It makes me a little sad that you hide the fact you’re a writer. Your first book means so much to me and helped me very much. It has a place of honor in my small collection of meaningful books. Maybe next time someone asks what you do, you could proudly say you do all sorts of things, including publishing and writing! Either way, I love everything you stand for, and I’ll be following your Substack and this next chapter of your journey with great
I appreciate the sentiment in this, Bobbi! It's not that I want to hide that I'm a writer. I feel confident saying that. It's just as soon as you tell (some) people you've published books... they immediately "other" you. They'll see your success as something they want to get close to. Something they want to be friends with. I think there are probably some authors who love it and some who hate it and some who are in the middle. I'm probably more towards the "hate it" side. It's not genuine, and feels more like being used. It's a hard one to even talk about, because it feels like a weird boasting in a way!? But it's how I feel. I don't want people to want to get to know me JUST because I've published books. I want them to want to know ME!
Hi Cait, have you seen Elizabeth Gilbert's TED Talk about writing after Eat Pray Love (titled Success, failure and the drive to keep creating) - you might find it interesting and helpful. I'm glad u have found your way to writing your next project 🩷
This is lovely. Congratulations on a beautiful new chapter! (And I hide that I'm a writer too; not so much because I think anyone's going to put me on a pedestal, but because I'd rather people learn things about me in real time, rather than it all unfolding at once.)
Thank you, Katie ❤️ and that's true! It's also more balanced when you can learn about EACH OTHER at the same time... not them learn everything about you, and you still know nothing about them. (Speaks to what Amber has said here too.)
And we are grateful to have read and seen (pictures and such) the transformation with you. Enjoy your respite time!!
(And my prediction - like the paperless office that doesn’t exist AI will pendulum swing and then normalize. There is no substitute for humans in the human experience).
I agree with you, friend! I think we will always want to connect with real humans. It's just a matter of what JOBS will be available to some of us, haha. But only time will tell! ❤️
Thanks, friend! I'm actually in Canada for 3 weeks in Sept/Oct... so will probably take another break for that too, haha. But will happily come back with at least a couple posts in-between, because I WANT to write! It's feeling really joyful right now, and we lean into the joy here! (And yes to nesting! We just had 2 weeks without the kids. So did lots of that. The honeymoon ends tomorrow, haha.)
I'm so happy you found your way back to writing, I love how you describe your relationship with places. Regarding the people knowing you write, I have had that thought before publishing a substack article, sometimes I don't want some people to read it and I'm afraid my writing may share too much about me. I doubt to promote my posts in my IG because I prefer to be read by strangers, even if its only a few people. I think it's interesting how we look for safety even when being vulnerable.
It's very interesting, Katherin. And from personal experience, makes a lot of sense to me! When I started blogging in 2010, I wrote anonymously for the first two years... because I didn't want anyone in my real life to find it! I haven't thought about this too deeply but *think* it's part of not only wanting to find our voices, but to simply HAVE a voice. And to not let anyone in our lives try to change our thoughts/feelings. That's my personal feeling anyway. And have no advice other than: keep writing the truest thing. ❤️
I am playing with standing in my truth. Now that I am 53, I am ready to write and share from my heart. I don't want to hold back who I am and what matters to me. That doesn't mean I have to share everything, but I want people to get a sense of who I am.
Well, my friend, you did it! You finally completed your move to TM's house and now starting another exciting stage in your life - congratulations!!!
I was interested in this - your final dispatch from The Lighthouse - and will be interested in what you will be writing in future from ... The Sprinkle House! (? - perhaps) ☺️
One point though that I like to make - you should never feel "uneasy" (perhaps is not the correct word) in letting others know about you being an author. Be proud of your writing accomplishments and don't worry if you feel that some might "put you on a pedestal". It's only because at first they don't know you very well but I'm sure that over time, if they did, they would also get to know you as a human being. I wouldn't let that slow you down as you progress in your career as an author.
Which leads me to another thought. Have you considered or checked out various writers organizations (which may or may not physically exist near you but that doesn't matter)?
If not then I would suggest that you do so because I'm sure that you would really enjoy networking with other authors.
