First -- have a fabulous time in Mexico with Billie and Z, I know you will. Follow some baby sea turtles for me. And hope you steal some sleep during family marathon holidays.
The grief of completion - I get it! I used to call it a "low" when I would finish 3 or 4 big projects all due on March 30 when there were real life mail deadlines and no email. I was writing and producing company annual reports - a summary of the year and a mini brochure of the people and products in story form with photo sessions, lots of writing and a few stand-offs with lawyers and accountants. (i was brave). I learned to take a vacation out East to see spring the first week of April because I was so down when they all went to press - then nothing. Now I would love to have that low again because it would mean I had the high of finishing something big!
Love, love to all -- what an inspiring year with you all in spite of the heaviness of the world around us.
👋🏻 “inning” myself as a person who needs deadlines to move myself along. I’m definitely not a “paragon of function” 😂 I LOL’d when you say that, Jeannine, in the voice memo (around the 9:40 left mark), which was a pleasure to listen to again this morning.
Thank you for making room for *tiny* deadlines. I’ve used your live salons to set myself a deadline for draft intros of two essays. Reading them in salon boosted my sense of community, and gave me valuable feedback to keep millimetering along.
I also want to put in a plug for the long game of persistence. Sometimes finishing can take years, even decades. I once stopped writing for over a year because I was so ashamed I couldn’t finish an essay by the self-imposed deadline of my birthday. That essay still has DRAFT in its file name. Only now do I understand that, 10-15 years later, I have the life experience and the skills to understand its aboutness and bring it to fruition. What got me unstuck was deciding to focus on my writing practice and trust that the millimeters will eventually bring me to the finish line. I’m much closer now. To tie off the loose ends I need to follow the whole thread.
Have a wonderful holiday, everyone. I can’t wait to see what we finish together in the new year. And Jeannine, Billie, thank you for WITD and all the generous things you do ♥️
It is so so so wise and true what you say about millimetering along. Yes! This is how it is. This is the way of art. You have a lovely holiday too, Monika! xoxoxoxo
And if we keep at it, they add up! There are 1 million millimeters in a kilometer (1.6 million in a mile). Some go fast, so go slow. Thanks for helping me keep at it!
Jeannine! Everything here, well, your offerings always feel like they are speaking directly ‘to’ me for at least one particular point or message or some serendipitous something.
Without pointing to all the little somethings- the Biggest this morning is the distance between Isla Mujeres, and Cancun- (58 minutes) where I will be, (having just lost my “Christmas-obsessed” Mama 2 yrs ago)-with my 91 yr old father, my husband, & 3 of my 4 kiddos. We will be there the week right before your family, as we leave this Saturday.
This is the very first year in over 30 that we will not be hosting large, multi day gatherings at our home for more family, my best friends and their families and so on. I found thoroughout this year that I was increasingly running on empty and knew it was just not going to be possible.
There’s so much more to this story and along with much needed R&R and some sunshine and laughter, this Xmas, my wish is for some solo writing time- so perhaps I get to tell the rest.
For now- I’m off to the airport to scoop my once baby boy a recent transplant to NYC who brings a lightness of spirit and warmth to my heart.
Wishing you, your beautiful family & this entire rich community holidays filled with just what their hearts are hoping for most. ✨💕✨
Thank you for these thoughts, Jeannine, on finishing, acknowledging the grief in it (so appreciated the Ann Patchett and Liz Gilbert quotes) and I am also looking towards new beginnings, the visioning work which always appeals to me this time of year.
I have a practice of writing letters to my future self and I feel called to write one in the coming days. Then in a year I'll read it to see how my "Amy's new life in Barcelona" vision played out.
I have a new novel underway, my fourth, and my long-time writing workshop partner, commenting on these first drafts of this just-being-born book, said that she was really seeing me come into my own as a writer, that she could see a confidence in the material that went beyond my work to date, even in these early drafts. And I attribute at least some of that to the Writing in the Dark effect!
