21 Comments
Jun 1, 2022Liked by Stephanie Duncan Smith

"...I have found that nothing gets a writer out of a rut like reading does. If the writing gets stuck, go back to your first love, and read the gift of someone else’s flow. Chances are, it will inspire yours." Oh man, I've always felt this way. What a way to capture this feeling.

Expand full comment
author

So glad it resonates. We writers are often hard on ourselves for reading first, thinking it's procrastinating, but I think it's an essential part of the process!

Expand full comment
Jun 1, 2022Liked by Stephanie Duncan Smith

just what my writer heart needed to hear. the creative rut struggle has been real as of late, but this is wonderful encouragement to just try a little today. thank you, stephanie. <3

Expand full comment
author

Thank you for reading and your note--rooting for you to bust out of those ruts!

Expand full comment
Jun 1, 2022Liked by Stephanie Duncan Smith

Your beautiful email arrived today and encouraged my writerly heart—right before I received a rejection that had the potential to knock me flat. But I had saved your words, re-read them again, and am flexing my diaphragm muscle this minute! Thank you so much.

Expand full comment
author

Oh, I'm sorry for the bad news. And cheering you on as you flex, flex, flex!

Expand full comment
Jun 1, 2022Liked by Stephanie Duncan Smith

Thank you for this good word on resistance. I just moved to Substack and feel like it is like opening a window to let in spring breezes.

Expand full comment
author

What a lovely metaphor. Yes to letting in some fresh wind!

Expand full comment
Jun 1, 2022Liked by Stephanie Duncan Smith

"Through practice, we access the defiant power of creating anyway. We build creative confidence through putting down the words anyway. Resilience is always an imperfect practice, but it’s how we stir our strength, and it’s how the muscle is made."

I sat down to write today and had the feeling of "I'm DOOOOMED!" Today's Slant Letter was just the drink of water my soul needed. Thank you!!

Expand full comment
author

So glad you found something you needed here! And solidarity in the struggle :)

Expand full comment
Jun 1, 2022Liked by Stephanie Duncan Smith

This newsletter was so good and needed! Thank you for sharing these words of wisdom and encouragement with us.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you for reading! Maybe we're not doomed after all :)

Expand full comment
Jun 1, 2022Liked by Stephanie Duncan Smith

I'm new here...but what a blessing you are already. Thankful for you thoughts and inspiration as I commit myself to a season of writing, and see where God would have it go. +SDG+

Expand full comment
author

Welcome, welcome! I love your language of commitment here--an exciting new beginning.

Expand full comment
Jun 12, 2022Liked by Stephanie Duncan Smith

Resistance is the perfect word here. It's not an impossible feat, but it also does not come easy. This is universal, and not just for the ones new to the craft.

Expand full comment
author

It is just the word. Helps to have a name!

Expand full comment
Jun 3, 2022Liked by Stephanie Duncan Smith

Thank you. The war of art has been a go to for me for a while. I just moved to substack so I can share my voice via writing/podcast and have been in absolute and utter resistance to "launching" my substack...whatever that means. I think I just have to trust the messy unfolding and start. There are all these marketing people who give you lists of all the things to have a successful "launch" and all my soul craves is to start now know where I am going and let it unfold in a less than perfect but honest way.

Expand full comment
author

I totally get the resistance to launching, which is a common and shared sentiment. So glad you're paying attention to your soul needs in this process.

Expand full comment
Jun 1, 2022Liked by Stephanie Duncan Smith

This is such a great read--thank you! I appreciate, too, how the sound, the word, the image you evoke with the DOOOOMED story is ...well, funny! A child shouting out the thoughts of all the so-called grown-ups around her, the words that no-one-wants-to-say. That in itself is a delightful push-back--as humour is. The word "doomed" is quite pitch-perfect.

I am so grateful to see a new post popping up from you! Ready to write for the rest of the day now...

Expand full comment
author

Haha I love the way you put this--saying it out loud from the voice of a child, yes! Thanks for reading and your encouragement!

Expand full comment

I recently subscribed to Pressfield's War on Art Mini-course and JUST read this letter in my inbox. Truth is speaking to my soul. I do feel the Resistance. I am grateful for this encouraging word.

Expand full comment