My favorite line in "Digging" is the last one. "I'll dig with it" conveys a sense of purpose, of hard work even in a "softer" vocation, of determination and finality. IT GETS ME EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!!!
I love that last line, "I'll dig with it." Writing is hard work, but with determination it produces something tangible that we can be proud of.
I was just telling my husband this morning that even though this has been a week without rhythm due to the winter storm, I was going to spend time writing because that's what I do on Fridays and my writing muscles need the reps. I can't decide if I was serious when I said this or not, but I wanted to be. I also told him I was tired of my current writing project and I wanted to do something fresh and exciting, but at the same time I still feel compelled to record that story. Finishing things is another muscle that needs the exercise. Then, I read this post. Now I'm feeling content with the fact that my current project is not only a great story and whether people keep reading to the end or not, it's good practice for me.
I love that you have a specific day (Fridays) to write! I think that's such a helpful practice. And this is so true: "Whether people keep reading to the end or not, it's good practice for me." Love that.
I couldn’t agree more. Last year I participated in Gretchan Rubin’s “write 2-4 in ‘24” and it was transformative. Nothing grows the writing muscles like consistent reps!
As to my favorite genre to write:
poetry and non-fiction essay. I’m so thankful for Substack as a place to share poetry! ✨
"Nothing grows the writing muscles like consistent reps." Yes!!! I think seeing writing as a muscle is an underrated way to look at it. Sometimes inspiration does strike—but often it's the slow plodding way where we unearth gems.
This post was really motivating! I definitely needed that reminder!
I think I have been writing out of a “poverty mentality," maybe because pursuing writing as a career has been so frowned upon in my family or simply just society, I find that I have little access to the mentorship I crave. But you are absolutely right, there are so many resources that I already have available to me, and really, what I have to do most is to write.
My favorite genre to write is fiction! Though I love poetry as well! And my favorite line from the poem "Digging" had to have been: "I've no spade to follow men like them." I interpreted it as we were all gifted with different sets of tools in life. What I'm called to do doesn't align with others and that's okay. I have a pen and they have a spade, we both contribute in different ways.
Pursuing writing as a career feels like the wild west in some ways, so I know what you're talking about! And you're so right that "what [we] have to do most is write."
It’s so hard Madeline when it feels as if something that is so deeply in our hearts is frowned upon. It really does stir doubts and questions within and around our selves. May your writing bring a sense of peace to this kind of tossing back and forth and lead you onward to share with us what is stirring within.
I sometimes feel I'm writing from a poverty mentality, mostly because I haven't made writing a daily practice. I falter as I (over) think about whether I'm up to the task of writing as well as I wish to. Confidence in my ability is key here. I enjoy writing non-fiction, and I prefer the freedom of writing about whatever is on my heart, rather than committing to one topic. My soul longs for variety. My favorite line from, "Digging," is "Once I carried him milk in a bottle, corked sloppily with paper. He straightened up to drink it..." because it brings back memories of me as a teenager, taking a quart-size mason jar of ice water to my dad as he cut grass under the sweltering summer sun. Here's my question for you: As a young writer, what kept you moving forward, pen in hand, when you lacked confidence or received negative feedback? Thank you for being here, for creating this community and for being such a lovely person.
Yes! Overthinking about writing is a HUGE barrier to writing at all. And that is a great question—I'll put some thought into it and answer it soon (maybe even in one of our posts)!
1) Writing is my heart language - the only way I can truly express and process my thoughts, coursing around the clock. When one focuses on learning a new language, however, the others often suffer. When I moved to Germany almost ten years ago, my writing had to give way to learning German articles and cases, which I have still not mastered to this day. Of course, I wrote to record my learning, but the poetry and prose faded into the background. When I began writing again last year, I definitely came with a "poverty mentlity." I have long kept a journal, jotting down a few phrases to describe each day. That is all time would allow for this busy mama of young children. To increase my writing time, I started writing out my prayers while the children napped. That increased my focus on the source of all things, and from abiding in God, poetry and prose again began to flow.
