The click---this line from Wonder Woman by Ada Limón:
"She bowed and posed like she knew I needed a myth—a woman, by a river, indestructible."
Like she knew I needed a myth. Gah, Ada! It's stayed with me.
Excited for writer's book club---now I'm imagining a live dream scenario of this in a cozy library or a garden or whatever mood matches the book...can we make that happen someday? ;)
It’s one of my favorite books of the past five years. I read it quickly first, and then again and again to study her craft. Of course you love it too 🥰
“…this new thing is coming with the arrival of spring, that unknown to us it has been growing in the ground beneath our feet, sending down a tap root, reaching upward towards the light, a kind of hope whose fruit we do not know because we didn’t plant the seeds. “ Shawn Smucker on Substack
The last part — a kind of hope whose fruit we do not know because we didn’t plant the seeds — is going to stay with me for awhile.
Well, you’ve done it! You made an offer I can’t refuse and this is officially my first paid subscription on Substack. I can’t wait for the intensive!
I’ve been thinking about recognition a lot since reading The Deep Down Things by Amber and Seth Haines earlier this year. Pairing it with discovery was a CLICK for me!
A recent “click!” for me is “Whatever I put at the center of the wait is what carries all the power.” (Emily P. Freeman, How to Walk into a Room)
Looking forward to reading other “clicks” in the comments!
I'm so excited because this came at the perfect time. I was just about to start my Audible of You Could Make This Place Beautiful, at the same time I was referred to SLANT LETTER, which makes for a wonderful coincidence! Your topics on Discovery made me think of a point in a TedTalk from Andrew Stanton (Pixar) called The Clues of a Great Story where he discusses bringing "A sense of wonder" into our stories. Discovery and Wonder are similar to me in this regard and I want to think about them more when I write. I'm excited for this exploration together. I'm upgrading today!
Just this morning I reread a quote I’d saved. And it clicked. Viscerally.
Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes,
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries,
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1871), from ‘Aurora Leigh’,
It captures how I feel when I’m in and with nature. My biggest fear is sitting around and plucking blackberries! When I hike or at the potted plant on my desk, I want to do it as if I have no shoes on.
The click---this line from Wonder Woman by Ada Limón:
"She bowed and posed like she knew I needed a myth—a woman, by a river, indestructible."
Like she knew I needed a myth. Gah, Ada! It's stayed with me.
Excited for writer's book club---now I'm imagining a live dream scenario of this in a cozy library or a garden or whatever mood matches the book...can we make that happen someday? ;)
Oh that is wonderful--don't we all need a myth?! Glorious. Thanks for sharing!
And bringing on all the cozy library/garden party vibes to our gathering, near or far!
It’s one of my favorite books of the past five years. I read it quickly first, and then again and again to study her craft. Of course you love it too 🥰
Same! I devoured it first and then re-read it slowly to savor. Any other memoirs you couldn't put down? I'm on the hunt.
I remembered one more recent “click”:
“…this new thing is coming with the arrival of spring, that unknown to us it has been growing in the ground beneath our feet, sending down a tap root, reaching upward towards the light, a kind of hope whose fruit we do not know because we didn’t plant the seeds. “ Shawn Smucker on Substack
The last part — a kind of hope whose fruit we do not know because we didn’t plant the seeds — is going to stay with me for awhile.
Such a familiar image, yet made fresh with these words. Thanks for sharing!
Well, you’ve done it! You made an offer I can’t refuse and this is officially my first paid subscription on Substack. I can’t wait for the intensive!
I’ve been thinking about recognition a lot since reading The Deep Down Things by Amber and Seth Haines earlier this year. Pairing it with discovery was a CLICK for me!
A recent “click!” for me is “Whatever I put at the center of the wait is what carries all the power.” (Emily P. Freeman, How to Walk into a Room)
Looking forward to reading other “clicks” in the comments!
Jayna, this is so kind--thank you and welcome! I cannot wait for all the good we're going to get into :)
And wow I love that from Emily--"all the power"--that's an absolute that earns my attention.
I'm so excited because this came at the perfect time. I was just about to start my Audible of You Could Make This Place Beautiful, at the same time I was referred to SLANT LETTER, which makes for a wonderful coincidence! Your topics on Discovery made me think of a point in a TedTalk from Andrew Stanton (Pixar) called The Clues of a Great Story where he discusses bringing "A sense of wonder" into our stories. Discovery and Wonder are similar to me in this regard and I want to think about them more when I write. I'm excited for this exploration together. I'm upgrading today!
I will be very curious to hear how you experienced it in audio! Hope you enjoy.
And nodding along here to the sense of wonder--just so. Here's to all the ways wonder can wake us up.
And welcome--thank you for joining and so glad you're here!
Fun to see you here, Megan!
I like your interpretation of "the click" as recognition and discovery. That rings true for me as both reader and writer.
I like this too, as a way of reclaiming "the click" from clickbait cliche. Thanks for reading!
You understood perfectly that your reader would bring that expectation. I was happily surprised to be corrected. :-)
Loved this book and love that you're offering this! What a great gift to your readers!
It's such a fascinating case study--can't wait to get into it!
Just ordered my copy! Can't wait.
Enjoy, enjoy! So many clicks ahead for you I'm sure :)
Just this morning I reread a quote I’d saved. And it clicked. Viscerally.
Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes,
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries,
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1871), from ‘Aurora Leigh’,
It captures how I feel when I’m in and with nature. My biggest fear is sitting around and plucking blackberries! When I hike or at the potted plant on my desk, I want to do it as if I have no shoes on.