“A poet’s true job is not to offer advice, but rather to aptly name the ache.”
Thank you for this poignant reminder today ❤️ It perfectly describes not only the kind of writer I want to be, but the kind of human/mother/friend I want to embody.
Wrote in my journal just yesterday about that exact day last year and what I know now but didn’t know then. “What I wish I didn’t know” sums it up in every way I wish it didn’t.
This is so reassuring! Cos I think this uncannily describes how I write or at least the place where my poetry comes from - and there was me thinking I was over emotional and not clever like all the incredible poets I keep discovering! Thanks 😁
Thank you so much for this. As a writer wanting to write what's real, or at least real for me, these are such good reminders. The writers I most admire do exactly as you say, "aptly name the ache."
So helpful as I begin to write (though haven’t I always written?). I don’t consider myself a writer (in any professional sense), though I know deep down that anyone putting pen to paper is a writer. But am feeling this deep ache to put things down on paper and to share.
When you say, write what you wish you didn’t know, I thought immediately of my relationship with my parents. Yet, I find it hard to write candidly without hurting them. They were good, flawed parents and there is a story there. But how to tell it kindly?
“A poet’s true job is not to offer advice, but rather to aptly name the ache.”
Thank you for this poignant reminder today ❤️ It perfectly describes not only the kind of writer I want to be, but the kind of human/mother/friend I want to embody.
I loved this too!
I just fucking love your work. You’re absolutely lovely and I’m so thrilled you’re on Substack. ❤️
I love “write what you wish you didn’t know.” It’s just a perfect way of wording it.
This is absolutely beautiful!! Thank you so much you inspire me to write.
Wrote in my journal just yesterday about that exact day last year and what I know now but didn’t know then. “What I wish I didn’t know” sums it up in every way I wish it didn’t.
Exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you!
Such beautifully written craft advice. Thank you!
This is so reassuring! Cos I think this uncannily describes how I write or at least the place where my poetry comes from - and there was me thinking I was over emotional and not clever like all the incredible poets I keep discovering! Thanks 😁
So many beautiful nuggets I’m taking from this! Thank you for sharing
So good ❤️
Thank you so much for this. As a writer wanting to write what's real, or at least real for me, these are such good reminders. The writers I most admire do exactly as you say, "aptly name the ache."
Naming the ache really hit where it needed to for me. Just witness, feel and name it. Thanks for this ♥️
This is definitely an article I'll gladly be coming back to. Thank you for the wonderful tips.
Love this.
So helpful as I begin to write (though haven’t I always written?). I don’t consider myself a writer (in any professional sense), though I know deep down that anyone putting pen to paper is a writer. But am feeling this deep ache to put things down on paper and to share.
When you say, write what you wish you didn’t know, I thought immediately of my relationship with my parents. Yet, I find it hard to write candidly without hurting them. They were good, flawed parents and there is a story there. But how to tell it kindly?