A routine emerges from a strange, tough summer. Also: new books by Jami Attenberg, and Desiree Zamorano along with why I love reading Judith Hannah Weiss
Congratulations! It’s a huge step and now you have something solid to work with. Sounds like the routine works well for you and I hope it’ll be fruitful for the months to come while you dig into the draft.
What a wonderful Spark to read, Betsy. Congratulations on finishing this draft and what a beautiful sight, that stack of manuscript pages! Thanks for the book reviews, too. and the three questions/responses from Jami. She's an inspiration, as are you.
You are right about the value of a routine or structure in helping to manage depression. When I was traveling and feeling really vulnerable this summer, it was suggested that I take the one or two things that were helping me here and try to do them on the road. Writing and walking. I did both almost every day. It helped enormously -- like having a bridge back to myself.
Routine as rocking chair, bringing comfort in its sameness: washing and applying lotions and potions, eating, snacking, writing, yoga, exercise... there are soothing routines that keep the peace.
And then some kick-out-the-jams breakouts keep the joy of living alive!
Congrats, Betsy, dear one who working through sorrow to get the book's first draft done!
Congratulations Betsy! I love how you describe this stage of things. I finished my memoir this summer too. I’m new to this. I have already revised thoroughly but I think I may be doing that again. I’m trying to trust that all I need to do is take the next right step. I love routines.
The revisions can go on for a long time. I'm looking at a lot if them. We just have to keep going until it's clearer that we're done. I'm happy for you!
Congratulations, Betsy! I'm so glad you made the time to nurture yourself and your writing and found a routine that resulted in this beginning-middle-end draft. This is such an accomplishment!
The description of your routine resonated--how it is something of a bewildering thing that you surrendered to and then held on for dear life. The untidy nature of it makes so much more sense to me than the sort of mystical, instagram-ready descriptions of writer routine that I have read elsewhere. Thank you for that. It encouraged me in my own messy attempts.
Routine is a necessary ingredient in my life; it is a soft cushion of comfort that fulfills expectations each and every day. But, I must, on occasion, take a brave step outside this safety cocoon, to feel something new, wether it be a new friendship, a visit to a distant country (most recently, Africa), or simply a new way to walk from A to Z. After the diversion from routine, I am happy to discover footsteps that I know and love, and walk within those well-planted movements.
The stepping out of routine is as essential as the routine itself. But it's tricky. I am not such a creature of routine yet to trust it will still be there when I try to step back in. I saw some of your African pics. What a journey! So glad you were able to do it after having to postpone it the first time.
Congratulations! It’s a huge step and now you have something solid to work with. Sounds like the routine works well for you and I hope it’ll be fruitful for the months to come while you dig into the draft.
Thank you, Chevanne!
Congratulations on completing a full draft of your book—a huge accomplishment indeed!
And your routine sounds wonderfully productive—I'm envious!
Thank you, Joan!
What a wonderful Spark to read, Betsy. Congratulations on finishing this draft and what a beautiful sight, that stack of manuscript pages! Thanks for the book reviews, too. and the three questions/responses from Jami. She's an inspiration, as are you.
Thank you, Judy!
Great to hear about you way of finalizing you novel and congratulations with pre-version!
Your routine description is really inspiring; how much we can do with a little effort 🥰
Tetiana!!!! I am so glad to hear from you. Thank you for this. You know better than anyone what people can do with a little effort!
Miss you 🤗
Oh I so love the sound of your morning routine, and the idea that you've already had a good day, regardless what else happens after that 😃
That is the thing I've most appreciated about this effort. Thank you!
Congrats on your progress and routines! So wonderful to hear and quite inspiring, too!
Thank you, Robin!
I love routines, they keep me focused on my goals, help keep me from slipping into depression. I love how you've written about it here.
You are right about the value of a routine or structure in helping to manage depression. When I was traveling and feeling really vulnerable this summer, it was suggested that I take the one or two things that were helping me here and try to do them on the road. Writing and walking. I did both almost every day. It helped enormously -- like having a bridge back to myself.
…slow and steady wins the race- congrats Betsy you did it!
XX’s
Thank you, Cyndi!
Routine as rocking chair, bringing comfort in its sameness: washing and applying lotions and potions, eating, snacking, writing, yoga, exercise... there are soothing routines that keep the peace.
And then some kick-out-the-jams breakouts keep the joy of living alive!
Congrats, Betsy, dear one who working through sorrow to get the book's first draft done!
Thank you, PJ -- I like the rocking chair image!
High five for finishing the big first step. And thanks for introducing me to Desiree Z. Her books definitely sound like my cup of tea.
I think you'll like them very much, Jennifer. She will be in San Diego in October if you are sailing this way any time around then.
Congrats, Betsy! I finished my novel this week too. Yay for us!
Yes, yay for us. You said you were going to do it this summer and you did. Was Tennessee the place you found your way to the end? Congratulations!
Yes! I’ll write all about it in next week’s newsletter!
Congratulations Betsy! I love how you describe this stage of things. I finished my memoir this summer too. I’m new to this. I have already revised thoroughly but I think I may be doing that again. I’m trying to trust that all I need to do is take the next right step. I love routines.
The revisions can go on for a long time. I'm looking at a lot if them. We just have to keep going until it's clearer that we're done. I'm happy for you!
Yay Betsy! Your relentlessness is so inspiring.
Relentless or addicted? Not really sure. Be fun to talk about it with you sometime.
Congratulations, Betsy! I'm so glad you made the time to nurture yourself and your writing and found a routine that resulted in this beginning-middle-end draft. This is such an accomplishment!
Thank you, Julie.
The description of your routine resonated--how it is something of a bewildering thing that you surrendered to and then held on for dear life. The untidy nature of it makes so much more sense to me than the sort of mystical, instagram-ready descriptions of writer routine that I have read elsewhere. Thank you for that. It encouraged me in my own messy attempts.
Untidy is the perfect description, for me and my routine. I'm glad it resonated with you, Courtney.
Routine is a necessary ingredient in my life; it is a soft cushion of comfort that fulfills expectations each and every day. But, I must, on occasion, take a brave step outside this safety cocoon, to feel something new, wether it be a new friendship, a visit to a distant country (most recently, Africa), or simply a new way to walk from A to Z. After the diversion from routine, I am happy to discover footsteps that I know and love, and walk within those well-planted movements.
The stepping out of routine is as essential as the routine itself. But it's tricky. I am not such a creature of routine yet to trust it will still be there when I try to step back in. I saw some of your African pics. What a journey! So glad you were able to do it after having to postpone it the first time.