Welcome to Day 16 in our community jaunt through The Joy of Writing Journal: Spark Your Creativity in 8 Minutes a Day.
One activity I assign to all aspiring authors at the beginning of a project is to create a vision statement that you can read to inspire you, create momentum and also help you make decisions about your book (or other writing) that align with that vision and will help it come into fruition. One of the three major aspects of that vision is what your writing will do for your readers.
Here in our journals, of course, the reader is you! But do you write other stuff (or dream of it)? What would you love to hear your dream reader say about your work and how it impacts them?
Today’s prompt invites you to imagine someone reading some of your work (not your journal but an article, story, poem, book, etc.) and what it does for them. What might they say about it?
Here are excerpts from my journal:
From an imagined aspiring writer: “Lisa, I’ve always been intimidated about journaling and writing. The Joy of Writing Journal made writing so easy and fun. I even wrote a poem. And yesterday I wrote my author’s statement. It was so much fun. I feel empowered and surprised.” – Imaginary Reader 1
From an imagined therapist/blogger , “I’ve stuck to pretty focused, no-nonsense writing in the past. The Joy of Writing Journal taught me to experiment, take risks on the page, expand my horizons, to play and have fun. Thank you.” – Imaginary Reader 2
And then this: “Lisa Tener’s Joy of Writing Journal is such fun and an empowering romp for journalers and lovers of the written word. We’re doing a special series with the journal at Reese’s Book Club if you want to journal along in community. Join us on Writing Wednesdays for an 8 minute romp through creative process.” – Reese Whitherspoon (in my mind)
Your Turn to Share
What do you imagine your readers saying after you publish or share some creative project?
If you’ve never shared a comment on this blog before, this is your chance to share a little something—a phrase or even a word from your imagined reader. We want to hear your voice! Sharing even a word can empower you to feel:
a) a sense of belonging
b) more confident
c) bolder
Your Muse will thank you for it!
This is a scary exercise for me because I’m a behind the scenes type of person. when I think of the exposure on an Oprah platform, I hear, “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my”! I have yet to create a website for my business, relying on the old fashioned adage that people find me by word of mouth. In the video, I was touched by Dr. Singh’s humility. When he said, ” I’ve had an interesting life, which I can share with others”, tugged my heart strings and made me feel perhaps, I can too – share my story. I imagine those who read my book, will receive an Aha moment for self healing and then passes the book on to others, while recommending it highly. Where that will lead is wide open and still forming in my imagination. On some level, I picture others reading and benefitting from my book, when I have crossed over to the other side, as I feel the book will be timeless.
No need to picture Oprah! Fulfillment on your terms.
I agree with Deborah that words can be healing for us and our readers. I love that you envision success, Deborah and that you are emboldened- I think both are vital to your project! As time goes on we will need to channel Lisa’s gentleness, warmth and positivity that feels like a healing balm applied to a battered ego. I’m already nervous that the 30 day challenge is flying by and that I’ll need more time!
Imagining readers
It seems more hubris than a dream to think of others who would be interested in my writing. I say that because I am unskilled, undisciplined and feel like I need to be better educated or initiated to the world of writing. I am excited to learn and grow as I am doing in this delightful 30 day challenge- it has been a giant’s leap into cyberspace with the naiveté of Bilbo Baggins leaving the shire. However, I am not afraid to stumble and fall and I am tough enough lick my wounds and learn from my mistakes. I believe in the adage that nothing worthwhile comes easily or happens overnight. That said, I’m not getting any younger so I’d sure as heck better get going on this journey!
What would be really meaningful to me is to have a reader say to me, your words have helped me to think about things that were not valued or were silenced. That these experiences belong to you but they also belong to many others who seek to feel less alone and to be heard and seen. You believe every soul faces shadows and light, but we must hold our gaze on the light.
Mary Ann, your writing is beautiful, moving, playful, fun, adventurous, playful, thought-provoking. You are too hard on yourself!
As I’ve said before, Mary Ann’s bravery and beautiful writing, and now Deborah’s, too, have inspired me to post, which I had never done before. And Lisa’s book and blog and playfulness have provided the framework. Thank you so much!
Reese was also on my secondary list, because I think she is both a discerning and an influential reader. However, the person I chose was David Sedaris, because funny but serious and human but humane are what I’m going for. And after he calls me up to tell me how much he loves my stuff, the call devolves into a total love fest. “No, you are…” I insist. “No, you are…” he responds.
Isn’t it great what can happen in your journal?
Maureen, I totally see this exchange with D S! You both are so brilliant and funny and disarm us so effortlessly. We. need more from both of you to sustain our souls -keep it coming on ??