Dear Barrie, thank you for including me! I greatly appreciate it.
To the point about editing and revising - I want to share a (somewhat long) fantastic quote from George Saunders that has really impacted how I write:
“How, then, to proceed? My method is: I imagine a meter mounted in my forehead, with “P” on this side (“Positive”) and “N” on this side (“Negative”). I try to read what I’ve written uninflectedly, the way a first-time reader might (“without hope and without despair”). Where’s the needle? Accept the result without whining. Then edit, so as to move the needle into the “P” zone. Enact a repetitive, obsessive, iterative application of preference: watch the needle, adjust the prose, watch the needle, adjust the prose (rinse, lather, repeat), through (sometimes) hundreds of drafts. Like a cruise ship slowly turning, the story will start to alter course via those thousands of incremental adjustments.
The artist, in this model, is like the optometrist, always asking: Is it better like this? Or like this?
The interesting thing, in my experience, is that the result of this laborious and slightly obsessive process is a story that is better than I am in “real life” – funnier, kinder, less full of crap, more empathetic, with a clearer sense of virtue, both wiser and more entertaining.
And what a pleasure that is; to be, on the page, less of a dope than usual.” - George Saunders
Thank you so much for sharing this, Priya. We cannot be reminded too many times. Sometimes writing, for me, is like packing my bag for an extended trip. For a week I pile everything I think I will need into my suitcase. Everything! Then just before I leave, I put 3/4 of it back and only take what I REALLY need. Writing fiction is like that for me. I write five pages, and then I keep going back until it is one page - a page of only what is called for. If I am unhappy with a result, it tells me I need to CUT, and when I do, the writing is invariably so much better. I find 50-word stories to be such good practice. Editing is essential.
I absolutely love that quote … the mental imagery of the methodology is such a cool way of guiding our ‘red pen’. I’ll be writing this one down; probably the best kind of first entry in my 2025 commonplace book, Priya, so a BIG thank you. Wishing you gentle start to 2025 and the happiest of writing years.
I see so much of my own writing process here, Barrie, in your wonderful list, especially #2 - I have so many beautiful and powerful words filling my head and so often I have to wait and wait for a story to carry them. Nice to know I am not alone in this. #6 and #11 - this is the joy I have found on Substack -- the small group of talented writers who have inspired me to continue, accepted me as one of their own and kept the encouragement coming. I gladly reciprocate always! Such a terrific opportunity for "collaboration". I truly look forward to your next stories.
Kindred spirits in this wonderful, weird, wacky world of writing! Thanks so much for peeking in, Sharron, and for sharing the journey with generous encouragement as well as your fine storytelling. Happy New Year
Ahh Barrie, I so appreciate the mention, especially amongst so many other fantastic writers!
Your notes resonate #2, #3 and #4 (especially) so loudly. And #5, how I wish I had time to read more! I know I would write more fluidly if I could!
Every one speaks to me to me as a writer - did I just say that - who battles with time and place and the worry that I don't write enough or with regularity and the eternal rest for the new!
And then I read this...
"A writer is somebody for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people."
And a lovely wave of calm is wrapping me up in the absolute truth of it!
Thank you for your eternal praise and encouragement Barrie you are my Substack hero!
I love that my personal ‘notes to self’ find an echo among the writers I admire! I’m the lucky one, plenty of time and my only distractions are the ones I indulge myself with!
Love this list and congrats on being chosen for Substack Reads. You might like my new essay in Iron Horse Literary Review that went out New Years Eve at midnight. if you'd like to read: https://issuu.com/ironhorsereview/docs/2024_ihlr_photofinish
And thank you so for including me previously: a true delight.
I really appreciate the mention, Barrie. Thank you for being a source of positivity and encouragement for so many! And a very warm Happy New Year to you!
Dear Barrie, thank you for including me! I greatly appreciate it.
To the point about editing and revising - I want to share a (somewhat long) fantastic quote from George Saunders that has really impacted how I write:
“How, then, to proceed? My method is: I imagine a meter mounted in my forehead, with “P” on this side (“Positive”) and “N” on this side (“Negative”). I try to read what I’ve written uninflectedly, the way a first-time reader might (“without hope and without despair”). Where’s the needle? Accept the result without whining. Then edit, so as to move the needle into the “P” zone. Enact a repetitive, obsessive, iterative application of preference: watch the needle, adjust the prose, watch the needle, adjust the prose (rinse, lather, repeat), through (sometimes) hundreds of drafts. Like a cruise ship slowly turning, the story will start to alter course via those thousands of incremental adjustments.
