Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write and share.
I started this 2024 year off as I’ve always wanted to, by writing every day. I haven’t missed a day yet. And I’m saying to my self, “This is easy.” I receive a newsletter each week from poet Maggie Smith. Hers is the only Substack I actually subscribe to. Her letter this week encouraged us to keep going. She has a just do it attitude about writing. It doesn’t matter if it’s any good. Just keep doing it, every day.
“If anyone has tried to stop me, it’s been that little voice in my head that says I’m not good enough, or no one will care what I have to say, or my idea isn’t very interesting. And my job is to turn down the volume of that little voice—the ‘inner critic’ we sometimes call it—and believe in myself and keep going. And I hope you do that, too.”
I’ve tried The Artist’s Way morning pages, but there are too many page requirements (3). I’m doing only one page. That’s it. That’s enough.
Keeping a notebook nearby is important to this practice. That and a good pen that feels smooth, flows easily. I’m not a brand snob about it. Sometimes the best pens are ones I’ve found at a doctor’s office.
To be writers, we have to give ourselves permission to write badly. Revision is our friend. I hold my breath whenever I send a poem or two to my writing group. How can I be so tender after all these years? I’ll always be vulnerable when it comes to writing, but that shouldn’t stop me.
Are you writing every day? If you’re not, are you feeling guilty about it? What would help? A new pen? A new notebook? Indulge in those things, but don’t wait for ideas. Ideas are those sparks that happen only if you ARE writing. They don’t happen unless you open the clean page and scribble a bit. Maybe one day what you scribble will look like a poem. Maybe one day your scribbles will speak to others. But today, scribble, play, bounce words around.
I am participating in Laura Shovan’s February Challenge on Facebook. It’s a small community of people like me. Some are more published. Some are not. We are all throwing words out and looking at how they land. I can write long or short. This year the topic is games, but I’m enjoying how loosely this topic has been interpreted. Today’s prompt was “games animals play” and I couldn’t help but think of my dog Charlie and his faithfulness to the tennis ball.
Charlie the schnoodle learned early in his life to relate to strangers with the toss of a ball. Anyone would throw it; he would retrieve again and again–offering his love & attention by way of a yellow tennis ball.
A perfect description: “We are all throwing words out and looking at how they land.” You could also use that for the Slice of Life community! Or the Poetry Friday community! Something as important as committing to writing daily is summoning the courage to go public. Nothing ups your game quite like it.
I’ve been writing in a 30 day writing challenge and I love that I’ve been able to write every day. I love that you’ve asked why not and offered several ways to get unstuck but the line I found most valuable was this … “Ideas are those sparks that happen only if you ARE writing.” BRAVO!
I am impressed by your writing daily. I can only write weekly so far. You give me inspiration! I also found this notebook yesterday, which would be perfect for you! Bayou Composition Notebook
I have to make the time and my exercise has suffered some. If I get to writing in the morning, I can’t get to walking. Both are essential, so I’m trying to figure out how to do both.
Love this push today. Throwing words out is a good way to think about it. I feel the same way about my learning to paint and draw. Daily makes a big difference. Thanks for your post – it was needed today.
Margaret, you are such an inspiration in your own life reflections, writing discipline, and teaching practice. I need to remember this: “To be writers, we have to give ourselves permission to write badly” to empower me to write SOMETHING. Thank you.
Like Maggie Smith said, you have to turn off that inner critic. It’s the hardest part for me. And to hit the Publish button. I’m glad I hit it today, if only to inspire one person.
Margaret, so much good advice here. Thank you for sharing it, and what a nice surprise that it matched what Stacey said in the Two Writing Teachers’ post. Charlie’s poem is precious, I love the phrase “with the toss of the ball.” I felt like I could see him.
My favorite bit of advice from you is, “But today, scribble, play, bounce words around.”
I enjoyed reading your contemplation on writing and your reflection on your writing life. I agree that little writing is better than none, and we shouldn’t feel bad if we can’t keep up with what we think is the ideal.
I have The Artists’ Way too! and have been trying to write daily in 2024 so much of your struggle is shared! Poetry just seems more natural to me, at least in my head, and then when it gets to paper something breaks down. Like others have commented, I could feel Charlie – a beautiful tribute.
