A quick tour of WITD's innermost heart chambers! Here's what we do here, where to start, how to get the most from the posts + how to submit your own work
Sooo Grateful daily to have found you & Billy & this whole community!!! I take such comfort in reading this- esp the bits about doing it all in your own time; no wrong way; it all being here when we are ready.
I’ve been a founding member since almost 3 mins after I dipped my toe🤣. As a Mama of 4 (ages 14-32) & current (unexpected) foster Mama to my 8yr old nephew, I am sometimes frustrated I don’t have the creative “space” I CRAVE to create my own work; work I deem worthy of posting.
I am simultaneously creating a part time private therapy practice (after decades of working for others) that incorporates writing as a healing modality & trying to take this online while also being tech illiterate 🤪 while also dabbling in my own Substack.
At times this all feels like A lot; unrealistic, & overwhelming & why am I even bothering; like who am I kidding?
And then I come to WITD & I am buoyed; challenged, inspired. It all feels worth it again. 🤗
I was never able to pursue an MFA.
I was pregnant by 18 & a Mama by 19, so I had to ‘quick scramble’ and get a degree in Nursing to support my baby boy & me.
I don’t regret a single moment of my Mama journey. (Lots of heartache & trials & trauma & lessons & losses, but #life huh?)
And. And I am So Grateful for this unexpected Gift from the Universe to Be Here-Now- in your space.
I read. I soak up your instructions; the close readings of others. I read their brilliant work. It expands me. I feel my heart open. I comment whenever I can. I don’t often post my own work yet but I’m getting closer to fully completing something I would.
My world now is partitioned into segments of time so I steal moments when I can and scribble words. I can’t always finish. But I persist. I persist in no kind of logical order. I know I’m healing from all sorts of things. Like all humans.
I have a thousand stories & tens of thousands of essays in me;
A memoir that is still frozen in my tissues. Coming here is a gentle thaw;
Permission to be where I am, and still create in my own way while learning how to do craft. Thankyouthankyouthankyou 💕
What a gorgeous tribute and precise observation of how process (#life) really works. I am so glad you are here! I became a mama at 22, so wasn't far behind you. I love that we can both have this gentle thaw. That we can all have it. And I am really gratified that this post was useful. I think I'll have to keep linking to it--Substack only lets us have three pinned posts, I think, and hardly anyone sees the posts on the homepage anyway, so--yeah--I think I'll keep linking to it. It was just, so many people kept talking about being behind, or not doing enough, or being enough, or good enough .... and that is the opposite of Writing in the Dark. That is writing under a harsh fluorescent search lamp. Here, we work in our own time, let it grow. We treat language with the high aims it deserves--oh, the things language can do!--and ourselves with enough gentleness to actually bring that miracle forth from lanuguage, in whatever time it takes. xo
"lots of people tell us that they learn more about writing here, and see more growth in their writing, than they have in any other “writing class” they’ve ever taken." Truer words have never been spoken.
Thank you, Jeannine. Looking forward to the June Zoom class.
Been a founding member since I first discovered you early last year. Best investment in myself I’ve made! Truly!! I haven’t been stretched and challenged like this since my college days - in the 70’s!!
I’ve popped in and out, as my crazy schedule and life’s demands permit. And I’m totally comfortable here. Sharing when possible. I’m slooooowly working on my memoir - without any timeline or deadline. The tools and skills I’m learning are really opening me up.
My more pressing project is a series of PB’s I’m writing in memory of my son. Those take up a considerable amount of my creative time and energy.
I’m so excited for the class next month - more growing and stretching on the horizon!
Just want to express my deep gratitude for all the time, effort and love you and Billie pour into this community - your thoughtful comments and suggestions for different approaches truly make this experience like no other - spirit-lifting, encouraging and supportive! And thanks to all of my fellow travelers here - your close reads and feedback feed my soul! I endeavor to return the favor as often as possible!
Thank you so much! 😘 I never thought of writing 1 PB, no less 16!?!?! He gifted the whole thing to me, and I’m doing my best to birth those little book babies! 💕👼🏻💕✍🏻📓📚📚📚📚📚
Kathleen, maybe you know this, having been here for so long--but I am equally a teacher as a writer. My identity, my passion, is as much for the sharing of the craft and supporting the journey of other writers as it is for my own writing. That could mean I don't write quite as much, but that's a bargain I happily strike for the absolute joy and meaning I have drawn from the teaching of writing since 2012. Therefore, all to say: hearing what you have just said really means something to me. It really, really does. Thank you. I am so happy to read this. I just want to say, love to you, love to all of us. We're making something!
