Ohmygosh. I want to do this. I started a group to do the Artist's Way, but it never got off the ground. I also never read the book past the first week because I met with the same resistance even though she stated that it needn't be a religious thing.
I'm in a similar place in life. I have seemingly unending health issues cropping up that are both rare and incurable (not to mention frustrating). My husband is significantly older and wants to retire. I can't work, but haven't applied for disability. I don't know what I'll do without his medical insurance. Eek.
I've always been a writer and storyteller, but I've been stuck and blocked lately. I need to do something.
Thank you for leaving your comment, Kimberlee, which I also recognize takes courage. Let's do this :) I think there will be a few who want to read along, and maybe we can work out a discussion group -- or else discuss here through chat or the posts. After this post circulates this weekend, I will see if others are interested and figure out a schedule so we all start the first week together. (So don't read ahead!)
I too have experienced a few chapters of The Artists Way in the group and did morning pages for what seem like a year maybe...and since I have on and off written daily in my sketchbook journal. The spiritual connection always kept me at arm's length and a bit skeptical. I love to write...fine it soothing and yet stimulating...I love to jump on the platform so to speak! I have played with the writing of a book....seriously considered it...and there it lay. A heap of thoughts. I would enjoying engaging in this companion buddy reading of The Artists Way again....but the timing is just not good for me. The next six weeks are busy with preparing for a big show and open studio event....I will read the weekly postings and reflections on the group's journey. Maybe there will be another opportunity later. Meanwhile, I've ordered the book and I can tag along through your experiences and writing. I so much enjoyed reading your Stack writing. Thank you.
Thank you for your comment. I completely understand this being a bad time. Timing is always hard. Please note that I am not reading The Artist’s Way. I am going to read Write for Life (shown in the photo). Just wanted to mention that so that if you do follow along, you have the right book. Library should have it.
I read your post Amy late at night and felt immediately the urge to read this book. Now, sitting here on a rainy and very windy day, reading the words and can’t believe how it speaks to me. I love the idea of writing 3 morning pages.
I wrote until I became a mother by the age of 35. Now I am close to retire and my fingers tickle but I don’t know how to find my way back on paper and words. I started last year the weekly illustrations but before summer ended I stopped and since then I cannot go back to my routine. As you and Julia say ‘start now and don’t look back’. I guess I must learn to accept that a gap is not something to overcome. It just continues somehow.
I am living in Switzerland and would love to connect with all of you. Whether it will be on Substack chat, posting comments about the book or about our review about the book by chapters. Thank you for bringing this up. -Marion
I am so happy to see your comment, Marion. Sometimes, we are just at the right point, and it sounds like this must be the right point for you, too! Don't read too far ahead! I would love to read in parallel with you. Having said that, by all means, go ahead and start writing, if you are drawn to it, and if you mean you were doing illustrate your week last week and stopped, then I hope you give it another try. Thank you for reading and for commenting and for being willing to join in this. I think it could be a wonderful experience for all of us.
Amy, what ideal timing! Within my current 100-day project (writing about right brain planning) I am uncovering a desire to write with more clarity [succinctly].
Julia Cameron and Natalie Goldberg are favorites for me. Goldberg's book, Living Color, unlocked a new level of understanding my own creative practice. She offers insight regarding how "letting something larger take over" enabled her to step out of the way and "let painting do painting."
Yes, Living Color is one I’ve always liked, too. I can see that this book would definitely be right on track for you! Already a fan of Cameron, you’ll already be familiar with the core concepts, but I would love to have you read (and write) along and join this process. I think those of us with writing goals stand to benefit from the rubric of the 6 weeks and the accountability of the shared reading.
Amy, I would like to read along! I have this book but haven’t read it beyond the first chapter. This fits well with some projects I am currently trying.
I’m happy to hear this, Pamela! I just posted the podcast today, so I expect that a few others might be interested, too. I’m thinking through the schedule and will post that within the next day -- I will ask that everyone not read “ahead” -- but I think it sounds like many of you already have the book. (I’m hoping we can start this week and plan the Chapter 1 discussion next week. But I’ll post a tentative timeline.) Glad to have you read (and write) along!
The last few days I have been contemplating if I should join. I read the Artist's Way and did morning pages in the past for quite a while and at the start of the year I considered starting again but I didn't. I also have been thinking about starting a blog of some kind (I had one a long time ago)but I didn't. I have the book Write for Life but I haven't read it yet. So, after a lot of thinking about why I would join, how I can fit it in my schedule and commit to it, I decided that I would like to read along. I couldn't let pass this great opportunity to discuss the book and the process with others. Thank you Amy.