2) My favorite genres to write are poetry and nonfiction. I have always loved reading fiction and would love to write children's books one day (probably ones that rhyme), but I have never noticed a novel of my own knocking around. In this season of life, I need pieces that I can write quickly, before the baby's cry creates chaos of my ideas.
3) My favorite lines of the poem are:
"The cold smell of potato mould, the squelch and slap
Of soggy peat, the curt cuts of an edge"
I adore the descriptive language and the alliteration. These lines immediately take me back to growing up and working many hours on the family farm. 💚
I love the way you adapt your writing rhythms to your season of life. This is SO IMPORTANT and such a great picture of what writing can look like in all seasons! And isn't it amazing how just one line can take us back so vividly?
Writing prayers while children sleep is a beautiful way to recognise God in those quiet moments. I was always so tempted to ‘get stuff done’ while it was quiet!!
Appreciated this reminder that the best thing to do is not to overthink it but just write. I'm easing back into writing habits after finishing grad school (whole different kind of writing), but really do think just doing it is key!
I write nonfiction - essays and devotional/theological reflections mostly. Would love to get into writing memoir too.
Agreeing with others - I loved the last line of the poem too!
Someone asked me what I do this week and my husband chimed in from behind me “she’s a writer.” It was such a kind validation and one that bolstered me to say “yes I’m a writer!”
My favorite style is memoir-style non-fiction. Tell me a true story any day.
I love this. I think so often we can get caught up with what some call, "The paralysis of analysis." We can spend a lot of time thinking, planning, preparing, studying, and not doing. I've found just sitting down and letting words fly is a good start and I can clean up and proof later but actually doing it makes all the difference.
Hopefully I get better at it along the way as you've said.
Loved this post. Thanks Alicia for this beautiful space.. I’m really enjoying reading your posts and the responses of others.
I have never thought about a ‘poverty mentality’ for writing. I tend to have what I want to write ‘build up within me’ and then it bursts out in a kind of hyper focus session. I leave it for a while and then I’ll got back and read and re read and make changes… but I’m going to keep pondering. It did remind me of when I wrote my book Dew of Heaven, ultimately it’s my Christian journey of living like I was searching everywhere and doing all sorts of things (including becoming a Pastor) only to discover, I already had within what I was looking for. (Jesus’ life within. In fact that He now was my life)
My favourite line is:
My Grandfather cut more turf in a day than any other man on Toner’s Bog. Like in another response I read this took me back to watching my own Grandfather cut turf, cut spuds and toil the land. I could see, smell and hear it all as I read these words!
My favourite genre: well I’ve written children’s books. One that came to me in a dream and I do love those! I really love writing about revelations of scripture and my wrestle and wonder with this. But, this has prompted me to remember that I used to write poetry. So maybe, I’ll be re-inspired to try my hand at digging here.
Thanks for sharing this message. I am new to Substack and hoping to share about discoveries from extra-biblical writings that help us better understand the Bible. You words are an encouragement as I'm getting started. ❤️
1. The "poverty mentality" is where I am tempted to live, but this post reminded me of what I was told in graduate school: the only way to learn how to teach is to teach. One could read about all the theory, techniques, and tricks, and while those are important and can be helpful, the only way to really learn how to teach is to do it. The same seems to be with writing. Thank you for that reminder and encouragement!
2. I tend to write nonfiction, although I've toyed with poetry and have several ideas brewing.
3. The last line of "Digging" has such a beautiful and resolute ring, but I think "But I've no spade to follow men like them" might be my favorite line. As an immigrants' kid and now living as an expat as an adult, I have always felt like I lack the experiences, tools, and richness that comes with having a longstanding history with something or someplace. Having "no spade to follow men like them" puts to words how I feel about adding my voice into the fray. But the last line speaks encouragement and reminds me that whatever God has given me, "I'll dig with it."
To answer one of the questions:
My favorite line in "Digging" is the last one. "I'll dig with it" conveys a sense of purpose, of hard work even in a "softer" vocation, of determination and finality. IT GETS ME EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!!!
I love that last line, "I'll dig with it." Writing is hard work, but with determination it produces something tangible that we can be proud of.