Just for giggles, I used ChatGPT to search for this:
"Are there any writer associations in Toronto" and it listed a whole bunch of them.
Here's one, for instance, which offers a multitude of interesting author-related activities:
If you've never used ChatGPT, it's free, easy to setup and use, and I tend to use it as much, if not more now, than I use Google search these days. Just Google on how to set it up.
So Cait, enjoy the rest of August and we'll look forward seeing you back here in September.
Well I don't think not talking about it holds me back career-wise! Maybe means I make less friends though, lol. But oh well. Appreciate the thought re: looking into organizations! It's something I've looked into a bit here, but most things are ~an hour away. Life in the country has some disadvantages! Ahh well. Enjoy the rest of August, friend!
About author organizations, point taken Cait, but as I mentioned in my comment, although they may not be physically close to you to actually visit them, online contact with them (and their offerings) may still provide you with significant support in your writing career. I would still suggest that you initially reach out to one that may interest you and try them out - nothing ventured, nothing gained. But of course it's your call.
That looks like a wonderful house or cottage whatever it may be and is so clean and contemporary which I prefer at this stage of my life. I followed you because you have the same philosophy of living 'simply' that I do and think you're a kind and down to earth person by how you communicate.
Thank you for sharing Cait! I crave simplicity and less. Currently, my college kid has spread throughout my house. Saturday, he is moving back to school. I plan to clear, clean, and reimagine the spaces in my home. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a space with new eyes. Enjoy the rest of your August and your new home.
It makes me a little sad that you hide the fact you’re a writer. Your first book means so much to me and helped me very much. It has a place of honor in my small collection of meaningful books. Maybe next time someone asks what you do, you could proudly say you do all sorts of things, including publishing and writing! Either way, I love everything you stand for, and I’ll be following your Substack and this next chapter of your journey with great
interest.
I appreciate the sentiment in this, Bobbi! It's not that I want to hide that I'm a writer. I feel confident saying that. It's just as soon as you tell (some) people you've published books... they immediately "other" you. They'll see your success as something they want to get close to. Something they want to be friends with. I think there are probably some authors who love it and some who hate it and some who are in the middle. I'm probably more towards the "hate it" side. It's not genuine, and feels more like being used. It's a hard one to even talk about, because it feels like a weird boasting in a way!? But it's how I feel. I don't want people to want to get to know me JUST because I've published books. I want them to want to know ME!
That’s such a shame 🙁. Maybe that’s why some writers don’t write under their real name? Never really thought of it before.
Anyway you must continue doing what is right for you!
Hi Cait, have you seen Elizabeth Gilbert's TED Talk about writing after Eat Pray Love (titled Success, failure and the drive to keep creating) - you might find it interesting and helpful. I'm glad u have found your way to writing your next project 🩷
I have seen both her talks, yes! Thanks, Rebecca! ❤️
❤️❤️❤️
This is lovely. Congratulations on a beautiful new chapter! (And I hide that I'm a writer too; not so much because I think anyone's going to put me on a pedestal, but because I'd rather people learn things about me in real time, rather than it all unfolding at once.)
I feel that. There’s so much vulnerability shared in writing and it’s a bit weird when someone knows all your details instantly
Thank you, Katie ❤️ and that's true! It's also more balanced when you can learn about EACH OTHER at the same time... not them learn everything about you, and you still know nothing about them. (Speaks to what Amber has said here too.)
Yes!!
And we are grateful to have read and seen (pictures and such) the transformation with you. Enjoy your respite time!!
(And my prediction - like the paperless office that doesn’t exist AI will pendulum swing and then normalize. There is no substitute for humans in the human experience).
I agree with you, friend! I think we will always want to connect with real humans. It's just a matter of what JOBS will be available to some of us, haha. But only time will tell! ❤️
I want to hear from real people, and that comes through vulnerability. AI can't write from the heart.
Me too!
Excited for this next chapter!!! Hope you extend a little time in September to rest, recuperate, and best of all, NEST!
Thanks, friend! I'm actually in Canada for 3 weeks in Sept/Oct... so will probably take another break for that too, haha. But will happily come back with at least a couple posts in-between, because I WANT to write! It's feeling really joyful right now, and we lean into the joy here! (And yes to nesting! We just had 2 weeks without the kids. So did lots of that. The honeymoon ends tomorrow, haha.)
