From the Archives | Building piles and piles of words is not enough. Good writing has a raw, disobedient quality, a feral disposition. So how do we achieve that?
“Only over the course of months, years, decades, a lifetime, if ever, do we begin to see clearly the pattern of our own intricate unfolding within the context of not just our own life, but of everything. “
Jeannine, this quote had me tearing up in such a good way. 45 years ago I wrote poetry, nothing but poetry. Life happened and for quite a while I only wrote for content. Now, within the context of everything, my soul needed and still needs poetry. Thank you for the opportunity for giving this soul the voice it has always wanted.
Truly, madly, deeply indeed! I want this manifesto as wallpaper!
I wish books were marketed with a synopsis instead of a genre. I see poets, romance writers, fantasy writers, literary writers, nonfiction writers, screenplay writers, etc. working the same storytelling challenges and learn so much about the writing. But I also learn genre expectation based on the decisions they make—not in a good/ bad way but just as an observation of someone good at their particular type of craft. It is quite humbling, but thrilling, too.
I loved this essay so very much. It sums up everything I feel about the power of writing. I feel enlivened just reading it, ready to let language torment me, tease me, and eventually, hopefully, satiate me (and others). And I heed your wise words here, as I toil on draft 7 of a novel where I must soon decide/have the knowing if it is ready: "And by all means we can’t obsess constantly on publication or the workings of the industry. If we want to publish, we should worry about that when the time comes. And the time comes when we’re pretty damn sure (which is as sure as we ever will be) that we’ve written something that’s ready—that’s good enough—for publication. In the meantime, it’s probably better to spend our time writing and improving the writing rather than scheming on the best strategy for breaking in." My question, the eternal question, and most likely the unanswerable question, is : How do you know when you're ready? When this piece of writing you have tormented and possibly triumphed over at last is ready to submit for publication?
“The frequent disconnect between powerful art and commercial remuneration must be understood and accepted from the outset.”
And to build on that, often we scare away our creativity when we rely on it to pay our bills. We must look after our creativity, not have it look after us.
I love the idea of permitting ourselves to BE feral in our word choices. How it all pours out. Being wild with our words. Letting ourselves feel untamed in order to train ourselves as writers. I love this juxtaposition. ✨
I loved this essay, bookmarked it in my inbox and have re-read it a couple of times already. The idea of writing as meditation, of just showing up for it, really resonated for me.
Also this: "We need to learn to love uncertainty, and to consistently choose it over the temptation of knowing." helps me feel compassion and patience for myself. I don't know that I love uncertainty yet, but I did choose it, consistently, over the comfort of the known.
I love the reminder to read different genres and voices...there was a period of time where I was just reading literary fiction (grad school, ugh), and while some of those books were my favorites, I feel like my writing got a lot better (and more inspired!), when I started reading different genres again.
I think I will cherish and return to this piece long into the future, Jeannine. I’ve just started a masters in creative writing and everything you share here really resonated with me. Thank you 🫶🏽
I second everything you say here Jeannine! From reading (poetry in particular) to practicing writing, to embracing and loving uncertainty and not worrying about publishing while we write. And to persist, and show up, day after day, no matter how hard this may feel sometimes.
Watched American Fiction last night, and so many points it makes mirror your comments here. An author struggling with remaining unpublished, yet true to himself and his own standards of what a great book looks like, vs cranking out a very quick book, pandering to the masses and making a ton of money (which he desperately needs to care for his ailing mother). Jeffrey Wright and Leslie Uggams, who looks fabulous, by the way, did a great job. As did Issa Rae, who I really love - she’s very talented! Anyway, I think you’ll enjoy it - hope you find time to see it soon!
I agree with so much of this, Jeannine -- well all of it in fact, but especially:
reading stuff you don't usually read. For example, I have zero interest in sport, but I discovered that some of the finest writing around is to be discovered in the sports pages of my daily newspaper!
This! “We need to cultivate a searing curiosity about everything and everyone, because curiosity is the genesis of empathy. Our job as writers is to ask why, why, why, why, and be doggedly interested in the multiplicity of possibilities rather than relying too surely on what we think we know.”
I paused reading but need to jump in with a comment because I don’t want to forget. Thanks for breaking up the upcoming writing intensive! Jeannine, you make things so do-able! XO Also, I listened to the Ada Limón poem (splendid!) which gave me an idea to record my poems with with that simple but elegant guitar plucking and piano, and then I subscribed to The Pause (these lovely rabbit holes!) because who doesn’t want this in their inbox? “Replenishment and invigoration in your inbox.” Okay, back to your letter!
“Only over the course of months, years, decades, a lifetime, if ever, do we begin to see clearly the pattern of our own intricate unfolding within the context of not just our own life, but of everything. “
Jeannine, this quote had me tearing up in such a good way. 45 years ago I wrote poetry, nothing but poetry. Life happened and for quite a while I only wrote for content. Now, within the context of everything, my soul needed and still needs poetry. Thank you for the opportunity for giving this soul the voice it has always wanted.
