I saw the podcast come through on my podcast subscriptions! I was “saving” it for a quiet moment, and wasn’t sure if it was the same read over audio on substack. It’s exciting Amy, whatever routes you choose to take, and if those routes change for a period! I don’t think your substack has to be uniform! It just has to be what you want it to be in that moment! I am here for you, not for any expectations on content or sections or format!
Thanks, Lauren. The podcasts (as they currently reappear) do have a voiceover of the substack intro…. But as they are podcasts, there is more general talk, talk of other projects, etc. Having read the substack though, you will have heard “that” section. Thanks for noticing them show up (and it’s good to know they did show up). I appreciate your words and your support of whatever shows up. I hope your week ahead is good and that preparations in your house are going well.
Quietly, I began to Illustrate My Week 15 weeks ago. It has been a creative outlet during a challenging time. I mostly write, but there are illustrations of some kind on each page. Thank you for inspiring me to begin this project.
Hani - I am so happy to see and know this. And “quietly” is wonderful. Our journals really are private things and private spaces, and keeping them that way often allows them to really be helpful tools as well as beautiful records of our days and weeks. I am sorry for the challenging time, and I hope there are better days ahead. It’s good to see your name pop up and know you are still out there creating. Peace.
I discovered Substack through your CMP podcast. I was thrilled to see a new podcast pop into my up next list. You are also a beautiful voice artist, a third notch on your belt. I see no need to choose, life is a better with variety. I find your thoughts and art both inspiring. Thank you for the listens!
Thank you! I am always glad that some podcast listeners followed here to read instead, but I appreciate knowing you were glad to see an episode show up. Thank you!
I want to believe that none of us is just one thing, and that those who seem to be are just better at marketing and/or compartmentalizing. I have a sibling in his 70s who spent a lifetime as a corporate attorney. But somewhere along the line he wondered, out loud, why he didn't pursue a desire to be an architect. He also happens to be a very talented pianist, though he would likely say otherwise. The world needs curiosity. The world needs people who refuse to be put in boxes. I string words together to make essays. That makes me a writer. If photography is an art, then I'm an artist. I know a lot about farming, and I used to be a farmer. I'm not anymore, though my heart is still attached to those days. What was I before I needed to call myself something? What am I now? I'm all of it, and none of it at the same time. Our culture tends to attach meaning to professions, so we all go around saying "I'm this or that" based on what we do to earn money. I wonder what would happen if answered differently? "I'm an explorer." "I'm a time traveler." "I am multitudes."
Thanks, Elizabeth. All good examples. I really wasn't talking about careers -- although I'm probably drawing my own invisible line in the conversation I opened. I think many of us are talented in all kinds of ways (or even work hard to follow diverse areas of interest, regardless of innate ability). Some of us are, indeed, generalists or "renaissance" people. In my house, we have a number of examples of people with skills and interests at opposite ends of a continuum, too. I love that. Thanks for reading and for generously responding.
I did kind of get that you weren't focused on careers but maybe lost my way a bit in my "generous" response. 😅 Culturally, I think it's hard to think beyond career, because that's where so many others are focused. Renaissance people are the best!
Your response was right on. I was just reflecting on how I might not have been able to clearly convey where my head was. I'm with you on the value of us having so many interests and being adaptable. For sure!
I’m a writer who (re)turned to art whenever words failed me. Labeling is fraught. Or at least complex: What we call ourselves. What we value. What we love. What we’re good at. What we’re paid to do. What we’re trained to do. What credentials we hold. How others see us. How we spend our time. How we present. What’s true? What’s legitimate? I’ve always wrestled with these questions — sometimes in the abstract, as a political or category question, sometimes in very personal terms, as a question of purpose or authenticity. Right now I’m plodding through my days, wondering if I asked too many questions or too few (across the decades). I love that you have the wit and the clarity and the patience to sort through this in print. I was sad to see the dropped letter, but restored by the delightful writing about writer-ness. Thanks for the weekly inspiration to stop and chew on such things.