I am excited to hear this! I understand all the unspoken hesitation(s), and I appreciate the thoughtful way you approached your decision. That you already have the book seems like a sign of some form. Of all the books I could have said? (I’d like to read others after this, similarly, that are more productivity and habit focused, too.) Like you, I lead a busy work life. I hope we can all manage to fit this reading in easily.... by taking it only a week at a time, it means about 30 pages of reading for the week and then working in the “doing” she outlines in terms of your writing and practice. It’s a 6-week book, as you know. Week 1 gets started right away with morning pages, so just grab a composition book! For the group part of it, it will probably be very low key. I contemplated some private group, but I think we may find it works well to discuss here in comments and/or in chat about each chapter and what we are experiencing. If it feels like a natural part of whatever small group decides to do this, maybe we can meet and chat. (But you know me.... unless I’m drawing while I talk, that could be awkward :) At any rate.... you didn’t lock yourself into anything huge. You can read, follow along, add your thoughts to discussions when you want, and, most importantly, see what happens with your own writing and blog plans as you start writing more daily again. All good! And thank you for both reading this AND deciding to join in.
I have experienced great results working through The Artists Way & a few of Cameron’s other books & im looking forward to working through this book with a group. Thanks for putting this idea out there Amy!
I'm glad you will be joining us! I think just saying, "okay, I am going to do xyz for six weeks in the context of this book" puts us in a different mindset that can be really helpful and maybe exciting. Looking forward to it.
Dear Amy, there's a lot to unpack in your post. Let me start with “The Artist’s Way." The interesting thing about that book is that Cameron applies it to a 12 step program.
However, I didn't start writing daily exercises because of that book. As I describe in my Substack newsletter (https://frangardner.substack.com/p/welcome-to-the-first-edition), many years ago I read in Janet Burroway’s “Writing Fiction,” a description of a practice:
"Dorothea Brande suggests that the way to begin is not with an idea or a form at all, but with an unlocking of your thoughts at the typewriter. She advises that you rise each day and go directly to your desk (if you have to have coffee, put it in a thermos the night before) and begin writing whatever comes to mind, before you are quite awake, before you have read anything or talked to anyone, before reason has begun to take over from the dream-functioning of your brain. Write for twenty or thirty minutes, then put away what you have written without reading it over. After a week or two of this, pick an additional time during the day when you can salvage a half hour or so to write, and when that time arrives, write, even if you 'must climb out over the hands of your friends' to do it. It doesn’t matter what you write: what does matter is that you develop the habit of beginning to write the moment you sit down to to do so.”
I did this religiously when I was writing and editing at The Oregonian. It helped my writing then and informs it today. The practice is invaluable no matter where you get the inspiration.
Julia Cameron merely refined the process.
I would like your timeline, please.
There’s so much more to say on this, but how much time do you have to read comments?
I hope this doesn't repeat the long comment I left yesterday, but I don't see it here.
I wrote that I have been doing morning exercises since maybe 1996. This precedes Julia Cameron by at least a decade. I read about the process in Janet Burroway’s “Writing Fiction,” where she quotes the writer Dorothea Brande about getting up every morning, going to the typewriter and writing for maybe 20 minutes. That seems like a good idea and I’ve done it intermittently ever since.
Because of the MS, I type rather than do longhand.
It changed my life.
Plus, it really helped my writing at the Oregonian, and it has made it very easy for me to keep up my Substack writing.
As for Cameron’s book, she took that practice and pasted it into a 12 step program, which I found very interesting. But it wasn’t original with her.
Fran - thank you for your comments (they are both here). I know from the other post that you are interested in reading along, which is wonderful! I think many of us have well-established writing practices, stemming from a range of origin points, and that is great. I hope we can approach the "rubric" in the book (however loosely) as a way to give ourselves a framework for the span of weeks and see what happens or how we feel, individually. I don't believe the same things works the same for every individual, and I don't believe in single answers. But it may be that we each find or rekindle something in this span of time -- or what we find might be community. As someone who has always written, I'm simply interested in following along for six weeks and seeing what I take from it.... and doing that while others do the same. I think it will be "fun" in its own way, inspiring in many ways, and mindful, on top of it all, which matters to me.
I also know and respect that we all are coming to this moment from different perspective and with different stories.
As noted above, like you, I had a different "formal" introduction to freewriting, although I had done it for years prior to that. For me, Goldberg will always be part of my own foundation. You have someone else. And others, I am sure, might point to Lamott or other writers who have been instrumental. It's all good.
Some of the things you mention here will come up in conversation as we move into week 1!
Ohmygosh. I want to do this. I started a group to do the Artist's Way, but it never got off the ground. I also never read the book past the first week because I met with the same resistance even though she stated that it needn't be a religious thing.
