Absolutely love this, especially movement as mindfulness and as a cure for getting stuck. I'm also a cemetery wanderer for writing and creativity, though Allegheny is my cemetery of choice.
In Year's End I loved how she personally engaged with the final image. Like it isn't enough to think of a great image but means even more when you do something with it.
Thanks for a great interview. I loved Valerie's book--so profound and deeply moving. Love that she reminds us of how important silence is. Lots of gems here-- might have to start swimming.
Loved reading Valerie's approach to writing! So powerful and inspiring. I like how she notes she prefers writing longhand - I do too. I try to journal each day, careful to be gentle with myself and not too judgmental of the work I produce as I haven't been writing creatively for some time. I find that just the act of journaling can bring about so many reflections, which I'm hoping will pave the way for a story at some point.
Thanks for sharing this, Hadley! I agree with you and Valerie on longhand writing. Especially as you're coming out of a creative pause, it's so important to be gentle with yourself (still telling myself this, too) xo ps: check out Erinn Batykefer's substack The Long Pause. I think you might love her interview series with creatives of all kinds about their pauses.
Absolutely love this, especially movement as mindfulness and as a cure for getting stuck. I'm also a cemetery wanderer for writing and creativity, though Allegheny is my cemetery of choice.
Thanks for this, Lyss 🩵 My friend Callie also swears by Allegheny!
I love the ideas Valerie shares here - I’ll have to try them out
Glad to hear this, Jessica! I'm going to start a word journal for sure!
In Year's End I loved how she personally engaged with the final image. Like it isn't enough to think of a great image but means even more when you do something with it.
Thanks for noticing and naming this, Barrett! I love that final image, too.
Such a good interview! Thanks for introducing me to Valerie’s work through this. I loved reading about her process.
Thanks for reading and for sharing this, Violeta! so glad to hear this helped you get to know her work. You two are kindred poetic spirits for sure.
This is so heartbreaking and wise.
Thanks for reading, Marina. Couldn’t agree more. 🩵
Thanks for a great interview. I loved Valerie's book--so profound and deeply moving. Love that she reminds us of how important silence is. Lots of gems here-- might have to start swimming.
Agreed on all fronts, Jane! yes, this made me want to figure out how to start swimming again. Valerie's book is profound—that's the right word. <3
Loved reading Valerie's approach to writing! So powerful and inspiring. I like how she notes she prefers writing longhand - I do too. I try to journal each day, careful to be gentle with myself and not too judgmental of the work I produce as I haven't been writing creatively for some time. I find that just the act of journaling can bring about so many reflections, which I'm hoping will pave the way for a story at some point.
Thanks for sharing this, Hadley! I agree with you and Valerie on longhand writing. Especially as you're coming out of a creative pause, it's so important to be gentle with yourself (still telling myself this, too) xo ps: check out Erinn Batykefer's substack The Long Pause. I think you might love her interview series with creatives of all kinds about their pauses.
Oh thank you! I just subscribed to her. (^:
also Nancy Reddy's Write More (there are so many great newsletters about writing and creativity, but those are two of my faves)
Wonderful!