What a beautifully-written and helpful post! This is the kind of post I like to save and come back to when I’m writing, choosing one or two things to practise each time. I love your words on embracing vulnerability, choosing to present ourselves/our heroes as real people, with flaws, that we can connect with. This is something I feel passionately about when weaving narratives around the historical characters I love: though they often seem 2D in the history books, they were real people. I’m working hard on bringing that out in my narrative writing, adding some texture to the usual presentations of their lives (with a bit of creative license!).
I'm so happy this is helpful, Holly. My favourite history teacher had a real skill for bringing characters from history back to life. She was as interested in the psychology of these people as the bald facts of events and places and instilled that same curiosity in her students. It's a fantastic skill to have.
I love this so so much Miranda. Such raw and honest wisdom. I feel like I’m in the magical messy middle and I love it. Saving this for future reading. There’s so much I love in your words xx
Do you feel like you're in the messy middle right now, Emily? I'm not sure if we ever truly pull ourselves out of the mire. Sometimes I think life is just an ongoing muddle of multiple messes. As one is resolving, another one (or three) emerges. I suspect that's why we find stories that leave loose ends so unsatisfying. They're *too much* like real life. xx
« Storytelling is a process. A process that begins with a tangle of scrappy memories, wanders through a land of imagination, curiosity and meaning-making, and ends in a clear narrative with a clear purpose. »
I absolutely love how you’ve worded this Miranda and this is incredibly helpful. I have saved for reference at a later date—maybe even later today since I’ve sat watching the rain fall for three days… inspiration zero!
I’m on holiday! I have time to write but no words are forthcoming… now isn’t that just typical!
A huge Thank you for your wonderfully helpful insights on where to fit in the mess when it arrives…!
Aaah, thank you, Susie. 🥰 How was your holiday? It's taken me a while to catch up on comments and notifications so I suspect you're home again by now. Did the rain ever stop? Did you find your inspiration? Xx
Such a timely post! A book idea has come out of nowhere recently and it looks like this (short) memoir and journal will be my first published (hopefully the others I’ve been working on won’t be too far behind). It’s a book to help others unleash their inner power and it was so tempting to miss out the messy middle!! Because of the deeply personal nature of the share that isn’t something I’ve gone public with yet. So I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about who will read it and drawn the conclusion that actually, none of my friends/family are likely to buy the book or read it. I will be marketing and promoting it towards those living with chronic illness - this has helped loads. Appreciate all insights and tips shared - it helps me feel like I’m going in the right direction. thank you🙏
That sounds really exciting Amber! Letting go of anxiety about friends and family reading something personal is so liberating. I deliberately don't use my full name here or anywhere online because of that anxiety. A lot of what I write is hugely personal and I *know* would be interpreted as an attack by certain people in my real world. One day I might get past that, but when I do I want it to be on my terms. Write for the people you *want* to read your words. xx
I feel stuck in the second act for what seems forever, unable to untangle all the mess. But your writing, Miranda, is taking me to deeper levels every time, where all the knots are tangible.
That's the loveliest compliment, Fotini. Thank you.
I hope the richness of your second act reveals a glorious resolution soon. That messy middle never really ends. We all have multiple stories unfolding at the same time, some of which resolve quickly and easily. Others seems to drag on for fecking YEARS! Don't forget the good stories are there too. xxx
What a beautifully-written and helpful post! This is the kind of post I like to save and come back to when I’m writing, choosing one or two things to practise each time. I love your words on embracing vulnerability, choosing to present ourselves/our heroes as real people, with flaws, that we can connect with. This is something I feel passionately about when weaving narratives around the historical characters I love: though they often seem 2D in the history books, they were real people. I’m working hard on bringing that out in my narrative writing, adding some texture to the usual presentations of their lives (with a bit of creative license!).
I'm so happy this is helpful, Holly. My favourite history teacher had a real skill for bringing characters from history back to life. She was as interested in the psychology of these people as the bald facts of events and places and instilled that same curiosity in her students. It's a fantastic skill to have.
I love this so so much Miranda. Such raw and honest wisdom. I feel like I’m in the magical messy middle and I love it. Saving this for future reading. There’s so much I love in your words xx
Do you feel like you're in the messy middle right now, Emily? I'm not sure if we ever truly pull ourselves out of the mire. Sometimes I think life is just an ongoing muddle of multiple messes. As one is resolving, another one (or three) emerges. I suspect that's why we find stories that leave loose ends so unsatisfying. They're *too much* like real life. xx
So true, I think you’re right. We never fully come out of the messy middle - but it is magical
« Storytelling is a process. A process that begins with a tangle of scrappy memories, wanders through a land of imagination, curiosity and meaning-making, and ends in a clear narrative with a clear purpose. »
I absolutely love how you’ve worded this Miranda and this is incredibly helpful. I have saved for reference at a later date—maybe even later today since I’ve sat watching the rain fall for three days… inspiration zero!
I’m on holiday! I have time to write but no words are forthcoming… now isn’t that just typical!
A huge Thank you for your wonderfully helpful insights on where to fit in the mess when it arrives…!
I hope the week is kind to you lovely 🤍x
Aaah, thank you, Susie. 🥰 How was your holiday? It's taken me a while to catch up on comments and notifications so I suspect you're home again by now. Did the rain ever stop? Did you find your inspiration? Xx
Such a timely post! A book idea has come out of nowhere recently and it looks like this (short) memoir and journal will be my first published (hopefully the others I’ve been working on won’t be too far behind). It’s a book to help others unleash their inner power and it was so tempting to miss out the messy middle!! Because of the deeply personal nature of the share that isn’t something I’ve gone public with yet. So I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about who will read it and drawn the conclusion that actually, none of my friends/family are likely to buy the book or read it. I will be marketing and promoting it towards those living with chronic illness - this has helped loads. Appreciate all insights and tips shared - it helps me feel like I’m going in the right direction. thank you🙏
That sounds really exciting Amber! Letting go of anxiety about friends and family reading something personal is so liberating. I deliberately don't use my full name here or anywhere online because of that anxiety. A lot of what I write is hugely personal and I *know* would be interpreted as an attack by certain people in my real world. One day I might get past that, but when I do I want it to be on my terms. Write for the people you *want* to read your words. xx
I feel stuck in the second act for what seems forever, unable to untangle all the mess. But your writing, Miranda, is taking me to deeper levels every time, where all the knots are tangible.
That's the loveliest compliment, Fotini. Thank you.
I hope the richness of your second act reveals a glorious resolution soon. That messy middle never really ends. We all have multiple stories unfolding at the same time, some of which resolve quickly and easily. Others seems to drag on for fecking YEARS! Don't forget the good stories are there too. xxx