That feeling joyful is just the best.
I'm so happy you found your way back to writing, I love how you describe your relationship with places. Regarding the people knowing you write, I have had that thought before publishing a substack article, sometimes I don't want some people to read it and I'm afraid my writing may share too much about me. I doubt to promote my posts in my IG because I prefer to be read by strangers, even if its only a few people. I think it's interesting how we look for safety even when being vulnerable.
It's very interesting, Katherin. And from personal experience, makes a lot of sense to me! When I started blogging in 2010, I wrote anonymously for the first two years... because I didn't want anyone in my real life to find it! I haven't thought about this too deeply but *think* it's part of not only wanting to find our voices, but to simply HAVE a voice. And to not let anyone in our lives try to change our thoughts/feelings. That's my personal feeling anyway. And have no advice other than: keep writing the truest thing. ❤️
I am playing with standing in my truth. Now that I am 53, I am ready to write and share from my heart. I don't want to hold back who I am and what matters to me. That doesn't mean I have to share everything, but I want people to get a sense of who I am.
I really enjoyed this series Cait. Have the best month and thanks for taking us on the journey with us.
Oh I'm so glad, and thank you! It's felt really special to write about it, and to share it all with you.
Hi Cait!
Well, my friend, you did it! You finally completed your move to TM's house and now starting another exciting stage in your life - congratulations!!!
I was interested in this - your final dispatch from The Lighthouse - and will be interested in what you will be writing in future from ... The Sprinkle House! (? - perhaps) ☺️
One point though that I like to make - you should never feel "uneasy" (perhaps is not the correct word) in letting others know about you being an author. Be proud of your writing accomplishments and don't worry if you feel that some might "put you on a pedestal". It's only because at first they don't know you very well but I'm sure that over time, if they did, they would also get to know you as a human being. I wouldn't let that slow you down as you progress in your career as an author.
Which leads me to another thought. Have you considered or checked out various writers organizations (which may or may not physically exist near you but that doesn't matter)?
If not then I would suggest that you do so because I'm sure that you would really enjoy networking with other authors.
Just for giggles, I used ChatGPT to search for this:
"Are there any writer associations in Toronto" and it listed a whole bunch of them.
Here's one, for instance, which offers a multitude of interesting author-related activities:
https://canadianauthors.org/national/
If you've never used ChatGPT, it's free, easy to setup and use, and I tend to use it as much, if not more now, than I use Google search these days. Just Google on how to set it up.
So Cait, enjoy the rest of August and we'll look forward seeing you back here in September.
Well I don't think not talking about it holds me back career-wise! Maybe means I make less friends though, lol. But oh well. Appreciate the thought re: looking into organizations! It's something I've looked into a bit here, but most things are ~an hour away. Life in the country has some disadvantages! Ahh well. Enjoy the rest of August, friend!
About author organizations, point taken Cait, but as I mentioned in my comment, although they may not be physically close to you to actually visit them, online contact with them (and their offerings) may still provide you with significant support in your writing career. I would still suggest that you initially reach out to one that may interest you and try them out - nothing ventured, nothing gained. But of course it's your call.
Hi Rob!
Hi Blythe! It's great to see you here.
That looks like a wonderful house or cottage whatever it may be and is so clean and contemporary which I prefer at this stage of my life. I followed you because you have the same philosophy of living 'simply' that I do and think you're a kind and down to earth person by how you communicate.
That's kind of you to say, Sandra, thank you. Enjoy the rest of your summer in the PNW ☺️
Thanks! I'm enjoying it and am getting ready to go to the neighborhood farmer's market this afternoon!
Wishing you the very best on your next Chapter. I appreciate your writing and willingness to share. Thank you.
Thank you, Casie. ☺️
Thank you for sharing Cait! I crave simplicity and less. Currently, my college kid has spread throughout my house. Saturday, he is moving back to school. I plan to clear, clean, and reimagine the spaces in my home. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a space with new eyes. Enjoy the rest of your August and your new home.