‘... time stands still. It’s just me and my notebook or the laptop screen’.
Thank you Sophie. This is exactly what it feels like for me. I can block everything out - every noise, every distraction. It’s like something is flowing from somewhere in the ether, which wires itself like a lightning bolt to my head and then travels through my body in to the page or screen.
I wait for it to find me so I can start writing. And the more I write, the more I seem to present myself as a target for this electrifying connectivity.
It's so interesting that the more we do it, the more easily it can happen... Thank you for reading, Hilary. I love how you write about your process and I'd love to read more about it...⚡✨
What a beautiful article - lovely to find you here & thanks so much for mentioning small stones. That all feels like a very long time ago, but I still have a place in my heart for them!
Thank you, Satya. I really appreciate you reading my words. Yes, a long time ago but also so forward-thinking. You were building online compassionate writing community all the way back then!
Yes - we had many happy years of running our 'Writing Our Way Home' mindful writing online company, which was based on small stones... then we moved into the temple and other things took priority! I did write a mindful writing course here on Substack this year actually, using small stones - I'd forgotten. So not so much in the past after all! Lovely to meet you here & I downloaded The Dress just now - I've a week off next week, look forward to reading!
Thank you so much for downloading The Dress, Satya. That too feels like a very long time ago. I think I might write it a bit differently now... Maybe small stones could have a new life on Substack...? 💜
Yes I feel the same about the novels I wrote when I was in my 30s. Like a different person wrote them in some ways. And also not. And I already have too many projects here (Gentle Buddhism & Earth prayer project alongside my main Substack) - so many interesting things, not enough time! - but who knows in the future... If you want to make use them in any way here do feel free 🙂
Thank you for your words. Your mention of the physical and mindful act of baking really resonated, having baked an age old family recipe this week, which inspired a published poem. These things are interwoven for me and I often write about other mindful practices in my life. I find the act of pen and paper writing to be more comforting but am happier typing for longer in this world of tech. It feels less self indulgent and more productive- editable etc, so somehow more acceptable? Which is a shame I suppose...
Hi, Candi. Yes, sadly I think we are trained from an early age into thinking of writing - and so many things - in terms of productivity. Deliciously subversive - and perhaps becoming increasingly urgent? - to value the enjoyment of writing, the feeling, the process, the moment. 🌞 And your parkin looks scrumptious.
‘... time stands still. It’s just me and my notebook or the laptop screen’.
Thank you Sophie. This is exactly what it feels like for me. I can block everything out - every noise, every distraction. It’s like something is flowing from somewhere in the ether, which wires itself like a lightning bolt to my head and then travels through my body in to the page or screen.
I wait for it to find me so I can start writing. And the more I write, the more I seem to present myself as a target for this electrifying connectivity.
It's so interesting that the more we do it, the more easily it can happen... Thank you for reading, Hilary. I love how you write about your process and I'd love to read more about it...⚡✨
What a beautiful article - lovely to find you here & thanks so much for mentioning small stones. That all feels like a very long time ago, but I still have a place in my heart for them!
Thank you, Satya. I really appreciate you reading my words. Yes, a long time ago but also so forward-thinking. You were building online compassionate writing community all the way back then!
Yes - we had many happy years of running our 'Writing Our Way Home' mindful writing online company, which was based on small stones... then we moved into the temple and other things took priority! I did write a mindful writing course here on Substack this year actually, using small stones - I'd forgotten. So not so much in the past after all! Lovely to meet you here & I downloaded The Dress just now - I've a week off next week, look forward to reading!
Thank you so much for downloading The Dress, Satya. That too feels like a very long time ago. I think I might write it a bit differently now... Maybe small stones could have a new life on Substack...? 💜
Yes I feel the same about the novels I wrote when I was in my 30s. Like a different person wrote them in some ways. And also not. And I already have too many projects here (Gentle Buddhism & Earth prayer project alongside my main Substack) - so many interesting things, not enough time! - but who knows in the future... If you want to make use them in any way here do feel free 🙂
That's so kind of you, Satya. Thank you. I love your Earth Prayer project. 💜🌱
Thank you for your words. Your mention of the physical and mindful act of baking really resonated, having baked an age old family recipe this week, which inspired a published poem. These things are interwoven for me and I often write about other mindful practices in my life. I find the act of pen and paper writing to be more comforting but am happier typing for longer in this world of tech. It feels less self indulgent and more productive- editable etc, so somehow more acceptable? Which is a shame I suppose...
Hi, Candi. Yes, sadly I think we are trained from an early age into thinking of writing - and so many things - in terms of productivity. Deliciously subversive - and perhaps becoming increasingly urgent? - to value the enjoyment of writing, the feeling, the process, the moment. 🌞 And your parkin looks scrumptious.
Beautiful piece thanks 🙏🏼
Thank you so much for reading. I'm so glad if it spoke to you. 💜