I love the parts on time and writing, especially time-boxing, I think it was called (can’t go back from the comments section). Your fighting for your time to write and the story you want to complete and publish pushes me to do the same thing. I was just confessing to another writer how I want to give up on my writing deadline and accept my journey for this novel more as a companion, a writing lifeline. It takes a lot of pressure off and keeps a lot of love for writing along. I’ll check out those books you recommended.
Music-wise. I love Bill Evans. I love listening to Miles Davis’s Kinda Blue, especially Flamenco Sketches. Although, I can no longer write to music. I do love to hear it either after writing to unwind or before writing to set up the silence. A philosopher I once read said all music tends to silence, and for me, once the last sound of a record slips into the silence that first introduced it, my mind feels wonderfully clear to write. To each her own.
And thank you for your words at the beginning. It means so much to know my feelings for this moment in the world aren’t alone. I’m caring and praying alongside of you.
"a companion, a writing lifeline" YES. I think that was one of my own personal takeaways from our time at GoodLit. I loosened up on my expectations around timelines and deadlines and, given the challenges as of late, that has been so good for me.
I love that idea that all music tends to silence -- I should try this. Lately I've been so interested in what triggers my brain to write and the rituals and habits that communicate to my whole self that it's time to be creative. I'm going to play around with some songs and see if there's perhaps one I can listen to, to set the tone for the writing session and then write in silence. I typically write to neoclassical or ambient music, but I like the idea of just... quiet. There's enough noise in my life!
Oh I am SO sorry about the ankle. Been there, done that. Two summers ago. It took 6 months to heal (it was a really bad high ankle sprain, I was in a cast for several weeks.) So if I can offer a little advice - be gentle with yourself. It is VERY difficult to lay low when you have so much to do, but it will heal faster if you don't push it too hard.
I’m sorry about all your setbacks. These things tend to arrive in groups I think. My week involved an unexpected eye surgery for a 70% detached retina. 😱 wasn’t expecting that! I thought of you when I saw your newsletter and remembered your eye scare! I’m 2 days into recovery after surgery and very impatient to return to my reading/reviewing life! Good luck with your revisions. And no words for the tragedy that has befallen Israel and all the innocents around the world with no safe place or space to lay their heads tonight. 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you Carol! I am SO sorry to hear about your detached retina! That is so scary and I know the recovery is quite tasking. Vision is something I sorely took for granted until my own retina journey. I hope your healing is speedy and that you’re back to your regular reading soon. 💕
I’m so team Kristine and my recommendation for a listen, is La La Land Soundtrack. I have had it on repeat after just rewatching the movie, and “The Fools Who Dream” has me in tears regularly. I sing it sitting at my home office after staring at endless chasms of spreadsheets while contemplating life’s gut punches. It is an act of warfare and worship to create, to write, to sing, to notice beauty while this world and our enemy does its worst to break us. So here’s to you, a dreamer!
Ooooh, Teva, great rec! Not only do I need to listen again but I need to watch again, too. Maybe I’ll put that on my fun list for this weekend or next! “Act of warfare and worship” is SO TRUE. Here’s to you, too! ✨
I'm so glad you shared that you're listening to an album by Jean-Yves Thibaudet. I only knew of him from the Pride & Prejudice soundtrack, but I just told my writing group last night that his music on that soundtrack is one of my favorites to listen to when doing creative work like writing or when I need to concentrate. I don't know why I never thought to search him in Spotify or Apple Music, but I did after clicking on your link to that one particular album of his, and now I have so many of his albums to listen to next time I want calming background music!
This thrills me! I remembering watching the film in the theater in college and thinking, I could listen to this forever. And I have 🥰 It was the first film score I ever bought and has been with me through many seasons. So many of his albums have now followed suit.
Fun fact! JUST YESTERDAY an album came out featuring some of James Howard’s scores from M. Night films and Jean-Yves plays on it. It’s a little spookier (ish) sad (ish) one but it’s great!
"the right kind of time for the right kind of writing" - phew! I'm walking through this piece thinking/re-thinking greatly on intention and what I'm choosing to give time and space to (music, reading, sports etc). I am learning recently that I can look at life with the rich lens of attention, but not everything, all at once. Being selective about time gives me freedom to look closer, in a way. My favourite track of late has been NF's Running! It's a big part of my running playlist. 🖤
Pulling it up to listen, now! And yes to “I can look at life with the rich lens of attention, but not everything, all at once. Being selective about time gives me freedom to look closer, in a way.” SO GOOD.
I love the parts on time and writing, especially time-boxing, I think it was called (can’t go back from the comments section). Your fighting for your time to write and the story you want to complete and publish pushes me to do the same thing. I was just confessing to another writer how I want to give up on my writing deadline and accept my journey for this novel more as a companion, a writing lifeline. It takes a lot of pressure off and keeps a lot of love for writing along. I’ll check out those books you recommended.