I was sitting here thinking about a top 10 list for next week, my own reaction somehow, an instinct to pull under a shell. It might happen, and that's not a bad thing. I was glad to see your comment pop up..... more pieces and clues and an eloquent set of thoughts and questions. I wonder why you are not writing (or maybe you are in some other way). I've typed and deleted multiple times..... but there is a question here I've been circling around each week. I think plodding is exhausting and yet maybe unavoidable. What are you reading?
Nothing worthy of mystery here, just a long long long story. One which I’ve decided, finally, to write about. (Another story).
I’m reading Maggie Smith’s memoir “You Could Make This Place Beautiful” — I’m not a huge fan of the genre but I couldn’t put this down. It’s a giant puzzle box poem that I think offers a master class in storytelling. Oof. I also dug out Jeanette Winterson’s “Lighthousekeeping” after you wrote about lighthouses, and Kristen Radtke’s “Seek You” after you mentioned loneliness graphics. Your missives always inspire a flurry of deep, creaky, dot-connecting as I pull together different bits of my life.
I had that Maggie Smith book checked out forever .... every time I would get ready to return it, I would look at it and think I should keep it and read it. I didn't get to it, but your description will make me pull it again in the future. We obviously are on similar wavelengths. It is Seek You that I have checked out right now. Connecting dots.... and setting up the craziest outlines with disparate dots that all make something when brought together.... is exactly the point. I'm glad to hear you are dot connecting. I appreciate your comments.
I just found a book called “The Art of Memoir” by Mary Karr. I didn’t realize how much I have liked memoirs until I read her reading list. All the ones I had read—“The Glass Castle,” “Wild,” “The Autobiography of Malcolm X”—I had really enjoyed. It’s from 2015, so more recent books won’t be there. But I’m going to keep a copy for reference. I recommend the book itself. Well-written, thought-provoking.
Writer . . . artist . . . I'm a creator. I cook, knit, quilt, write, draw, take photos and live.
As for writers who are artists, Dorothy Dunnett comes up again! When I move home, I'm going to find some of her descriptions. They are so visual. The best writers notice the world in granular detail, and when they write about it, we believe.
Besides writing some of the best fiction of the 20th century, Lady Dunnett was an acclaimed portrait artist. Her portraits are full of color and life.
These questions come at a time when I am wondering the same. Well, not “am I a writer” exactly, but “can I be?” I checked the “artist” box without hesitation, but I am drawn to visual art that tells stories. I think of story first from a visual perspective, and the words come much harder. I used to write when I was younger, but after so many years of focusing on visual art, I feel like that is just how I think at this point. (There are so many times I could draw a picture of something faster than I can manage to think of the right word!) But I do think they go hand in hand, writing and visual art, both forms of making something you can share with the world. You communicate so beautifully and effectively with both, I certainly think of you as a writer and a visual artist. I enjoyed the podcast, hearing your words in your voice is always a treat.
Thank you, Erin. You are in a situation where you do have to ask these questions.... and where you have worked as one half of that team.... illustrating for an author. I think that must be an amazing collaborative process. I can totally see you writing and illustrating your own books though -- you have such a beautiful collection of characters, and I feel sure you have stories for them that are waiting to be put on paper. Do it!
Wow, Amy, I think you and I might be twins separated at birth! Ditto ditto ditto everything you said above. I recently finished reading "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet" and am getting close to finishing the second book, "A Closed and Common Orbit." And, if you haven't, do check out Paula Prober's www.rainforestmind.com.
So many of us I think experience these kinds of either/or/and/all issues, I think. It is always great to meet other multi-talented and multi-passionate people. Thanks for the recommendation on Paula’s site and the rainforest mind. Hope you enjoyed the Chambers books!
I saw the podcast come through on my podcast subscriptions! I was “saving” it for a quiet moment, and wasn’t sure if it was the same read over audio on substack. It’s exciting Amy, whatever routes you choose to take, and if those routes change for a period! I don’t think your substack has to be uniform! It just has to be what you want it to be in that moment! I am here for you, not for any expectations on content or sections or format!
