Today’s newsletter is about thinking more deeply about your routines and actions vs. what you THINK you need to accomplish. For me, it may be time to rethink my memoir.
I think it's so easy to get really motivated for the thrill of finishing a grandiose goal that we often forget that little actions over time can yield big returns. For what it's worth, I don't think anyone here would judge you for taking five years to write a book (it's an emotionally-taxing process!) and whatever format you choose to publish in, I know I will be reading.
Thanks Sophia, that is so kind!! :D I agree with the little actions that can often produce big returns, kind of like compounding interest in your investment accounts. I find it's the little habits that can sometimes create big change, and this is why I will keep going and likely just release my memoir on my Substack, week by week. Thank you for your support. It means a lot.
You wrote exactly how I’ve been feeling. I love the idea of posting chapters and publishing on Substack. I feel like I’ve been writing my memoir forever and the structure and even completely finishing one chapter seems impossible. Thank you for sharing this 🙏
I also really appreciate your honesty and openness about this. Sometimes I feel that I should be sitting down for this long block or stretch of time to just get it all out but that feels way more restrictive and I don’t get anything done. So I love the idea and mindset shift of a shorter amount of time. Like little creative bursts, and if it goes further great and if not, don’t have to stress about it. Just really appreciate this overall perspective and mindset a lot. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Emmy! I agree about feeling restrictive and resistant when you tell yourself you have to write for X amount of time, esp if it’s for a long time. 15 mins is perfect but i fear I’ll never get my book done at this pace. 🤪
Making the choice to stop or pivot a creative piece with potential is really a gut-wrenching part of the writing process that many don't see. I'm glad you shared the struggle. Just because you can detail the why doesn't make it any easier, either. As a writer, I was practically expected to share the journey of losing my husband to cancer (and, like you, thought Substack was a great place to dribble out chapters for the family and friends who wanted to hear), but eventually realized that the story I was telling was no longer the part of my life journey that I wanted to write about. (I wrote about the giving up, too: https://bethmorrow.substack.com/p/last-day-of-august-update)
Allow yourself to deeply consider your options, then pivot or quit, and be OK with what you choose. When you love writing and words won't come, maybe it's just the choice of what you're sharing that needs to shift so that you can more deeply embrace the process. Good luck finding what it is that makes your creative heart sing again.
Hi Beth, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband and what you went through. While my story doesn't involve such deep loss, I am feeling tired of writing about a time that was ugly and challenging for me. The thing is, writing about it really helped me process my feelings, and I can see why memoir writers choose this path. But now that I've kind of "gone through it," I'm ready to move on and focus on different stories. Thank you for reading and for sharing your thoughts. It means a lot to me. And I will def check out the time you were about to quit!!
Hi Claire, I appreciate this behind-the-scenes look at your process as someone who aspires to write a few books, one potentially being a memoir. From reading your words, your heart could be calling you to write on a different topic at the moment. Just because you don't feel energized with writing your memoir now doesn't mean you have to put it away forever; maybe take a break and come back to it when it feels right for you. Whatever you decide, I'm sure the project will turn out wonderful.
Wow, thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement Jasmine! Breaks are definitely a priority for me, but when it comes to my memoir I feel "afraid" to take too many for fear I will lose interest in the project all together. But oddly, I took a break this week from writing my memoir, and I am totally fine with it! :) Thanks again for your encouragement. I'll get SOMETHING done, one day, haha.
My version of 15mins a day is filling up my sketchbook. It’s not exactly everyday, but I’m just telling myself to draw or paint something for 10-15 mins and usually once I start I don’t want to stop. My last sketchbook took me 10 years to fill 😂 (bought it after my middle was born 2014, and just finished it Jan 2024) I want to fill this new one in about a month!
I know dragging out a project can be exhausting, but I’m also sure that a memoir is so emotionally-taxing! Maybe even a break to work on something else for a while could renew the energy or give some fresh perspective.
Hi Lindsey, I love that idea! I have a sketchbook too but ended up using it to write my journal, haha. I DO enjoy drawing and art, so I bought some watercolor paper and paint, but I have yet to crack that open too. You routine definitely inspires me though. But I'd probably be like you and not want to stop once I get started! Do you ever post your drawings on Substack?
I’ve had those sketchbooks-to-journal too 😂 I haven’t posted much on Substack yet, but I have been dreaming about how I could weave it in. I don’t think I want to start a *new* stack just for art, but maybe just a little add on at the end? That would probably help my motivation too.
