Hello friends! There are many beautiful comments here about both being creatively discouraged as a child and battling the internal critic. I wanted to share two prompts from the archives that came to mind. Here they are:
Both of these prompts have been deeply meaningful for my creative practice. I hope they help anyone who hasn't seen them (or needs the reminder). ❤️❤️❤️
Mar 17Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
Ever since I was a little girl, I loved painting. Watercolours, color pencils, chalks - my favourites were wax crayons. I loved their smell and the bright colors. But since my parents and teachers discovered musical talent in me, I moved from doing things for fun to a systematic after-school music education. The older I was getting, the rarely I would take my colors or anything else and just create out of pure pleasure. I remember very vividly, when my mom saw me one time painting and said "well, it's clear you have a talent for music, right?" I laughed it off, but I felt discouraged and hurt. Fast forward to today, my now husband, who's professional visual artist, is my biggest supporter. When I shared with him, that "I can't paint" he told me "well, that's impossible - just grab the colours and let it all out." He taught me that I don't have to strive for perfection, that I don't have to be afraid of mistakes. It's all fun and I can actually ENJOY it without fearing that someone might judge me. The most important thing is the entertainment part, the process, not necessarily the result. And so, from time to time, we create together and we even had a small joint exhibition last fall :) something that I would never dream of and never aspired to.
Mar 17Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
As a teenager and young adult I used to dabble in poetry writing. I attended a arts’ camp and one of the activities I chose was writing. A few of my poems were published in the camp magazines put out by and for the campers. I probably wrote about 20 poems during my high school and early twenties, but after the camp experience I never shared them or thought much of them.
Fast forward to the pandemic I was working in an emergency room and going through all kinds of emotions. I decided to start working on myself. It was suggested to me that I write about my feelings. At first I just wrote for myself about what I was experiencing at the time and about issues I had been thinking about for years such how I felt about being a mother, my attitude towards money and towards those who are not truthful. Writing helped me organize my thoughts and make sense of my emotions.
About three years ago I discovered the Isolation Journals which provided thought provoking prompts and I began responding to those. At first I only showed my responses to some friends and colleagues and I got a lot of good feedback. About a year after I discovered the Isolation Journals I found Narrative Medicine Rounds. I began participating in those and sharing my writing with the other participants. After the sessions I had the opportunity to post my writing. The other participants in the rounds were very complimentary and encouraging. I started to post my responses to the Isolation Journals as well and could not believe all the wonderful and affirming feedback I was receiving. I began to believe that perhaps I had talent and something to share. I began to read my writing to as many people as I could.
Being a part of the Isolation Journals and Narrative Medicine communities has given me the encouragement to continue writing and to even try my hand at publishing.Being part of a group has provided the inspiration and encouragement that I needed.
Mar 17Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
"Banish the Censor," my Developmental Editor, Susan Conley suggested. And then, I was free, scared, but free. The raw, blurry to clear memories, questions, reactions, and most importantly, the uncensored "Me" came out to play. My memoir went from a meager 30, 000 words to 90,000 as I dove back into each scene and built each out. And when "the Censor" would rear up, I would tell it to "Shush." And with the memoir complete, Susan said, "And now, we know you." I will be forever deeply grateful to her for identifying and naming my captor and giving me the metaphorical key to freedom. Suleika and Mr. Kureishi, you are both an inspiration, each with your own stories and creative paths. Thank you both for letting us walk beside you on this artistic journey.
Mar 17Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
I have an identical twin sister we're one minute apart at birth. In high school we attended art class together I always felt people liked the mirror affect of She and I. I just wanted my own identity- separate from being a twin, my own voice and my own craft. I was very, very shy she was not. We planned to be fashion designers, but took a different route.
We both went into the corporate world and both dabbled as a hobby making jewelry since 1991.
In 2005 we opened our own boutique together, we support one another collaboratively always with a purpose, message attached, and specific intentions when creating. I do know we both anchor one another, respect one another with clarity, support our creative space, enthusiasm, and lastly encourage one another. My twin sister is my lifetime partner. We help each other grow. 🦋👭❤️
Mar 17Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
My friend said recently that it’s been four years since we began our gathering of two. I am amazed at this length of time. Wasn’t it only “yesterday” that we began this collaboration? It feels this way because each encounter is so fresh and inspiring. These four years contain the experiences and energies that fuel the exciting possibilities of our next meeting. And, what is it we do?
