8 Comments

Sounds like a powerful ritual! I had many of the same thoughts about my written records being important one day if I became a famous writer. I hope it has been a healing experience.

Expand full comment

It was a powerful ritual. I'm sure there are already composed prayers for this sort of thing, but I wanted to get this done before I had second thoughts. It was very healing because I'd wanted to do this for several years and I felt how loved I was by all those people who took the time to write and respond.

I hear you in that desire to be a famous writer. I think for me that desire just flamed out. Maybe all the noes...maybe seeing it wouldn't deliver me or make things right that were making me miserable. At this point I don't want to put in all the work it takes, all that traveling...When the novel was published, I felt blah about it. When I've thought about being famous I think I'd be very overwhelmed. I'm not sure that desire was bad because it drove me to write and rewrite my novel and make a deep peace. It brought me to writing a blog and finding my audience. At any rate those are my thoughts.

It seems like you are finding your audience and finding how rewarding it is to share your singing and poetry.

Thank you so much for subscribing. So good to see you here.

Expand full comment

Yeah one of the things I realized pretty recently after I released my music album and second poetry book this fall is that if I did all the promotion and marketing that would be required to have a chance at getting widespread attention, I would have to spend all my free time doing that and I wouldn't have time for my family or the other things I enjoy doing that aren't just performing my music or reading my poetry. I will probably never sell more than 10-15 copies of my new poetry book and that's fine. I'll probably give most of them away. I've decided I'm just going to release art as I complete it but not exert any extraordinary effort to promote it.

Expand full comment

That sounds wise to me. All these things are so rewarding. Godspeed with your music, poetry, family, work and anything else.

Expand full comment

I felt like I was there with you. I’m not a writer like you but I’ve kept some old diaries and calendar books with noted memories. I haven’t gotten the courage to let some of them go though I feel like they harbor heartache more than good memories. This inspires me that maybe it’s time….

Expand full comment

Oh Mary I hope this does inspire you, though do be sure you're ready...But I'm finding it's good to leave heartache behind. I just sent out two creative writing projects just to send out work and was gobsmacked by how much pain I put on the page, when I looked them over. I'm glad they weren't accepted, though I may still work with them. I've gotten to the healing side of both of those stories so may be able to offer hope on the other side if I revisit them. Let me know what you decide and how it went for you. Having a burn pile makes it easy.

Expand full comment

I love this, Katie. I too have many journals I can't bear to read. I too am no longer the person who wrote in them. I love how the photo shows your Bruce dispatching the past to nothingness. He's such a good guy. Y ou are blessed!

Expand full comment

I am very blessed, yes. Bruce is an amazing person. Thank you for understanding about not rereading journals and leaving the old person behind. And thanks for stopping by.

Expand full comment