Have a wonderful Christmas holiday and fantastic time in Mexico. And please, let me know how those gluten free caramel rolls work out, as I have celiac and that's a recipe I'd love to have.
Jeannine, 1000% agree with you here "Craft can actually be the vehicle, the bridge, the doorway, not just through and into hard stories on the page, but out of those stories in our lives. I’ve said before: it’s not that we get to erase the past—whatever we’ve lived through is always a part of us. But when we use craft to transform those stories into something more than the lived experience, it’s incredibly empowering."
When I started writing with you 18 months ago, I wrote the hardest parts of my story, the parts filled with trauma as I wanted to get them 'out of the way.’ But I’ve come to understand reliving and writing those stories WERE the way…the way for me to be released of them, the way for me to begin again. Jordan Peterson writes, “Whenever you begin to write about your life, you re-organize your brain. This allows you to take every negative and emotional memory and transform it into a fully articulated version of your future.” “People who spend time writing carefully about themselves, become happier, less anxious, less depressed and physically healthier.”
Thank you for being a courageous, captivating creator, a compassionate craft coach, a consistent cheerleader!!
Wishing you and your beautiful family holidays filled with love and laughter, and tummies filled with your tasty baked goods!!!
Lisa, thank you for sharing this, I found it so inspiring, and yes, I totally agree with this sparkling list of "Cs" for Jeannine: "Thank you for being a courageous, captivating creator, a compassionate craft coach, a consistent cheerleader!!"
Happy holidays and safe travels! I’ll be coming back to this post for a thorough read after my own travels, because of the finishing inspiration, and the Octavia Butler essay.
I think I am slowly coming to understand this: “But when we use craft to transform those stories into something more than the lived experience, it’s incredibly empowering.”
Monica, I think I'll just sit and swim in that quote for a while in my big ol velveteen chair. And though incredibly exhausted at the moment after just hosting a pre-Christmas event, I do feel empowered. You can feel both!
Hi!!! Here to pop in and say thank you for this end of the year pep-talk! I so look forward to writing with you next year! Safe travels! I hope your holiday season is filled with peace, love, joy.
Okay, I love this post so much, I read it twice (and restacked). Came to say I took up archery after divorce, so related to that bit in a personal way. I know my essay is part of a book, which is daunting. But WITD is all the motivation I need to keep adding to it. Merry hectic holidaze!
"I can’t write the book I want to write, but I can and will write the book I am capable of writing." I think Ann Patchett just saved me from my own paralysis.
Thank you for this post, Jeannine. Wishing you happy travels and a wonderful holiday season.
Thanks for this treasure trove to paw through in the coming days! Wishing you safe travels, perfect stagecraft snow, Oscar-worthy Santa sightings and accompanying squeals of delight. And of course rejuvenating waves and waters for swimming and floating. Looking forward to your gf recipe, to stolen and intentional writing moments here, and cooking hosting marathons to come...
Shit you made me cry, Jeannine ( and curse because I do when stuff hits home.) And you said it better than I could! So, back at you, for real, and here’s to next year and the next and the next… ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Wishing you wonderful holidays and a beautiful vacation! Thank you for this magical space and your transformative teachings about writing and living ❤️❤️
First -- have a fabulous time in Mexico with Billie and Z, I know you will. Follow some baby sea turtles for me. And hope you steal some sleep during family marathon holidays.
The grief of completion - I get it! I used to call it a "low" when I would finish 3 or 4 big projects all due on March 30 when there were real life mail deadlines and no email. I was writing and producing company annual reports - a summary of the year and a mini brochure of the people and products in story form with photo sessions, lots of writing and a few stand-offs with lawyers and accountants. (i was brave). I learned to take a vacation out East to see spring the first week of April because I was so down when they all went to press - then nothing. Now I would love to have that low again because it would mean I had the high of finishing something big!
Love, love to all -- what an inspiring year with you all in spite of the heaviness of the world around us.
Joy to us all!
