In my 20’s I wrote a short story in my creative writing class at the Humber school for writers in Toronto. The teacher pulled me aside and told me I was special. She said I should keep writing. Keep going. She said she hoped I worked on the story and found a home for it. I was a nervous wreck. I was shy. I had no idea what she meant by special and I was too afraid to ask. That story is in a bin in my cellar.
At the university of Toronto I wrote a short story and my professor put her phone number on the top of my story and asked me to call her to talk about it. I was terrified. I never called her and the story joined the other one in the bin in my cellar.
I loved to write in my 20’s. I was never not writing. What I didn’t do, was put myself out there. I shared just a little, just enough to tell myself I was in the right place, but then I pulled back, back, back. Afraid to fall. Afraid to fail.
My darling writers, if I can tell you anything it’s this. Have courage. Put aside your fear that you aren’t good enough, that your words are for “later”, for some future more professional polished you or for you alone. No! Your words matter so much and they are for right now. Right now!
And if you were once a girl like me and you wonder, can I begin again? Was all that creativity lost and buried with my youth? No, it was not lost and yes, you can begin right where you are. You were born for this and your creativity is ALIVE deep inside just waiting, wanting, longing for you to let it out. It calls to you morning and night, telling you to write, but then the next part requires you to quiet all the voices in your head that say not yet, not now, not me. It requires you to call yourself a writer and to never ever put your words in a bin in the cellar!
Written By: Karen Harrison
At the university of Toronto I wrote a short story and my professor put her phone number on the top of my story and asked me to call her to talk about it. I was terrified. I never called her and the story joined the other one in the bin in my cellar.
I loved to write in my 20’s. I was never not writing. What I didn’t do, was put myself out there. I shared just a little, just enough to tell myself I was in the right place, but then I pulled back, back, back. Afraid to fall. Afraid to fail.
My darling writers, if I can tell you anything it’s this. Have courage. Put aside your fear that you aren’t good enough, that your words are for “later”, for some future more professional polished you or for you alone. No! Your words matter so much and they are for right now. Right now!
And if you were once a girl like me and you wonder, can I begin again? Was all that creativity lost and buried with my youth? No, it was not lost and yes, you can begin right where you are. You were born for this and your creativity is ALIVE deep inside just waiting, wanting, longing for you to let it out. It calls to you morning and night, telling you to write, but then the next part requires you to quiet all the voices in your head that say not yet, not now, not me. It requires you to call yourself a writer and to never ever put your words in a bin in the cellar!
Written By: Karen Harrison
People have often asked me when did you become a writer? I have to pause now when I answer. 30 years ago? 2 years ago? 2 weeks ago? The truth is, that every single day, I am becoming a writer. Each day that I set the words in motion, I become more of what I want to be. I look back on my writings over the years, especially my published novels. Three in total, all with 4.5 star ratings, but in my mind, they still fall short. And I am still striving to be the writer, I have always wanted to be. The words, I have learned are more than just the words. They are a living, breathing organism, all their own. I perfected the art, or so I thought, of telling a story. A tightly woven plot, rich characters, in beautiful settings. But still, its not enough. I have learned through writing my fourth novel, that there was so much more to be had. To be discovered inside of myself. As I sat down with my words, a novel, I thought already complete …and for the first time ever, I breathed real life into them. One sentence at a time. Into the story that I thought had already been told. Yet I had only broken the surface of what it was capable of becoming. Editing, they call it. Life giving, I say. My manuscript, rewritten a hundred times now, and just beginning to resonate with a glimpse of the writer I strive to be. The magic is in the rewriting. The digesting. The dissecting. The weaving and reweaving of words. I am learning to be that writer. The one I dream of being. And Tomorrow, I will become more of her and also the day after that and the day after that. I will continue my journey on.
Written By: Natalie Banks
Written By: Natalie Banks
Self-Care & Writing- While Momming-So-Hard
By Laura Eustache Zamor
Motherhood is such a beautiful experience. It really is, but it becomes difficult at times to love the role when its responsibilities can often leave you too drained to give love to the work you're passionate about. I tell no lies, and if a Mother tells you she never struggles between the polarity of her desire to nurture her family and her desire to publicly serve, she's lying.
