuff. And I didn't take any creative writing courses until I was well past college and grad school.
I know I certainly do! But I also know that some writers get their inspiration on what and how to write in many different ways (I know a writer who sees an image, almost, or like a movie, and writes that down). It's one of the reasons I'm obsessed with other writers' processes -- it's so fascinating.