I was just telling my husband this morning that even though this has been a week without rhythm due to the winter storm, I was going to spend time writing because that's what I do on Fridays and my writing muscles need the reps. I can't decide if I was serious when I said this or not, but I wanted to be. I also told him I was tired of my current writing project and I wanted to do something fresh and exciting, but at the same time I still feel compelled to record that story. Finishing things is another muscle that needs the exercise. Then, I read this post. Now I'm feeling content with the fact that my current project is not only a great story and whether people keep reading to the end or not, it's good practice for me.
I love that you have a specific day (Fridays) to write! I think that's such a helpful practice. And this is so true: "Whether people keep reading to the end or not, it's good practice for me." Love that.
I love this, ‘my writings muscles need the reps’ :)
I couldn’t agree more. Last year I participated in Gretchan Rubin’s “write 2-4 in ‘24” and it was transformative. Nothing grows the writing muscles like consistent reps!
As to my favorite genre to write:
poetry and non-fiction essay. I’m so thankful for Substack as a place to share poetry! ✨
"Nothing grows the writing muscles like consistent reps." Yes!!! I think seeing writing as a muscle is an underrated way to look at it. Sometimes inspiration does strike—but often it's the slow plodding way where we unearth gems.
This post was really motivating! I definitely needed that reminder!
I think I have been writing out of a “poverty mentality," maybe because pursuing writing as a career has been so frowned upon in my family or simply just society, I find that I have little access to the mentorship I crave. But you are absolutely right, there are so many resources that I already have available to me, and really, what I have to do most is to write.
My favorite genre to write is fiction! Though I love poetry as well! And my favorite line from the poem "Digging" had to have been: "I've no spade to follow men like them." I interpreted it as we were all gifted with different sets of tools in life. What I'm called to do doesn't align with others and that's okay. I have a pen and they have a spade, we both contribute in different ways.
Pursuing writing as a career feels like the wild west in some ways, so I know what you're talking about! And you're so right that "what [we] have to do most is write."
It’s so hard Madeline when it feels as if something that is so deeply in our hearts is frowned upon. It really does stir doubts and questions within and around our selves. May your writing bring a sense of peace to this kind of tossing back and forth and lead you onward to share with us what is stirring within.
Thank you so much Amanda! That means so much to me!
I sometimes feel I'm writing from a poverty mentality, mostly because I haven't made writing a daily practice. I falter as I (over) think about whether I'm up to the task of writing as well as I wish to. Confidence in my ability is key here. I enjoy writing non-fiction, and I prefer the freedom of writing about whatever is on my heart, rather than committing to one topic. My soul longs for variety. My favorite line from, "Digging," is "Once I carried him milk in a bottle, corked sloppily with paper. He straightened up to drink it..." because it brings back memories of me as a teenager, taking a quart-size mason jar of ice water to my dad as he cut grass under the sweltering summer sun. Here's my question for you: As a young writer, what kept you moving forward, pen in hand, when you lacked confidence or received negative feedback? Thank you for being here, for creating this community and for being such a lovely person.
Yes! Overthinking about writing is a HUGE barrier to writing at all. And that is a great question—I'll put some thought into it and answer it soon (maybe even in one of our posts)!
Another wonderful post of encouragement!
1) Writing is my heart language - the only way I can truly express and process my thoughts, coursing around the clock. When one focuses on learning a new language, however, the others often suffer. When I moved to Germany almost ten years ago, my writing had to give way to learning German articles and cases, which I have still not mastered to this day. Of course, I wrote to record my learning, but the poetry and prose faded into the background. When I began writing again last year, I definitely came with a "poverty mentlity." I have long kept a journal, jotting down a few phrases to describe each day. That is all time would allow for this busy mama of young children. To increase my writing time, I started writing out my prayers while the children napped. That increased my focus on the source of all things, and from abiding in God, poetry and prose again began to flow.
2) My favorite genres to write are poetry and nonfiction. I have always loved reading fiction and would love to write children's books one day (probably ones that rhyme), but I have never noticed a novel of my own knocking around. In this season of life, I need pieces that I can write quickly, before the baby's cry creates chaos of my ideas.