Four years ago, before COVID, we began meeting, each bringing flutes to our gathering of two. My friend is a long-time student of the Japanese Shakuhachi flute. I have been playing Native American style flutes. We began to bring haiku poems into our meetings. One of us would choose and read a haiku poem. The other person would pause, then improvise a flute interpretation of the poem. Then we would switch roles. In the haiku tradition there are haiga, visual interpretations of a haiku. A painting or drawing that might depict a scene from the poem. We have been creating sound/musical haiga. Over these four years I have listened to and witnessed my friend’s growth with the Shakuhachi, and with improvisation. Improvisation is all that I do. Once COVID began we have taken to zooming on the computer. Our meetings are still fresh and inspiring for me. My friend’s growing skills with improv, his sensitivity to the wonders of the Shakuhachi, always inspire me to play flute into the beyond; beyond the familiar, gather inspiration from what I hear and reach more deeply into the unknown, the spaciousness of what might be next. We are becoming “song birds” each singing our finest songs of the moment before us. From this experience I am learning you are never just what you have done. Much more than this, you are becoming what you are about to do. Lucky me, tomorrow, Monday, we zoom again. Rumi has a poem:
All day and night, music,
A quiet, bright
reedsong. If it
fades, we fade.
My friend and I gather together and we glow, we inspire, and we sparkle. 🏮
Mar 17Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
I always felt like I was a bad artist. The other kids at school always had the focus so I turned that part of me off. I decided to take a painting class a few years ago. I showed an artist friend who ended up taking one of my paintings and making it her screen saver on her phone. She sadly passed away with her only wish of me was to not stop painting. It took me some time to paint again as the connection was to the deep loss of her. I'm still taking painting.
Mar 17Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
My husband and I were talking last night and he shared that he had read an article that couples should spend time talking 90 minutes a week. We both laughed because we can easily succeed 2 hours every evening. We are always communicating. So it’s no wonder he has been my collaborator of life. He encourages and supports my painting career by giving me space to work and he’s designing our home to be an art gallery. My husband is a song writer and musician. He shares snippets of verses and explains ideas of how one of his songs is forming and the story it’s telling.
Everyone loves when we sing together a Johnny Cash and June Carter song.
We were both abandoned by our parents in different ways. Finding each other didn’t make us whole but made us better together. We have built a collaborative home, family and business. Just this weekend we put 16 different colors on a wall to find the right one... it was no surprise when the winning color was the one we mixed together.
Mar 17Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
Write about someone—a family member, friend, or creative collaborator—who silences your inner critic. What do they allow you to do that you can’t do alone?
Thank you for this mornings prompt.
This is terrible to admit, but I’m not a team player. I grew up with a mother who did not but criticize. Before I started I was a failure. I still find it difficult to complete anything. At 5 I was signed up for dance class. My parents determined I was not cut out as a dancer. I was 5. I wasn’t a tiny graceful girl. I was tall. At 5 I was already hating my body. I never dance in public.
I did love drawing and would spend time ( by myself) drawing and coloring. It’s something I could do away from the critics. And I even was complimented on my drawings at times. This sounds awful but I like doing creative endeavors alone. I always found myself drawn to friends who were outgoing and complimented my shyness. As partners in crime this worked great. But for creating these friends would drown me out. I hated being put in groups to work on any project. I just want to be alone when I work or create. I love my friends. I just don’t want to lose myself.
I have connected to art with my friend Karel who is an artist. We took classes together and I enjoy my time with Karel. I have enjoyed taking jewelry making with people. Classes are ok. I think it’s because I feel like a class is more on equal footing.
I do like people. I just find comfort alone with my own thoughts. And who knows. Maybe there is someone out in the world who won’t make me feel small and silent.