In my case, this public servanthood comes in the form of writing.
And you know what?
Everything about being a writer gives me joy. From those moments when ideas come out of nowhere to the process of splattering words all over and watching alchemy take place, to even the painstaking process of editing, the art of storytelling is my jam.
But guess what?
My kids are also my jam. Building on the home my husband and I have worked to create for them, over the last four years has taken a lot of hard work, late nights, and worthy sacrifices.
So how on earth do I take care of myself in the midst of managing my blessings and gifts?
Well, in a few ways.
1. Meditation: Whether it's engaging in prayer, five minutes of restorative yoga, or picking one biblical verse or passage to focus on for the day, I cannot handle any of my responsibilities without this first version of checking in with my emotional temperature. I may not be able to consistently wake up at 5 a.m. to do it, but I'm consistent with what I'm doing. I think this is key, especially for Mom's who can get discouraged if they're not able to meet a certain timeline every day. While some might say we lack discipline, I say Mom's have an inexplicable need for flexibility. Did I mention my children are 3 and 2-years-old? And my second child is just now being weaned from breastfeeding? Meditation keeps me grounded and grace-filled.
2. Essential Oils: As a counselor, I know the importance of managing emotional health, but as a Mother, it's imperative. The success of my family depends on it. To keep my nervous system supported through all seasons- from potty training to promoting my work, I've used oils to nourish my system in a way that is simple, effective since ancient of days, and accessible. With all that's going on, I don't have time to tend to an actual apothecary as my grandmother and grandaunt would. Essential oils, applied topically and used aromatically in the diffuser has worked wonders on my post partum trauma as well. Some oils which have been instrumental are Roman Chamomile to help affirm my purpose as a writer and Mother. Bergamot for supporting my will to get ALL of the things done; it's like a kiss to my solar plexus!! Without Cypress or Peppermint, which support emotional flexibility and reset from pessimism, meltdowns would be plenty, especially when I'm in a zone to write and something unexpected threatens to derail me, like my youngest trying to flush crayons down the toilet!!
3. Journaling: Sometimes its quick notes on my phone while in the market or a whole letter to myself with reflective questions in my favorite leather-bound journal. Journaling has been instrumental to my growth in both areas of my life. My pages are an endless dumping ground for creativity where I don't lose track of serendipitous ideas and they don't drive me nuts if they're not getting accomplished fast enough. I'm able to check in on ideas and track their growth or sometimes ask myself if they really still matter. It's also just a great way to keep myself accountable, for better or for overwhelmed.
What are some of the ways you engage in self-care as a writer, while momming-so-hard?
Written By: Laura Eustache Zamor
By Laura Eustache Zamor
Motherhood is such a beautiful experience. It really is, but it becomes difficult at times to love the role when its responsibilities can often leave you too drained to give love to the work you're passionate about. I tell no lies, and if a Mother tells you she never struggles between the polarity of her desire to nurture her family and her desire to publicly serve, she's lying.
In my case, this public servanthood comes in the form of writing.
And you know what?
Everything about being a writer gives me joy. From those moments when ideas come out of nowhere to the process of splattering words all over and watching alchemy take place, to even the painstaking process of editing, the art of storytelling is my jam.
But guess what?
My kids are also my jam. Building on the home my husband and I have worked to create for them, over the last four years has taken a lot of hard work, late nights, and worthy sacrifices.
So how on earth do I take care of myself in the midst of managing my blessings and gifts?
Well, in a few ways.
1. Meditation: Whether it's engaging in prayer, five minutes of restorative yoga, or picking one biblical verse or passage to focus on for the day, I cannot handle any of my responsibilities without this first version of checking in with my emotional temperature. I may not be able to consistently wake up at 5 a.m. to do it, but I'm consistent with what I'm doing. I think this is key, especially for Mom's who can get discouraged if they're not able to meet a certain timeline every day. While some might say we lack discipline, I say Mom's have an inexplicable need for flexibility. Did I mention my children are 3 and 2-years-old? And my second child is just now being weaned from breastfeeding? Meditation keeps me grounded and grace-filled.