We love you so much, Lindsey. I feel so grateful that Grant brought us to each other, and that Billie and I got to write with you in Troncones. What a gift. Really really really nice to see you & your sweet babe on camera yesterday. You are doing such amazing things. I think of my 22-year-old new mom self ... and I am awed by you. Love,love.
Troncones was incredible! I use my “Be here now” coffee mug often and think of our special group. And yes! I'm So grateful for Grant. I owe him an email.
The offer is always open to help plan a writing in the desert retreat for the future! 🙋🏼♀️Or just planning a weekend get away to Sedona 🏜️ For now, I’ll be here carving away at this manuscript while singing Wyatt songs about apples and bananas. 🤪Thank you for your encouragement!
Singing Wyatt Songs sounds like a title. And who doesn't love apples and bananas? And all the yesses to a desert retreat and ALSO a weekend in Sedona. When Billie and I get through this next phase of the adoption and catch our breath!!
Read the About page - for the first time. NIce. I did not know you worked at the Rake - that was a great little mag! and good graphics. I liked the Colleen Cruse cover in 50's housewife garb holding a semi-automatic. RIP too many local free weeklies.....
Yeah, I worked for The Rake and the others in the Bartel/Henning empire --CP and MN Parent! But The Rake was the best for me, and that Colleen Cruse cover was amazing.
Hi Jeannine, Just to let you know that my co-author (who is a neuropsychiatrist) and I (an essayist) just started a substack -- Two Friends Talk About Writing and the Brain-- and we are quoting you in our 3rd newsletter, this Thursday. The quote is from your recent repost (of 1/5/24) about the profound benefit of putting your pain into words. In our substack we explore the deep, personal experience of writing in the light of brain science and psychology (and our own experiences). I've been following you ever since I discovered Substack, as your message aligns so well with what we are finding science has to say.
That would be great! There is still an ongoing debate about things like is writer’s block even real. We’re hoping to put that one to rest! Brain science has learned so much that can help writers. And it’s not at all hard to understand. In fact, much of it seems obvious as soon as you read it!
Hi Jeanine - I’ve been a little absent around these parts while life has done its thing. But I’ve found my way back to my favourite place on the internet! I might be too late asking this question given that enrolment closes today, but for The Feeling of What Happens… I’m we’re in British Summer Time at the moment so I’m 6 hours ahead. I’m going to guess that the best way to experience the workshop is live and I could pull a very late night, but just wondering your thoughts on going through it on catch up. I don’t want to miss the magic!
PS this community and everything you have built is so special, and I thank my lucky stars all the time I found you!
Emily! I am so happy to see you here, yay. And boy oh boy do I know about life doing its thing. Glad you are back. Re the workshop, that's such a good question. You could do the recording, yes (we are recording). It won't be the same, obviously, as being there live. But, one thing Billie and I just learned from this week's Write-in, an added-value that we will absolutely repeat for this class, is the strategy of using a WITD post rather than the Zoom chat to capture the intros, contributions, questions, bits of shared writing, etc, from participants, and to capture the readings and content from the course, and the follow-up convo between students and us after. To see what I mean, you can take a look at this post that we used this way for the Write-In, then see what you think and let me know if you have more questions about whether the recording + the interactive follow-up post feels like it would be worth it to you, even though not quite the same as being there synchronously. https://writinginthedark.substack.com/p/witd-write-in-may-23-2024
Okay, firstly I missed an ‘n’ from your name and can’t edit, so it’s all I’m thinking about!! I’m sorry!
Secondly, this is really helpful and having a post to capture all interactions feels like a good way of feeling “part of” even if not there synchronously. I’m thinking I’ll be able to manage at least the first part live - small children keep me tired but when it’s something exciting I’ve been known to push my 10 PM bedtime, ha! And then if I need to duck out I can catch up with the recording & post… I think I’ve convinced myself.
I consider all spellings of my name fair game--I have 17 characters in my first + last name, it's bananas. And re the workshop, okay, just let me know if you have any more questions at all! This is a pilot for something more ongoing in the fall so we're really bringing our imaginations to bear in how to bring the most value, rigor, and of course support/access in this format.
The founding membership is totally with it ♥️
Ha, thanks, Monika. xoxoxo
I found this post SO helpful! As a newcomer starting to dip my toes in the WITD community, this is exactly the post I needed to help get my bearings
Gosh that makes me extremely happy! YAY
Sooo Grateful daily to have found you & Billy & this whole community!!! I take such comfort in reading this- esp the bits about doing it all in your own time; no wrong way; it all being here when we are ready.
I’ve been a founding member since almost 3 mins after I dipped my toe🤣. As a Mama of 4 (ages 14-32) & current (unexpected) foster Mama to my 8yr old nephew, I am sometimes frustrated I don’t have the creative “space” I CRAVE to create my own work; work I deem worthy of posting.