Mar 17Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
Thank you eternally, Suleika Jouad, as a struggling writer (lost my life partner and my gentle critic to cancer last year), your recent post to Isolation Journals was just what I needed—but didn’t know it. 🫶🏼
Mar 17Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
I must express that I do not like this prompt because it bubbles up some discomfort from my inner self. When I visit my friend's "cabin", high in the mountains of Pennsylvania, we always work on making it better. At my old age, it's hard to tell me right from wrong, especially in my lifetime commitment field of construction. When my friend tries to do a repair that I know is being done poorly, he states "It's my treehouse -I'll do whatever I want". The bullhead that he is, keeps me from being the bullshitter I am. I know what's best for the "cabin", but the Princton N.J. detailing is not needed at all. My closest lifetime friend keeps me in check by reminding me that perfection is impossible and coming from a place of excellence is all that's needed.
Mar 17Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
Created a storytelling group called “Tales of the Eight”. Felt isolated in the storytelling community and decided to manifest are own community with support, conscious feedback, growth, and create our own community. ! I don’t have to do this alone. Delegation is one of the keys♥️
Mar 17Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
I'm a psychotherapist and I love my work but I'm also a creative and have the mind of an entrepreneur (I've had very small businesses such as making and selling curtains for VW vans (18 years old), making bathing suits where you can order a top in one size and matching bottoms in another, making prom dresses from vintage fabrics, making and selling stain glass sun catchers, having an herb garden and wreath making business...you get the idea...kind of silly but fun. Several years ago I began painting again and paint watercolors and other mediums. Then I discovered the business of surface pattern design (everywhere you see design...fabric...wallpaper...cell phone cases, etc., someone designed that...who knew!!??). I began taking classes online. There was simply no where I could go to learn these things in person. So...since 2021 I've immersed myself behind my computer learning Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. It can be very lonely business...but the community! I've never "met" such giving, collaborative people! Everyone seems to want everyone else to succeed as much as they have. The courses I've taken are with people who surprise me with the amount of information, advice, and time they give to help us learn and succeed. We cheer each other on, answer each other's technical and design questions, critique work, and help each other move forward. There are women who I've gotten to know off line because we have seen each other's names in several of the same classes. I couldn't do this without this group of online "friends!"
My husband! We are this wonderful blend of compatible crazy! He is a military historian by trade, a deep thinking, calm and rational, big picture thinker. He validated my stream of consciousness thinking, my zig zagging of ideas, and adds some structure to my thoughts. My creative side lies in seeing patterns and making connections and a little bit of out of the box thinking. I use it my role for business development in a wonderful organization that delivers leadership development worldwide. Our goal is to help people “do all things humanly possible”. I also find this forum to be a wonderfully safe space to let my thoughts flow. @Suleika, I was so happy to read that you were able to merge your creative worlds and get input or feedback when needed. We can see it thru the telly. I love seeing you and your hubby together and hearing you speak as this terrific team❤️. Happy St.Patrick’s day to all. I am from Ireland (living in US), the mystical land of saints and scholars.. And here we find ourselves ☘️🧡
In the spring of 1987 my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In the autumn of 1989 I submitted an article for publication about the effect cancer has on the family, or those caring for, the patient. For weeks I heard nothing from the magazine. I prayed that even if it were not published, perhaps my words would bring encouragement to someone. Around Christmas I received a phone call from the editor. My article would be in the January issue. In addition, he said a good friend had recently been diagnosed with cancer and my words brought a measure of comfort. Ah. Thank you, Lord. Yet, when my copy of the magazine arrived, I was stunned to see the following note, written by the editor, beneath my story;
“Jacqueline Leslie Des Isles is proof that effective writing about observations and feelings is not the sole domain of published, professional writers”.
I was speechless, humbled and honored.
This community, as expressed by another member, leaves me wonderful sweet comments along the way. The truth is, I need the leg up. The support. The friendship and love. Not to write, but to carry on.
There is a beautiful African proverb that says this best,
“We are all just walking each other home”.
On my living room wall hangs this beautiful saying,
“ Every meeting of persons is an exchange of gifts”.
If we hide our gifts, who will see the light they need? To carry on?
Mar 17Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Holly Huitt, Carmen Radley
I really love what you had to say about creative collaboration. It's something I want more of in my writing life. I also think it can be hard because so many people come from a competition mindset, especially if they're writing in the same "space" but you've highlighted how and why creative collaboration can be so wonderful, thank you!!
