Hello, and welcome back to Sitting in Silence, the newsletter about writing, craft, worry & joy. Offering good vibes and better creativity advice since 2022.
The most common question writers get on book tour is probably “why do you write?” (A near tie would be, “so what’s the next book about?”)
At any given book event, half the audience are likely aspiring writers. People who know they have something cool and gorgeous within themselves, if only they could pull it into the real world.
But, today, we’re going to try something different. If you’re someone who likes to write, go to the comments and tell me why. What about this strange craft that draws you back time and time again? What does writing do for you?
I think it would be instructive for many of us to share.
Next up, a podcast post is coming tomorrow. And I’d like to post a full sized newsletter next week. We’ll see. Patron discounts are still in effect. Sign up for access to almost 150 unique posts.
I’ll be in conversation at Baldwin & Company with MacAuthur Genius Grant Recipient, Imani Perry, author of Black in Blues, How a Color Tells the Story of My People, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
Lastly, keep in mind that the new paperback for The American Daughters comes out Tuesday, March 4. Preorders help me spread the word, so order a copy for yourself or a loved one, if you’re able. Here’s a first look at the fabulous fresh cover:
I write so that I can edit. I really enjoy the editing process. Cutting, pasting, reordering, word changes, changes of direction; that whole process of discovering the work that’s buried in the first draft. I’ve spent a year on a poem. Very difficult, very challenging but very satisfying. That said, if I could get there without writing that first draft I would. That S#!+s hard.
Because I can't build a table.