Margaret, I’m so glad to see Charlie living on in the lines of verse. His photo is sweet and inviting, and I see peace and love. We are fellow schnoodle fans, and so this slice brings special feelings and the same schnoodle-and-ball-fetching games that Charlie enjoyed playing. I’m thankful that he came out to play today in your poem, bringing all the good memories just the way he would want.
I started out this year with the goal of writing every day too. And keeping track of it. I discovered that I already was writing every day in some form or another, so I stopped keeping up with it. lol. I love your philosophy of doing what works for you. I tried 3 morning pages a day too for awhile, but like you said, it was too much for me. We each do what works for us!
I aim to write daily, but usually take 1 – 2 days off each week. That’s not how I used to be, but I’m writing a book now that requires research so sometimes I am researching in the service of writing. (That kind of counts.)
I adore Maggie Smith! I believe she’s coming out with a children’s book in the next few months.
Margaret Simon lives on the Bayou Teche in New Iberia, Louisiana. She teaches gifted elementary students, writes poetry and children's books. Welcome to a space of peace, poetry, and personal reflection. Walk in kindness.
Reflections on the Teche 
Just write… it might not be “good” but you’ll never get to good if you don’t just write. Good advice.
A perfect description: “We are all throwing words out and looking at how they land.” You could also use that for the Slice of Life community! Or the Poetry Friday community! Something as important as committing to writing daily is summoning the courage to go public. Nothing ups your game quite like it.
You’re spot on. These communities nurture me and support me and give me courage.
I’ve been writing in a 30 day writing challenge and I love that I’ve been able to write every day. I love that you’ve asked why not and offered several ways to get unstuck but the line I found most valuable was this … “Ideas are those sparks that happen only if you ARE writing.” BRAVO!
I am impressed by your writing daily. I can only write weekly so far. You give me inspiration! I also found this notebook yesterday, which would be perfect for you! Bayou Composition Notebook
I have to make the time and my exercise has suffered some. If I get to writing in the morning, I can’t get to walking. Both are essential, so I’m trying to figure out how to do both.
Love this push today. Throwing words out is a good way to think about it. I feel the same way about my learning to paint and draw. Daily makes a big difference. Thanks for your post – it was needed today.
Margaret, you are such an inspiration in your own life reflections, writing discipline, and teaching practice. I need to remember this: “To be writers, we have to give ourselves permission to write badly” to empower me to write SOMETHING. Thank you.
Like Maggie Smith said, you have to turn off that inner critic. It’s the hardest part for me. And to hit the Publish button. I’m glad I hit it today, if only to inspire one person.
Margaret, so much good advice here. Thank you for sharing it, and what a nice surprise that it matched what Stacey said in the Two Writing Teachers’ post. Charlie’s poem is precious, I love the phrase “with the toss of the ball.” I felt like I could see him.
My favorite bit of advice from you is, “But today, scribble, play, bounce words around.”
I enjoyed reading your contemplation on writing and your reflection on your writing life. I agree that little writing is better than none, and we shouldn’t feel bad if we can’t keep up with what we think is the ideal.
I have The Artists’ Way too! and have been trying to write daily in 2024 so much of your struggle is shared! Poetry just seems more natural to me, at least in my head, and then when it gets to paper something breaks down. Like others have commented, I could feel Charlie – a beautiful tribute.
Margaret, I’m so glad to see Charlie living on in the lines of verse. His photo is sweet and inviting, and I see peace and love. We are fellow schnoodle fans, and so this slice brings special feelings and the same schnoodle-and-ball-fetching games that Charlie enjoyed playing. I’m thankful that he came out to play today in your poem, bringing all the good memories just the way he would want.
Love this.
And also, a new notebook and pen always help!!
I started out this year with the goal of writing every day too. And keeping track of it. I discovered that I already was writing every day in some form or another, so I stopped keeping up with it. lol. I love your philosophy of doing what works for you. I tried 3 morning pages a day too for awhile, but like you said, it was too much for me. We each do what works for us!
I aim to write daily, but usually take 1 – 2 days off each week. That’s not how I used to be, but I’m writing a book now that requires research so sometimes I am researching in the service of writing. (That kind of counts.)
I adore Maggie Smith! I believe she’s coming out with a children’s book in the next few months.