I wrote in the morning again today, first thing, but this time I stayed cozy in bed next to the little bedside lamp, and the writing felt more intimate. I did about 950 words (945, something like that). I mentioned this in Substack Chat just now, but I had to turn off the part of my brain that is always trying to scan what I'm writing for "good ideas" or for something I can publish. My subjects today were very personal and not something I'm sure I feel comfortable writing about publicly. But that is what was "there" when I looked to see what images first came to mind. I suppose for me this can be a sort of meditative practice, because instead of trying to think of things that are good or interesting, I look for what is already there. I think it's really important to turn that part of our brain OFF, that part that is always trying to package and sell things, at least sometimes, so one can just create honestly.
Loving Essay Camp so far! Yesterday, I came to the 5 things essay (which I have never tried before) and was plesantly surprised at what came up! Even more importantly, it helped to unlock a personal essay idea I've had in mind for a while but didn't know how to start on. I have no idea if any of it was any good, bu looking forward to returning to the page today 😀
Hi everyone, this is my first ever comment on Substack! Very new to all this. I am really loving the 'five things' writing exercise and essay camp generally - thank you, Summer! I also read 'Ghost Story' by Maggie Smith and it has absolutely rattled me..Highly recommend.
I wrote an essay today!! Well I wrote one yesterday but it wasn’t the same. Today feels more MORE. My dad built me a bike when I was a teenager and so - there it is - a story about my dad that is such a great memory. I’m so glad I found this writing challenge.
Thank you, Summer. I haven't been good at reading the essays, but I've been writing and that's really what I need right now. I am, so far successfully, writing first thing in the morning, but that's mainly because I have commitments later in the day. Still, It feels good to start my day with some writing. I've been writing "five things" although this morning, the five things were about one person. My husband and I went on a day-long bike ride yesterday and met a woman who was hiking the same trail by herself. Very interesting woman, and this morning I wrote five things but each thing was about some aspect of this woman. It was a fun (and personally insightful) exercise :-)
I reread the Yiyun and the Chee in the dark of early morning. Both beloved old friends. And I'm reading Mary Oliver's essays on long life to my mother-in-law, who own is slowly ending. And I will write a five things essay about something painful, later, but yes, today. And I will think of all of us here, writing and reading and full of tender thought. 💛
For Day Two of Essay Camp, I ended up writing a collection of four everyday things I love plus one thing I used to love, but now only like. Yesterday’s writing was a happy synchronicity - I started an online writing class and we wrote about five trees from childhood. Two birds, one stone.
Today I wrote before lunch. I did the Five Things prompt again and loved it (again!). I like how I am being flexible without imposing myself a fixed routine. So far, your prompts are helping with some more flexible and out-of-the-box thinking, too.
Just finished the five things exerciae for today, and unlocked something I was very stuck on in the essay series I'm working on, so yay. And read all the essays plus some Mary Oliver from Long Life. Whew. Thanks again.
Hi everyone, and welcome to Day 2 of Essay Camp!!
I wrote in the morning again today, first thing, but this time I stayed cozy in bed next to the little bedside lamp, and the writing felt more intimate. I did about 950 words (945, something like that). I mentioned this in Substack Chat just now, but I had to turn off the part of my brain that is always trying to scan what I'm writing for "good ideas" or for something I can publish. My subjects today were very personal and not something I'm sure I feel comfortable writing about publicly. But that is what was "there" when I looked to see what images first came to mind. I suppose for me this can be a sort of meditative practice, because instead of trying to think of things that are good or interesting, I look for what is already there. I think it's really important to turn that part of our brain OFF, that part that is always trying to package and sell things, at least sometimes, so one can just create honestly.
(Uff, I accidentally scheduled this one for 6pm! Just got up and saw the error. Apologies for the 50 minute delay!)
Loving Essay Camp so far! Yesterday, I came to the 5 things essay (which I have never tried before) and was plesantly surprised at what came up! Even more importantly, it helped to unlock a personal essay idea I've had in mind for a while but didn't know how to start on. I have no idea if any of it was any good, bu looking forward to returning to the page today 😀
Lucille Clifton is one of my favorite poets. Her words ring true! Love the quotes you included.
Great post & links and really enjoyed the Lucille Clifton quote!
Love the "rebel mode", hehe. Late, but here! thanks for the nice prompts, and the wise words :)
Hi everyone, this is my first ever comment on Substack! Very new to all this. I am really loving the 'five things' writing exercise and essay camp generally - thank you, Summer! I also read 'Ghost Story' by Maggie Smith and it has absolutely rattled me..Highly recommend.
I wrote an essay today!! Well I wrote one yesterday but it wasn’t the same. Today feels more MORE. My dad built me a bike when I was a teenager and so - there it is - a story about my dad that is such a great memory. I’m so glad I found this writing challenge.
I had to laugh because, yes, I set my routine about 25 years ago and have never diverted from it. Dawn until lunchtime, six or seven days a week.
Thank you, Summer. I haven't been good at reading the essays, but I've been writing and that's really what I need right now. I am, so far successfully, writing first thing in the morning, but that's mainly because I have commitments later in the day. Still, It feels good to start my day with some writing. I've been writing "five things" although this morning, the five things were about one person. My husband and I went on a day-long bike ride yesterday and met a woman who was hiking the same trail by herself. Very interesting woman, and this morning I wrote five things but each thing was about some aspect of this woman. It was a fun (and personally insightful) exercise :-)
Question: Does visiting the writing task throughout the day work, or is it better to have one undistracted block of time?
I reread the Yiyun and the Chee in the dark of early morning. Both beloved old friends. And I'm reading Mary Oliver's essays on long life to my mother-in-law, who own is slowly ending. And I will write a five things essay about something painful, later, but yes, today. And I will think of all of us here, writing and reading and full of tender thought. 💛
For Day Two of Essay Camp, I ended up writing a collection of four everyday things I love plus one thing I used to love, but now only like. Yesterday’s writing was a happy synchronicity - I started an online writing class and we wrote about five trees from childhood. Two birds, one stone.
Today I wrote before lunch. I did the Five Things prompt again and loved it (again!). I like how I am being flexible without imposing myself a fixed routine. So far, your prompts are helping with some more flexible and out-of-the-box thinking, too.
Just finished the five things exerciae for today, and unlocked something I was very stuck on in the essay series I'm working on, so yay. And read all the essays plus some Mary Oliver from Long Life. Whew. Thanks again.
I've had a *DAY* but I managed to squeeze in 30 minutes at around 6:30 tonight. More than yesterday, and the writing is coming through better too.
I could've easily just left Day 2 until tomorrow but I just didn't want to.
I did the Five Things again, and got to five!