I am simultaneously creating a part time private therapy practice (after decades of working for others) that incorporates writing as a healing modality & trying to take this online while also being tech illiterate 🤪 while also dabbling in my own Substack.
At times this all feels like A lot; unrealistic, & overwhelming & why am I even bothering; like who am I kidding?
And then I come to WITD & I am buoyed; challenged, inspired. It all feels worth it again. 🤗
I was never able to pursue an MFA.
I was pregnant by 18 & a Mama by 19, so I had to ‘quick scramble’ and get a degree in Nursing to support my baby boy & me.
I don’t regret a single moment of my Mama journey. (Lots of heartache & trials & trauma & lessons & losses, but #life huh?)
And. And I am So Grateful for this unexpected Gift from the Universe to Be Here-Now- in your space.
I read. I soak up your instructions; the close readings of others. I read their brilliant work. It expands me. I feel my heart open. I comment whenever I can. I don’t often post my own work yet but I’m getting closer to fully completing something I would.
My world now is partitioned into segments of time so I steal moments when I can and scribble words. I can’t always finish. But I persist. I persist in no kind of logical order. I know I’m healing from all sorts of things. Like all humans.
I have a thousand stories & tens of thousands of essays in me;
A memoir that is still frozen in my tissues. Coming here is a gentle thaw;
Permission to be where I am, and still create in my own way while learning how to do craft. Thankyouthankyouthankyou 💕
What a gorgeous tribute and precise observation of how process (#life) really works. I am so glad you are here! I became a mama at 22, so wasn't far behind you. I love that we can both have this gentle thaw. That we can all have it. And I am really gratified that this post was useful. I think I'll have to keep linking to it--Substack only lets us have three pinned posts, I think, and hardly anyone sees the posts on the homepage anyway, so--yeah--I think I'll keep linking to it. It was just, so many people kept talking about being behind, or not doing enough, or being enough, or good enough .... and that is the opposite of Writing in the Dark. That is writing under a harsh fluorescent search lamp. Here, we work in our own time, let it grow. We treat language with the high aims it deserves--oh, the things language can do!--and ourselves with enough gentleness to actually bring that miracle forth from lanuguage, in whatever time it takes. xo
"lots of people tell us that they learn more about writing here, and see more growth in their writing, than they have in any other “writing class” they’ve ever taken." Truer words have never been spoken.
Thank you, Jeannine. Looking forward to the June Zoom class.
This just makes me so happy --this is the whole reason!
Welcome to the best party on Substack! Or anywhere, really….!
It really is a good party! I never expected I'd be such a partier, haha.
#sweatpantsmfa #introvertanimalhouse
😂
Been a founding member since I first discovered you early last year. Best investment in myself I’ve made! Truly!! I haven’t been stretched and challenged like this since my college days - in the 70’s!!
I’ve popped in and out, as my crazy schedule and life’s demands permit. And I’m totally comfortable here. Sharing when possible. I’m slooooowly working on my memoir - without any timeline or deadline. The tools and skills I’m learning are really opening me up.
My more pressing project is a series of PB’s I’m writing in memory of my son. Those take up a considerable amount of my creative time and energy.
I’m so excited for the class next month - more growing and stretching on the horizon!
Just want to express my deep gratitude for all the time, effort and love you and Billie pour into this community - your thoughtful comments and suggestions for different approaches truly make this experience like no other - spirit-lifting, encouraging and supportive! And thanks to all of my fellow travelers here - your close reads and feedback feed my soul! I endeavor to return the favor as often as possible!
And your picture books. Love to your picture books, and the beautiful memory of your son. ❤️
Thank you so much! 😘 I never thought of writing 1 PB, no less 16!?!?! He gifted the whole thing to me, and I’m doing my best to birth those little book babies! 💕👼🏻💕✍🏻📓📚📚📚📚📚
Kathleen, maybe you know this, having been here for so long--but I am equally a teacher as a writer. My identity, my passion, is as much for the sharing of the craft and supporting the journey of other writers as it is for my own writing. That could mean I don't write quite as much, but that's a bargain I happily strike for the absolute joy and meaning I have drawn from the teaching of writing since 2012. Therefore, all to say: hearing what you have just said really means something to me. It really, really does. Thank you. I am so happy to read this. I just want to say, love to you, love to all of us. We're making something!
Yes, thank you, we are creating magic here, all sparked by your passion to cradle us gently in the palm of your hand!
🥰🥰🥰 Exactly why I LOVE this space. Come as you are. You are Enough. Xoxo
I'm a new subscriber. Glad to be here!
Yay! Welcome, we are so glad you are here!
