Bravo, Rachel! I echo the perfectly "normal" sentiment of your friend Lisa Levy about our drafts. Sosososo true! And I, among other writing friends, am here for you, too, if you'd like cheering on from my corner of the bleachers. You, my friend, have long been an exemplary literary citizen (I so like that term) to so many, including your journalistic colleagues and students. Bravo, you!
I loved this, Rachel! It’s vulnerable and honest and true. I also appreciate the nods and links to other writers in the spirit of literary citizenship. Grateful for forms like these to connect as well as opportunities to support each other in our writing.
Hi Rachel... that's a wonderful concept - Literary Citizenship - but I feel your pain about how hard it can be to work on creative projects... keep on keeping on is about all I can say... and remember what Martha Graham said to Agnes DeMille - “There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time. This expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it.
It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares withother expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.
No artist is pleased…there is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a a queer, divine dissatisfaction. A blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”
I know all of these things intellectually but too often the ego, heart, and soul can get in the way! Solidarity in pursuing our art despite all of those things.
I first heard the action of literary citizenship referred to as working on behalf of "the Community of Letters," (which also sounds delightfully posh.) In children's lit circles, finding that community and finding a place to serve reciprocally within it can be fairly uncomplicated, in part because the children's writing community is made up of teachers, former teachers, librarians, parents, etc. - gatekeepers who, for better or for worse, are accustomed to and often deeply invested in the creation and maintenance of opportunities to make children's lit a force for "good." (And yes... that definition gets murky really fast.) Ironically I learned none of this during my MFA program and have to give you props for coming away from schooling with more than a piece of paper. I enjoyed the times I got to read your writing in Cornelia's class and elsewhere, and hold a fervent and unsinkable faith that I will see you on the shelves.
Thank you for the shoutout! As someone who isn’t an introvert- I LOVE the literary citizenship aspect of writing, and I find it motivating. Your inner critic can take a nose dive because I still tell everyone about your manuscript- it MUST come to life and make it to the shelves.
Shy as I am, I love the literary citizenship, too! And I always appreciate your support--I am going to try to herd everyone up again in September for a meet-up. <3
Bravo, Rachel! I echo the perfectly "normal" sentiment of your friend Lisa Levy about our drafts. Sosososo true! And I, among other writing friends, am here for you, too, if you'd like cheering on from my corner of the bleachers. You, my friend, have long been an exemplary literary citizen (I so like that term) to so many, including your journalistic colleagues and students. Bravo, you!
Thank you so much, Jan! You know I'm cheerleading you on from here as well! <3
Grateful to have you in my writing community! This essay was so poignant and a reminder that we’re all in this together
And I'm so grateful to have you in mine! xo
I loved this, Rachel! It’s vulnerable and honest and true. I also appreciate the nods and links to other writers in the spirit of literary citizenship. Grateful for forms like these to connect as well as opportunities to support each other in our writing.
Thank you, Kerry! This post likely wouldn't be here without your rallying of the troops--I am so grateful for our connection!
Hi Rachel... that's a wonderful concept - Literary Citizenship - but I feel your pain about how hard it can be to work on creative projects... keep on keeping on is about all I can say... and remember what Martha Graham said to Agnes DeMille - “There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time. This expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it.
It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares withother expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.
No artist is pleased…there is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a a queer, divine dissatisfaction. A blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”
I know all of these things intellectually but too often the ego, heart, and soul can get in the way! Solidarity in pursuing our art despite all of those things.
I first heard the action of literary citizenship referred to as working on behalf of "the Community of Letters," (which also sounds delightfully posh.) In children's lit circles, finding that community and finding a place to serve reciprocally within it can be fairly uncomplicated, in part because the children's writing community is made up of teachers, former teachers, librarians, parents, etc. - gatekeepers who, for better or for worse, are accustomed to and often deeply invested in the creation and maintenance of opportunities to make children's lit a force for "good." (And yes... that definition gets murky really fast.) Ironically I learned none of this during my MFA program and have to give you props for coming away from schooling with more than a piece of paper. I enjoyed the times I got to read your writing in Cornelia's class and elsewhere, and hold a fervent and unsinkable faith that I will see you on the shelves.
Oh, Tanita - I am SO glad we met all those years ago in Cornelia's class! I am a big fan of yours and I hope we can cross paths again soon. xo
Thank you for the shoutout! As someone who isn’t an introvert- I LOVE the literary citizenship aspect of writing, and I find it motivating. Your inner critic can take a nose dive because I still tell everyone about your manuscript- it MUST come to life and make it to the shelves.
Shy as I am, I love the literary citizenship, too! And I always appreciate your support--I am going to try to herd everyone up again in September for a meet-up. <3