👋🏻 “inning” myself as a person who needs deadlines to move myself along. I’m definitely not a “paragon of function” 😂 I LOL’d when you say that, Jeannine, in the voice memo (around the 9:40 left mark), which was a pleasure to listen to again this morning.
Thank you for making room for *tiny* deadlines. I’ve used your live salons to set myself a deadline for draft intros of two essays. Reading them in salon boosted my sense of community, and gave me valuable feedback to keep millimetering along.
I also want to put in a plug for the long game of persistence. Sometimes finishing can take years, even decades. I once stopped writing for over a year because I was so ashamed I couldn’t finish an essay by the self-imposed deadline of my birthday. That essay still has DRAFT in its file name. Only now do I understand that, 10-15 years later, I have the life experience and the skills to understand its aboutness and bring it to fruition. What got me unstuck was deciding to focus on my writing practice and trust that the millimeters will eventually bring me to the finish line. I’m much closer now. To tie off the loose ends I need to follow the whole thread.
Have a wonderful holiday, everyone. I can’t wait to see what we finish together in the new year. And Jeannine, Billie, thank you for WITD and all the generous things you do ♥️
Nothing wrong with a little deadline you sign up for, right? I need them too.
It is so so so wise and true what you say about millimetering along. Yes! This is how it is. This is the way of art. You have a lovely holiday too, Monika! xoxoxoxo
And if we keep at it, they add up! There are 1 million millimeters in a kilometer (1.6 million in a mile). Some go fast, so go slow. Thanks for helping me keep at it!
Thank you for this Monika “…put in a plug for the long game of persistence. Sometimes finishing can take years, even decades.”
Thank YOU, Lisa!
I know this very well from personal experience and can vouch for it with all my heart.
Thanks for vouching! ♥️
Jeannine! Everything here, well, your offerings always feel like they are speaking directly ‘to’ me for at least one particular point or message or some serendipitous something.
Without pointing to all the little somethings- the Biggest this morning is the distance between Isla Mujeres, and Cancun- (58 minutes) where I will be, (having just lost my “Christmas-obsessed” Mama 2 yrs ago)-with my 91 yr old father, my husband, & 3 of my 4 kiddos. We will be there the week right before your family, as we leave this Saturday.
This is the very first year in over 30 that we will not be hosting large, multi day gatherings at our home for more family, my best friends and their families and so on. I found thoroughout this year that I was increasingly running on empty and knew it was just not going to be possible.
There’s so much more to this story and along with much needed R&R and some sunshine and laughter, this Xmas, my wish is for some solo writing time- so perhaps I get to tell the rest.
For now- I’m off to the airport to scoop my once baby boy a recent transplant to NYC who brings a lightness of spirit and warmth to my heart.
Wishing you, your beautiful family & this entire rich community holidays filled with just what their hearts are hoping for most. ✨💕✨
Thank you for these thoughts, Jeannine, on finishing, acknowledging the grief in it (so appreciated the Ann Patchett and Liz Gilbert quotes) and I am also looking towards new beginnings, the visioning work which always appeals to me this time of year.
I have a practice of writing letters to my future self and I feel called to write one in the coming days. Then in a year I'll read it to see how my "Amy's new life in Barcelona" vision played out.
I have a new novel underway, my fourth, and my long-time writing workshop partner, commenting on these first drafts of this just-being-born book, said that she was really seeing me come into my own as a writer, that she could see a confidence in the material that went beyond my work to date, even in these early drafts. And I attribute at least some of that to the Writing in the Dark effect!
Have a wonderful Christmas holiday and fantastic time in Mexico. And please, let me know how those gluten free caramel rolls work out, as I have celiac and that's a recipe I'd love to have.
Jeannine, 1000% agree with you here "Craft can actually be the vehicle, the bridge, the doorway, not just through and into hard stories on the page, but out of those stories in our lives. I’ve said before: it’s not that we get to erase the past—whatever we’ve lived through is always a part of us. But when we use craft to transform those stories into something more than the lived experience, it’s incredibly empowering."
