Thank you for this piece, Evelyn! While I’m not a star author yet, I do feel the pressure to show up and engage on social media with readers. It can be overwhelming some days, and enjoyable on other days.
AoTD: I love the quietness in my reading life. This is my me time. No expectations. No conversations. It’s me and the world the author has made for me.
I will never, as long as I live, understand "lashing out"...or nastiness...I'm not sure how you've managed it, but you have implicitly made your boundaries clear--and by that I also mean the underlying "expectations" you have of people who are members of the CIH community--which is why for many of us, it feels like such a safe and refreshing space.
What brings me joy in my reading life is when I read a sentence that is so beautifully crafted, it makes me want to either weep or nudge my "pretend partner" (as in the pillow next to me) and say, You've got to listen to this!!!
I love your joy in your reading life--it really is such a joy to find a gorgeous turn of phrase or a sentence that was written "just so"... Thank you for sharing that! (And also for the continually lovely things you have to say about this community. So happy that you are here and such a valuable part of it, Diana!)
Love this essay--these are all relevant points in today's creative space! I feel like authenticity and vulnerability are the quickest ways to build a platform, so many authors (or any public figure really) start off by sharing a lot about themselves. Until their audience grows and it all becomes a bit much. I'm not famous by any means but I'm starting to feel this haha. Boundaries are so important!
When readers tell me my writing made them feel less alone, I feel so moved. That connection and impact is what drives me to write, because it’s what I was desperately seeking in my grief.
Thank you for this piece, Evelyn! While I’m not a star author yet, I do feel the pressure to show up and engage on social media with readers. It can be overwhelming some days, and enjoyable on other days.
AoTD: I love the quietness in my reading life. This is my me time. No expectations. No conversations. It’s me and the world the author has made for me.
Oh gosh, I love that last part SO much!!! What a gift it is to be able to do that for readers. I can’t wait till it’s your turn on the author side.
Thank you for this, Evelyn! And thank you for cultivating a beautiful community with healthy boundaries 🩵🩵🩵
💛💛💛 Thank you for being part of what makes this community so beautiful, Mesa!
I will never, as long as I live, understand "lashing out"...or nastiness...I'm not sure how you've managed it, but you have implicitly made your boundaries clear--and by that I also mean the underlying "expectations" you have of people who are members of the CIH community--which is why for many of us, it feels like such a safe and refreshing space.
What brings me joy in my reading life is when I read a sentence that is so beautifully crafted, it makes me want to either weep or nudge my "pretend partner" (as in the pillow next to me) and say, You've got to listen to this!!!
I love your joy in your reading life--it really is such a joy to find a gorgeous turn of phrase or a sentence that was written "just so"... Thank you for sharing that! (And also for the continually lovely things you have to say about this community. So happy that you are here and such a valuable part of it, Diana!)
Love this essay--these are all relevant points in today's creative space! I feel like authenticity and vulnerability are the quickest ways to build a platform, so many authors (or any public figure really) start off by sharing a lot about themselves. Until their audience grows and it all becomes a bit much. I'm not famous by any means but I'm starting to feel this haha. Boundaries are so important!
It is certainly an unexpected journey of self-discovery, isn’t it?
Love this thoughtful piece.
When readers tell me my writing made them feel less alone, I feel so moved. That connection and impact is what drives me to write, because it’s what I was desperately seeking in my grief.
Thank you, Evelyn!
thank you, Miranda. I am so glad that your writing has been a balm for others, too… We are lucky to do what we do!
I love to become so involved in a story that I can't wait till I can sit and read again and that I miss the characters once the book ends.
That is truly the best!
I enjoyed this essay. Thank you.
As always, thank you for reading and being so supportive of my work, E!
Thank you for all you share with us.
I'll know I've made it when a fan approaches me with scissors.
Kidding :) But this is beautiful, and i love your hopeful and positive approach to it!
Hahaha ✂️