Thanks, Lauren. The podcasts (as they currently reappear) do have a voiceover of the substack intro…. But as they are podcasts, there is more general talk, talk of other projects, etc. Having read the substack though, you will have heard “that” section. Thanks for noticing them show up (and it’s good to know they did show up). I appreciate your words and your support of whatever shows up. I hope your week ahead is good and that preparations in your house are going well.
Quietly, I began to Illustrate My Week 15 weeks ago. It has been a creative outlet during a challenging time. I mostly write, but there are illustrations of some kind on each page. Thank you for inspiring me to begin this project.
Hani - I am so happy to see and know this. And “quietly” is wonderful. Our journals really are private things and private spaces, and keeping them that way often allows them to really be helpful tools as well as beautiful records of our days and weeks. I am sorry for the challenging time, and I hope there are better days ahead. It’s good to see your name pop up and know you are still out there creating. Peace.
I discovered Substack through your CMP podcast. I was thrilled to see a new podcast pop into my up next list. You are also a beautiful voice artist, a third notch on your belt. I see no need to choose, life is a better with variety. I find your thoughts and art both inspiring. Thank you for the listens!
Thank you! I am always glad that some podcast listeners followed here to read instead, but I appreciate knowing you were glad to see an episode show up. Thank you!
I want to believe that none of us is just one thing, and that those who seem to be are just better at marketing and/or compartmentalizing. I have a sibling in his 70s who spent a lifetime as a corporate attorney. But somewhere along the line he wondered, out loud, why he didn't pursue a desire to be an architect. He also happens to be a very talented pianist, though he would likely say otherwise. The world needs curiosity. The world needs people who refuse to be put in boxes. I string words together to make essays. That makes me a writer. If photography is an art, then I'm an artist. I know a lot about farming, and I used to be a farmer. I'm not anymore, though my heart is still attached to those days. What was I before I needed to call myself something? What am I now? I'm all of it, and none of it at the same time. Our culture tends to attach meaning to professions, so we all go around saying "I'm this or that" based on what we do to earn money. I wonder what would happen if answered differently? "I'm an explorer." "I'm a time traveler." "I am multitudes."
This might be of interest. I watched some time back when I was having some internal doubt about what to be when I grow up. LOL! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfrl62sD9YY
Keep moving, Amy. The birds might be showing you the way.
Thanks, Elizabeth. All good examples. I really wasn't talking about careers -- although I'm probably drawing my own invisible line in the conversation I opened. I think many of us are talented in all kinds of ways (or even work hard to follow diverse areas of interest, regardless of innate ability). Some of us are, indeed, generalists or "renaissance" people. In my house, we have a number of examples of people with skills and interests at opposite ends of a continuum, too. I love that. Thanks for reading and for generously responding.
I did kind of get that you weren't focused on careers but maybe lost my way a bit in my "generous" response. 😅 Culturally, I think it's hard to think beyond career, because that's where so many others are focused. Renaissance people are the best!
Your response was right on. I was just reflecting on how I might not have been able to clearly convey where my head was. I'm with you on the value of us having so many interests and being adaptable. For sure!
I’m a writer who (re)turned to art whenever words failed me. Labeling is fraught. Or at least complex: What we call ourselves. What we value. What we love. What we’re good at. What we’re paid to do. What we’re trained to do. What credentials we hold. How others see us. How we spend our time. How we present. What’s true? What’s legitimate? I’ve always wrestled with these questions — sometimes in the abstract, as a political or category question, sometimes in very personal terms, as a question of purpose or authenticity. Right now I’m plodding through my days, wondering if I asked too many questions or too few (across the decades). I love that you have the wit and the clarity and the patience to sort through this in print. I was sad to see the dropped letter, but restored by the delightful writing about writer-ness. Thanks for the weekly inspiration to stop and chew on such things.