3) My favorite lines of the poem are:
"The cold smell of potato mould, the squelch and slap
Of soggy peat, the curt cuts of an edge"
I adore the descriptive language and the alliteration. These lines immediately take me back to growing up and working many hours on the family farm. 💚
I love the way you adapt your writing rhythms to your season of life. This is SO IMPORTANT and such a great picture of what writing can look like in all seasons! And isn't it amazing how just one line can take us back so vividly?
Writing prayers while children sleep is a beautiful way to recognise God in those quiet moments. I was always so tempted to ‘get stuff done’ while it was quiet!!
Thanks for fostering this community! Looking forward to connecting more!
Appreciated this reminder that the best thing to do is not to overthink it but just write. I'm easing back into writing habits after finishing grad school (whole different kind of writing), but really do think just doing it is key!
I write nonfiction - essays and devotional/theological reflections mostly. Would love to get into writing memoir too.
Agreeing with others - I loved the last line of the poem too!
Yes, grad school is a WHOLE different kind of writing! I hope you enjoy this new season of writing :)
Someone asked me what I do this week and my husband chimed in from behind me “she’s a writer.” It was such a kind validation and one that bolstered me to say “yes I’m a writer!”
My favorite style is memoir-style non-fiction. Tell me a true story any day.
My husband did the same thing a few days ago ... and I felt so very heard, seen, loved, and supported.
What a joy.
I love this. I think so often we can get caught up with what some call, "The paralysis of analysis." We can spend a lot of time thinking, planning, preparing, studying, and not doing. I've found just sitting down and letting words fly is a good start and I can clean up and proof later but actually doing it makes all the difference.
Hopefully I get better at it along the way as you've said.
Loved this post. Thanks Alicia for this beautiful space.. I’m really enjoying reading your posts and the responses of others.
I have never thought about a ‘poverty mentality’ for writing. I tend to have what I want to write ‘build up within me’ and then it bursts out in a kind of hyper focus session. I leave it for a while and then I’ll got back and read and re read and make changes… but I’m going to keep pondering. It did remind me of when I wrote my book Dew of Heaven, ultimately it’s my Christian journey of living like I was searching everywhere and doing all sorts of things (including becoming a Pastor) only to discover, I already had within what I was looking for. (Jesus’ life within. In fact that He now was my life)
My favourite line is:
My Grandfather cut more turf in a day than any other man on Toner’s Bog. Like in another response I read this took me back to watching my own Grandfather cut turf, cut spuds and toil the land. I could see, smell and hear it all as I read these words!
My favourite genre: well I’ve written children’s books. One that came to me in a dream and I do love those! I really love writing about revelations of scripture and my wrestle and wonder with this. But, this has prompted me to remember that I used to write poetry. So maybe, I’ll be re-inspired to try my hand at digging here.
Thanks again Alicia.
What a cool peek into your writing process! I love that!
Thanks for sharing this message. I am new to Substack and hoping to share about discoveries from extra-biblical writings that help us better understand the Bible. You words are an encouragement as I'm getting started. ❤️
1. The "poverty mentality" is where I am tempted to live, but this post reminded me of what I was told in graduate school: the only way to learn how to teach is to teach. One could read about all the theory, techniques, and tricks, and while those are important and can be helpful, the only way to really learn how to teach is to do it. The same seems to be with writing. Thank you for that reminder and encouragement!
2. I tend to write nonfiction, although I've toyed with poetry and have several ideas brewing.
3. The last line of "Digging" has such a beautiful and resolute ring, but I think "But I've no spade to follow men like them" might be my favorite line. As an immigrants' kid and now living as an expat as an adult, I have always felt like I lack the experiences, tools, and richness that comes with having a longstanding history with something or someplace. Having "no spade to follow men like them" puts to words how I feel about adding my voice into the fray. But the last line speaks encouragement and reminds me that whatever God has given me, "I'll dig with it."
That is SUCH A GOOD LINE. Your reflection was so beautiful to read, Sarah!