Honoured to be part of this beautiful inspiring community! And the writing here is phenomenal!!
We are so lucky to write with you, Imola—you do language like an angel, and a stunningly multilingual one at that.
I've never seen more clearly in the dark - xoxo I love this community and the generosity!!
We love you so much, Lindsey. I feel so grateful that Grant brought us to each other, and that Billie and I got to write with you in Troncones. What a gift. Really really really nice to see you & your sweet babe on camera yesterday. You are doing such amazing things. I think of my 22-year-old new mom self ... and I am awed by you. Love,love.
Troncones was incredible! I use my “Be here now” coffee mug often and think of our special group. And yes! I'm So grateful for Grant. I owe him an email.
The offer is always open to help plan a writing in the desert retreat for the future! 🙋🏼♀️Or just planning a weekend get away to Sedona 🏜️ For now, I’ll be here carving away at this manuscript while singing Wyatt songs about apples and bananas. 🤪Thank you for your encouragement!
Singing Wyatt Songs sounds like a title. And who doesn't love apples and bananas? And all the yesses to a desert retreat and ALSO a weekend in Sedona. When Billie and I get through this next phase of the adoption and catch our breath!!
We will be here ❤️❤️❤️ I am so thrilled for Billie and Z!
Read the About page - for the first time. NIce. I did not know you worked at the Rake - that was a great little mag! and good graphics. I liked the Colleen Cruse cover in 50's housewife garb holding a semi-automatic. RIP too many local free weeklies.....
Yeah, I worked for The Rake and the others in the Bartel/Henning empire --CP and MN Parent! But The Rake was the best for me, and that Colleen Cruse cover was amazing.
She’s back on the virtual airwaves, co-hosting Brian Oake’s music-based schmoozin’ podcast.
Cool!
Signed up for the Feeling class! Woot!
Whoa! YAY!
Hi Jeannine, Just to let you know that my co-author (who is a neuropsychiatrist) and I (an essayist) just started a substack -- Two Friends Talk About Writing and the Brain-- and we are quoting you in our 3rd newsletter, this Thursday. The quote is from your recent repost (of 1/5/24) about the profound benefit of putting your pain into words. In our substack we explore the deep, personal experience of writing in the light of brain science and psychology (and our own experiences). I've been following you ever since I discovered Substack, as your message aligns so well with what we are finding science has to say.
Amazing. I would love to check out your newsletter, Elizabeth!
That would be great! There is still an ongoing debate about things like is writer’s block even real. We’re hoping to put that one to rest! Brain science has learned so much that can help writers. And it’s not at all hard to understand. In fact, much of it seems obvious as soon as you read it!
Hi Jeanine - I’ve been a little absent around these parts while life has done its thing. But I’ve found my way back to my favourite place on the internet! I might be too late asking this question given that enrolment closes today, but for The Feeling of What Happens… I’m we’re in British Summer Time at the moment so I’m 6 hours ahead. I’m going to guess that the best way to experience the workshop is live and I could pull a very late night, but just wondering your thoughts on going through it on catch up. I don’t want to miss the magic!
PS this community and everything you have built is so special, and I thank my lucky stars all the time I found you!
Emily! I am so happy to see you here, yay. And boy oh boy do I know about life doing its thing. Glad you are back. Re the workshop, that's such a good question. You could do the recording, yes (we are recording). It won't be the same, obviously, as being there live. But, one thing Billie and I just learned from this week's Write-in, an added-value that we will absolutely repeat for this class, is the strategy of using a WITD post rather than the Zoom chat to capture the intros, contributions, questions, bits of shared writing, etc, from participants, and to capture the readings and content from the course, and the follow-up convo between students and us after. To see what I mean, you can take a look at this post that we used this way for the Write-In, then see what you think and let me know if you have more questions about whether the recording + the interactive follow-up post feels like it would be worth it to you, even though not quite the same as being there synchronously. https://writinginthedark.substack.com/p/witd-write-in-may-23-2024
Okay, firstly I missed an ‘n’ from your name and can’t edit, so it’s all I’m thinking about!! I’m sorry!
Secondly, this is really helpful and having a post to capture all interactions feels like a good way of feeling “part of” even if not there synchronously. I’m thinking I’ll be able to manage at least the first part live - small children keep me tired but when it’s something exciting I’ve been known to push my 10 PM bedtime, ha! And then if I need to duck out I can catch up with the recording & post… I think I’ve convinced myself.
I consider all spellings of my name fair game--I have 17 characters in my first + last name, it's bananas. And re the workshop, okay, just let me know if you have any more questions at all! This is a pilot for something more ongoing in the fall so we're really bringing our imaginations to bear in how to bring the most value, rigor, and of course support/access in this format.