2. Essential Oils: As a counselor, I know the importance of managing emotional health, but as a Mother, it's imperative. The success of my family depends on it. To keep my nervous system supported through all seasons- from potty training to promoting my work, I've used oils to nourish my system in a way that is simple, effective since ancient of days, and accessible. With all that's going on, I don't have time to tend to an actual apothecary as my grandmother and grandaunt would. Essential oils, applied topically and used aromatically in the diffuser has worked wonders on my post partum trauma as well. Some oils which have been instrumental are Roman Chamomile to help affirm my purpose as a writer and Mother. Bergamot for supporting my will to get ALL of the things done; it's like a kiss to my solar plexus!! Without Cypress or Peppermint, which support emotional flexibility and reset from pessimism, meltdowns would be plenty, especially when I'm in a zone to write and something unexpected threatens to derail me, like my youngest trying to flush crayons down the toilet!!
3. Journaling: Sometimes its quick notes on my phone while in the market or a whole letter to myself with reflective questions in my favorite leather-bound journal. Journaling has been instrumental to my growth in both areas of my life. My pages are an endless dumping ground for creativity where I don't lose track of serendipitous ideas and they don't drive me nuts if they're not getting accomplished fast enough. I'm able to check in on ideas and track their growth or sometimes ask myself if they really still matter. It's also just a great way to keep myself accountable, for better or for overwhelmed.
What are some of the ways you engage in self-care as a writer, while momming-so-hard?
Written By: Laura Eustache Zamor
Have you ever felt drained by your craft?
As creative people, we often fall target to much judgement and criticism. It can be very difficult to push past the disapproval of others, especially these days with social media. When you create something new, you put yourselfin a vulnerable position.
I was watching a TED talk on this subject a few weeks ago, where the speaker mentioned that back in ancient Greece and ancient Rome, there was a common belief that creativity came from a ‘genius’, which was some kind of invisiblecreative being hiding in the walls of the artist’s studio, helping him come up with the ideas. This created distance for the artist with his work and helped them remain humble and not take criticism as personally. Over time, during the renaissance period,people became more self-centered and started calling individuals ‘a genius’, rather than ‘having a genius’. The amount of pressure to produce the highest quality, or the most original idea, and being frequently compared to others, can be extremely damagingto our mental health. As someone who struggles with depression and anxiety, and as a writer, I’m constantly reminding myself that I don’t need to write like someone else to be a writer. That every time I compare myself to others, I get farther and fartherfrom the writing in my own syle. It’s difficult not to take negative comments and judgements to heart, but if we listen to all of it, we might never write another word again.
I’d rather be judged for my writing, then never write another word again.
Written by: Michelle Young
As creative people, we often fall target to much judgement and criticism. It can be very difficult to push past the disapproval of others, especially these days with social media. When you create something new, you put yourselfin a vulnerable position.
I was watching a TED talk on this subject a few weeks ago, where the speaker mentioned that back in ancient Greece and ancient Rome, there was a common belief that creativity came from a ‘genius’, which was some kind of invisiblecreative being hiding in the walls of the artist’s studio, helping him come up with the ideas. This created distance for the artist with his work and helped them remain humble and not take criticism as personally. Over time, during the renaissance period,people became more self-centered and started calling individuals ‘a genius’, rather than ‘having a genius’. The amount of pressure to produce the highest quality, or the most original idea, and being frequently compared to others, can be extremely damagingto our mental health. As someone who struggles with depression and anxiety, and as a writer, I’m constantly reminding myself that I don’t need to write like someone else to be a writer. That every time I compare myself to others, I get farther and fartherfrom the writing in my own syle. It’s difficult not to take negative comments and judgements to heart, but if we listen to all of it, we might never write another word again.
I’d rather be judged for my writing, then never write another word again.
Written by: Michelle Young
If you’re faced with the dark enemy of writer’s block, I need you to ask yourself a few questions.
1- Are you feeling well?
