“I will claw my way out and find my way back to the page. Not because readers have missed me and are desperate for my words, but because I’ve missed me. I’m desperate for my words.” SO relatable and such a relief to read from someone I look up to as a writer 💗 I will read anything and everything you send out into the void (hi, it’s me, I’m the friend smiling in the void).
"I will claw my way out and find my way back to the page. Not because readers have missed me and are desperate for my words, but because I’ve missed me. I’m desperate for my words." What a perfect way to describe a writer's need to write! I've missed me, lately, too. I've been working on fiction, which is fun, but it doesn't help me center myself/organize my thoughts like writing essays and newsletters do.
I'm glad you chose to send this--I always love seeing you in my inbox!
Walks are definitely bringing me comfort these days. I think I managed to take a walk—at least a little one—every day of winter, rain or shine, and that made me so happy. Listening to Ross Gay’s Book of Delights a little at a time and others in a similar vein. And I loooove that cherry sweater you’re wearing! How could you be anything but happy in that?
I’m having one of these same days. I literally have “write down everything that’s not working on XYZ project” as a to-do list item because my brain is that exhausted and writing something, even a list of crap is often better than nothing.
Thank you for sharing your story of “being there” and also for those poems and your cutesy sweater. 💛
Thank you for reading and commenting, Paige. I am here for list-making!! One of my go-to's when I'm feeling down is a "ta-dah" list—a list of all the tiny things I've accomplished over a set number of days.
Wowowowow, where do I even start? Probably by saying your words HAVE been missed and were a welcome addition to my inbox. But also I relate so strongly to cycling through the ughs, I know I will come back to this whenever I go through my next period of them. Thirdly, those Kirkland cauliflower crust pizzas are DELICIOUS and a recent discovery in my household, too. They may be the only way my child is eating anything vegetable adjacent... Lastly, I feel absolutely honored that you would include my piece as writing inspiration when you have inspired ME so much. You are too kind to share my words. 🫶🏼
YES to re-reading being a great delight!! :) I'm ready to re-read Tom Lake, Demon Copperhead, and How to Stay Married. I hope to read them more slowly this time, but I'm not making any promises.
Laura, this is so relatable. Thank you for giving me a new name for it: The Ughs.
Also, I loved your list of re-reads. Bess Kalb's book is one of my favorites, ever. I want to write like her when I grow up (and be her friend). I just got I Feel Bad About My Neck from the library two days ago, and it's just what I needed right now. Bringing me comfort: Reading aloud with the kids at bedtime (big kids who usually read alone; we're reading The VanderBeekers series), reading Kate Baer's poetry, doing at-home manis with my daughter, going to bed early(ish).
Thanks, Melissa! I feel the same way about Bess. All of your comforts sound so lovely. We listened to The VanderBeerkers in the car and are now re-listening to No Talking by Andrew Clements.
Oh, and I meant to tell you I have the same book of poetry and really enjoyed it, especially Kingsolver's opening poem. So fun to know it's comforted you too.
Hi friend! I do not know a writing life that is not punctuated by UGH. I feel it every day, and wonder if this is a healthy hobby to have? Meh, probs not. Haha. Anyway, glad to see you here today! (And that sweater is so cute!!)
“I will claw my way out and find my way back to the page. Not because readers have missed me and are desperate for my words, but because I’ve missed me. I’m desperate for my words.” SO relatable and such a relief to read from someone I look up to as a writer 💗 I will read anything and everything you send out into the void (hi, it’s me, I’m the friend smiling in the void).
Same!! I echo all Reb’s words ❤️
🥰🥰thank you, Sara!! Can't wait to connect in Nashville!
Same! Can’t wait! 💕
You look up to meeee as a writer?!! 🥺 I may have read this comment five times over the past few days. Gosh. Thank you, Reb.
This was such a great read!! Thank you! So happy to have found you here! 🤍
Thank you for reading, Kate!
Needed this more than you know. Thank you.