Hello friends! There are many beautiful comments here about both being creatively discouraged as a child and battling the internal critic. I wanted to share two prompts from the archives that came to mind. Here they are:
42. Creative Injuries – Stacie Orrico - https://www.theisolationjournals.com/explore/prompt42-creative-injuries
96. Drawing in the Margins – Anne Francey - https://www.theisolationjournals.com/explore/prompt96-drawing-in-the-margins
Both of these prompts have been deeply meaningful for my creative practice. I hope they help anyone who hasn't seen them (or needs the reminder). ❤️❤️❤️
Ever since I was a little girl, I loved painting. Watercolours, color pencils, chalks - my favourites were wax crayons. I loved their smell and the bright colors. But since my parents and teachers discovered musical talent in me, I moved from doing things for fun to a systematic after-school music education. The older I was getting, the rarely I would take my colors or anything else and just create out of pure pleasure. I remember very vividly, when my mom saw me one time painting and said "well, it's clear you have a talent for music, right?" I laughed it off, but I felt discouraged and hurt. Fast forward to today, my now husband, who's professional visual artist, is my biggest supporter. When I shared with him, that "I can't paint" he told me "well, that's impossible - just grab the colours and let it all out." He taught me that I don't have to strive for perfection, that I don't have to be afraid of mistakes. It's all fun and I can actually ENJOY it without fearing that someone might judge me. The most important thing is the entertainment part, the process, not necessarily the result. And so, from time to time, we create together and we even had a small joint exhibition last fall :) something that I would never dream of and never aspired to.
As a teenager and young adult I used to dabble in poetry writing. I attended a arts’ camp and one of the activities I chose was writing. A few of my poems were published in the camp magazines put out by and for the campers. I probably wrote about 20 poems during my high school and early twenties, but after the camp experience I never shared them or thought much of them.
Fast forward to the pandemic I was working in an emergency room and going through all kinds of emotions. I decided to start working on myself. It was suggested to me that I write about my feelings. At first I just wrote for myself about what I was experiencing at the time and about issues I had been thinking about for years such how I felt about being a mother, my attitude towards money and towards those who are not truthful. Writing helped me organize my thoughts and make sense of my emotions.
About three years ago I discovered the Isolation Journals which provided thought provoking prompts and I began responding to those. At first I only showed my responses to some friends and colleagues and I got a lot of good feedback. About a year after I discovered the Isolation Journals I found Narrative Medicine Rounds. I began participating in those and sharing my writing with the other participants. After the sessions I had the opportunity to post my writing. The other participants in the rounds were very complimentary and encouraging. I started to post my responses to the Isolation Journals as well and could not believe all the wonderful and affirming feedback I was receiving. I began to believe that perhaps I had talent and something to share. I began to read my writing to as many people as I could.
Being a part of the Isolation Journals and Narrative Medicine communities has given me the encouragement to continue writing and to even try my hand at publishing.Being part of a group has provided the inspiration and encouragement that I needed.
"Banish the Censor," my Developmental Editor, Susan Conley suggested. And then, I was free, scared, but free. The raw, blurry to clear memories, questions, reactions, and most importantly, the uncensored "Me" came out to play. My memoir went from a meager 30, 000 words to 90,000 as I dove back into each scene and built each out. And when "the Censor" would rear up, I would tell it to "Shush." And with the memoir complete, Susan said, "And now, we know you." I will be forever deeply grateful to her for identifying and naming my captor and giving me the metaphorical key to freedom. Suleika and Mr. Kureishi, you are both an inspiration, each with your own stories and creative paths. Thank you both for letting us walk beside you on this artistic journey.
I have an identical twin sister we're one minute apart at birth. In high school we attended art class together I always felt people liked the mirror affect of She and I. I just wanted my own identity- separate from being a twin, my own voice and my own craft. I was very, very shy she was not. We planned to be fashion designers, but took a different route.
We both went into the corporate world and both dabbled as a hobby making jewelry since 1991.