I was sitting here thinking about a top 10 list for next week, my own reaction somehow, an instinct to pull under a shell. It might happen, and that's not a bad thing. I was glad to see your comment pop up..... more pieces and clues and an eloquent set of thoughts and questions. I wonder why you are not writing (or maybe you are in some other way). I've typed and deleted multiple times..... but there is a question here I've been circling around each week. I think plodding is exhausting and yet maybe unavoidable. What are you reading?
Nothing worthy of mystery here, just a long long long story. One which I’ve decided, finally, to write about. (Another story).
I’m reading Maggie Smith’s memoir “You Could Make This Place Beautiful” — I’m not a huge fan of the genre but I couldn’t put this down. It’s a giant puzzle box poem that I think offers a master class in storytelling. Oof. I also dug out Jeanette Winterson’s “Lighthousekeeping” after you wrote about lighthouses, and Kristen Radtke’s “Seek You” after you mentioned loneliness graphics. Your missives always inspire a flurry of deep, creaky, dot-connecting as I pull together different bits of my life.
I had that Maggie Smith book checked out forever .... every time I would get ready to return it, I would look at it and think I should keep it and read it. I didn't get to it, but your description will make me pull it again in the future. We obviously are on similar wavelengths. It is Seek You that I have checked out right now. Connecting dots.... and setting up the craziest outlines with disparate dots that all make something when brought together.... is exactly the point. I'm glad to hear you are dot connecting. I appreciate your comments.
I just found a book called “The Art of Memoir” by Mary Karr. I didn’t realize how much I have liked memoirs until I read her reading list. All the ones I had read—“The Glass Castle,” “Wild,” “The Autobiography of Malcolm X”—I had really enjoyed. It’s from 2015, so more recent books won’t be there. But I’m going to keep a copy for reference. I recommend the book itself. Well-written, thought-provoking.
Writer . . . artist . . . I'm a creator. I cook, knit, quilt, write, draw, take photos and live.
As for writers who are artists, Dorothy Dunnett comes up again! When I move home, I'm going to find some of her descriptions. They are so visual. The best writers notice the world in granular detail, and when they write about it, we believe.
Besides writing some of the best fiction of the 20th century, Lady Dunnett was an acclaimed portrait artist. Her portraits are full of color and life.
Thanks for reading, Fran. I love the mention of Dorothy Dunnett!
These questions come at a time when I am wondering the same. Well, not “am I a writer” exactly, but “can I be?” I checked the “artist” box without hesitation, but I am drawn to visual art that tells stories. I think of story first from a visual perspective, and the words come much harder. I used to write when I was younger, but after so many years of focusing on visual art, I feel like that is just how I think at this point. (There are so many times I could draw a picture of something faster than I can manage to think of the right word!) But I do think they go hand in hand, writing and visual art, both forms of making something you can share with the world. You communicate so beautifully and effectively with both, I certainly think of you as a writer and a visual artist. I enjoyed the podcast, hearing your words in your voice is always a treat.
Thank you, Erin. You are in a situation where you do have to ask these questions.... and where you have worked as one half of that team.... illustrating for an author. I think that must be an amazing collaborative process. I can totally see you writing and illustrating your own books though -- you have such a beautiful collection of characters, and I feel sure you have stories for them that are waiting to be put on paper. Do it!
Thanks for listening :)
Thanks Amy! ☺️
I also saw the podcast come through the app! I listened this morning while painting. It’s nice to hear your voice too 😊
I'm glad to hear you were painting! And happy to have given you some background noise ;)
Wow, Amy, I think you and I might be twins separated at birth! Ditto ditto ditto everything you said above. I recently finished reading "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet" and am getting close to finishing the second book, "A Closed and Common Orbit." And, if you haven't, do check out Paula Prober's www.rainforestmind.com.
So many of us I think experience these kinds of either/or/and/all issues, I think. It is always great to meet other multi-talented and multi-passionate people. Thanks for the recommendation on Paula’s site and the rainforest mind. Hope you enjoyed the Chambers books!