Feeling under the weather in some way (emotionally or physically) can impact your creativity. So if you find that the answer is yes to this question and it’s a physical concern, then take a rest. Get well and come back rejuvenated.
If it is emotional you can eat a treat, listen to music, go for a walk, meditate. Something to shift your energy. If these methods don’t work, it’s okay to walk away & try again tomorrow.
2- Are you being too hard on yourself?
Are you a perfectionist? Trying to make your first draft shine like a finished manuscript? If you put this kind of pressure on yourself, this is a sure fire way to open the door and invite writer’s block in. Let yourself go. Justwrite. I don’t even check my spelling when I’m writing my first draft. I just let the words come out and worry about errors later. That’s what editing is for!! 3- Are you out of ideas?
Did you fully develop your plot before you started? Or did you jump in and hope for the best? A lot of times, not knowing the whole story can cause writers block because you find yourself at a place in the story where you just don’tknow what is going to happen next. If you find yourself here, then step away from the manuscript and work on your plot points. Think about your characters and where their journey is leading them. I think given some time working on that, the ideas will startflowing again and you can get back to writing.
4- Are you bored? Maybe you’ve been working on your manuscript for months or even years and you’re just tired of it.
Walk away! Do something that sparks your joy. Read other books, watch movies, exercise. Do things that lift your spirits and don’t go back to the story until you feel it call to you. Then, you’ll know it’s time. I also suggest maybeto divert your attention to another work. Maybe a short story? Another piece that can throw new enthusiasm into. Your original work will he there waiting for you when you’re ready.
Be easy on yourself. You don’t want to create a mindset of writer’s block. The whole point of writing is joy!!
Written By: Natalie Banks
1- Are you feeling well?
Feeling under the weather in some way (emotionally or physically) can impact your creativity. So if you find that the answer is yes to this question and it’s a physical concern, then take a rest. Get well and come back rejuvenated.
If it is emotional you can eat a treat, listen to music, go for a walk, meditate. Something to shift your energy. If these methods don’t work, it’s okay to walk away & try again tomorrow.
2- Are you being too hard on yourself?
Are you a perfectionist? Trying to make your first draft shine like a finished manuscript? If you put this kind of pressure on yourself, this is a sure fire way to open the door and invite writer’s block in. Let yourself go. Justwrite. I don’t even check my spelling when I’m writing my first draft. I just let the words come out and worry about errors later. That’s what editing is for!! 3- Are you out of ideas?
Did you fully develop your plot before you started? Or did you jump in and hope for the best? A lot of times, not knowing the whole story can cause writers block because you find yourself at a place in the story where you just don’tknow what is going to happen next. If you find yourself here, then step away from the manuscript and work on your plot points. Think about your characters and where their journey is leading them. I think given some time working on that, the ideas will startflowing again and you can get back to writing.
4- Are you bored? Maybe you’ve been working on your manuscript for months or even years and you’re just tired of it.
Walk away! Do something that sparks your joy. Read other books, watch movies, exercise. Do things that lift your spirits and don’t go back to the story until you feel it call to you. Then, you’ll know it’s time. I also suggest maybeto divert your attention to another work. Maybe a short story? Another piece that can throw new enthusiasm into. Your original work will he there waiting for you when you’re ready.
Be easy on yourself. You don’t want to create a mindset of writer’s block. The whole point of writing is joy!!
Written By: Natalie Banks
The Good Book
Books from my childhood hold a special reverence with me to this day. Like most kids, growing up I was incapable of sitting still. I just couldn’t do it. The exception to that rule was story time. Open a book, and I was spellbound.Book time at my house was special. It was a time to be still as I sat curled up in my mother’s wing, breathing in her Jean Nate, and waiting to say those two little words on the last page.
There were four books I treasured most in my collection: Where The Wild Things Are, Curious George, Caps for Sale, and The Little Prince. Each book spoke to me and once welcomed into my world, stayed for long stretches of time.The book that would have the most significant impact on me though we didn’t even own. .
