I thought my creative side has disappeared in the pre-pandimic time which seems like another lifetime ...but it came roaring back when I was sidelined with a knee replacement then Covid gave me time to find my creativeness..a lot of things aligned to give me a time out...
Debbie I feel so much of this. Writing, for a writer, however imperfect, does feel like the most rigorous form of self expression and exploration. Part of the difficulty is just inherent. It’s athletic, it’s muscular, it can be hard. But damn it is also rewarding and sometimes nothing else will do. It’s better, for me, to practice this than to not…even when it’s frustrating. I guess that’s what it means to be a writer. Also: Erin. Godsend. I’ve been working with her a single month and already feel like a whole new thinker in the world. Anyway…i am so glad you are here, Debbie. I relish all your pieces.
My husband Sam Harrington (mentioned herein) wanted to know more about how the creative PROCESS changes. How do the process, the steps, actually change, he asked me? He liked that I mentioned working with an editor / collaborator as part of a different writing process. But he wanted more specifics. I don’t have that answer… yet.
I’m so enjoying reading your…blog, right? Sorry to be so inept on Substack (et al really). Just phasing out of full-time work, and reading so much more now!! Literature & poetry mainly, but very much enjoying opinion pieces too. Thanks for sharing your insights in such an accessible way!!
Debbie, I love that quote by Joan Didion. So much of what you’ve explored and written in your post, I totally relate to. I think you asked me that same question (about how my creative life may have changed now that I’m in my 70s) and I also found it difficult to articulate my answer. So, I like the part about it being “cellular.” Also, the thing I love about writing here on Substack is that I don’t think our readers expect our pieces to be perfect. Well-written (which yours are) for sure, but I think we read for your honesty and transparency. Thank you for writing! 🩶
K.R., yes! we strive for “well-written” but not perfect. but maybe that’s the joy of writing for Substack. we’re not writing the definitive piece for The New Yorker but for a “thinking out loud” kind of writing. it’s quite liberating, isn’t it?
Another timely post for which I thank you! I recently facilitated a writing class for seniors in which the only "purpose" was to actually write, in a group setting. I was surprised to hear how many people were literally paralyzed to write a word at home but with a single word prompt, and a brief, non-judging 15 minutes in class they could bang out something quite decent! (And then take home an idea to tweak away at in most cases!) It was a really wonderful and inspiring thing to be part of.
Sue, I love hearing this story! Funny how we need “permission” to do something creative. We need a safe environment where there is no judgment. (Kind of reminds me of Substack!)
A very interesting post on a very apposite question to us silver surfers. I wrote an essay on creativity in older age soon after setting up my Substack last year. You might be like to check it out: https://patriciacusack.substack.com/p/do-we-lose-the-creative-spark-as. I really enjoyed your post, Debbie.
Patricia, I love the word “apposite” but had to look it up to be entirely sure. (It means highly appropriate given the context.) I read your article and enjoyed very much! Especially appreciated how you pinned the aging / creativity topic to art history and research.
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/e_trim:10:white/e_trim:10:transparent/h_72,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb939748d-5d80-4d0f-867c-2ed252ac633c_1344x256.png)
I thought my creative side has disappeared in the pre-pandimic time which seems like another lifetime ...but it came roaring back when I was sidelined with a knee replacement then Covid gave me time to find my creativeness..a lot of things aligned to give me a time out...
Debbie I feel so much of this. Writing, for a writer, however imperfect, does feel like the most rigorous form of self expression and exploration. Part of the difficulty is just inherent. It’s athletic, it’s muscular, it can be hard. But damn it is also rewarding and sometimes nothing else will do. It’s better, for me, to practice this than to not…even when it’s frustrating. I guess that’s what it means to be a writer. Also: Erin. Godsend. I’ve been working with her a single month and already feel like a whole new thinker in the world. Anyway…i am so glad you are here, Debbie. I relish all your pieces.
Isabel, how wonderful to read this. Hoping we could meet up irl (as they say) at some point. So I can squeeze that baby!
I’d love that!!!
My husband Sam Harrington (mentioned herein) wanted to know more about how the creative PROCESS changes. How do the process, the steps, actually change, he asked me? He liked that I mentioned working with an editor / collaborator as part of a different writing process. But he wanted more specifics. I don’t have that answer… yet.
I’m so enjoying reading your…blog, right? Sorry to be so inept on Substack (et al really). Just phasing out of full-time work, and reading so much more now!! Literature & poetry mainly, but very much enjoying opinion pieces too. Thanks for sharing your insights in such an accessible way!!
Claire, your kind words make my day.
Debbie, I love that quote by Joan Didion. So much of what you’ve explored and written in your post, I totally relate to. I think you asked me that same question (about how my creative life may have changed now that I’m in my 70s) and I also found it difficult to articulate my answer. So, I like the part about it being “cellular.” Also, the thing I love about writing here on Substack is that I don’t think our readers expect our pieces to be perfect. Well-written (which yours are) for sure, but I think we read for your honesty and transparency. Thank you for writing! 🩶
K.R., yes! we strive for “well-written” but not perfect. but maybe that’s the joy of writing for Substack. we’re not writing the definitive piece for The New Yorker but for a “thinking out loud” kind of writing. it’s quite liberating, isn’t it?
Absolutely! That's why I love it over here 🩶
Another timely post for which I thank you! I recently facilitated a writing class for seniors in which the only "purpose" was to actually write, in a group setting. I was surprised to hear how many people were literally paralyzed to write a word at home but with a single word prompt, and a brief, non-judging 15 minutes in class they could bang out something quite decent! (And then take home an idea to tweak away at in most cases!) It was a really wonderful and inspiring thing to be part of.
Sue, I love hearing this story! Funny how we need “permission” to do something creative. We need a safe environment where there is no judgment. (Kind of reminds me of Substack!)
Honestly Debbie, I was thinking the exact same thing - I am fairly new to Substack myself and so far, it seems like a (kinder!) Instagram for writers.
A very interesting post on a very apposite question to us silver surfers. I wrote an essay on creativity in older age soon after setting up my Substack last year. You might be like to check it out: https://patriciacusack.substack.com/p/do-we-lose-the-creative-spark-as. I really enjoyed your post, Debbie.
Patricia, I love the word “apposite” but had to look it up to be entirely sure. (It means highly appropriate given the context.) I read your article and enjoyed very much! Especially appreciated how you pinned the aging / creativity topic to art history and research.
Well we both had to look up a word today. I had to look up "solipsistic"😂