That's a great idea. Another thing you could do is create "sections" (AKA tabs at the top of your Substack homepage) and just collect all of your artwork there too! :D
I completely understand your thought process on this, and I would read anything you write, regardless of what form it takes!
Right now, my "15 minutes" involves moving my body. I've had to be honest with myself about how my lack of motivation is actually a lack of prioritization. If I don't have to be accountable to anyone else, then I will likely never do it. So I'm in the habit of seeing a personal trainer once per week and doing 15 minutes of physical therapy exercises when I can (and frankly, that's been slipping too). I'm hoping to nail down a routine I can stick to, without the stress of perfection. It's been awful weather recently, and I know my activity level will pick up when the sun comes out :)
Hi Alyssa, so great to hear from you, thanks for chiming in! Good for you for knowing that about yourself and hiring a personal trainer! I was actually thinking about you the other day and wondering how it was going with your books and if you ever got any of them published. Would love to catch up soon, via Zoom! Take care. <3
I appreciate your writing, Claire! And this piece struck me. The honesty of your feelings behind your decisions has helped me consider my own choices. I do unfocused morning pages most every day but avoid the real writing that’s supposed to come next. I have had some success setting a timer for more than 15 minutes but am not consistent. You’ve inspired me to start a 15 minute daily practice.
Thank you Linda! I appreciate your comment. That's so funny you say that, because I also do unfocused morning pages and sometimes feel the dread of, "this is what I'm supposed to do next." 15 mins is all I can do, it's all I've BEEN doing for the last five months or more, so now I'm like... it's time to rethink this whole routine. Good luck with trying a new daily practice!
Thank you! Agree with above that I’d read anything you bring forth. Also SO loved hearing you read your perfect piece on the Writing Class Radio Podcast and Allison and Andrea gush their admiration.
I think it's so easy to get really motivated for the thrill of finishing a grandiose goal that we often forget that little actions over time can yield big returns. For what it's worth, I don't think anyone here would judge you for taking five years to write a book (it's an emotionally-taxing process!) and whatever format you choose to publish in, I know I will be reading.
Thanks Sophia, that is so kind!! :D I agree with the little actions that can often produce big returns, kind of like compounding interest in your investment accounts. I find it's the little habits that can sometimes create big change, and this is why I will keep going and likely just release my memoir on my Substack, week by week. Thank you for your support. It means a lot.
You wrote exactly how I’ve been feeling. I love the idea of posting chapters and publishing on Substack. I feel like I’ve been writing my memoir forever and the structure and even completely finishing one chapter seems impossible. Thank you for sharing this 🙏
Thank you for your comment! I’m so glad I’m not alone in feeling this way about my memoir! :)
You are so not! (I know that’s not proper English) but I look forward to reading your chapters!! And I loved your essay on the podcast with Alison ❤️
Yes I loved your essay about your brother on the podcast too!!!
Thank you Linda, that is so kind of you!! :D
Aw, thank you that means so much to me!! 🙏🏼
I also really appreciate your honesty and openness about this. Sometimes I feel that I should be sitting down for this long block or stretch of time to just get it all out but that feels way more restrictive and I don’t get anything done. So I love the idea and mindset shift of a shorter amount of time. Like little creative bursts, and if it goes further great and if not, don’t have to stress about it. Just really appreciate this overall perspective and mindset a lot. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Emmy! I agree about feeling restrictive and resistant when you tell yourself you have to write for X amount of time, esp if it’s for a long time. 15 mins is perfect but i fear I’ll never get my book done at this pace. 🤪
Totally valid and fair LOL!
Making the choice to stop or pivot a creative piece with potential is really a gut-wrenching part of the writing process that many don't see. I'm glad you shared the struggle. Just because you can detail the why doesn't make it any easier, either. As a writer, I was practically expected to share the journey of losing my husband to cancer (and, like you, thought Substack was a great place to dribble out chapters for the family and friends who wanted to hear), but eventually realized that the story I was telling was no longer the part of my life journey that I wanted to write about. (I wrote about the giving up, too: https://bethmorrow.substack.com/p/last-day-of-august-update)
Allow yourself to deeply consider your options, then pivot or quit, and be OK with what you choose. When you love writing and words won't come, maybe it's just the choice of what you're sharing that needs to shift so that you can more deeply embrace the process. Good luck finding what it is that makes your creative heart sing again.