Since sitting still was a challenge, the 60 minutes I had to endure in church was a struggle of biblical proportions. One Sunday, stopping at the bookshelf in the foyer, I noticed amongst the bibles a bright green book with a treedropping an apple down to a boy. In the pew, I ran my hand across the cover, sounding out the title, The…Giv..ing…Treee. From that day forward, it sat across my lap every mass.
The Giving Tree taught me to read, The Giving Tree taught me to be still, it made church bearable; but what I never realized was The Giving Tree was the sermon I needed to hear each Sunday. It was a lesson in kindness, a lessonin sharing, and greed and forgiveness, and above all else, a lesson in unconditional love. To me the Giving Tree was church. And along with Jesus, my savior.
The last time I visited my sister I noticed how restless my niece was in church. I quickly opened my phone and downloaded my old friend. Amelia quietly swiped through the pages as I whispered sections to her. And as always, on thelast page, I tried not to cry. As she flipped to the picture of Shel Silverstein, I smiled at the man who taught me lessons I still carry today and who saved me each Sunday.
Written By: Robert Charles Gompers
Books from my childhood hold a special reverence with me to this day. Like most kids, growing up I was incapable of sitting still. I just couldn’t do it. The exception to that rule was story time. Open a book, and I was spellbound.Book time at my house was special. It was a time to be still as I sat curled up in my mother’s wing, breathing in her Jean Nate, and waiting to say those two little words on the last page.
There were four books I treasured most in my collection: Where The Wild Things Are, Curious George, Caps for Sale, and The Little Prince. Each book spoke to me and once welcomed into my world, stayed for long stretches of time.The book that would have the most significant impact on me though we didn’t even own. .
Since sitting still was a challenge, the 60 minutes I had to endure in church was a struggle of biblical proportions. One Sunday, stopping at the bookshelf in the foyer, I noticed amongst the bibles a bright green book with a treedropping an apple down to a boy. In the pew, I ran my hand across the cover, sounding out the title, The…Giv..ing…Treee. From that day forward, it sat across my lap every mass.
The Giving Tree taught me to read, The Giving Tree taught me to be still, it made church bearable; but what I never realized was The Giving Tree was the sermon I needed to hear each Sunday. It was a lesson in kindness, a lessonin sharing, and greed and forgiveness, and above all else, a lesson in unconditional love. To me the Giving Tree was church. And along with Jesus, my savior.
The last time I visited my sister I noticed how restless my niece was in church. I quickly opened my phone and downloaded my old friend. Amelia quietly swiped through the pages as I whispered sections to her. And as always, on thelast page, I tried not to cry. As she flipped to the picture of Shel Silverstein, I smiled at the man who taught me lessons I still carry today and who saved me each Sunday.
Written By: Robert Charles Gompers
Happy Friday writers! How are you guys feeling about your work? We want to know! Feel free to reach out with your questions, suggestions, or just because. We are here to support and encourage you on your writing journey!
Remember that 1985 classic movie “The Breakfast Club?” about a group of teenagers from different cliques who have to spend a Saturday in detention? Who could forget, a brain, a beauty, a jock, a rebel and a recluse? This movie was considered by critics to be one of the greatest films of all time. A movie with a modest budget, shot in the gym with a set to look like the library of a Maine North High School. Simple concept. Huge success. And I wonder, if you are struggling with ideas for characters, why not start here? Why not follow five different real life people on instagram so you can study their simple daily habits. A brain, a beauty, a jock, a rebel and a recluse. You can mix it up and follow any five polar opposite characters,the key is to follow, observe, learn. Where they go, what they wear, the language they use, what they eat and so on. Yes, it’s permission to stalk. It’s research after all and as writers, that’s what we do. Observe the human condition. You can also do this of course while sipping coffee at a cafe or grocery shopping or while wandering around a museum. People watching for writers is what vocal warm ups are for singers. Your homework this weekend is to find your five characters and either start writing about them or file them away for another story. Don’t forget to play the soundtrack for the movie. “Start with the song “Don’t You Forget About Me.” After all, that’s what we want our readers to be thinking after they read our work right? Get it in your head, then put it down. Happy writing, friends! Brains, Beaties, jocks, rebels, recluses!
