Dear Alexandra, sending you love. I’m so sorry for your loss. I had 15 years looking after both sets of elderly parents, Alzheimer’s, dementia, heart failure. So many hospital trips. My kids were young. I went mad. Obviously. In the end I was blessed, in that my grief was greatly lessened by relief, for them, for us. My husband and I both thought (without saying so at the time) that we would not survive the oldies. But throughout it was the tiny slivers of writing that kept the little creative happy part of me alive long enough to survive. Now I try always to write with joy, not beating myself up about wanting to be published to prove I’m a real writer. Just embracing the joy. And my story is about the greedy Two-faces being destroyed - forever by a brave young boy and a wise young girl. Huzzah! May each day bring you joy.
Fifteen years, Deborah... I feel that I've gone mad after just three (some of the complications you mention are traumatically familiar). You are powerful and amazing. I hope that you are finding more and more time to write, because your story sounds great and necessary. Let me know what I can do to help.
Thank you. And yes I am believing in myself more, and writing more. Feel like I’ve earner the right to do so now! A day with you via SCBWI in the dark days was a life-saver. Just so you know! And thank you - it’s great to know you are there. My biggest dilemma/worry is cultural appropriation. My story was inspired by a myth of the Crow people. I’ve made contact with them and am about to send them my first 3 chapters, see what they say ... hoping we can turn appropriation into appro-creation ...
Terrible thing to lose any loved one, and especially after a protracted illness. My older brother recently lost his battle with cancer after five years, and there has been the pandemic and the extended family circle with their needs, and even before covid helping ones spouse and children deal with extended health problems - you said it, people have a lot going on. And to lose a parent, you lose a constant that has been there your entire life. When your mom or dad is gone, it adds something unsettling on top of the grief. Lost my dad in July of 2000, and still miss being able to share things with him. So I am truly sorry for your loss. Life’s stresses certainly make it seem impossible to do creative work. So I appreciate your posting about what it might take to get through life’s stresses to write. You are asking for feedback, and I will need to get back to you on what I personally was looking for and getting out of your posts, but wanted to extend my sympathy for your loss. Your post btw was the first time I realized we could comment or give feedback, I just was not aware. I wonder if a lot if your subscribers may not be either.
Joel, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother. Devastating. And your post is yet another, beautifully stated example of what absolutely everyone seems to be going through, with no end in sight.
Thanks for the feedback - I think my next post will include a list of HOW to eke out the time or to reengage- things that I've recently discovered, things that I've always done. I look forward to hearing what you're looking for here and the insight that I might want to let people know that they can comment and that I would love them to.
You bet. I willl pass your newsletter to 3d software groups I belong to that do indie animation - they for the most part are only just grasping that there is more to it than just learning software. Lighting, story-boarding, script writing, really everything a sole indie producer would need to know.
Thanks, Joel - animators very welcome! One of my favorite teaching gigs of all time was teaching story structure to animators at Otis in LA. I learned so much about the visual storytelling of animation from them, and came to appreciate that animated films are some of the best movies out there, especially these days.
I just saw this. Healing is so nuanced and personal. My belated, heart-felt condolences for the loss of your mother. Thank you for sharing so vulnerably. To answer your question, I am writing now because I have NOT written my entire adult life, but have always known I should. I let a lot of stuff get in the way, mostly my own self-talk. I'm a late-life, beginning writer. I am on the journey that says, "to create I must learn to untether my creative mind," and you have definitely been part of the tribe that helped me get there. You've literally taught me how to construct story. I'm really grateful for you, and thank you for giving back so generously to those coming up. :-)
Lauren, thanks so much for your empathy. I am thrilled that I've been able to help you untether in whatever way. Please know that EVERYONE'S self=talk gets in their way, but you've been preparing to write, researching, learning - for your entire life. Now it's time to let the world in on it. Keep me posted! xx
Your post was deeply moving and reminded me of my mother-in-law's passing. I was closer to her than my own mother. Doris was bright and active up until the last year of her life and went quickly at the end, so I know what a blessing that is. My husband and I have dealt well with Covid, given we love books and reading, though we've missed more extensive visits with friends and family and travel. We've ventured out a few times and been lucky, what with the endless variants continuing to plague us. Mostly we're devastated at the collapse of America and general human idiocy. It's hugely depressing. We've been streaming some excellent ancient history classes and it was ever the same. For why am I doing this - I'm happiest when I'm creating. Lack of recognition has dampened my spirits, but when the writing is going well it doesn't matter. I just got a truly fabulous review of my first mystery which has helped regenerate my energy, so I'm doing more than I have in weeks.
