Thanks! That's why I self published my first book. The entire point of it was to heal. Less than 1,000 people have read it but I can stand on my own truth. I'm not afraid of grief and have learned what it means to self empty. I do hope to one day find an agent/publisher who sees value in my voice but I think we need value ourselves first. Thank you for care for the writer's soul. Much appreciated.
I often speak in schools, and kids (occasionally teachers, too) ask often about how to get published. I have spent a lifetime publishing myself by choice, and I explain that, then redirect to what drives me, my subject for the talk. My motivator clearly isn't fame or fortune, but having the life of a writer, and engaging the audiences I have. Thanks for this.
I love this! Stephanie, thank you for such a balanced view of the process - I love how this piece preserves the inherent wonder of writing (and publishing) but guides us to think of ourselves as whole people, whether we've been published or not. Thank you - I needed this today!
Feb 15, 2023·edited Feb 15, 2023Liked by Stephanie Duncan Smith
Thanks for including my quote here, Stephanie! Couldn't agree more with this. The writing is the thing. By all means, work toward being published, but work equally hard at building a rich creative practice that sustains itself, rain or shine. Wish I'd learned this sooner!
Steph, every word of this made me want to fist bump someone. Especially this: "The true call and gift of writing is, “deeper, deeper, deeper.” All the AMENs. Thank you.
I love this. Even as small as my writing career is right now, your words all resonated so much with me. I’m thinking of Lore Wilbert’s A Curious Faith too, where she (and God) asks, “What do you really want?” I’m already feeling that pressure you write about to best my last work, but what I really want most is to connect with the reader, to have a conversation. I love the sentences, “It can all feel a little “more, more, more,” But the true call and gift of writing is, “deeper, deeper, deeper.” “
It's such a good question if we are willing to get really honest with ourselves! I love your responses here. Lead with these, and you can't go wrong. Cheering you onward!
As someone who is publishing her very fist book this week, this post was incredibly timely. I am beyond proud of myself for finally writing it, and I plan to celebrate big regardless of algorithms or accolades. Thank you, Stephanie, for reminding us of what really matters--getting our words out and on the page.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for these words and encouragement. "It can all feel a little “more, more, more,” But the true call and gift of writing is, “deeper, deeper, deeper.”” <----feeling this deeply.
So much truth here, Stephanie. I am now about to figure out how "cross-posting" works--this needs to be shared! Thank you for your words and thoughts, and I always appreciate the blessings piece to re-read.
Thank you for the cross-post! You've opened my eyes to this new feature as well! Felt good to break my own rules for a minute, but then again, this is exactly the kind of soul care things that affect writers, glad to be in conversation with you all on it!
Thanks! That's why I self published my first book. The entire point of it was to heal. Less than 1,000 people have read it but I can stand on my own truth. I'm not afraid of grief and have learned what it means to self empty. I do hope to one day find an agent/publisher who sees value in my voice but I think we need value ourselves first. Thank you for care for the writer's soul. Much appreciated.
"Stand in my own truth"--such a powerful reason for writing! Cheers to you for going all in for your healing! So worth celebrating.
I often speak in schools, and kids (occasionally teachers, too) ask often about how to get published. I have spent a lifetime publishing myself by choice, and I explain that, then redirect to what drives me, my subject for the talk. My motivator clearly isn't fame or fortune, but having the life of a writer, and engaging the audiences I have. Thanks for this.
Applauding your resolve to put your WHY of writing first. I wish many were as wise as you!
That's very kind, Stephanie. Thanks.
love that having the life of a writer and engaging the audiences we have, thanks for that reminder!
You're welcome, Kimberly! Anything else just strikes me as miserable.
I love this! Stephanie, thank you for such a balanced view of the process - I love how this piece preserves the inherent wonder of writing (and publishing) but guides us to think of ourselves as whole people, whether we've been published or not. Thank you - I needed this today!
We are whole people indeed. So glad this spoke to you this week!
Thanks for including my quote here, Stephanie! Couldn't agree more with this. The writing is the thing. By all means, work toward being published, but work equally hard at building a rich creative practice that sustains itself, rain or shine. Wish I'd learned this sooner!
Loved your quote--thank YOU! It's the gutsy stuff for sure. Appreciate your model of putting the joy of the practice first, come what may!
You are the loveliest!!
Steph, every word of this made me want to fist bump someone. Especially this: "The true call and gift of writing is, “deeper, deeper, deeper.” All the AMENs. Thank you.
Thank you, Katie! This made me laugh :)
I love this. Even as small as my writing career is right now, your words all resonated so much with me. I’m thinking of Lore Wilbert’s A Curious Faith too, where she (and God) asks, “What do you really want?” I’m already feeling that pressure you write about to best my last work, but what I really want most is to connect with the reader, to have a conversation. I love the sentences, “It can all feel a little “more, more, more,” But the true call and gift of writing is, “deeper, deeper, deeper.” “
It's such a good question if we are willing to get really honest with ourselves! I love your responses here. Lead with these, and you can't go wrong. Cheering you onward!
As someone who is publishing her very fist book this week, this post was incredibly timely. I am beyond proud of myself for finally writing it, and I plan to celebrate big regardless of algorithms or accolades. Thank you, Stephanie, for reminding us of what really matters--getting our words out and on the page.
I'm so happy you can own your joy, as you should! Celebrating you and your launch!!
A beautiful and timely read. Thank you for this encouragement.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for these words and encouragement. "It can all feel a little “more, more, more,” But the true call and gift of writing is, “deeper, deeper, deeper.”” <----feeling this deeply.
It can all feel a little “more, more, more,” But the true call and gift of writing is, “deeper, deeper, deeper.” // Yes, and amen.
This is so great ❤️
So good.
This is so so so good. 🥰
So much truth here, Stephanie. I am now about to figure out how "cross-posting" works--this needs to be shared! Thank you for your words and thoughts, and I always appreciate the blessings piece to re-read.
Thank you for the cross-post! You've opened my eyes to this new feature as well! Felt good to break my own rules for a minute, but then again, this is exactly the kind of soul care things that affect writers, glad to be in conversation with you all on it!
A body of work you can be proud of - I am adopting this as motivation too! So good.