I'm doing great with my morning pages and the general routine. I was only able to get one solo walk in this week because it's been rainy when I was available, but I have an artist date planned for this afternoon. I also look forward to the morning writing and I plan to keep that up no matter what.
I felt the same as you did, Amy. Parts of this chapter were interesting and thought provoking but other sections didn't resonate for me at all. I think what I dislike the most about Cameron's writing advice is that it's very rigid. She seems to think that because these things work for her they MUST work for everyone. There doesn't seem to be room for flexibility.
I haven't done any of the tasks, but I probably will eventually follow through with at least some of them. I am definitely planning to name my inner critic and I think I'm going to draw a sketch as well. For me, I think naming it and having a visual will be a useful tool in dealing with it.
We all struggle with jealousy! Especially for creative people, I think the inner critic and comparing ourselves, what we have, and our skill, to others, is awful and terrifying. Seeing it as an opportunity for growth is an interesting take and something I've been thinking about.
As for synchronicity, I asked the universe via morning pages for a promotion and a raise and I'm still waiting. Maybe next week? 🤣
As always, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us, Amy! I'm so happy to be following along on this little journey. 😀
I struggled this week as I had difficulties getting out of bed which completely messed up my morning routine. However, I managed to do the pages except for one day and that felt weird (I cannot think of another word.) Another day, I did them in the evening which was good but it is a different experience.
I agree with Trish that Julia comes across as rigid and strict. I have to remind myself that things might work differently for me or don’t resonate for me and that that is totally valid and fine. I continued my approach of skimming over parts that are testimonials and repetitions and so. This works well and I can really focus on the sections that are new or relevant for me.
I also thought the section about jealousy was very interesting. Doing the task about jealousy made me realize that, often, when I am aware that I am jealous, I recognize it and dismiss it with ‘no need to be jealous’. It was good to take the time to analyze what is really behind it and how I can turn it into something positive.
Just like Amy and Trish, I haven’t experienced synchronicity. I am patiently waiting :)
About the section ‘Asking for Guidance’. I think that a lot of people figure things out writing their pages. The way how you do that, I think, is very personal. What works for me is having discussions on the pages without specifically addressing something or someone.
Thank you for this read-along. I enjoy reading the reflections and comments!
Interesting how she notes the jealousy-fear (of scarcity) connection and the emphasis on honesty for revealing what can/should be written about. Since I’ve read her other book, The Artist’s Way m, some of the rigid or underlined concepts in this book seem to make more sense ... the notion of synchronicity seems to me like you’ll follow / chase after / likely make gains re: what you focus on. I like the idea of trying to pursue honesty in writing. I think this book is a good kick start to a writing habit but maybe hasn’t been the best/most focused time for me to start the six week challenge. This week I met one day of quota, and inconsistent morning pages again. Back at it for week 4. Thanks for sharing your experiences/reactions, everyone on this thread.
I continue to be grateful to be walking through this book with such a thoughtful group. Amy, thank you for staying committed to trudge through the second half of this book. I am enjoying the process of reading the group’s thoughts and takeaways so much more than Cameron’s writing! This week’s chapter is full of good ideas & the tasks she presents are really effective tools. My issue in this chapter is that she is presenting this as if they are HER ideas and her own special creation. Julia Cameron has clearly spent a lot of time in the rooms of 12-step recovery. These tasks…especially this week’s…feel a bit appropriated to me. The concept of task one is a practice called two-way prayer that was certainly not Cameron’s idea. It is the basis of the 11th step & I believe it comes from the Oxford group which predates AA as a fellowship. Having read several of her books, I am struck by the fact that so much of the content is either “brochure fodder” testimonials or repurposed step work she learned from those who got sober before her. In 12-step recovery, members are encouraged to place “principles before personalities” so I am trying to stay open minded and embrace the “take what you like and leave the rest behind” attitude for the second half of this journey. I’m doing this for the community that is created while working through this book together more than to find some magical answers to creative questions. I have loved the daily practice of writing Morning Pages for several years. I have forged some lovely new friendships with people through dissecting these books & this practice. I think much if what Julie presents in all of her books is good content. I struggle with her rigidity & privilege. And I find it interesting how full of self she is while she regurgitates the principles of a program whose core principle is to give away what has been freely given to you. On to chapter 4. (And glad you chose a 6 week book instead of a 12 week one)
One of the (many) drawbacks of ebooks is that you can’t chuck the book across the room in frustration. Yes, there’s fodder to mull and ponder here, but so much of it is write-by-numbers. I guess you can do that when you are a proven, salable commodity like Julia Cameron.
I really thought that I didn't have an issue with jealousy. It's like the time when I was an education reporter, and some speaker was talking about cheating. He says, you've all cheated, haven't you? And I was thinking, un, no, I never did because I never had to.
