Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.”
―Mary Oliver
Moving a life forward is an investment in dreams, time, learning, relationship building, and so much more. Moving a writing life forward is all of that, and I would add it is also, at its best, a life transformed. As Anne Frank so eloquently put it: “I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” Writing did not save Anne Frank’s life, but I believe her writing has saved the lives of countless others.
Writers may feel called to the creative life, but that one precious life often must take a back seat to another, more practical life, one that includes a sensible career (aka something with a steady paycheck), perhaps with snatches of scribbling in between the job, chores, and attending to family or societal needs and expectations. The writing life can be a kind of shadow life. It has been for me. Some writers seldom or never mention their craft while engaged in their more acceptable “real” life.
“I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.”
—James Michener
It’s hard to explain to nonwriters why a few hours or a whole day spent attending a sporting event or a picnic can create in the writer a kind of panic—a feeling that the time needed to be alone, to read and to write, will never be enough, that time is seeping away, draining their spirit. Spending “free time” in non-creative areas can feel terribly wasted to the writer, while to others, the writer’s avoidance of joining in reeks of selfishness, or delusion. Or perhaps it’s just incomprehensible. Why, people wonder, is writing so important to you? There’s no money in it. And if there is, it’s only available to a few spectacularly talented gifted authors. If you had that gift, surely you’d have been published by now.
The writing life can be an ill-defined series of swells of poetic energy or flow, which is heady and soul lifting. There is nothing quite like those times. Catherine Drinker Bowen says, “For your born writer, nothing is so healing as the realization that he has come upon the right word.” And I have felt that many times. Writing has healed me.
But those transcendent hours or days are for writers seeking an agent or publisher likely to alternate with rejection after rejection after rejection. Writers do much of their writing alone, but if they seek representation and traditional publishing, they must eventually learn the oft times punishing lessons of business.
Soon I’ll be working with a developmental content editor on my completed World War II historical fiction manuscript. I’m excited to be taking this major step forward. It’s been a long journey, and honestly, I’ve loved the myriad lessons and experiences along the way, even the hard ones.
“If a story is in you, it has to come out.”
—William Faulkner
Thank you for visiting! Wishing you a wonderful day, doing exactly what you need and want to do.
With Love Always, Lori
LakeArrowheadLadyWriter 
Good luck with the book
🤓🤞🙏
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You are so kind! Thank you!!!☺️
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Wishing you a day of writing, calm, peace.
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Thank you, Kathy! And I am sending you and your beautiful family lots of love always!
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Love your work mom, so very talented!
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Thank you my beautiful darling! I love you so!
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“It’s hard to explain to nonwriters why a few hours or a whole day spent attending a sporting event or a picnic can create in the writer a kind of panic…” Oh my goodness yes Lori. I watched some college football last Saturday with my wife and son. I felt like I should’ve had my lap tap open at least tinkering with an upcoming blog. I had to keep telling myself that it was okay, that it was good, to step away. Ugh. Ha, ha. And congrats on working with the content editor. That’s awesome. Amazing progress. Good for you!
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Exactly, Brian! I do that, too—it’s okay, it’s good to step away—🤭✍🏻😹. I really appreciate hearing your response. So great to be understood. I’m very excited about working with an editor. It’s been a long and wonderful journey getting here. Thanks so much! Write on!
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Right on, or should I say write on? I love historical fiction from World War II. I’ve read some children’s books in the last couple of years from that period.
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Write on, Pete! It’s such a fascinating era, and really not that long ago. There are so many wonderful books about those days, both fiction and nonfiction.
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wishing you joy & success, Lori! keep going!
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Thanks so much, da-AL! 💞
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Good luck with your book – your paragraph :
“It’s hard to explain to nonwriters why a few hours or a whole day spent attending a sporting event or a picnic can create in the writer a kind of panic—a feeling that the time needed to be alone, to read and to write, will never be enough, that time is seeping away, draining their spirit. …”
That rang true for me – sometimes the panic of I should be writing is soooo distracting!
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Thank you, Vickie! I hope you have lots of lovely writing time this weekend!💕
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Beautiful! I love this essay! Well-said, Lori. Good luck with your next steps! Christine
>
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Thanks so much, Christine! I appreciate all the help you’ve given me!
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Wishing you the best on your World War II historical fiction. I completely relate to what you say on this post. This last week, I’ve been doing my best to make time to do some plotting for some new projects while tending to “real life” needs as well. It’s been a challenge but I’ve been so grateful for the time I’ve been able to carve out with the computer.
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Thank you, David. I’m glad you’re finding some important time to work on your new projects. It’s a balancing act for sure!
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Oh, Lori – this makes my heart sing with recognition:
Catherine Drinker Bowen says, “For your born writer, nothing is so healing as the realization that he has come upon the right word.” And I have felt that many times. Writing has healed me.
Sending loads of good energy your way! Keep us posted, please, please, please!
xo! 💝🥰💝
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Thank you dearest Vicki! Your kindness and support make my heart happy! 🧡💞🧡
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That makes ME happy! xo! 🥰💝🥰
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🩵🩷🩵
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Such a great description of the highs and lows, Lori. So glad you are making progress with your book! Here’s to the life of a writer!
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Cheers to writing, Wynne! Thank you!☺️🩷
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Well done as a non writer will say,I enjoy this information as we grow older together. Keep on doing what you love to do.
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Thank you for supporting me, my hunno! 😉
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Wishing you much success on the publishing your written work, Lori!! You’ve chosen such perfect quotes here, and written exactly what’s in so many of our ‘writer’s hearts’. 💕 Mary Oliver never fails to inspire.
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Thank you so much, dear Rose!🌹 Wishing you everything your heart desires!
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All of this is so true. Thanks for describing the life I’m living, giving it credence and making it real.
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You’re very welcome, John. Thank you for your kind comment. 😊
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I believe Anne Frank was an old soul. So much wisdom in someone so young.
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I agree. Her wisdom guides us still.
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Thank you for speaking these truths. Fingers crossed for an effective dev edit. Go you!
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Thanks so much, Nita! I’m sorry I didn’t get this response to your kind message to you sooner. I thought I wrote to you back in September! I appreciate you so much! Write on! 💙
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Ha! You did reply. I accidentally posted the same comment twice. Oof!
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Ha ha! 🤣 Well, that gives me another chance to send you a virtual hug!🤗
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Thank you for speaking these truths. Best of luck with the dev edit. Go you!
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Thank you so much, Nita! It feels so good to get this far and to hear from my fellow Goddard friends. We’ve been on separate but similar paths! All the best, Nita, and I hope someday we will see each other at a Goddard reunion! xxx000 Lori Hugs!
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Sometimes stories take awhile to come out. But when they do, there is a sense of relief. My debut novel was in the writing stage for many years until it was published. Now, I am editing my second novel. I feel some relief as the story for the debut was told. We shall see what happens, now.
Wishing you the best.
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So wonderful to hear from you! You are so right about the time stories take. Congratulations on getting your debut novel out there and to be working on your second novel. I’d love to hear about them. Thank you for your kind comment!
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Thank you! Keep the faith!
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Impressive
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Thank you for reading!
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