There’s so much wisdom in all of these comments & I agree with them. As a writer who has had the book blues I can say that state is real-give yourself rest. When story ideas pop up in my head I ask myself why is the story important to me & why would anyone care? I then pick out the universal themes and if it’s a strong enough idea I begin writing. I don’t outline until after I read a first draft and decide what stays and what doesn’t. There are several parts of your story that sound like a good read. Go for it if that is what’s in your heart.
Thank you! This is encouraging for me. I like your system for figuring out if an idea will turn into a book. I do think this story is deep in my heart. I’ve been holding it there for so long - maybe it’s time to welcome it out into the world. 🌈
Emily, thanks for sharing this. What you describe is both very personal and, perhaps, in another way, common among artists who have just finished a big project. There's a time of letting go. A time of "what's next?" It can leave a void and is also hard to reconcile with the demands of everyday life. I don't want to make a trivial comparison here, since it's obviously literally not the same, but this situation has sometimes been compared to postpartum depression. (For my on part, I've experienced it after finishing a book.) I don't know if it might speak to you, but here's one piece that talks about the issue: https://lithub.com/postpartum-publishing-on-the-highs-and-lows-of-bringing-a-book-into-the-world/
Your description of "Last Drop of a Holy Drink" sounds very interesting and definitely worthy of a book but I also wonder if it's rather large. This story sounds big enough for several books. Of course that's just one impression, and I look forward to hearing more about it.
Whatever happens next, always remember: your talent is a real force, it is intact, and you can trust it, in a variety of situations, to carry you forward. There's not the one perfect project that is your next avenue. That's not the way life or art works. Rather, there is the good faith, that can express itself in a multitude of forms. That is all we can grasp. Bless you as you reach next.
Thank you, Charles. This is uplifting for me - to know there’s no perfect project or right choice for me to make in terms of artistic creation. That I can relax and trust more. A multitude of forms! I love this. I 🦋
Emily, you are an expert in your own experience. You have a good beginning. Write about your pictures. Tell stories. It doesn’t have to be a book yet, chronological or organized at all. Just write stories. Don’t make judgements. Just write the love, the fear, the humor, the connections. It’s a beginning. Let the magic happen. The middle, the end, the ribbon tying will all come in time. Just be in it. ❤️
Thank you, Virginia. This is really helpful because it allows me to just write without restriction - whenever and however the story arrives. I love it. 💗
Maybe selfishly, I really want you to write that book, because I really want to read it. Also, as a parent and knowing something of what it takes if my attention, emotion, and psyche to work on a project like that, your concern about what that might look like seems so valid to me. My stomach knots when I consider it—I’m in awe of how you find a way to create so beautifully with heart now.
So many possible paths… more than one way to show what is true. Keep questioning and exploring!
I love this - more than one way to show what is true. Gracias! 💜
There’s so much wisdom in all of these comments & I agree with them. As a writer who has had the book blues I can say that state is real-give yourself rest. When story ideas pop up in my head I ask myself why is the story important to me & why would anyone care? I then pick out the universal themes and if it’s a strong enough idea I begin writing. I don’t outline until after I read a first draft and decide what stays and what doesn’t. There are several parts of your story that sound like a good read. Go for it if that is what’s in your heart.
Thank you! This is encouraging for me. I like your system for figuring out if an idea will turn into a book. I do think this story is deep in my heart. I’ve been holding it there for so long - maybe it’s time to welcome it out into the world. 🌈
Emily, thanks for sharing this. What you describe is both very personal and, perhaps, in another way, common among artists who have just finished a big project. There's a time of letting go. A time of "what's next?" It can leave a void and is also hard to reconcile with the demands of everyday life. I don't want to make a trivial comparison here, since it's obviously literally not the same, but this situation has sometimes been compared to postpartum depression. (For my on part, I've experienced it after finishing a book.) I don't know if it might speak to you, but here's one piece that talks about the issue: https://lithub.com/postpartum-publishing-on-the-highs-and-lows-of-bringing-a-book-into-the-world/
Your description of "Last Drop of a Holy Drink" sounds very interesting and definitely worthy of a book but I also wonder if it's rather large. This story sounds big enough for several books. Of course that's just one impression, and I look forward to hearing more about it.
Whatever happens next, always remember: your talent is a real force, it is intact, and you can trust it, in a variety of situations, to carry you forward. There's not the one perfect project that is your next avenue. That's not the way life or art works. Rather, there is the good faith, that can express itself in a multitude of forms. That is all we can grasp. Bless you as you reach next.
Thank you, Charles. This is uplifting for me - to know there’s no perfect project or right choice for me to make in terms of artistic creation. That I can relax and trust more. A multitude of forms! I love this. I 🦋
Emily, you are an expert in your own experience. You have a good beginning. Write about your pictures. Tell stories. It doesn’t have to be a book yet, chronological or organized at all. Just write stories. Don’t make judgements. Just write the love, the fear, the humor, the connections. It’s a beginning. Let the magic happen. The middle, the end, the ribbon tying will all come in time. Just be in it. ❤️
Thank you, Virginia. This is really helpful because it allows me to just write without restriction - whenever and however the story arrives. I love it. 💗
Maybe selfishly, I really want you to write that book, because I really want to read it. Also, as a parent and knowing something of what it takes if my attention, emotion, and psyche to work on a project like that, your concern about what that might look like seems so valid to me. My stomach knots when I consider it—I’m in awe of how you find a way to create so beautifully with heart now.
No advice here; just love.
Thank you, Groomer. It helps a lot to know other parents have this same concern. How to balance it all - it’s a mystery. 🌸