I hope you are able to help your readers learn to listen to their hearts and their guts.
Your sharing reminded me of what I learned as a teacher. When I went back to school to get my credential, I learned a lot about behavior management, ways to approach reading at different ages/stages, methods for teaching math, etc. I practiced under other teachers who showed me their approaches. But in the end, when I had my own class, and it was just us behind the door, I had to synthesize what I had learned and make it my own.
My best lessons came from my heart. I was excited about them. I could see the path to teach something new to my students. It wasn’t prescribed, it was inside me. Maybe it’s the same with your writing. It has to come from your gut, from your heart, from you.
Amanda, This is something I can totally benefit from in the upcoming future. I've been feeling a bit adrift here on Substack, and find little time to work on my actually writing and get back to finishing my manuscripts. I am so looking forward to this.
This resonates with me. I haven't processed it to the degree that you obviously have, Amanda, but the approach you're describing here is something I think can be consciously nurtured, even it likely operates to a great extent within the unconscious.
So much yes, Amanda. I realized, just the other day that I couldn’t be the writer I wanted when I was younger, specifically because I couldn’t do these things: be with myself and belong to myself. Thank you for bringing this work in the world! ❤️
This approach speaks to me so much. I love how you describe this, and it does so often feel like the missing piece in writing advice. As a somatic therapist myself, you are speaking my kind of language 😍
Learning to belong to yourself , makes you a better writer, beautifully put. I would love to join you on this inner and out journey, thank you Amanda 💗
I starting reading a book published in 1917 and I found myself DELIGHTED by the author's voice because it was SO present in every word chosen (to the point I had to slow down - delightedly so - to deconstruct certain words he'd mashed together or colorful ways to turn a phrase that didn't feel forced but...mean to be? idk maybe "authentic" is a better way) and the result was the story feeling as though it were literally leap from the pages! That's when I realized...we don't write like that anymore. Well, not many folks do, and instead we all sound EXACTLY the same. Sure the stories are vastly different from author to author but you crack open a book and the rhythm is the same. The words chosen are the same safe words. But the books I adore, the stories that have become apart of me, those are the ones where I can't hear myself read it because the author's voice is SO distinct. And yet, THAT part we don't talk about - and you are absolutely right!
It's funny, I've been arriving at a similar truth from the career coaching group I'm in: know thyself (and love thyself too!). We smooth out the rough edges of our writing voice because we think that will make us consumable, and it will, but it will also make your writing pass straight through the reader without affecting them in the slightest. We read to explore new world and each of us IS a new world, hundreds of worlds.
When I was little and I would accidentally be standing in front of the tv or a view or whatever and my Dad would say laughingly, "You make a better door than window." and it occurred to me that most of us are actually being windows to our worlds when we should be doors. We build and create but then never truly open ourselves up to the full force of that creative process and, consequently, we never open up the true potential of our work to the rest of the world. Readers can SEE the potential and the work and time BUT when they go to cross the threshold, they run into a sheet of glass. And we as writers put it there. It's safe. You can't rip to shreds something behind plate-glass, but writing isn't safe, that's why we delight in those daring few. To find your voice and shout it regardless of whether the notes come out sharp, flat, or smooth as silk IS a daring act of self-love.
I am so excited to receive these newsletters, to be a part of this journey and (hopefully) improve as I go. Thank you in advance for the effort you are going to put in.
I'm so excited for this, Amanda! I can't wait to see what we uncover in this practice <3
I'm looking forward to what unfolds here. The questions that you raise already fall in the area where I need the most support.
When we ask, "How can I become a better writer?" what I think we’re really asking is something deeper: How do I belong to myself?
YES!!!
I hope you are able to help your readers learn to listen to their hearts and their guts.
Your sharing reminded me of what I learned as a teacher. When I went back to school to get my credential, I learned a lot about behavior management, ways to approach reading at different ages/stages, methods for teaching math, etc. I practiced under other teachers who showed me their approaches. But in the end, when I had my own class, and it was just us behind the door, I had to synthesize what I had learned and make it my own.
My best lessons came from my heart. I was excited about them. I could see the path to teach something new to my students. It wasn’t prescribed, it was inside me. Maybe it’s the same with your writing. It has to come from your gut, from your heart, from you.
Amanda, This is something I can totally benefit from in the upcoming future. I've been feeling a bit adrift here on Substack, and find little time to work on my actually writing and get back to finishing my manuscripts. I am so looking forward to this.
What a gorgeous offering. I’m so glad this popped up on my Notes feed.
This whole piece reminded me of the poem The House of Belonging by David Whyte- someone whose voice reverberates off the page.
The only true security in life comes from fully embracing its inherent insecurity.
——The Road Less Traveled (written by M. Scott Peck)
This resonates with me. I haven't processed it to the degree that you obviously have, Amanda, but the approach you're describing here is something I think can be consciously nurtured, even it likely operates to a great extent within the unconscious.
So much yes, Amanda. I realized, just the other day that I couldn’t be the writer I wanted when I was younger, specifically because I couldn’t do these things: be with myself and belong to myself. Thank you for bringing this work in the world! ❤️
This approach speaks to me so much. I love how you describe this, and it does so often feel like the missing piece in writing advice. As a somatic therapist myself, you are speaking my kind of language 😍
Learning to belong to yourself , makes you a better writer, beautifully put. I would love to join you on this inner and out journey, thank you Amanda 💗
I starting reading a book published in 1917 and I found myself DELIGHTED by the author's voice because it was SO present in every word chosen (to the point I had to slow down - delightedly so - to deconstruct certain words he'd mashed together or colorful ways to turn a phrase that didn't feel forced but...mean to be? idk maybe "authentic" is a better way) and the result was the story feeling as though it were literally leap from the pages! That's when I realized...we don't write like that anymore. Well, not many folks do, and instead we all sound EXACTLY the same. Sure the stories are vastly different from author to author but you crack open a book and the rhythm is the same. The words chosen are the same safe words. But the books I adore, the stories that have become apart of me, those are the ones where I can't hear myself read it because the author's voice is SO distinct. And yet, THAT part we don't talk about - and you are absolutely right!
It's funny, I've been arriving at a similar truth from the career coaching group I'm in: know thyself (and love thyself too!). We smooth out the rough edges of our writing voice because we think that will make us consumable, and it will, but it will also make your writing pass straight through the reader without affecting them in the slightest. We read to explore new world and each of us IS a new world, hundreds of worlds.
When I was little and I would accidentally be standing in front of the tv or a view or whatever and my Dad would say laughingly, "You make a better door than window." and it occurred to me that most of us are actually being windows to our worlds when we should be doors. We build and create but then never truly open ourselves up to the full force of that creative process and, consequently, we never open up the true potential of our work to the rest of the world. Readers can SEE the potential and the work and time BUT when they go to cross the threshold, they run into a sheet of glass. And we as writers put it there. It's safe. You can't rip to shreds something behind plate-glass, but writing isn't safe, that's why we delight in those daring few. To find your voice and shout it regardless of whether the notes come out sharp, flat, or smooth as silk IS a daring act of self-love.
Be daring <3
I am so excited to receive these newsletters, to be a part of this journey and (hopefully) improve as I go. Thank you in advance for the effort you are going to put in.
This sounds great! A paid subscriber feature?
I ask, as I’m interested.
I’m not sure yet. :)
Really grateful for your willingness to share the tools that have been so helpful for you! Excited to see all that’s coming.
Ahh I'm so glad I stumbled on this publication! I connected so much with this and looking forward to reading more of your writing :)