The artist, in this model, is like the optometrist, always asking: Is it better like this? Or like this?
The interesting thing, in my experience, is that the result of this laborious and slightly obsessive process is a story that is better than I am in “real life” – funnier, kinder, less full of crap, more empathetic, with a clearer sense of virtue, both wiser and more entertaining.
And what a pleasure that is; to be, on the page, less of a dope than usual.” - George Saunders
Thank you so much for sharing this, Priya. We cannot be reminded too many times. Sometimes writing, for me, is like packing my bag for an extended trip. For a week I pile everything I think I will need into my suitcase. Everything! Then just before I leave, I put 3/4 of it back and only take what I REALLY need. Writing fiction is like that for me. I write five pages, and then I keep going back until it is one page - a page of only what is called for. If I am unhappy with a result, it tells me I need to CUT, and when I do, the writing is invariably so much better. I find 50-word stories to be such good practice. Editing is essential.
Great way of thinking about it, Sharron … and, like you, I use the shortest short form to hone that side of my (what I loosely call) craft.
And let us BOTH resolve to conquer self-deprecation, delete it from our mindsets in the coming year. We are writers!
Pinkie Promise!!
I love that, Sharron!
I absolutely love that quote … the mental imagery of the methodology is such a cool way of guiding our ‘red pen’. I’ll be writing this one down; probably the best kind of first entry in my 2025 commonplace book, Priya, so a BIG thank you. Wishing you gentle start to 2025 and the happiest of writing years.
I’m not sure if this quote is from the book but Saunders’ book A swim in a pond in the rain has made me look at my writing in a completely new way.
Happy New Year to you!
💛✍️💛
I see so much of my own writing process here, Barrie, in your wonderful list, especially #2 - I have so many beautiful and powerful words filling my head and so often I have to wait and wait for a story to carry them. Nice to know I am not alone in this. #6 and #11 - this is the joy I have found on Substack -- the small group of talented writers who have inspired me to continue, accepted me as one of their own and kept the encouragement coming. I gladly reciprocate always! Such a terrific opportunity for "collaboration". I truly look forward to your next stories.
Kindred spirits in this wonderful, weird, wacky world of writing! Thanks so much for peeking in, Sharron, and for sharing the journey with generous encouragement as well as your fine storytelling. Happy New Year
I agree with so many of your 24. However, my #2 is flipped. The ideas never dry up, but the words often do. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
We should do a brain swap occasionally!!
I'm game! I'm also overdue for an encouragement session. I'll be in touch. 🥂
We’ll get something booked in!
Ahh Barrie, I so appreciate the mention, especially amongst so many other fantastic writers!
Your notes resonate #2, #3 and #4 (especially) so loudly. And #5, how I wish I had time to read more! I know I would write more fluidly if I could!
Every one speaks to me to me as a writer - did I just say that - who battles with time and place and the worry that I don't write enough or with regularity and the eternal rest for the new!
And then I read this...
"A writer is somebody for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people."
And a lovely wave of calm is wrapping me up in the absolute truth of it!
Thank you for your eternal praise and encouragement Barrie you are my Substack hero!
I love that my personal ‘notes to self’ find an echo among the writers I admire! I’m the lucky one, plenty of time and my only distractions are the ones I indulge myself with!
Thank you for this list! I resonate with so many. And, yes, I often read my work and say “That’s really great!” (N° 22). Bonne année!
Vous aussi! Super pleased about N° 22 … we should all do it more! Resolved to do so! Happy writing.
Love this list and congrats on being chosen for Substack Reads. You might like my new essay in Iron Horse Literary Review that went out New Years Eve at midnight. if you'd like to read: https://issuu.com/ironhorsereview/docs/2024_ihlr_photofinish
And thank you so for including me previously: a true delight.
Really looking forward to reading those, Mary. And a very happy new year to you 💛
I really appreciate the mention, Barrie. Thank you for being a source of positivity and encouragement for so many! And a very warm Happy New Year to you!
My pleasure, Justin. Onwards into a new writing year.
A cracking list, Barrie. And touched to get a mention in your beautiful story. x
Fair’s fair, Matt. Thank you x
#18. True!
💛✍️💛