A little writing update + moving to Substack
Hello dear friends,
Today, I deviate from my typical stories and share a little writing update. I began this blog one year ago and it has been a joy. In my first post, I wrote this: “I humbly come before you with my words, honored you have chosen to read them. I pray they encourage and inspire you. I have no big plans here. No desire to monetize the blog, start a side business, or amass a following. Nothing other than the desire to have a creative outlet, hone my writing skills, and encourage friends and family.” These words are still 100% true. One of those desires gaining momentum in the back on my mind has been how to hone my writing skills.
Since the first time I submitted a poem on a whim to Commonplace by Daughters of Promise and shockingly had it accepted, I’ve had three additional pieces published in their tri-annual magazines. What a sweet thing to see my words and images printed alongside others in a publication I treasure. I’ve begun to think more deeply about the writing process and two things I desire: greater growth in my process and connection with others who write in a similar vein.
I think these kind of questions all the time: Should I write in past tense or present tense? How do I start with a strong introduction sentence? How do I weave figurative language more throughly into my reflection? Should I start typing on the computer when I have an idea or jot down thoughts in a notebook? I realize I won’t find those answers solely by myself.
Enter a group online called Coffee + Crumbs that I stumbled across after reading, Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood by Ashlee Gadd, which has now become a favorite book of mine. She is the founder of C + C whose heartbeat is storytelling, namely stories that weave motherhood, art, and faith together. If you’ve been reading my stuff for any length of time, you know that’s my jam. They have an online membership group called, Exhale, that produces podcasts, writing resources, workshops, and fosters creative community.
I have literally never done an online group before of any kind, so I was a little skeptical, but decided to take the leap during their open enrollment period in September. They offered a coupon code to try a month for only $5 so I figured: I can always opt out after. Well, let me tell you- I’ve opted in and plan to for a good while. It’s been so inspiring. And not just for my writing, but for other types of art I love.
I share all that backstory to lead up to this: I’ve moved my blog platform to Substack. Substack is simply another writing platform that allows more connection between readers and other writers. Most of the women in the Exhale group use it and I think it will help me connect more there. It does feel a little more like social media and I don’t love that aspect of it, but I’m going to give it a try and see how it goes.
One fear I had in attempting an online group was that it would take away from in person relationships. It seems a slippery slope and one to guard against. As a whole, I rarely post on Instagram or Facebook and I’ve struggled with how to be present online anyways for longer than I’ve had this blog. But, at least with this group, I’ve found it to be the opposite. I’m not looking for best friends, I’m looking for growth in an area of my life that is tender to me. And the more I have heard stories of other women creating, the more I feel liberated to create, and the more present I actually am in my in person relationships. Upon reflection, I think this is because it’s not about the online community, but about the art.
I have always felt most alive when creating. Different kinds of art have ebbed and flowed in my life, but writing has always been an anchor. I have felt intimidated and a little guilt laden to do much with my writing because I don’t have “important” writing dreams. Why waste my time if I’m not going to be a published author? And what a silly thought is that. No one says, “Why waste my time going on a short jog if I’m not going to run a marathon?” or “Why bother learning a new cooking technique if I’m not going to be a chef?” or “Why bother taking tennis lessons if I’m not going to play in Wimbledon?” I realize I’ve been letting fear get the best of me when I take that line of thinking. Instead, I’m trying to embrace new questions: What if any discipline, growth, or joy I experience in writing spills over into my motherhood, marriage, or friendships? What if I learn about myself and God in the process? What if feel more alive because of those 30 minutes writing even if the words never make it into any public space? What if writing isn’t about the outward achievements, but inward growth?
I’m slowly noticing a change in my life because of my pursuit of art again. I love the process- from a seed that forms to the planting of ideas on a page to the tending and movement of sentences until it sprouts and finally blooms. I’m excited to see how being a part of Exhale inspires and challenges me.
If you are interested in continuing to receive posts straight to your inbox, you can enter your email here at my new site, Lilley in the Light. It’s still free and always will be! My entire archive from here is also now on Substack.
Lastly, I want to say THANK YOU! I still mean the words that I have no desire to “amass a following.” I’ll let you in on a secret: I have 8 readers here. That might seem laughable to others who have hundreds or thousands of followers, but to me knowing 8 people want to read my words fills me with tears of gratitude. To me, eight is a big number. I am humbled by the few family and friends who have cheered me on every step of the way. Every text you send me after reading a post or every comment on one truly makes this scary step of sharing my words a little easier. My reply to a friend’s comment on a recent post applies to everyone here: “Your every comment bolsters my wavering confidence.” Thank you so incredibly much. You are a blessing.
Grace and peace,
Kim
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