Yves, I am so sorry not to have been able to talk with you more at Left Coast Crime. I was so preoccupied with Mom that weekend - as clearly you know. I'm glad you had Doris as your second mother, and it was the same with Mom - painting, politicking and ballroom dancing up to the last couple of years of her life.
It is huge trauma, what's going on in the US. So many parallels to America in the 1870's, too: brief hope and then devastating failure to commit to true Reconstruction. Sending much love.
My condolences for your loss. Glad to see you back posting.
I've been a huge fan of yours for years. My copy of Screenwriting Tricks for Authors is dog-eared, marked-up, and highlighted almost beyond recognition and occupies a prominent space next to my desk, reserved for only my go-to books on writing. BTW, we also share a brilliant cover artist - Carl Graves - who has done all seven of my covers.
Thank you for introducing me to the world of applying screenwriting to novel-writing and leading me to discover others like Eric Edson and Michael Hauge. I love your clear and concise style and many concrete examples, although I do hold you responsible for my being unable to watch a movie now without analyzing the structure (much to the chagrin of my wife).
I love all of your posts, especially the one from June 26, which resonated with me on a personal level. I feel the same way. Great advice - all of it. These are most unsettling times and hard to make sense out of so much of it. I'm thankful for those like you who are able and willing to articulate my feelings as well. You inspire me.
You asked to hear from your readers, so this is my humble reply. Thank you so much for taking the time to generate your newsletter. It is interesting, meaningful, and useful. Keep on keeping on.
Darryl, how great to hear from you (yes, Carl is awesome - brilliant choice!). I love to hear of a marked-up Screenwriting Tricks book. :)
I think it's important to acknowledge that we are now all trying to write through profound trauma and depression. Calling it out, naming it — is one step we can't leave out. But so is cracking on, as they say over here in thankfully much saner Scotland. If there are any movies that would be useful for the craft part of your process, let me know any time! Keep the faith.
I'm so sorry for your loss. My mother passed away in our home, so I have a glimpse of what you've gone through. It takes times. As for your posts, I've been reading every single one since before I took a course with you many years ago on writing loglines. You are my inspiration. You keep me prodding along. Otherwise I think I'd just fade out of my career. Not that I don't love being an author, but I'm tired. My fourth novel was released in March and I was so sure it would be my breakthrough. I am building a fan base but I am backing up from so many related marketing tools. I don't do a newsletter because I'm too tired. I don't market like I should. And now here I am whining. Sorry. I just want you to know that your newsletters mean a lot and I read them all. The 3-act structure saved my recent WIP. Please don't stop. But do take care of your heart.
Alexandra, may I offer a goofy, really-tight cyber hug on the loss of your mom. I only know her through the you that she nurtured - and I’m so grateful.
THANK YOU for teaching and inspiring me. When I crafted my first book, your blog stood out amongst many sources of wisdom. The book was picked up by a small publisher and reached Kinfke Top Ten in its genre. Must’ve been good advice!
Then I ran into a brain tumor, a publisher-out-of-business, a divorce, two kids needing college, and a new, exciting career…
Serious writing seems like an eternity ago and I’m terrified to restart it - except I need to. My soul craves creative release.
You are the first person that came to mind as a guide. I love the way you have built on the blog. Just got the membership today and look forward to your posts.
Lucie, I'm reading your message on Mom's birthday and it means so much! Thank you for the hug and for the testimonial, and for sharing a bit of your story. You've been through the mill on about every possible level. First, I hope that your health has been completely restored. The time gap in writing - forget about it. Every single thing you've done will inform your next book. I'm glad to be here as support! I hope I hear from you often - let's get it done.
