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Jonathan Pope's avatar

I can empathecize so strongly with the reality of you of uncomfortable weather surrounding you and not having your novel underway quite yet. (though from your description of the two options I found myself rooting for the second one that gives you the warm feeling. Maybe something is awaiting you there besides just the joy of creating? )

My empathy comes from the fact that yesterday our wonderful southern Oregon summer outdoor season abruptly ended as we were enveloped in smoke and ash from a McKinney wildfire to the south in California. Wonderful clear views on hikes, days splashing in a kayak on a lake or river, may be curtailed for weeks or months until the fire and smoke die down. They don't seem in a hurry to die down these days.

But, I have this wonderful gift of a writing project with focus and purpose and a place to share it. For that I'm thankful to you Susannah, and for all the help your mentoring provided me in getting published online. Now I can sit at my desk enjoying my creative world, and distance myself a bit from the smoke and ash. Should unfortunately we have to evacuate I can bring this creative world with me. Thank you!

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Susannah Rigg's avatar

Thank you for such kind words, Jonathan, your words about your creative world made me so happy to hear and a little teary (in a good way). I am so saddened to hear about the wild fires and/but I love that your creative world gives you a place of solace/relief/escape and like you said, you take it wherever you go. What a beautiful sentiment! And, yes, I went with option two and it is wonderful!

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Jonathan Pope's avatar

Oh good. Option 2!

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Laurie Thompson's avatar

Though I am not a writer, I do understand the feelings around stymied creativity. For me, I notice I become irritable and uncharacteristically impatient. These uncomfortable feelings are generally shifted once I start revisiting an shelved photographic project or set out to explore a new impulse.

Thanks for another helpful and honest newsletter.

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Susannah Rigg's avatar

Isn't it amazing how these feelings can shift when we let our creativity take the lead for a while? I am so glad that you found the newsletter useful and thank you so much for sharing! I look forward to hearing about what shelved photography projects might be getting a dust off.

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lauren deborah | they/she 🌈🐆's avatar

Loved hearing you read this, friend. Thank you always for sharing and I cannot wait to read your next novel xx

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Susannah Rigg's avatar

AWW I am so glad you enjoyed the audio, amiga and thanks for your enthusiasm re my next novel! xx

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