Daily Nourishment for May 31, 2024: The Things I Can’t Speak with Guidance from a Quote by Melissa Febos
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 50 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 13-15 minutes
“If I could write worthwhile books in such a way that it wouldn’t upset anyone, I would. Unfortunately, that kind of writing has mostly proved not worthwhile. I often write about the things I can’t speak and one of the most common reasons that I can’t speak of them is because it would upset people.” - Melissa Febos
Pause.
Take six deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale.
Prompt.
Read this quote from Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative by Melissa Febos:
"The most common question that I have gotten over the years at readings, in classrooms, and from friends is how I deal with the fallout of including living people in my work. I usually first respond by telling them that there are no living people in my work, only characters, which are figments animated by imagination plus a small number of qualities shared by the person on whom they are based. They are a process and a product of radical reduction. The trouble is that almost no one likes to be reduced, even to their most cherished qualities."
Practice.
Take notes for 10-12 minutes using the questions below that are based on the quote above:
—What are some ways you can honor others and yourself in your writing even though you're working with characters, "figments animated by imgination plus a small number of qualities shared by the person on whom they are based?"
—Which things do you not want to do? What would dishonor the characters in your writing?
—When writing about yourself, which qualities can you want focus on? Include the good, the bad, the weird, the beautiful.
—Which qualities would someone who adores you focus on?
—What about someone who doesn’t like you?
Want More?
Read Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative by Melissa Febos.
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Upcoming Workshops & Gatherings
—The May Co-Writing Schedule is live. Learn more here. The June Co-Writing Schedule is in the SDW private Google calendar and will be shared publicly this afternoon.
—Two bonus and complimentary Revision Stations Designed by Lauren Winner gatherings are scheduled for next Saturday, June 1st from 10:15-11:30 a.m. CT and Sunday, June 2nd from 3-4:15 p.m. CT. We had four extra Revision Stations from Lauren that we didn’t get to yesterday, so I’m offering two complimentary Revision Stations gatherings to Spiritual Direction for Writers® subscribers and all SDW Members. If you’re a SDW subscriber, you can sign up by sending an email to me at charlotte@charlottedonlon.com. Anyone who signs up will receive the Zoom link for the Saturday and Sunday sessions. Both sessions will include the same four Revision Station prompts.
Learn more details about these fantastic gatherings here: Revision Stations Designed by Lauren Winner.
—Become a Member by June 15, Get Co-Writing Free through July 31
If you want to write more and nourish yourself so you can have the writing life you want while enjoying the summer months, the Spiritual Direction for Writers Membership is a great support and resource. Anyone who becomes a new Spiritual Direction for Writers Member between now and June 15th will receive FREE unlimited SDW Co-Writing Sessions through the end of July. (Even if you cancel your membership after June.)
—A Gift for All New SDW Members
I have several copies of 1000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round by Jami Attenberg for my Thoughtful Books Etc. bookshop because this book is fantastic. All new SDW Members who join between now and June 15th will receive a copy of this book in addition to everything above. (This book offer is only available for residents of the contiguous US.)
*All existing SDW Members will receive free unlimited SDW Co-Writing Sessions through the end of July. Members who already have a year of Co-Writing will receive a bonus 30-minute checkin 1:1 Spiritual Direction session during June or July.
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
*Please help us protect our intellectual property, our creative process, and the integrity of our work. Spiritual Direction for Writers® Daily Nourishment is covered under the Spiritual Direction for Writers® trademark. You are welcome to share this link with others, but any other use (written or spoken) is prohibited without written permission from Charlotte Donlon.