Dear Alexandra, sending you love. I’m so sorry for your loss. I had 15 years looking after both sets of elderly parents, Alzheimer’s, dementia, heart failure. So many hospital trips. My kids were young. I went mad. Obviously. In the end I was blessed, in that my grief was greatly lessened by relief, for them, for us. My husband and I both thought (without saying so at the time) that we would not survive the oldies. But throughout it was the tiny slivers of writing that kept the little creative happy part of me alive long enough to survive. Now I try always to write with joy, not beating myself up about wanting to be published to prove I’m a real writer. Just embracing the joy. And my story is about the greedy Two-faces being destroyed - forever by a brave young boy and a wise young girl. Huzzah! May each day bring you joy.
Fifteen years, Deborah... I feel that I've gone mad after just three (some of the complications you mention are traumatically familiar). You are powerful and amazing. I hope that you are finding more and more time to write, because your story sounds great and necessary. Let me know what I can do to help.
Thank you. And yes I am believing in myself more, and writing more. Feel like I’ve earner the right to do so now! A day with you via SCBWI in the dark days was a life-saver. Just so you know! And thank you - it’s great to know you are there. My biggest dilemma/worry is cultural appropriation. My story was inspired by a myth of the Crow people. I’ve made contact with them and am about to send them my first 3 chapters, see what they say ... hoping we can turn appropriation into appro-creation ...
Terrible thing to lose any loved one, and especially after a protracted illness. My older brother recently lost his battle with cancer after five years, and there has been the pandemic and the extended family circle with their needs, and even before covid helping ones spouse and children deal with extended health problems - you said it, people have a lot going on. And to lose a parent, you lose a constant that has been there your entire life. When your mom or dad is gone, it adds something unsettling on top of the grief. Lost my dad in July of 2000, and still miss being able to share things with him. So I am truly sorry for your loss. Life’s stresses certainly make it seem impossible to do creative work. So I appreciate your posting about what it might take to get through life’s stresses to write. You are asking for feedback, and I will need to get back to you on what I personally was looking for and getting out of your posts, but wanted to extend my sympathy for your loss. Your post btw was the first time I realized we could comment or give feedback, I just was not aware. I wonder if a lot if your subscribers may not be either.
Joel, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother. Devastating. And your post is yet another, beautifully stated example of what absolutely everyone seems to be going through, with no end in sight.
Thanks for the feedback - I think my next post will include a list of HOW to eke out the time or to reengage- things that I've recently discovered, things that I've always done. I look forward to hearing what you're looking for here and the insight that I might want to let people know that they can comment and that I would love them to.
You bet. I willl pass your newsletter to 3d software groups I belong to that do indie animation - they for the most part are only just grasping that there is more to it than just learning software. Lighting, story-boarding, script writing, really everything a sole indie producer would need to know.
Thanks, Joel - animators very welcome! One of my favorite teaching gigs of all time was teaching story structure to animators at Otis in LA. I learned so much about the visual storytelling of animation from them, and came to appreciate that animated films are some of the best movies out there, especially these days.
I just saw this. Healing is so nuanced and personal. My belated, heart-felt condolences for the loss of your mother. Thank you for sharing so vulnerably. To answer your question, I am writing now because I have NOT written my entire adult life, but have always known I should. I let a lot of stuff get in the way, mostly my own self-talk. I'm a late-life, beginning writer. I am on the journey that says, "to create I must learn to untether my creative mind," and you have definitely been part of the tribe that helped me get there. You've literally taught me how to construct story. I'm really grateful for you, and thank you for giving back so generously to those coming up. :-)
Lauren, thanks so much for your empathy. I am thrilled that I've been able to help you untether in whatever way. Please know that EVERYONE'S self=talk gets in their way, but you've been preparing to write, researching, learning - for your entire life. Now it's time to let the world in on it. Keep me posted! xx
Your post was deeply moving and reminded me of my mother-in-law's passing. I was closer to her than my own mother. Doris was bright and active up until the last year of her life and went quickly at the end, so I know what a blessing that is. My husband and I have dealt well with Covid, given we love books and reading, though we've missed more extensive visits with friends and family and travel. We've ventured out a few times and been lucky, what with the endless variants continuing to plague us. Mostly we're devastated at the collapse of America and general human idiocy. It's hugely depressing. We've been streaming some excellent ancient history classes and it was ever the same. For why am I doing this - I'm happiest when I'm creating. Lack of recognition has dampened my spirits, but when the writing is going well it doesn't matter. I just got a truly fabulous review of my first mystery which has helped regenerate my energy, so I'm doing more than I have in weeks.