Remember that 1985 classic movie “The Breakfast Club?” about a group of teenagers from different cliques who have to spend a Saturday in detention? Who could forget, a brain, a beauty, a jock, a rebel and a recluse? This movie was considered by critics to be one of the greatest films of all time. A movie with a modest budget, shot in the gym with a set to look like the library of a Maine North High School. Simple concept. Huge success. And I wonder, if you are struggling with ideas for characters, why not start here? Why not follow five different real life people on instagram so you can study their simple daily habits. A brain, a beauty, a jock, a rebel and a recluse. You can mix it up and follow any five polar opposite characters,the key is to follow, observe, learn. Where they go, what they wear, the language they use, what they eat and so on. Yes, it’s permission to stalk. It’s research after all and as writers, that’s what we do. Observe the human condition. You can also do this of course while sipping coffee at a cafe or grocery shopping or while wandering around a museum. People watching for writers is what vocal warm ups are for singers. Your homework this weekend is to find your five characters and either start writing about them or file them away for another story. Don’t forget to play the soundtrack for the movie. “Start with the song “Don’t You Forget About Me.” After all, that’s what we want our readers to be thinking after they read our work right? Get it in your head, then put it down. Happy writing, friends! Brains, Beaties, jocks, rebels, recluses!
Finding time. Is it finding time or making time? Maybe its taking time? .
For those of us who write at all, we are writers. We may or may not be paid for our work but we write and take it seriously. Time is something I think we all struggle with. .
I cannot count the days that my writing sat on the back burner of life. Everything came before my writing. .
With all the demands of being a stay at home mom, a home school mom, the primary home manager (meaning cooking, cleaning, money management, chauffeur, nurse etc…) I felt guilty taking time to write. Especially when it wasn’t something I would be getting paid to do, I mean we all equate money with a worthy endeavor right? Wrong! I know this but for me somehow the thought of contributing financially slightly took away the guilt of taking time to pursue my passion until… .
I read a book called The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks. He is a life coach and shared about his work with an author. The author never seemed to be able to “find time” to write her next book. He asked her about her day which was full of all the mom/wife/home things first then the day would be over, everyone returning from school or work, which meant no time for her to write. .
He helped her realize the importance of priority. She turned her days around. As soon as everyone was out and started on their days, instead of cleaning, laundry and cooking all day, she left it to sit down and write, because writing was her priority. .
So what happened to the cleaning, cooking and all the family needs? Everyone’s needs were still met! Just in a different order. .
Time to write – you do have to find it, make it and take it. If you are getting paid or if you are not. If writing is a priority in your life, put it where it belongs in your day so it won’t get lost in the shuffle of life.
Written By: Heidi Suydam
For those of us who write at all, we are writers. We may or may not be paid for our work but we write and take it seriously. Time is something I think we all struggle with. .
I cannot count the days that my writing sat on the back burner of life. Everything came before my writing. .
With all the demands of being a stay at home mom, a home school mom, the primary home manager (meaning cooking, cleaning, money management, chauffeur, nurse etc…) I felt guilty taking time to write. Especially when it wasn’t something I would be getting paid to do, I mean we all equate money with a worthy endeavor right? Wrong! I know this but for me somehow the thought of contributing financially slightly took away the guilt of taking time to pursue my passion until… .
I read a book called The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks. He is a life coach and shared about his work with an author. The author never seemed to be able to “find time” to write her next book. He asked her about her day which was full of all the mom/wife/home things first then the day would be over, everyone returning from school or work, which meant no time for her to write. .
He helped her realize the importance of priority. She turned her days around. As soon as everyone was out and started on their days, instead of cleaning, laundry and cooking all day, she left it to sit down and write, because writing was her priority. .
So what happened to the cleaning, cooking and all the family needs? Everyone’s needs were still met! Just in a different order. .
Time to write – you do have to find it, make it and take it. If you are getting paid or if you are not. If writing is a priority in your life, put it where it belongs in your day so it won’t get lost in the shuffle of life.
Written By: Heidi Suydam
