The Voice Memo Trick

And other findings for your writing practice this week

I found myself in Boston this week at a table full of women scholars (American Academy of Religion or AAR, for curious minds!) and we were swapping notes on how we fit in any writing in the midst of life being life-y and needing everything from us all at once.

One woman, who has four kids, said she’s a fan of the voice memo trick: capturing it down via audio to play back for your future, perhaps more present, self.

“Quiet, please!” she’ll say to a van full of kids from the driver’s seat, “Mommy’s got a brilliant idea!”

This is genius for many reasons, but not least of which I love how her kids get a front row seat to her creative process. I know too many generational peers who don’t have many memories of their moms pursuing interests outside of parenting (which isn’t to say it didn’t happen at all).

But I’m excited for the next generation to have creative pursuits (of any kind!) modeled for them. My daughter may poo-poo my own “boring grown-up book,” but she’s seen me work on it and talk about it at bookstores, and I hope these will become memories for her with staying power that perhaps give her her own space and permission to follow her own creative sparks, now and into the future.

We’ll pick up with our fall seasonal intensive after Thanksgiving, but in the meantime, a few good finds that are too good not to share!

More ideas for “how to grow a life in the interstitial moments”—

I love a good voice memo, here’s an excellent list of additional ways to cultivate your creative practice in the scrap minutes. Because isn’t that how any art gets done?

On protecting your body—

Great piece from Kate McKean at Agents and Books on some of the best writer advice you’ll hear that’s not actually about writing.

Take it from someone who didn’t listen to her body until chronic overworking, car accident physical trauma, and pregnancies had her sounding the alarm for something to change!

I will second this to my grave: get the ergonomic wireless mouse. Yes, bring it to the coffee shop and wherever you write. Other people can deal! Your body is the only writing instrument you’ll ever have. Pamper her and protect at all costs!

On embodiment as the real first drafts—

Do not miss this read on “creative attachment” and embodiment from Megan Febuary at Heal Your Story.

Most writers think they are blocked when the words will not come, but I have come to believe the block often lives somewhere deeper, somewhere pre-verbal within the nervous system. Your body is trying to tell the story first and your mind is simply catching up.

If you’d like to join us for our fall seasonal intensive, there’s still time! All are in the archives and our next letters coming up, open to all paid subscribers.

Five Icons of the Creative Journey

Because as we know, the creative journey is long and winding, rarely linear, full of setbacks, switchbacks, and surprises. From my desk to yours, we’re exploring together five icons of the creative journey, as signposts to guide your way and your readers’ path as they follow your lead.

CIRCLE: inviting your reader into relationship

THRESHOLD: presenting the possibility for transformation

LABYRINTH: trusting the contours of the process

TABLE: crafting a work to nourish

FULL CIRCLE: echoing the beginning, and beginning again

Whatever your chosen form or medium, and whoever your intended readership, this intensive is designed to support your creative process and hand you a map and compass for your way.

P.S. What are your own tricks for jotting down the bones in the scrap moments? Spill in the comments!

Take heart and stay feisty,