In 2005 we opened our own boutique together, we support one another collaboratively always with a purpose, message attached, and specific intentions when creating. I do know we both anchor one another, respect one another with clarity, support our creative space, enthusiasm, and lastly encourage one another. My twin sister is my lifetime partner. We help each other grow. 🦋👭❤️
My friend said recently that it’s been four years since we began our gathering of two. I am amazed at this length of time. Wasn’t it only “yesterday” that we began this collaboration? It feels this way because each encounter is so fresh and inspiring. These four years contain the experiences and energies that fuel the exciting possibilities of our next meeting. And, what is it we do?
Four years ago, before COVID, we began meeting, each bringing flutes to our gathering of two. My friend is a long-time student of the Japanese Shakuhachi flute. I have been playing Native American style flutes. We began to bring haiku poems into our meetings. One of us would choose and read a haiku poem. The other person would pause, then improvise a flute interpretation of the poem. Then we would switch roles. In the haiku tradition there are haiga, visual interpretations of a haiku. A painting or drawing that might depict a scene from the poem. We have been creating sound/musical haiga. Over these four years I have listened to and witnessed my friend’s growth with the Shakuhachi, and with improvisation. Improvisation is all that I do. Once COVID began we have taken to zooming on the computer. Our meetings are still fresh and inspiring for me. My friend’s growing skills with improv, his sensitivity to the wonders of the Shakuhachi, always inspire me to play flute into the beyond; beyond the familiar, gather inspiration from what I hear and reach more deeply into the unknown, the spaciousness of what might be next. We are becoming “song birds” each singing our finest songs of the moment before us. From this experience I am learning you are never just what you have done. Much more than this, you are becoming what you are about to do. Lucky me, tomorrow, Monday, we zoom again. Rumi has a poem:
All day and night, music,
A quiet, bright
reedsong. If it
fades, we fade.
My friend and I gather together and we glow, we inspire, and we sparkle. 🏮
I always felt like I was a bad artist. The other kids at school always had the focus so I turned that part of me off. I decided to take a painting class a few years ago. I showed an artist friend who ended up taking one of my paintings and making it her screen saver on her phone. She sadly passed away with her only wish of me was to not stop painting. It took me some time to paint again as the connection was to the deep loss of her. I'm still taking painting.
My husband and I were talking last night and he shared that he had read an article that couples should spend time talking 90 minutes a week. We both laughed because we can easily succeed 2 hours every evening. We are always communicating. So it’s no wonder he has been my collaborator of life. He encourages and supports my painting career by giving me space to work and he’s designing our home to be an art gallery. My husband is a song writer and musician. He shares snippets of verses and explains ideas of how one of his songs is forming and the story it’s telling.
Everyone loves when we sing together a Johnny Cash and June Carter song.
We were both abandoned by our parents in different ways. Finding each other didn’t make us whole but made us better together. We have built a collaborative home, family and business. Just this weekend we put 16 different colors on a wall to find the right one... it was no surprise when the winning color was the one we mixed together.
Write about someone—a family member, friend, or creative collaborator—who silences your inner critic. What do they allow you to do that you can’t do alone?
Thank you for this mornings prompt.
This is terrible to admit, but I’m not a team player. I grew up with a mother who did not but criticize. Before I started I was a failure. I still find it difficult to complete anything. At 5 I was signed up for dance class. My parents determined I was not cut out as a dancer. I was 5. I wasn’t a tiny graceful girl. I was tall. At 5 I was already hating my body. I never dance in public.
I did love drawing and would spend time ( by myself) drawing and coloring. It’s something I could do away from the critics. And I even was complimented on my drawings at times. This sounds awful but I like doing creative endeavors alone. I always found myself drawn to friends who were outgoing and complimented my shyness. As partners in crime this worked great. But for creating these friends would drown me out. I hated being put in groups to work on any project. I just want to be alone when I work or create. I love my friends. I just don’t want to lose myself.
I have connected to art with my friend Karel who is an artist. We took classes together and I enjoy my time with Karel. I have enjoyed taking jewelry making with people. Classes are ok. I think it’s because I feel like a class is more on equal footing.
I do like people. I just find comfort alone with my own thoughts. And who knows. Maybe there is someone out in the world who won’t make me feel small and silent.