I'm in a similar place in life. I have seemingly unending health issues cropping up that are both rare and incurable (not to mention frustrating). My husband is significantly older and wants to retire. I can't work, but haven't applied for disability. I don't know what I'll do without his medical insurance. Eek.
I've always been a writer and storyteller, but I've been stuck and blocked lately. I need to do something.
Thank you for leaving your comment, Kimberlee, which I also recognize takes courage. Let's do this :) I think there will be a few who want to read along, and maybe we can work out a discussion group -- or else discuss here through chat or the posts. After this post circulates this weekend, I will see if others are interested and figure out a schedule so we all start the first week together. (So don't read ahead!)
Sure thing!
(You are the Kimberlee I know from my podcast, right? So far, I think I know everyone who has commented, but in case I’m wrong, I wanted to ask.)
Yep. From your Facebook group. :)
I too have experienced a few chapters of The Artists Way in the group and did morning pages for what seem like a year maybe...and since I have on and off written daily in my sketchbook journal. The spiritual connection always kept me at arm's length and a bit skeptical. I love to write...fine it soothing and yet stimulating...I love to jump on the platform so to speak! I have played with the writing of a book....seriously considered it...and there it lay. A heap of thoughts. I would enjoying engaging in this companion buddy reading of The Artists Way again....but the timing is just not good for me. The next six weeks are busy with preparing for a big show and open studio event....I will read the weekly postings and reflections on the group's journey. Maybe there will be another opportunity later. Meanwhile, I've ordered the book and I can tag along through your experiences and writing. I so much enjoyed reading your Stack writing. Thank you.
Thank you for your comment. I completely understand this being a bad time. Timing is always hard. Please note that I am not reading The Artist’s Way. I am going to read Write for Life (shown in the photo). Just wanted to mention that so that if you do follow along, you have the right book. Library should have it.
I read your post Amy late at night and felt immediately the urge to read this book. Now, sitting here on a rainy and very windy day, reading the words and can’t believe how it speaks to me. I love the idea of writing 3 morning pages.
I wrote until I became a mother by the age of 35. Now I am close to retire and my fingers tickle but I don’t know how to find my way back on paper and words. I started last year the weekly illustrations but before summer ended I stopped and since then I cannot go back to my routine. As you and Julia say ‘start now and don’t look back’. I guess I must learn to accept that a gap is not something to overcome. It just continues somehow.
I am living in Switzerland and would love to connect with all of you. Whether it will be on Substack chat, posting comments about the book or about our review about the book by chapters. Thank you for bringing this up. -Marion
I am so happy to see your comment, Marion. Sometimes, we are just at the right point, and it sounds like this must be the right point for you, too! Don't read too far ahead! I would love to read in parallel with you. Having said that, by all means, go ahead and start writing, if you are drawn to it, and if you mean you were doing illustrate your week last week and stopped, then I hope you give it another try. Thank you for reading and for commenting and for being willing to join in this. I think it could be a wonderful experience for all of us.
Amy, what ideal timing! Within my current 100-day project (writing about right brain planning) I am uncovering a desire to write with more clarity [succinctly].
Julia Cameron and Natalie Goldberg are favorites for me. Goldberg's book, Living Color, unlocked a new level of understanding my own creative practice. She offers insight regarding how "letting something larger take over" enabled her to step out of the way and "let painting do painting."
Yes, Living Color is one I’ve always liked, too. I can see that this book would definitely be right on track for you! Already a fan of Cameron, you’ll already be familiar with the core concepts, but I would love to have you read (and write) along and join this process. I think those of us with writing goals stand to benefit from the rubric of the 6 weeks and the accountability of the shared reading.
Amy, I would like to read along! I have this book but haven’t read it beyond the first chapter. This fits well with some projects I am currently trying.
I’m happy to hear this, Pamela! I just posted the podcast today, so I expect that a few others might be interested, too. I’m thinking through the schedule and will post that within the next day -- I will ask that everyone not read “ahead” -- but I think it sounds like many of you already have the book. (I’m hoping we can start this week and plan the Chapter 1 discussion next week. But I’ll post a tentative timeline.) Glad to have you read (and write) along!
Sounds good, Amy.
Hi Amy,
The last few days I have been contemplating if I should join. I read the Artist's Way and did morning pages in the past for quite a while and at the start of the year I considered starting again but I didn't. I also have been thinking about starting a blog of some kind (I had one a long time ago)but I didn't. I have the book Write for Life but I haven't read it yet. So, after a lot of thinking about why I would join, how I can fit it in my schedule and commit to it, I decided that I would like to read along. I couldn't let pass this great opportunity to discuss the book and the process with others. Thank you Amy.