Well, it's the same thing about jealousy. I don't need to be jealous. BUT, I am jealous of Julia, Cameron. She gets a pass on having to craft her writing or her message. She can just write whatever she wants, and we're supposed to lap it up. All those mentions of “Little One” make me cringe. She’s like, all Disney.
Still, I am sticking with the program because I value Amy and I value the rest with you and I value the process. I am doing the morning pages every day, often not the first thing in the morning, because MS makes it difficult for me to arrange my day that way. I have had to pull back on the other writing project. I’m no longer trying to write a poem every day, because, frankly, the quality suffered. And I have the Substack weekly to work on.
I struggle with the artist's dates, largely because it's been very rainy here and I need to get out in my big old power wheelchair. Maybe my weekly practice of reading my Substack to other residents here in assisted living who can’t see or don’t use the Internet can count as an artist's date.
I have been supercharged with writing for Substack. The issue I'm currently working on is about noticing, how all the little increments of your daily life become a mosaic that at some point defines you.
Dear all, here I am with my thoughts on Ch3. Before you start reading this I am not sure if I used the right words on this. Have I overreacted on what I understand out of Ch3?. Anyway, to me Chapter 3 has it all but I believe not all of the subjects in chapters 1 and 2 are topics to which one is attracted. I think of it more as a choice of options.
Nevertheless, "Trust your process ' grants explanations which in psychology are called transformation. Transformation is needed to grow. Personally, I like the list and thus the choice of what blocks, endangers or just promotes our writing process. I too have already been able to resolve two issues. I was even amazed about my discovery. I am a very reflective person already because of my profession. Still, there seems to be something I haven't noticed yet! First, she is asking for guidance which is equivalent to the inner child work. For some quite helpful especially in finding the inner critic voice. The subject 'Syncronicity is the uncanny meshing of our inner and outer worlds', prompts me to ask what she means? When the 'inner world' is a healthy one, when wounds from the past have been able to heal, we are authentic. Authenticity leads to the inner world merging with the outer world. It is often said: 'In the right place at the right time'. But does writing, being a good author, really have to do solely with transformation? Furthermore, the subject of jealousy. 'All writers experience jealousy'. Oh, what's wrong with me, I thought. I'm not jealous of anyone else's success. On the contrary, it drives me. Again, I can say, a generalization can also create insecurity. Cameron works a lot with psychological techniques to build her tool-kit which is helping the aspiring author succeed. Looking forward to Ch4.
I'm doing great with my morning pages and the general routine. I was only able to get one solo walk in this week because it's been rainy when I was available, but I have an artist date planned for this afternoon. I also look forward to the morning writing and I plan to keep that up no matter what.
I felt the same as you did, Amy. Parts of this chapter were interesting and thought provoking but other sections didn't resonate for me at all. I think what I dislike the most about Cameron's writing advice is that it's very rigid. She seems to think that because these things work for her they MUST work for everyone. There doesn't seem to be room for flexibility.
I haven't done any of the tasks, but I probably will eventually follow through with at least some of them. I am definitely planning to name my inner critic and I think I'm going to draw a sketch as well. For me, I think naming it and having a visual will be a useful tool in dealing with it.
We all struggle with jealousy! Especially for creative people, I think the inner critic and comparing ourselves, what we have, and our skill, to others, is awful and terrifying. Seeing it as an opportunity for growth is an interesting take and something I've been thinking about.
As for synchronicity, I asked the universe via morning pages for a promotion and a raise and I'm still waiting. Maybe next week? 🤣
As always, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us, Amy! I'm so happy to be following along on this little journey. 😀
I struggled this week as I had difficulties getting out of bed which completely messed up my morning routine. However, I managed to do the pages except for one day and that felt weird (I cannot think of another word.) Another day, I did them in the evening which was good but it is a different experience.
I agree with Trish that Julia comes across as rigid and strict. I have to remind myself that things might work differently for me or don’t resonate for me and that that is totally valid and fine. I continued my approach of skimming over parts that are testimonials and repetitions and so. This works well and I can really focus on the sections that are new or relevant for me.
I also thought the section about jealousy was very interesting. Doing the task about jealousy made me realize that, often, when I am aware that I am jealous, I recognize it and dismiss it with ‘no need to be jealous’. It was good to take the time to analyze what is really behind it and how I can turn it into something positive.
Just like Amy and Trish, I haven’t experienced synchronicity. I am patiently waiting :)
About the section ‘Asking for Guidance’. I think that a lot of people figure things out writing their pages. The way how you do that, I think, is very personal. What works for me is having discussions on the pages without specifically addressing something or someone.
Thank you for this read-along. I enjoy reading the reflections and comments!
