I'm going to devote November to reading a lot of poetry, with a notebook next to me, so I can jot down words and phrases that I love. I'm shifting from a fiction project to a poetry one, so I think/hope this deep dive into the poems of others, and this focus on "gathering" language, will be a fun and fruitful way of getting back into writing my own poems. And even if it doesn't, I'll still have read a ton of poetry :)
Regarding your footnote, were these the words you were searching for?
"And two, it is so hard to write a perfect book. I know that plenty of you get stopped up in your work because you want things to be perfect but actually it’s totally fine for things to be a little imperfect in your work, your life. I’m always attracted to the imperfections. They’re what makes characters so interesting to write. Sometimes when I read books and focus on one particular moment I don’t like, it actually makes me enjoy the book more. Sets the perfection of the rest of it in relief."
Love this advice! I start most of my essays from little thoughts or sentences I jot down in my daily journaling sessions. Typically I leave a little star above a “profound” page. Hence how my newsletter “My Morning Journal” was born (and thanks to My Morning Jacket, too haha). Thank you for sharing this advice
I'm going to devote November to reading a lot of poetry, with a notebook next to me, so I can jot down words and phrases that I love. I'm shifting from a fiction project to a poetry one, so I think/hope this deep dive into the poems of others, and this focus on "gathering" language, will be a fun and fruitful way of getting back into writing my own poems. And even if it doesn't, I'll still have read a ton of poetry :)
Thank you-this was really helpful!
I just keep meaning to tell you, Nancy, that this was such a great and useful issue of the newsletter! (I mean, as always...) Thank you!
This was such a wonderful read!
Regarding your footnote, were these the words you were searching for?
"And two, it is so hard to write a perfect book. I know that plenty of you get stopped up in your work because you want things to be perfect but actually it’s totally fine for things to be a little imperfect in your work, your life. I’m always attracted to the imperfections. They’re what makes characters so interesting to write. Sometimes when I read books and focus on one particular moment I don’t like, it actually makes me enjoy the book more. Sets the perfection of the rest of it in relief."
If so, they're from a Craft Talk newsletter! https://1000wordsofsummer.substack.com/p/the-goal-versus-the-mission
Love this advice! I start most of my essays from little thoughts or sentences I jot down in my daily journaling sessions. Typically I leave a little star above a “profound” page. Hence how my newsletter “My Morning Journal” was born (and thanks to My Morning Jacket, too haha). Thank you for sharing this advice
starting with what we have is my philosophy. Love this piece ❤️