Thank you eternally, Suleika Jouad, as a struggling writer (lost my life partner and my gentle critic to cancer last year), your recent post to Isolation Journals was just what I needed—but didn’t know it. 🫶🏼
I must express that I do not like this prompt because it bubbles up some discomfort from my inner self. When I visit my friend's "cabin", high in the mountains of Pennsylvania, we always work on making it better. At my old age, it's hard to tell me right from wrong, especially in my lifetime commitment field of construction. When my friend tries to do a repair that I know is being done poorly, he states "It's my treehouse -I'll do whatever I want". The bullhead that he is, keeps me from being the bullshitter I am. I know what's best for the "cabin", but the Princton N.J. detailing is not needed at all. My closest lifetime friend keeps me in check by reminding me that perfection is impossible and coming from a place of excellence is all that's needed.
Created a storytelling group called “Tales of the Eight”. Felt isolated in the storytelling community and decided to manifest are own community with support, conscious feedback, growth, and create our own community. ! I don’t have to do this alone. Delegation is one of the keys♥️
I'm a psychotherapist and I love my work but I'm also a creative and have the mind of an entrepreneur (I've had very small businesses such as making and selling curtains for VW vans (18 years old), making bathing suits where you can order a top in one size and matching bottoms in another, making prom dresses from vintage fabrics, making and selling stain glass sun catchers, having an herb garden and wreath making business...you get the idea...kind of silly but fun. Several years ago I began painting again and paint watercolors and other mediums. Then I discovered the business of surface pattern design (everywhere you see design...fabric...wallpaper...cell phone cases, etc., someone designed that...who knew!!??). I began taking classes online. There was simply no where I could go to learn these things in person. So...since 2021 I've immersed myself behind my computer learning Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. It can be very lonely business...but the community! I've never "met" such giving, collaborative people! Everyone seems to want everyone else to succeed as much as they have. The courses I've taken are with people who surprise me with the amount of information, advice, and time they give to help us learn and succeed. We cheer each other on, answer each other's technical and design questions, critique work, and help each other move forward. There are women who I've gotten to know off line because we have seen each other's names in several of the same classes. I couldn't do this without this group of online "friends!"
My husband! We are this wonderful blend of compatible crazy! He is a military historian by trade, a deep thinking, calm and rational, big picture thinker. He validated my stream of consciousness thinking, my zig zagging of ideas, and adds some structure to my thoughts. My creative side lies in seeing patterns and making connections and a little bit of out of the box thinking. I use it my role for business development in a wonderful organization that delivers leadership development worldwide. Our goal is to help people “do all things humanly possible”. I also find this forum to be a wonderfully safe space to let my thoughts flow. @Suleika, I was so happy to read that you were able to merge your creative worlds and get input or feedback when needed. We can see it thru the telly. I love seeing you and your hubby together and hearing you speak as this terrific team❤️. Happy St.Patrick’s day to all. I am from Ireland (living in US), the mystical land of saints and scholars.. And here we find ourselves ☘️🧡
In the spring of 1987 my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In the autumn of 1989 I submitted an article for publication about the effect cancer has on the family, or those caring for, the patient. For weeks I heard nothing from the magazine. I prayed that even if it were not published, perhaps my words would bring encouragement to someone. Around Christmas I received a phone call from the editor. My article would be in the January issue. In addition, he said a good friend had recently been diagnosed with cancer and my words brought a measure of comfort. Ah. Thank you, Lord. Yet, when my copy of the magazine arrived, I was stunned to see the following note, written by the editor, beneath my story;
“Jacqueline Leslie Des Isles is proof that effective writing about observations and feelings is not the sole domain of published, professional writers”.
I was speechless, humbled and honored.
This community, as expressed by another member, leaves me wonderful sweet comments along the way. The truth is, I need the leg up. The support. The friendship and love. Not to write, but to carry on.
There is a beautiful African proverb that says this best,
“We are all just walking each other home”.
On my living room wall hangs this beautiful saying,
“ Every meeting of persons is an exchange of gifts”.
If we hide our gifts, who will see the light they need? To carry on?
Keep shining my friends!!
I really love what you had to say about creative collaboration. It's something I want more of in my writing life. I also think it can be hard because so many people come from a competition mindset, especially if they're writing in the same "space" but you've highlighted how and why creative collaboration can be so wonderful, thank you!!