Interesting how she notes the jealousy-fear (of scarcity) connection and the emphasis on honesty for revealing what can/should be written about. Since I’ve read her other book, The Artist’s Way m, some of the rigid or underlined concepts in this book seem to make more sense ... the notion of synchronicity seems to me like you’ll follow / chase after / likely make gains re: what you focus on. I like the idea of trying to pursue honesty in writing. I think this book is a good kick start to a writing habit but maybe hasn’t been the best/most focused time for me to start the six week challenge. This week I met one day of quota, and inconsistent morning pages again. Back at it for week 4. Thanks for sharing your experiences/reactions, everyone on this thread.
I continue to be grateful to be walking through this book with such a thoughtful group. Amy, thank you for staying committed to trudge through the second half of this book. I am enjoying the process of reading the group’s thoughts and takeaways so much more than Cameron’s writing! This week’s chapter is full of good ideas & the tasks she presents are really effective tools. My issue in this chapter is that she is presenting this as if they are HER ideas and her own special creation. Julia Cameron has clearly spent a lot of time in the rooms of 12-step recovery. These tasks…especially this week’s…feel a bit appropriated to me. The concept of task one is a practice called two-way prayer that was certainly not Cameron’s idea. It is the basis of the 11th step & I believe it comes from the Oxford group which predates AA as a fellowship. Having read several of her books, I am struck by the fact that so much of the content is either “brochure fodder” testimonials or repurposed step work she learned from those who got sober before her. In 12-step recovery, members are encouraged to place “principles before personalities” so I am trying to stay open minded and embrace the “take what you like and leave the rest behind” attitude for the second half of this journey. I’m doing this for the community that is created while working through this book together more than to find some magical answers to creative questions. I have loved the daily practice of writing Morning Pages for several years. I have forged some lovely new friendships with people through dissecting these books & this practice. I think much if what Julie presents in all of her books is good content. I struggle with her rigidity & privilege. And I find it interesting how full of self she is while she regurgitates the principles of a program whose core principle is to give away what has been freely given to you. On to chapter 4. (And glad you chose a 6 week book instead of a 12 week one)
... laying tracks... let me dive into Chapter three.... I' keep up. Just a moment.
Hi, all,
One of the (many) drawbacks of ebooks is that you can’t chuck the book across the room in frustration. Yes, there’s fodder to mull and ponder here, but so much of it is write-by-numbers. I guess you can do that when you are a proven, salable commodity like Julia Cameron.
I really thought that I didn't have an issue with jealousy. It's like the time when I was an education reporter, and some speaker was talking about cheating. He says, you've all cheated, haven't you? And I was thinking, un, no, I never did because I never had to.
Well, it's the same thing about jealousy. I don't need to be jealous. BUT, I am jealous of Julia, Cameron. She gets a pass on having to craft her writing or her message. She can just write whatever she wants, and we're supposed to lap it up. All those mentions of “Little One” make me cringe. She’s like, all Disney.
Still, I am sticking with the program because I value Amy and I value the rest with you and I value the process. I am doing the morning pages every day, often not the first thing in the morning, because MS makes it difficult for me to arrange my day that way. I have had to pull back on the other writing project. I’m no longer trying to write a poem every day, because, frankly, the quality suffered. And I have the Substack weekly to work on.
I struggle with the artist's dates, largely because it's been very rainy here and I need to get out in my big old power wheelchair. Maybe my weekly practice of reading my Substack to other residents here in assisted living who can’t see or don’t use the Internet can count as an artist's date.
I have been supercharged with writing for Substack. The issue I'm currently working on is about noticing, how all the little increments of your daily life become a mosaic that at some point defines you.
Dear all, here I am with my thoughts on Ch3. Before you start reading this I am not sure if I used the right words on this. Have I overreacted on what I understand out of Ch3?. Anyway, to me Chapter 3 has it all but I believe not all of the subjects in chapters 1 and 2 are topics to which one is attracted. I think of it more as a choice of options.
Nevertheless, "Trust your process ' grants explanations which in psychology are called transformation. Transformation is needed to grow. Personally, I like the list and thus the choice of what blocks, endangers or just promotes our writing process. I too have already been able to resolve two issues. I was even amazed about my discovery. I am a very reflective person already because of my profession. Still, there seems to be something I haven't noticed yet! First, she is asking for guidance which is equivalent to the inner child work. For some quite helpful especially in finding the inner critic voice. The subject 'Syncronicity is the uncanny meshing of our inner and outer worlds', prompts me to ask what she means? When the 'inner world' is a healthy one, when wounds from the past have been able to heal, we are authentic. Authenticity leads to the inner world merging with the outer world. It is often said: 'In the right place at the right time'. But does writing, being a good author, really have to do solely with transformation? Furthermore, the subject of jealousy. 'All writers experience jealousy'. Oh, what's wrong with me, I thought. I'm not jealous of anyone else's success. On the contrary, it drives me. Again, I can say, a generalization can also create insecurity. Cameron works a lot with psychological techniques to build her tool-kit which is helping the aspiring author succeed. Looking forward to Ch4.