When I started writing with you 18 months ago, I wrote the hardest parts of my story, the parts filled with trauma as I wanted to get them 'out of the way.’ But I’ve come to understand reliving and writing those stories WERE the way…the way for me to be released of them, the way for me to begin again. Jordan Peterson writes, “Whenever you begin to write about your life, you re-organize your brain. This allows you to take every negative and emotional memory and transform it into a fully articulated version of your future.” “People who spend time writing carefully about themselves, become happier, less anxious, less depressed and physically healthier.”
Thank you for being a courageous, captivating creator, a compassionate craft coach, a consistent cheerleader!!
Wishing you and your beautiful family holidays filled with love and laughter, and tummies filled with your tasty baked goods!!!
I'd not read that Jordan Peterson quote, thank you.
Lisa, thank you for sharing this, I found it so inspiring, and yes, I totally agree with this sparkling list of "Cs" for Jeannine: "Thank you for being a courageous, captivating creator, a compassionate craft coach, a consistent cheerleader!!"
Lisa, this is gorgeous, it makes me so happy, and thank you for these quotes from a researcher I don't know. I'll make a note. Love to you!!
Happy holidays and safe travels! I’ll be coming back to this post for a thorough read after my own travels, because of the finishing inspiration, and the Octavia Butler essay.
I think I am slowly coming to understand this: “But when we use craft to transform those stories into something more than the lived experience, it’s incredibly empowering.”
Monica, I think I'll just sit and swim in that quote for a while in my big ol velveteen chair. And though incredibly exhausted at the moment after just hosting a pre-Christmas event, I do feel empowered. You can feel both!
Safe travels to you - with only good surprises.
Thank you, Joanne, and sending those wishes back your way, too!
I feel that in your work, Monica. Safe travels, and see you soon. xoxo
Thank you for your ongoing inspirational words that guide, direct, give hope, transform, Jeannine. 💖
Wishing you and yours safety, joy, love and much laughter during this season, and that it spills over into 2025.
And gosh! Mexico! How wonderful. And a honeymoon with your kids! Brilliant 💝💝
From my air-conditioned bed, early morning, in our typically meltingly hot Aussie.😀😘
Hi!!! Here to pop in and say thank you for this end of the year pep-talk! I so look forward to writing with you next year! Safe travels! I hope your holiday season is filled with peace, love, joy.
Much love to you all,
from Kentucky. xo
Hi to you, Maureen! And much love to you for your holiday season as well! xo
Okay, I love this post so much, I read it twice (and restacked). Came to say I took up archery after divorce, so related to that bit in a personal way. I know my essay is part of a book, which is daunting. But WITD is all the motivation I need to keep adding to it. Merry hectic holidaze!
Oh how I love that you took up archery. How fitting is that. Aiming straight. Love to you and yours, Michelle! ❤️
"I can’t write the book I want to write, but I can and will write the book I am capable of writing." I think Ann Patchett just saved me from my own paralysis.
Thank you for this post, Jeannine. Wishing you happy travels and a wonderful holiday season.
Yes, this is such a powerful statement.
You too, Tiffany! Thank you for your words and your heart 💜
Thanks for this treasure trove to paw through in the coming days! Wishing you safe travels, perfect stagecraft snow, Oscar-worthy Santa sightings and accompanying squeals of delight. And of course rejuvenating waves and waters for swimming and floating. Looking forward to your gf recipe, to stolen and intentional writing moments here, and cooking hosting marathons to come...
All the love.
Thank you, Emily. You are one of the highlights of my 2024. ❤️❤️❤️
Shit you made me cry, Jeannine ( and curse because I do when stuff hits home.) And you said it better than I could! So, back at you, for real, and here’s to next year and the next and the next… ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Wishing you wonderful holidays and a beautiful vacation! Thank you for this magical space and your transformative teachings about writing and living ❤️❤️
You all make it magical. I feel so grateful. 💜