"I will claw my way out and find my way back to the page. Not because readers have missed me and are desperate for my words, but because I’ve missed me. I’m desperate for my words." What a perfect way to describe a writer's need to write! I've missed me, lately, too. I've been working on fiction, which is fun, but it doesn't help me center myself/organize my thoughts like writing essays and newsletters do.
I'm glad you chose to send this--I always love seeing you in my inbox!
And that sweater is TOO CUTE!
Thank you, Joy!! 🍒
So happy to see you in my inbox! That cherry sweater 😍
Always love when you are in my inbox—yay for sitting down and making it happen! And that sweater is the best!
Walks are definitely bringing me comfort these days. I think I managed to take a walk—at least a little one—every day of winter, rain or shine, and that made me so happy. Listening to Ross Gay’s Book of Delights a little at a time and others in a similar vein. And I loooove that cherry sweater you’re wearing! How could you be anything but happy in that?
Walks and Ross Gay—great mood-boosters! I could totally see you in the cherry sweater with a red lip. I need to find a red lipstick I like!
Loved this and seeing you in your cute sweater!
Thank you, Linda!
Yay!! So happy to read your words!
😊 Thank you for reading them!
I’m having one of these same days. I literally have “write down everything that’s not working on XYZ project” as a to-do list item because my brain is that exhausted and writing something, even a list of crap is often better than nothing.
Thank you for sharing your story of “being there” and also for those poems and your cutesy sweater. 💛
Thank you for reading and commenting, Paige. I am here for list-making!! One of my go-to's when I'm feeling down is a "ta-dah" list—a list of all the tiny things I've accomplished over a set number of days.
Ha. I call it my “to-done” list but I appreciate the magic of yours.
I’m here for you and your words!!
your encouragement blesses me!
Wowowowow, where do I even start? Probably by saying your words HAVE been missed and were a welcome addition to my inbox. But also I relate so strongly to cycling through the ughs, I know I will come back to this whenever I go through my next period of them. Thirdly, those Kirkland cauliflower crust pizzas are DELICIOUS and a recent discovery in my household, too. They may be the only way my child is eating anything vegetable adjacent... Lastly, I feel absolutely honored that you would include my piece as writing inspiration when you have inspired ME so much. You are too kind to share my words. 🫶🏼
Thank you, Kelsey. ❤️ I look forward to hugging you in Nashville and trying your French skincare products! Haha jk but not really...
Counting down the days until we meet IRL! And have the ultimate sleepover complete with French skincare products 🤣
I AM smiling to see you here! Also forever a re-reader of books. One of the greatest delights of my life. And those are all PERFECT choices!!
YES to re-reading being a great delight!! :) I'm ready to re-read Tom Lake, Demon Copperhead, and How to Stay Married. I hope to read them more slowly this time, but I'm not making any promises.
Laura, this is so relatable. Thank you for giving me a new name for it: The Ughs.
Also, I loved your list of re-reads. Bess Kalb's book is one of my favorites, ever. I want to write like her when I grow up (and be her friend). I just got I Feel Bad About My Neck from the library two days ago, and it's just what I needed right now. Bringing me comfort: Reading aloud with the kids at bedtime (big kids who usually read alone; we're reading The VanderBeekers series), reading Kate Baer's poetry, doing at-home manis with my daughter, going to bed early(ish).
Thanks, Melissa! I feel the same way about Bess. All of your comforts sound so lovely. We listened to The VanderBeerkers in the car and are now re-listening to No Talking by Andrew Clements.
Loved everything about this Laura! Thanks for sharing your words and for the writing inspiration 💗
Oh, and I meant to tell you I have the same book of poetry and really enjoyed it, especially Kingsolver's opening poem. So fun to know it's comforted you too.
Thanks for reading, Erin! I thought of you when I read more of Kingsolver's poems yesterday morning.
Hi friend! I do not know a writing life that is not punctuated by UGH. I feel it every day, and wonder if this is a healthy hobby to have? Meh, probs not. Haha. Anyway, glad to see you here today! (And that sweater is so cute!!)
Haha, yes, the ughs seem to come with the territory! 🥴 Thanks for being here and reading my words!