I agree. We do have to write about trauma. Partly for ourselves to tell our own version of the story and partly so we feel less alone and can connect our stories with others. That doesn’t make it easy and I am still learning to do that.
Hi Catriona, I am glad that you echo my sentiments on this - thank you for reading. It's definitely not easy and it definitely takes so much time to feel safe to. Keep going. <3
Such a thoughtful and thought-provoking piece, Emily. Thank you for sharing 🙏
'Delicate' is such a good word for writing about trauma. It's a big part of my work, and something I'm always revising my thoughts on. I was struck by the distinction you draw between writing about trauma, and then publishing it which, to me, are two separate but inter-related questions. I still sometimes find the publishing aspect difficult to navigate. Less so in my newsletter, where my audience are kind and aware of what they're signing up for. But when my work appears in other outlets, it often causes what I think of as a "wobble".
But I strongly believe that stories about trauma deserve to be told and I'm committed to sharing them, while also looking for resources and support to do it in ways that are more grounded and loving and (the dream!) in community with others.
I'm intrigued by how you are tracking your life through your burnouts too. I'd be curious to understand what you learn from that, if you're open to sharing.
I wish you all the best with your writing! We're both deep in fiction at the moment, working on parallel paths toward the same result: a published book.
Ah yes, I totally relate to the fact that when work is very much out of your hands - like in other outlets that you don't control the publishing to - it's sooo wobble feeling. I've been writing and appearing in media about hard things like anxiety and trauma for over a decade now, and I remember especially at the beginning, the external media outlet pieces were always the ones keeping me up at night, rather than my own publications. I chose to self-publish my memoir and that's not what I want for my fiction, however, it was absolutely right for my memoir as it felt too vulnerable to not have full creative agency - whether that was because I would be pushed to write more than I felt comfortable to fit more of the hot topic selling points of the current societal climate, or change or cut something that was important for me to process in the writing. It is soooo incredibly delicate.
Yes! So agree with you, the dream!
I am looking forward to following more of your fiction book journey;I really resonated last week. I will definitely be sharing the burn out chronicles soon.
I am glad we found each other in the writing about trauma internet corners!
So Insightful, As a undiagnosed person who can relate to so much of all this has been eye-opening in more than one way possible and I thank you for putting your creativity out there and speaking your truth
Thank you so much for reading and relating, Aru. It's my pleasure. I Iove when I get to write about creativity in these letters, and I love that it's such a huge part of my life.
I agree. We do have to write about trauma. Partly for ourselves to tell our own version of the story and partly so we feel less alone and can connect our stories with others. That doesn’t make it easy and I am still learning to do that.
Hi Catriona, I am glad that you echo my sentiments on this - thank you for reading. It's definitely not easy and it definitely takes so much time to feel safe to. Keep going. <3
Such a thoughtful and thought-provoking piece, Emily. Thank you for sharing 🙏
'Delicate' is such a good word for writing about trauma. It's a big part of my work, and something I'm always revising my thoughts on. I was struck by the distinction you draw between writing about trauma, and then publishing it which, to me, are two separate but inter-related questions. I still sometimes find the publishing aspect difficult to navigate. Less so in my newsletter, where my audience are kind and aware of what they're signing up for. But when my work appears in other outlets, it often causes what I think of as a "wobble".
But I strongly believe that stories about trauma deserve to be told and I'm committed to sharing them, while also looking for resources and support to do it in ways that are more grounded and loving and (the dream!) in community with others.
I'm intrigued by how you are tracking your life through your burnouts too. I'd be curious to understand what you learn from that, if you're open to sharing.
I wish you all the best with your writing! We're both deep in fiction at the moment, working on parallel paths toward the same result: a published book.
All my best, Clare x
Thank you so much for reading Clare. :)
Ah yes, I totally relate to the fact that when work is very much out of your hands - like in other outlets that you don't control the publishing to - it's sooo wobble feeling. I've been writing and appearing in media about hard things like anxiety and trauma for over a decade now, and I remember especially at the beginning, the external media outlet pieces were always the ones keeping me up at night, rather than my own publications. I chose to self-publish my memoir and that's not what I want for my fiction, however, it was absolutely right for my memoir as it felt too vulnerable to not have full creative agency - whether that was because I would be pushed to write more than I felt comfortable to fit more of the hot topic selling points of the current societal climate, or change or cut something that was important for me to process in the writing. It is soooo incredibly delicate.
Yes! So agree with you, the dream!
I am looking forward to following more of your fiction book journey;I really resonated last week. I will definitely be sharing the burn out chronicles soon.
I am glad we found each other in the writing about trauma internet corners!
So Insightful, As a undiagnosed person who can relate to so much of all this has been eye-opening in more than one way possible and I thank you for putting your creativity out there and speaking your truth
Thank you so much for reading and relating, Aru. It's my pleasure. I Iove when I get to write about creativity in these letters, and I love that it's such a huge part of my life.