Yves, I am so sorry not to have been able to talk with you more at Left Coast Crime. I was so preoccupied with Mom that weekend - as clearly you know. I'm glad you had Doris as your second mother, and it was the same with Mom - painting, politicking and ballroom dancing up to the last couple of years of her life.
It is huge trauma, what's going on in the US. So many parallels to America in the 1870's, too: brief hope and then devastating failure to commit to true Reconstruction. Sending much love.
My condolences for your loss. Glad to see you back posting.
I've been a huge fan of yours for years. My copy of Screenwriting Tricks for Authors is dog-eared, marked-up, and highlighted almost beyond recognition and occupies a prominent space next to my desk, reserved for only my go-to books on writing. BTW, we also share a brilliant cover artist - Carl Graves - who has done all seven of my covers.
Thank you for introducing me to the world of applying screenwriting to novel-writing and leading me to discover others like Eric Edson and Michael Hauge. I love your clear and concise style and many concrete examples, although I do hold you responsible for my being unable to watch a movie now without analyzing the structure (much to the chagrin of my wife).
I love all of your posts, especially the one from June 26, which resonated with me on a personal level. I feel the same way. Great advice - all of it. These are most unsettling times and hard to make sense out of so much of it. I'm thankful for those like you who are able and willing to articulate my feelings as well. You inspire me.
You asked to hear from your readers, so this is my humble reply. Thank you so much for taking the time to generate your newsletter. It is interesting, meaningful, and useful. Keep on keeping on.
Darryl, how great to hear from you (yes, Carl is awesome - brilliant choice!). I love to hear of a marked-up Screenwriting Tricks book. :)
I think it's important to acknowledge that we are now all trying to write through profound trauma and depression. Calling it out, naming it — is one step we can't leave out. But so is cracking on, as they say over here in thankfully much saner Scotland. If there are any movies that would be useful for the craft part of your process, let me know any time! Keep the faith.
I'm so sorry for your loss. My mother passed away in our home, so I have a glimpse of what you've gone through. It takes times. As for your posts, I've been reading every single one since before I took a course with you many years ago on writing loglines. You are my inspiration. You keep me prodding along. Otherwise I think I'd just fade out of my career. Not that I don't love being an author, but I'm tired. My fourth novel was released in March and I was so sure it would be my breakthrough. I am building a fan base but I am backing up from so many related marketing tools. I don't do a newsletter because I'm too tired. I don't market like I should. And now here I am whining. Sorry. I just want you to know that your newsletters mean a lot and I read them all. The 3-act structure saved my recent WIP. Please don't stop. But do take care of your heart.
Alexandra, may I offer a goofy, really-tight cyber hug on the loss of your mom. I only know her through the you that she nurtured - and I’m so grateful.
THANK YOU for teaching and inspiring me. When I crafted my first book, your blog stood out amongst many sources of wisdom. The book was picked up by a small publisher and reached Kinfke Top Ten in its genre. Must’ve been good advice!
Then I ran into a brain tumor, a publisher-out-of-business, a divorce, two kids needing college, and a new, exciting career…
Serious writing seems like an eternity ago and I’m terrified to restart it - except I need to. My soul craves creative release.
You are the first person that came to mind as a guide. I love the way you have built on the blog. Just got the membership today and look forward to your posts.
Lucie, I'm reading your message on Mom's birthday and it means so much! Thank you for the hug and for the testimonial, and for sharing a bit of your story. You've been through the mill on about every possible level. First, I hope that your health has been completely restored. The time gap in writing - forget about it. Every single thing you've done will inform your next book. I'm glad to be here as support! I hope I hear from you often - let's get it done.
Wow, thanks. I will be here. I think the hardest part of getting back is confidence.