I may have laughed entirely too much at your mug buddy! Poor thing! I love that you were able to take this time for you (and for this book the world needs). It's a good feeling when you share the work you've poured your heart and soul into and receive some great feedback about its universality.
Good that you're rethinking how you talk about the book. It reminded me of a local Listen to Your Mother show where I read an original piece about motherhood alongside 12 other writers. It blew my mind how "motherhood" stories were so diverse. There was the woman caring for her mother with Alzheimer's, the 50-something-year-old mom who was fostering a four-year-old, a woman who lost her mother to addiction/death when she was only four years old and her struggle to let her stepmom be her mom.
One mom spoke about her experience of parenting of a toddler with cancer; I talked about raising a strong-willed teen with my ex-husband; and one young man offered spoken word poetry that was the most beautiful tribute to his mom. It was a whole experience, and this is what I think of when I consider the people who will read your book. You have a way with your words that draws us in, whether we've lived it or not. You connect with your readers, and they will (I'm sure of it!) have a "Me, too" moment when reading your book.
Thank you, Holly! I've been reminded multiple times throughout this process that our unique voice matters, adding our personal perspective to a shared universal experiences (like motherhood). Excited to see you on Substack again, it's been awhile!
I love to read about renewed energy and focus on a long haul project. I also love to read about bigger revelations about your message and reach, now, before it has gone to press. Sounds like Spring has come to your writing life, I'm excited to read the fruits of your labor.
It is so great to feel your renewed energy in your writing here. What a wonderful retreat that proved to be! Interestingly, reading your revised description of your book (which is a really excellent shift, by the way) gave me some insights into my book, so, thanks! Looking forward to reading more from the book!
Thank you for all the juicy tips about what goes on at these writers retreats... I like hearing about how helpful it was and I'm thinking of asking you how you hear about these retreats? I guess I'm not on the right writers lists yet... sucks with my hiatus I lost so much time and it seems information. But it sounds like this was amazing and amazingly helpful and you deserve that ... you're a great writer and you should know that and feel it in every fiber of your being! Love it. ❤️
Thank you for the happy confidence vibes, Laura. And I'm glad my juicy tips were helpful!
To be honest, I have never come across any writing retreat options before either, so you're not alone in that. I was invited to this one by a friend. She is on the newsletter list for the resort that hosts it, so that's how she heard about it. I did meet someone there who was from California, and she said she found this one by googling "west coast writing retreats" or something like that.
Ooh lala thank you!!! Even more good tidbits and a good idea to Google. I get newsletters about NAMI retreats and stuff from my library too. But I should just google... I do that for everything else! ♥️🙃
JEN, what a delightful meditation on a wonderful retreat and weekend. I loved reading it (and feeling like we were back in the retreat house already!). I definitely echoed the sentiment that I would read your book EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT A PARENT! Cheers, new friend!
Definitely going to try other genres after this—such an amazing post! I would love to go to one of these retreats. Will be following and supporting you on your journey. Just subscribed, thanks!
Jen, I am sooooooooo behind in my reading but this post of yours has been worth the wait - you’re AWESOME! And this non-parent with parents can’t wait to read the book, either!
I may have laughed entirely too much at your mug buddy! Poor thing! I love that you were able to take this time for you (and for this book the world needs). It's a good feeling when you share the work you've poured your heart and soul into and receive some great feedback about its universality.
Good that you're rethinking how you talk about the book. It reminded me of a local Listen to Your Mother show where I read an original piece about motherhood alongside 12 other writers. It blew my mind how "motherhood" stories were so diverse. There was the woman caring for her mother with Alzheimer's, the 50-something-year-old mom who was fostering a four-year-old, a woman who lost her mother to addiction/death when she was only four years old and her struggle to let her stepmom be her mom.
One mom spoke about her experience of parenting of a toddler with cancer; I talked about raising a strong-willed teen with my ex-husband; and one young man offered spoken word poetry that was the most beautiful tribute to his mom. It was a whole experience, and this is what I think of when I consider the people who will read your book. You have a way with your words that draws us in, whether we've lived it or not. You connect with your readers, and they will (I'm sure of it!) have a "Me, too" moment when reading your book.
Thank you, Holly! I've been reminded multiple times throughout this process that our unique voice matters, adding our personal perspective to a shared universal experiences (like motherhood). Excited to see you on Substack again, it's been awhile!
This makes me want to go to a writing retreat! I’m so glad you got some great feedback and inspiration 🥰
This was a good one! Has a very distinct vibe, though.
I love to read about renewed energy and focus on a long haul project. I also love to read about bigger revelations about your message and reach, now, before it has gone to press. Sounds like Spring has come to your writing life, I'm excited to read the fruits of your labor.
Thank you! Yes, it was nice to reset and I'm definitely feeling creatively refreshed.
It is so great to feel your renewed energy in your writing here. What a wonderful retreat that proved to be! Interestingly, reading your revised description of your book (which is a really excellent shift, by the way) gave me some insights into my book, so, thanks! Looking forward to reading more from the book!
Yay! Glad that my experience could add some insight into yours!
I don’t think I’ve ever considered going to a writer’s retreat until you described it …
I didn't know what to expect, and I don't know if they're all like this one, but it's definitely something I recommend trying at least once.
Thank you for all the juicy tips about what goes on at these writers retreats... I like hearing about how helpful it was and I'm thinking of asking you how you hear about these retreats? I guess I'm not on the right writers lists yet... sucks with my hiatus I lost so much time and it seems information. But it sounds like this was amazing and amazingly helpful and you deserve that ... you're a great writer and you should know that and feel it in every fiber of your being! Love it. ❤️
Thank you for the happy confidence vibes, Laura. And I'm glad my juicy tips were helpful!
To be honest, I have never come across any writing retreat options before either, so you're not alone in that. I was invited to this one by a friend. She is on the newsletter list for the resort that hosts it, so that's how she heard about it. I did meet someone there who was from California, and she said she found this one by googling "west coast writing retreats" or something like that.
Ooh lala thank you!!! Even more good tidbits and a good idea to Google. I get newsletters about NAMI retreats and stuff from my library too. But I should just google... I do that for everything else! ♥️🙃
Love this, Jen!!!! Woohoo! Good stuff.
🥳
JEN, what a delightful meditation on a wonderful retreat and weekend. I loved reading it (and feeling like we were back in the retreat house already!). I definitely echoed the sentiment that I would read your book EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT A PARENT! Cheers, new friend!
Yay, thank you! Cheers back, new friend!
Definitely going to try other genres after this—such an amazing post! I would love to go to one of these retreats. Will be following and supporting you on your journey. Just subscribed, thanks!
Jen, I am sooooooooo behind in my reading but this post of yours has been worth the wait - you’re AWESOME! And this non-parent with parents can’t wait to read the book, either!
LOL to mug man 💋 and hugs to you! 😘