Daily Nourishment for April 18, 2024: Part of It Remains Mysterious
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 45 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 15 minutes
Why is writing so hard?
“The solitariness of it, the elusiveness of it. If forced, we could generate words, sentences, paragraphs, but it would be meaningless. So, the thing that makes it a story, the words that etch out a character that the reader can see and feel and hear … there’s plenty of tricks to get there. You can create the conditions for that element to come forward, and do what you can to push yourself into that state that makes it happen … but part of it remains mysterious.”
- Megan Abbott, Shondaland
Pause.
Take six deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale. Then listen to a song that helps you feel less alone. (Here's one of my favorites!)
Prompt.
Read the Megan Abbott quote above one or two more times.
Practice.
Set a timer for 12 minutes and journal or take notes using the following questions as prompts:
What are your thoughts on Abbott’s quote? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
What conditions usually help you do the writing you want to do?
What conditions usually keep you from doing the writing you want to do?
When did you last write words on paper or a screen for at least 15 minutes? What conditions led to that writing session?
What are three things you can do that usually help you write? (Here are three of mine: 1. Read Essays One by Lydia Davis 2. Read a poem or two or three 3. Go to a museum.) If you don’t know the answer to this question, I encourage you to experiment!
Use your notes to begin writing a new essay, story, poem, or letter if you like.
Want More?
Read “9 Writers on Why Writing Is So Hard” at shondaland.com.*
Upcoming Workshops & Gatherings
—Sunday, 4/21/2024: Thoughtful Readers Gathering with Anna Gazmarian
—Back by Popular Demand: Narrative Writing with Tanya Davis is back for another four weeks this spring. The Friday Cohort begins on Friday, 4/19. The Saturday BIPOC Cohort begins on 4/20. $49 for four sessions.
—This month’s Revision Stations Designed by Lauren Winner gathering will be on Saturday, April 27th from 10:15-noon CT. If you have something that needs revision attention, you will not regret attending. Promise.
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Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
*Please help us protect our intellectual property, our creative process, and the integrity of our work. Spiritual Direction for Writers® Daily Nourishment is covered under the Spiritual Direction for Writers® trademark. You are welcome to share this link with others, but any other use (written or spoken) is prohibited without written permission from Charlotte Donlon.