I am excited to hear this! I understand all the unspoken hesitation(s), and I appreciate the thoughtful way you approached your decision. That you already have the book seems like a sign of some form. Of all the books I could have said? (I’d like to read others after this, similarly, that are more productivity and habit focused, too.) Like you, I lead a busy work life. I hope we can all manage to fit this reading in easily.... by taking it only a week at a time, it means about 30 pages of reading for the week and then working in the “doing” she outlines in terms of your writing and practice. It’s a 6-week book, as you know. Week 1 gets started right away with morning pages, so just grab a composition book! For the group part of it, it will probably be very low key. I contemplated some private group, but I think we may find it works well to discuss here in comments and/or in chat about each chapter and what we are experiencing. If it feels like a natural part of whatever small group decides to do this, maybe we can meet and chat. (But you know me.... unless I’m drawing while I talk, that could be awkward :) At any rate.... you didn’t lock yourself into anything huge. You can read, follow along, add your thoughts to discussions when you want, and, most importantly, see what happens with your own writing and blog plans as you start writing more daily again. All good! And thank you for both reading this AND deciding to join in.
Thanks. I am looking forward to starting this project.
I have experienced great results working through The Artists Way & a few of Cameron’s other books & im looking forward to working through this book with a group. Thanks for putting this idea out there Amy!
I'm glad you will be joining us! I think just saying, "okay, I am going to do xyz for six weeks in the context of this book" puts us in a different mindset that can be really helpful and maybe exciting. Looking forward to it.
Dear Amy, there's a lot to unpack in your post. Let me start with “The Artist’s Way." The interesting thing about that book is that Cameron applies it to a 12 step program.
However, I didn't start writing daily exercises because of that book. As I describe in my Substack newsletter (https://frangardner.substack.com/p/welcome-to-the-first-edition), many years ago I read in Janet Burroway’s “Writing Fiction,” a description of a practice:
"Dorothea Brande suggests that the way to begin is not with an idea or a form at all, but with an unlocking of your thoughts at the typewriter. She advises that you rise each day and go directly to your desk (if you have to have coffee, put it in a thermos the night before) and begin writing whatever comes to mind, before you are quite awake, before you have read anything or talked to anyone, before reason has begun to take over from the dream-functioning of your brain. Write for twenty or thirty minutes, then put away what you have written without reading it over. After a week or two of this, pick an additional time during the day when you can salvage a half hour or so to write, and when that time arrives, write, even if you 'must climb out over the hands of your friends' to do it. It doesn’t matter what you write: what does matter is that you develop the habit of beginning to write the moment you sit down to to do so.”
I did this religiously when I was writing and editing at The Oregonian. It helped my writing then and informs it today. The practice is invaluable no matter where you get the inspiration.
Julia Cameron merely refined the process.
I would like your timeline, please.
There’s so much more to say on this, but how much time do you have to read comments?
Dear Amy,
I hope this doesn't repeat the long comment I left yesterday, but I don't see it here.
I wrote that I have been doing morning exercises since maybe 1996. This precedes Julia Cameron by at least a decade. I read about the process in Janet Burroway’s “Writing Fiction,” where she quotes the writer Dorothea Brande about getting up every morning, going to the typewriter and writing for maybe 20 minutes. That seems like a good idea and I’ve done it intermittently ever since.
Because of the MS, I type rather than do longhand.
It changed my life.
Plus, it really helped my writing at the Oregonian, and it has made it very easy for me to keep up my Substack writing.
As for Cameron’s book, she took that practice and pasted it into a 12 step program, which I found very interesting. But it wasn’t original with her.
Fran - thank you for your comments (they are both here). I know from the other post that you are interested in reading along, which is wonderful! I think many of us have well-established writing practices, stemming from a range of origin points, and that is great. I hope we can approach the "rubric" in the book (however loosely) as a way to give ourselves a framework for the span of weeks and see what happens or how we feel, individually. I don't believe the same things works the same for every individual, and I don't believe in single answers. But it may be that we each find or rekindle something in this span of time -- or what we find might be community. As someone who has always written, I'm simply interested in following along for six weeks and seeing what I take from it.... and doing that while others do the same. I think it will be "fun" in its own way, inspiring in many ways, and mindful, on top of it all, which matters to me.
I also know and respect that we all are coming to this moment from different perspective and with different stories.
As noted above, like you, I had a different "formal" introduction to freewriting, although I had done it for years prior to that. For me, Goldberg will always be part of my own foundation. You have someone else. And others, I am sure, might point to Lamott or other writers who have been instrumental. It's all good.
Some of the things you mention here will come up in conversation as we move into week 1!