Daily Nourishment for April 22, 2024: It Looks Like You’re Just Sitting There
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 35 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 15 minutes
Susan Orlean on writing:
“The energy of it is so intense and internal, it sometimes makes you feel like you’re going to crumple. A lot of it happens invisibly. When you’re sitting at your desk, it looks like you’re just sitting there, doing nothing.”
Pause.
Set a timer for two minutes, close your eyes, and rest.
Prompt.
Susan Orlean’s Wisdom for Writers:
-You have to simply love writing, and you have to remind yourself often that you love it.
-You should read as much as possible. That’s the best way to learn how to write.
-You have to appreciate the spiritual component of having an opportunity to do something as wondrous as writing. You should be practical and smart and you should have a good agent and you should work really, really hard. But you should also be filled with awe and gratitude.
Practice.
Set a timer for 12 minutes and journal or take notes using the quotes above and/or the prompts and questions below:
-Make a list of five things that are happening when you’re writing that no one else knows is happening.
-What do you love about writing? What are some ways you can remind yourself that you love it?
-What authors and books have formed you as a writer? What books do you love? What books do you read again and again
-Write a few sentences about how writing fills you with awe and gratitude.
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Use your notes to begin writing a new essay, story, poem, or letter if you like.
Want More?
Listen to this podcast episode with Susan Orlean and Jordan Kisner.
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Upcoming Workshops & Gatherings
—This month’s Revision Stations Designed by Lauren Winner gathering will be on Saturday, April 27th from 10:15-noon CT.
If you have something that needs revision attention, you will not regret attending. Promise.
—May 5, 2024: Our next Thoughtful Readers Gathering is with Catherine Ricketts and The Mother Artist will be 5/5 from 5-6 p.m. CT.
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Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
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