Twenty years ago this month, in a room just a mile from where I write now, I committed to my writing life.
It started with a class called Writing the Wild Woman. In it, I learned how to free-write, how to howl after writing (it’s fun, try it) and how to enjoy the company of other writers.
Despite the fun, I was also plagued with doubt and insecurity. I feared that a) I had nothing to say and b) my writing would suck.
So I set myself a challenge.
My five-year writing apprenticeship
I decided to write for five years as if it would never be seen by anyone else. I wouldn’t worry about whether it was good or whether it was publishable.
For five years, I filled journals, did writing exercises, took classes and began to teach writing classes. Now, this seems like a long time to dwell in the apprentice’s studio. But it worked.
At the end of five years of genre exploration, I began publishing monthly articles in two Denver neighborhood papers. At that time, I also dove into a major project: my historical novel, which was published 13 years later.
This month I celebrate my twenty-year commitment to the art of writing. I’ve published a novel, a book about writing and five e-books. I’ve published my newsletter since 2001 and have been a consistent blogger since 2006.
I’ve written hundreds of thousands of words, some private, some published. I claim every cliché, crappy word choice and inelegant sentence. I own every brilliant point, every potent metaphor, every sentence that moved someone, somehow.
Writing isn’t easy. I am humbled by the work. But despite the challenges, I’ve gleaned many rewards.
Twenty gifts writing has given me
1. Grit, aka persistence.
2. Self-respect.
3. A way to influence others positively.
4. Self-knowledge.
5. Awareness of my expertise.
6. A personal growth ally.
7. A quick, cheap way to have fun.
8. A community of smart, creative friends.
9. Power.
11. A lifelong awareness practice.
12. Self-compassion for my hopes and dreams.
13. Humility.
14. A constantly-replenished love of language.
15. Knowledge that showing up really is 80% of the game.
16. Confidence.
17. An art form that keeps me on my toes.
18. Clarity.
19. A willingness to be surprised by what comes from my pen.
20. Thick skin.
21. Love.
What I’m writing now
These days, another art form accompanies my writing. Since 2008, I’ve been cheating on writing with my side art: drawing and painting. My current challenge is to discover how to marry writing and art to share what’s true for me.
This month, on my twenty-year anniversary, I am embarking on a new book project. I have a mastermind group devoted to book writing – I call it our private book club. I’m excited about this book, because it will challenge me at every step, and because I think you’ll love it.
It’s odd to celebrate an anniversary with a beginning, but I like it. I empathize more with my students, many at the beginning of their writing lives, having the same doubts I have about writing.
More gifts every day from my writing life
I could go on and on about how my devotion to the craft of writing has formed me. But I hope this has inspired you to want to go write your own words.
This is one of the exercises I ask my clients to do – go back in the time machine and look at all you’ve done. It can be illuminating to assess all the effort you’ve put into your art.
Which of the twenty gifts listed would you like to know more about? In a comment below, tell me which ones you’re curious about and think would help you with your own writing life.
1 mostly. I want to know your process of putting 2 art forms together. How you work, go back, forth between the two. And how you’ll mix the two in a book. Details, girl! We want to be part of the ride. I’m mixing pix and prose. So this is perfect for me right now!
Bobbi,
Did you mean #1 – grit and persistence?
I will think about what I have to say/offer re: blending two art forms. Honestly I am still trying to figure it out.
For the book, I have the TOC (table of contents) and am working to create some pairing images. And I know that’s only a sliver of what it will be. I’ll be spending the next 5-6 months sorting it out. 🙂
I love that you are marrying photos and prose. I love blogs that have large photos with short bits of text, like a photo essay.
Glad you are feeling creatively sparked! Thanks for letting me know which of these things most intrigues you.
A friend pointed out that I have 21 on the list. I honestly don’t remember adding Love to the end. Must have been an angel reminding me or something like that!
Happy twenty-year writing anniversary, Cynthia. Love love love this post, from 1 up to and including 21 🙂
Cheers from a fan and look forward to your next book.
Thanks, Carolyn!
I am glad you love it! I will think of you when writing my next book and it will make me happy and motivated.
I’m cheering!
I am so pleased you took ( and are taking) this journey.Cynthia,
And thankful you share it.
Which gifts would I like to know more about?
All good, but particularly:
Power; personal growth; self respect;grit.
(Sounds nice in this order, though I think they build in reverse!
Julie,
I’m smiling! I am glad I took this journey, too. I wanted to be a writer when I was a girl and it took twenty years before I really focused in on it.
I’ve noted the gifts that most appeal to you. You’re right – they do build.
I’m glad you are writing, too. I know your books will be wonderful and wonderfully received.
There’s a line in the film 4 weddings and a funeral where one of the brides is crying as she says thank you to all her guests for coming and she says to one of them ‘I’ve never met you before but i love you’ it’s a very funny part of the film and the lines where ringing through my head while i was reading this piece. You are a wonderful inspiration Cynthia a light that shines so bright. I came across you after searching for help re: my writing block. I was pulled to join FWF and it has been my saviour. Once again you have inspired me through this article and many congratulations on your 20 years, heres to 20 + more.
#love is all we need
Oh Indra, you’re so sweet!
It’s been such a delight to work with you this month in the Free Write Fling. I love helping people get to the place of loving their writing practice.
I am completely with you that love is all we need. My purpose in life is to love what I love and share that love to inspire others to love. (Repetition intended.)
So it’s working. My life’s purpose is working. I am working it and it is working me, and words are one of our favorite toys. 🙂
Beautifully said
Cynthia,
I do love your list – it encompasses so much about craft in your art and about the act of creation – and the fact that you sneaked in 21 gifts to your stated 20 gifts. And that it was love. It’s the love and the desire to write that keeps me going. Wouldn’t it be great to get together with a group and write and then howl again?! When I made the transition from piano to writing it was slow and painful. I had been literally ripped from my piano (another story) but I had actually been writing in tiny notebooks for a long time. Writing includes the act of creation, much more so than I was involved in with music. It’s much more demanding and it gives back so much more, too. I’m glad to be in this river with you. It’s a good river.
Dana,
I know, it’s funny – love leads and has the final say.
It’s an interesting balance/transition to go from one medium to another. I am glad you are writing! And I’m glad to be in it with you. 🙂
Could you start some kind of online group that could connect once or twice a month via conference call or something? Just to share. I’d be willing to pay a fair fee to be part of something that you would coordinate.
Also, can you address how you so calmly go through the learning curve on a new art form.
And how to break through when you hit a tough spot on a project.
I thought more about your list…
Bobbi,
Tomorrow’s post may address some of those issues you mentioned, in very broad terms. I can be more specific. I’ll save your note for my writing file. :0
For the coaching group, thanks for asking! It helps me to know what kind of support readers need. Tell me, what would you want to get from a group like that? Would you be open to being in a group of all kinds of artists – writers too?
I am working on developing some programs now, so your feedback is helpful! Thank you!
Traveling so texting my comments. Which is annoying. Will think more on this and write more next week.