Music-wise. I love Bill Evans. I love listening to Miles Davis’s Kinda Blue, especially Flamenco Sketches. Although, I can no longer write to music. I do love to hear it either after writing to unwind or before writing to set up the silence. A philosopher I once read said all music tends to silence, and for me, once the last sound of a record slips into the silence that first introduced it, my mind feels wonderfully clear to write. To each her own.
And thank you for your words at the beginning. It means so much to know my feelings for this moment in the world aren’t alone. I’m caring and praying alongside of you.
Here’s to more fortunate breaks ahead! 🥂
"a companion, a writing lifeline" YES. I think that was one of my own personal takeaways from our time at GoodLit. I loosened up on my expectations around timelines and deadlines and, given the challenges as of late, that has been so good for me.
I love that idea that all music tends to silence -- I should try this. Lately I've been so interested in what triggers my brain to write and the rituals and habits that communicate to my whole self that it's time to be creative. I'm going to play around with some songs and see if there's perhaps one I can listen to, to set the tone for the writing session and then write in silence. I typically write to neoclassical or ambient music, but I like the idea of just... quiet. There's enough noise in my life!
I'll cheers to that!
Oh that is so sweet. I totally forgot about that. Starbucks is so great!! 😘😘
Oh I am SO sorry about the ankle. Been there, done that. Two summers ago. It took 6 months to heal (it was a really bad high ankle sprain, I was in a cast for several weeks.) So if I can offer a little advice - be gentle with yourself. It is VERY difficult to lay low when you have so much to do, but it will heal faster if you don't push it too hard.
Also - Cal Newport Fist Bump!
Thank you for that advice and encouragement! And I’m sorry you went through it, yourself. Does it ever bother you, still?
I’m sorry about all your setbacks. These things tend to arrive in groups I think. My week involved an unexpected eye surgery for a 70% detached retina. 😱 wasn’t expecting that! I thought of you when I saw your newsletter and remembered your eye scare! I’m 2 days into recovery after surgery and very impatient to return to my reading/reviewing life! Good luck with your revisions. And no words for the tragedy that has befallen Israel and all the innocents around the world with no safe place or space to lay their heads tonight. 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you Carol! I am SO sorry to hear about your detached retina! That is so scary and I know the recovery is quite tasking. Vision is something I sorely took for granted until my own retina journey. I hope your healing is speedy and that you’re back to your regular reading soon. 💕
I’m so team Kristine and my recommendation for a listen, is La La Land Soundtrack. I have had it on repeat after just rewatching the movie, and “The Fools Who Dream” has me in tears regularly. I sing it sitting at my home office after staring at endless chasms of spreadsheets while contemplating life’s gut punches. It is an act of warfare and worship to create, to write, to sing, to notice beauty while this world and our enemy does its worst to break us. So here’s to you, a dreamer!
Teva! I drew your name for the drink of your choice! Would you like me to send you a Venmo for somewhere local or a Starbucks e-giftcard?
Ooooh, Teva, great rec! Not only do I need to listen again but I need to watch again, too. Maybe I’ll put that on my fun list for this weekend or next! “Act of warfare and worship” is SO TRUE. Here’s to you, too! ✨
I'm so glad you shared that you're listening to an album by Jean-Yves Thibaudet. I only knew of him from the Pride & Prejudice soundtrack, but I just told my writing group last night that his music on that soundtrack is one of my favorites to listen to when doing creative work like writing or when I need to concentrate. I don't know why I never thought to search him in Spotify or Apple Music, but I did after clicking on your link to that one particular album of his, and now I have so many of his albums to listen to next time I want calming background music!
This thrills me! I remembering watching the film in the theater in college and thinking, I could listen to this forever. And I have 🥰 It was the first film score I ever bought and has been with me through many seasons. So many of his albums have now followed suit.
Fun fact! JUST YESTERDAY an album came out featuring some of James Howard’s scores from M. Night films and Jean-Yves plays on it. It’s a little spookier (ish) sad (ish) one but it’s great!
Ooh, another great album rec! It's the perfect time for spooky and sad (ish) ones so I'm checking that one out too. Thank you!!
Yes to all of this and thank you for introducing me to Bill Evans and so many other good things in my life ❤️🥹
It’s a great joy!!!
You are doing great on these stories, I can’t wait to see what else you post!😁
Thank you, sweetie!!
As for music, lately I’ve been listening to Bill Evans while doing school.
It is relaxing and always puts me in a good mood!❤️
I love that you're loving Bill!
"the right kind of time for the right kind of writing" - phew! I'm walking through this piece thinking/re-thinking greatly on intention and what I'm choosing to give time and space to (music, reading, sports etc). I am learning recently that I can look at life with the rich lens of attention, but not everything, all at once. Being selective about time gives me freedom to look closer, in a way. My favourite track of late has been NF's Running! It's a big part of my running playlist. 🖤
Pulling it up to listen, now! And yes to “I can look at life with the rich lens of attention, but not everything, all at once. Being selective about time gives me freedom to look closer, in a way.” SO GOOD.