Hi Beth, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband and what you went through. While my story doesn't involve such deep loss, I am feeling tired of writing about a time that was ugly and challenging for me. The thing is, writing about it really helped me process my feelings, and I can see why memoir writers choose this path. But now that I've kind of "gone through it," I'm ready to move on and focus on different stories. Thank you for reading and for sharing your thoughts. It means a lot to me. And I will def check out the time you were about to quit!!
Hi Claire, I appreciate this behind-the-scenes look at your process as someone who aspires to write a few books, one potentially being a memoir. From reading your words, your heart could be calling you to write on a different topic at the moment. Just because you don't feel energized with writing your memoir now doesn't mean you have to put it away forever; maybe take a break and come back to it when it feels right for you. Whatever you decide, I'm sure the project will turn out wonderful.
Wow, thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement Jasmine! Breaks are definitely a priority for me, but when it comes to my memoir I feel "afraid" to take too many for fear I will lose interest in the project all together. But oddly, I took a break this week from writing my memoir, and I am totally fine with it! :) Thanks again for your encouragement. I'll get SOMETHING done, one day, haha.
You're very welcome, Claire 🫶🏽
My version of 15mins a day is filling up my sketchbook. It’s not exactly everyday, but I’m just telling myself to draw or paint something for 10-15 mins and usually once I start I don’t want to stop. My last sketchbook took me 10 years to fill 😂 (bought it after my middle was born 2014, and just finished it Jan 2024) I want to fill this new one in about a month!
I know dragging out a project can be exhausting, but I’m also sure that a memoir is so emotionally-taxing! Maybe even a break to work on something else for a while could renew the energy or give some fresh perspective.
Hi Lindsey, I love that idea! I have a sketchbook too but ended up using it to write my journal, haha. I DO enjoy drawing and art, so I bought some watercolor paper and paint, but I have yet to crack that open too. You routine definitely inspires me though. But I'd probably be like you and not want to stop once I get started! Do you ever post your drawings on Substack?
I’ve had those sketchbooks-to-journal too 😂 I haven’t posted much on Substack yet, but I have been dreaming about how I could weave it in. I don’t think I want to start a *new* stack just for art, but maybe just a little add on at the end? That would probably help my motivation too.
That's a great idea. Another thing you could do is create "sections" (AKA tabs at the top of your Substack homepage) and just collect all of your artwork there too! :D
Oh interesting idea! Thanks
I completely understand your thought process on this, and I would read anything you write, regardless of what form it takes!
Right now, my "15 minutes" involves moving my body. I've had to be honest with myself about how my lack of motivation is actually a lack of prioritization. If I don't have to be accountable to anyone else, then I will likely never do it. So I'm in the habit of seeing a personal trainer once per week and doing 15 minutes of physical therapy exercises when I can (and frankly, that's been slipping too). I'm hoping to nail down a routine I can stick to, without the stress of perfection. It's been awful weather recently, and I know my activity level will pick up when the sun comes out :)
Hi Alyssa, so great to hear from you, thanks for chiming in! Good for you for knowing that about yourself and hiring a personal trainer! I was actually thinking about you the other day and wondering how it was going with your books and if you ever got any of them published. Would love to catch up soon, via Zoom! Take care. <3
Debut novel is coming May 21! I'm excited to finally start rolling them out. I'm always down to catch up, so reach out whenever! :)
Holy cow congrats!!! That’s huge. I am sooo happy for you!! 🥲
I appreciate your writing, Claire! And this piece struck me. The honesty of your feelings behind your decisions has helped me consider my own choices. I do unfocused morning pages most every day but avoid the real writing that’s supposed to come next. I have had some success setting a timer for more than 15 minutes but am not consistent. You’ve inspired me to start a 15 minute daily practice.
Thank you Linda! I appreciate your comment. That's so funny you say that, because I also do unfocused morning pages and sometimes feel the dread of, "this is what I'm supposed to do next." 15 mins is all I can do, it's all I've BEEN doing for the last five months or more, so now I'm like... it's time to rethink this whole routine. Good luck with trying a new daily practice!
Thank you! Agree with above that I’d read anything you bring forth. Also SO loved hearing you read your perfect piece on the Writing Class Radio Podcast and Allison and Andrea gush their admiration.
Love the conversations in this room!