Whew. One read is not enough. I know that each time I read this in the future something new will reach out to me.
Friendships that bind people together over years and decades force us to see ourselves and our friends through eyes that age with one another. Young eyes hope and hold grudges for what we cannot do. Wrinkled old eyes recognize our flaws, their flaws and hold them as wisdom we learned.
Thank you. I have been reading your posts for many years--from living in Vermont to now in Portland Oregon. I especially loved the part where Doug talks about being a writer and worrying about your written work. Or (hopefully) not worrying. I am part of the wonderful London Writer's Salon as I learn the craft as an elder and will submit that to them as possible Words of Wisdom that begins each of our Writer's Hours each day. I needed to hear this. I bet others do too. Thank you for all you've done in both art and writing over these many years.
Thanks for that feedback Diana. I've published 16 books, many of them successful, and I've received about 3000 letters and emails from people telling me how much my work has meant to them, and still I struggle with self-confidence. John Steinbeck, wrote in his journal on August 16, 1938, when he was writing Grapes of Wrath. As quoted in his book Working Days.
"My many weaknesses are starting to show their heads. I simply must get this out of my system. I'm not a writer. I've been fooling myself and other people. I wish I were."
Thanks for your reply. I suspect I will struggle with that too. I was told by a creative writing teacher when I was 16: you're a writer. So that has hung in my consciousness for lo these many years. A number of years ago when I was facilitating a Literature and Medicine group at a hospital in Middlebury VT, the writer on our team asked me about this. She thought a moment and then said: So you are a writer who's not writing! With a bright smile. I used that for a long time as a good excuse. But now at 78: no more excuses. I have a story I need to tell: my husband's murder when I was 24 and then the mis-carriage of justice which saw his killer walk away with no consequences at all. But now I have the Writer's Salon full of encouraging people from around the world writing-or even just imagining--amazing things who I can write with in community through zoom. And like Doug said to you: we'll see what happens. My job is to tell the story in as much depth as I can. It is very hard. But worth it. Cindy Read (then living in NYC) is the one who connected me to your work--both art and writing--decades ago. I continue to be grateful to her.
Thank you for these beautifully written passages today… yours, Doug’s, and the others you quote. It is all so useful and supportive of the life I continue choosing. Ever grateful for your work and your commitment to a life worth living, Vivi
Whew. One read is not enough. I know that each time I read this in the future something new will reach out to me.
Friendships that bind people together over years and decades force us to see ourselves and our friends through eyes that age with one another. Young eyes hope and hold grudges for what we cannot do. Wrinkled old eyes recognize our flaws, their flaws and hold them as wisdom we learned.
What an incredible person. The photo made me tear up a bit. I think how there are not many wild places without people anymore.
what a powerful and inspiring story ... I will read over and over again.
Thank-you.
Thank you. I have been reading your posts for many years--from living in Vermont to now in Portland Oregon. I especially loved the part where Doug talks about being a writer and worrying about your written work. Or (hopefully) not worrying. I am part of the wonderful London Writer's Salon as I learn the craft as an elder and will submit that to them as possible Words of Wisdom that begins each of our Writer's Hours each day. I needed to hear this. I bet others do too. Thank you for all you've done in both art and writing over these many years.
Thanks for that feedback Diana. I've published 16 books, many of them successful, and I've received about 3000 letters and emails from people telling me how much my work has meant to them, and still I struggle with self-confidence. John Steinbeck, wrote in his journal on August 16, 1938, when he was writing Grapes of Wrath. As quoted in his book Working Days.
"My many weaknesses are starting to show their heads. I simply must get this out of my system. I'm not a writer. I've been fooling myself and other people. I wish I were."
There's a lot more of Doug on being writer here:
https://herondance.org/doug-peacock-author-ecowarrior
Thanks for your reply. I suspect I will struggle with that too. I was told by a creative writing teacher when I was 16: you're a writer. So that has hung in my consciousness for lo these many years. A number of years ago when I was facilitating a Literature and Medicine group at a hospital in Middlebury VT, the writer on our team asked me about this. She thought a moment and then said: So you are a writer who's not writing! With a bright smile. I used that for a long time as a good excuse. But now at 78: no more excuses. I have a story I need to tell: my husband's murder when I was 24 and then the mis-carriage of justice which saw his killer walk away with no consequences at all. But now I have the Writer's Salon full of encouraging people from around the world writing-or even just imagining--amazing things who I can write with in community through zoom. And like Doug said to you: we'll see what happens. My job is to tell the story in as much depth as I can. It is very hard. But worth it. Cindy Read (then living in NYC) is the one who connected me to your work--both art and writing--decades ago. I continue to be grateful to her.
Thank you for these beautifully written passages today… yours, Doug’s, and the others you quote. It is all so useful and supportive of the life I continue choosing. Ever grateful for your work and your commitment to a life worth living, Vivi
Thank you Vivi for taking the time to write and for your feedback.