Hello writers! It’s Friday, and that means Feedback Fridays here. Or, at least, it will when we get enough paid subscribers to make that feasible. For today, I thought I’d share oner of my favorite quotes about writing, and pass the mic to you with some reflection questions.
*Please note that this post is open to all subscribers, but once we start sharing our work and giving (positive, encouraging) feedback, Friday posts will be for paid subscribers only, to protect people’s privacy, both for the writing they share and the subject matter. If the $8/month is prohibitive right now, let me know and I can send you a free three-month subscription.*
“This most of all: ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write? Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And if this answer rings out in assent, if you meet this solemn question with a strong, simple “I must,” then build your life in accordance with this necessity; your whole life, even into its humblest and most indifferent hour, must become a sign and witness to this impulse.”
~Rainier Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
I adore Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer, Maria Rilke, but I have to admit I had a mixed reaction when I first read this advice in my twenties. I had always dreamed of a writer, and put a lot of work into practicing my craft. But did I have to be a writer? Could I lead a fulfilling life, pursuing other types of art, and other kinds of happiness? And was I actually that dedicated to writing that I would put every moment of my life into it?
Now, in my forties, I understand both the question and my answer differently. I think I do have to write, for many reasons, though that urgency has taken different shapes for me in different times of my life. And I can see how I have built my whole life and dedication to this impulse, but it has not always resulted in intense writing, intense work, or intense ambition. Sometimes it has. But sometimes it has been more a tendency to not work hard, to allow space in my life for daydreaming and imagination, for rest and rejuvenation. It has been to wander the world as an observer, to pay attention, whether I was writing down what I observed or not (though often I was). It has been to be open to examining my own heart, not pushing feelings away, but having curiosity about them, and extending that curiosity to other people. To dream is to write. To pay attention is to write. To love is to write.
What about you? What did you feel in your body when you read the Rilke quote above? Did you feel encouraged? Did you feel sad because it didn’t resonate with you and that made you wonder whether you were a real writer? Do you think you must write? Or no? And if so, what does that urgency look like in your particular heart, in your particular life?
Thank you for showing up here today, for yourself and for your writing community! This post is public, so feel free to share.
In love and hope,
Jessica
For more information about the Finding Your Voice Substack, you can read this introductory post:
Feedback Friday and Rilke
I felt a longing when I read the quote. There is the longing that is in the recognition, the ‘must’ write. Then there is the longing to write all the plans and ideas in my head. There is the longing to perfect things I’ve written before. A longing to write more instead of giving into procrastination. A longing to be a ‘proper’ writer who takes it seriously instead of just someone who happens to write odd things. There is also regret for opportunities unseized, guilt for blogs left to die unnoticed, and fear of never doing what I might be able to.
Reading the Rilke quote, I felt a bit of sadness. I felt sadness for a much younger me who was encouraged to write but got lost for some years, a younger me who knew then that I must write but for different reasons - fears, life, health, etc. - really didn't. During those years one of the first adults in my life to ever encourage me to write passed away. I know in my head I have time left still to write so long as I breathe but my heart carries a tinge of sadness that friend won't ever see it.