Truly, madly, deeply indeed! I want this manifesto as wallpaper!
I wish books were marketed with a synopsis instead of a genre. I see poets, romance writers, fantasy writers, literary writers, nonfiction writers, screenplay writers, etc. working the same storytelling challenges and learn so much about the writing. But I also learn genre expectation based on the decisions they make—not in a good/ bad way but just as an observation of someone good at their particular type of craft. It is quite humbling, but thrilling, too.
I loved this essay so very much. It sums up everything I feel about the power of writing. I feel enlivened just reading it, ready to let language torment me, tease me, and eventually, hopefully, satiate me (and others). And I heed your wise words here, as I toil on draft 7 of a novel where I must soon decide/have the knowing if it is ready: "And by all means we can’t obsess constantly on publication or the workings of the industry. If we want to publish, we should worry about that when the time comes. And the time comes when we’re pretty damn sure (which is as sure as we ever will be) that we’ve written something that’s ready—that’s good enough—for publication. In the meantime, it’s probably better to spend our time writing and improving the writing rather than scheming on the best strategy for breaking in." My question, the eternal question, and most likely the unanswerable question, is : How do you know when you're ready? When this piece of writing you have tormented and possibly triumphed over at last is ready to submit for publication?
“The frequent disconnect between powerful art and commercial remuneration must be understood and accepted from the outset.”
And to build on that, often we scare away our creativity when we rely on it to pay our bills. We must look after our creativity, not have it look after us.
Love this piece Jeannine 💛
I love the idea of permitting ourselves to BE feral in our word choices. How it all pours out. Being wild with our words. Letting ourselves feel untamed in order to train ourselves as writers. I love this juxtaposition. ✨
Thank you, Jeannine 🫶
I loved this essay, bookmarked it in my inbox and have re-read it a couple of times already. The idea of writing as meditation, of just showing up for it, really resonated for me.
Also this: "We need to learn to love uncertainty, and to consistently choose it over the temptation of knowing." helps me feel compassion and patience for myself. I don't know that I love uncertainty yet, but I did choose it, consistently, over the comfort of the known.
I love the reminder to read different genres and voices...there was a period of time where I was just reading literary fiction (grad school, ugh), and while some of those books were my favorites, I feel like my writing got a lot better (and more inspired!), when I started reading different genres again.
I think I will cherish and return to this piece long into the future, Jeannine. I’ve just started a masters in creative writing and everything you share here really resonated with me. Thank you 🫶🏽
I liked this line - our job as writers is to ask why why why.
Good reminder. Sometimes it's good to keep pushing and going deeper into a topic, not always, but when it happens in the right places, it's enriching.
I second everything you say here Jeannine! From reading (poetry in particular) to practicing writing, to embracing and loving uncertainty and not worrying about publishing while we write. And to persist, and show up, day after day, no matter how hard this may feel sometimes.
honesty is helpful
Watched American Fiction last night, and so many points it makes mirror your comments here. An author struggling with remaining unpublished, yet true to himself and his own standards of what a great book looks like, vs cranking out a very quick book, pandering to the masses and making a ton of money (which he desperately needs to care for his ailing mother). Jeffrey Wright and Leslie Uggams, who looks fabulous, by the way, did a great job. As did Issa Rae, who I really love - she’s very talented! Anyway, I think you’ll enjoy it - hope you find time to see it soon!
I agree with so much of this, Jeannine -- well all of it in fact, but especially:
reading stuff you don't usually read. For example, I have zero interest in sport, but I discovered that some of the finest writing around is to be discovered in the sports pages of my daily newspaper!
Also, reaching for the exactly wright verb. As I wrote recently in my own newsletter (https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/11-characteristics-of-good-writers), a sports writer called Hugh McIllvanney was an amazing writer, who once had this exchange on the phone with his editor:
Editor: When will you be sending in your copy? It’s already past deadline.
HM: I’ve been having colon trouble for a couple of hours.
Editor: Oh. Have you seen a doctor?
HM: No, I mean I’m not sure whether to use a colon or a semi-colon.
“Writing should feel like a wrestling match—a grueling effort that leaves us spent and bruised. “
the writing is so powerful here. Great work!
This! “We need to cultivate a searing curiosity about everything and everyone, because curiosity is the genesis of empathy. Our job as writers is to ask why, why, why, why, and be doggedly interested in the multiplicity of possibilities rather than relying too surely on what we think we know.”
I paused reading but need to jump in with a comment because I don’t want to forget. Thanks for breaking up the upcoming writing intensive! Jeannine, you make things so do-able! XO Also, I listened to the Ada Limón poem (splendid!) which gave me an idea to record my poems with with that simple but elegant guitar plucking and piano, and then I subscribed to The Pause (these lovely rabbit holes!) because who doesn’t want this in their inbox? “Replenishment and invigoration in your inbox.” Okay, back to your letter!