Happy almost birthday, Abby. I like thinking that there aren’t rules about the way to write. There’s freedom to play. I’m relaxing more when I think about stories I want to tell and when I sit down to start putting myself on paper. It’s a mystery and adventure to only have a vague outline when I start coupled with the excitement and mystery of seeing how it all works out once I start typing. Thanks Abby!
well, if there are rules, they are there to be broken or burned. Or not, depending. You know what you're doing, or at least why you're doing it, but it doesn't get in the way of what you write. Thanks, Nan.
Tomorrow im tutoring 2nd grade inner city school. It’s my 12th year with the same teacher. It’s a weekly gig but the highlight of my week. Im 88 and a half, still wanting the excitement of connection. That’s where the magic is. Follow your passion.
Hi Abigail, I don’t know if you will see my note from today but Abby wants you to have the bouquet of flowers for you birthday on Sunday - but they will wilt. perhaps reading about her will bring you musical inspiration for your special day on Sunday. Happy Birthday! https://substack.com/@prajnaohara/note/c-72237599
Thank you Abigail. Your courage gives me desire to be brave and the shot in the arm I often need! Your wisdom cannot be bottled! Excited for the upcoming celebration of you!
I love knowing that it’s possible to become an excellent writer, such as you are, by sitting squarely in the beginner’s mind. The idea of how excellent one must be to even begin to write has been so inhibiting for me. Your message today has unchained me, at least a little. Thank you, Abigail. Heartfelt happy birthday wishes headed your way.
You really just have to leave your ego in the hall and begin to write. It's simple. But be willing to get it wrong until you get it right. God. Now I sound like I know what I'm talking about.
What a great piece of advice. I have to tell you, reading Three Dog Life all those years ago taught me more about writing, voice, and following my curiosity than any workshop or craft book I’ve ever read. Thank you.
Thank you. Sometimes in the middle of terrible times something very funny happens, and it's got to go in, right? Part of life. I remember writing A Three Dog Life was the only book I wrote as it was happening, to keep me grounded and more or less sane. But thank god for dogs, among other things. Thank you, that was a huge compliment.
I’m going to read this when I start feeling less than because I didn’t go to college. Which isn’t often, tbh. But still. You are real people, Abigail, and I’m so happy I found you and your writing.
Honestly? I often think I'd never have written a word if I'd gone to college and had all those big No Trespassing signs everywhere. NARRATIVE ARC! and now of course I can't remember the others.
And we investigate what we're interested in, college or not.
I agree 100%. I didn’t know there were rules when I started writing in my 40s. I still don’t follow them. Ithink there are enough readers in the world that we will have our share. 😊
I hope you have a happy birthday and that you find more and more to be curious about :-) Thank you for taking that course many years ago and making time for writing- we are all better for it. I'm 47, in the thick of working and raising kids, and often feel depressed that I don't have more time for writing. Your career gives me hope so that I can keep showing up at my notebook. I found your work a few months ago and thought I'd better get my hands on your books. I know this sounds a little over the top, but I've been blown inside out by your mastery. Thank you for showing up for yourself and sharing those bits with the rest of us.
Thank you for such an enormous compliment. I am so grateful for your kind and lovely words. And there is nothing better for a writer to know than that she is of use to other writers. Thank you again.
I love this ♥️ and “bopping” is one of my favorite words, I must say, that I use for my baby (also named Abigail - a father’s joy) when she’s going wild in her pack n play. She’s getting too big for it now.
Dear Abigal--I just discovered your Substack! Thank you for all your writing, all you do, and for just being you. I live across the river from you, so if you lean into the Hudson, you can hear me singing Happy (slightly belated) birthday to you! Love, Jamie
Oh, Abigail--I'm thrilled that you wrote back so quickly! I have been a fan of your work for ages. Also, I thought you'd like to know that just recently at Karen Karbo's Writing Retreat in Coullioure, France and your name and book came up several times as an example of brilliance and genius and wisdom. If you ever host a writing workshop, I would like to sign up! Truely, I'm just across the river in Kinderhook. Love, Jamie
Jamie, come over for coffee one day next week, or whenever you're free. I do have a workshop, but it's full, been going since I moved here. But it would be lovely to meet you. And thank you for all your kind words. Lovely to know about being mentioned in the Karen Karbo Writing Retreat.
Hello, Abigal--First of all, I loved this week's newsletter on the things we remember and the things we forget. Oh my goodness, how lucky those writers in your workshop must feel! Yes, I would love to meet you for coffee. I would be honored! My email is Jamie@JamieCatCallan.com
Can we set a date for Thursday, Oct. 31 or Monday, Oct. 29? Please let me know.
Abigail, your story is a true inspiration! I love how you embraced the beginner’s mind, finding freedom in not knowing where your writing would lead. As someone who’s been on my own journey of self-discovery, I can relate to the joy of letting curiosity guide the process rather than being weighed down by expectations. Your words remind me that creativity flourishes when we allow ourselves to explore without a map.
It’s incredible that at eighty-three, you still approach writing with such openness and curiosity. Your body of work is proof that it’s never too late to start, and that the best adventures often begin when we don’t know what we’re doing. Thank you for sharing your journey and for reminding us that being a beginner is a gift, not a limitation.
Very different. Unless neurosis gets in the way. But write what we're afraid to face, something we don't want to know, let alone explore, write the hard stuff, be honest, and the imposter evaporates. I know that sounds rather irritatingly wise, but ask a good question even as a joke, and the old woman I am gets excited.
Three days to birthday? You can start now. I welcome you to Three Day Club. Here's the short version. When I was born on July 2 my mother took two more days of celebration just with me before leaving the hospital. Thereafter, mom started celebrating on the 2nd of each following year and kept the party going until the last of fireworks on the 4th of July. By the time I got to kindergarten, the conditioning was set with no change possible. I learned other kids had birthdays only one day and never understood why. Even when building businesses and serving clients, there was always a three day break just for me and everyone I invited to the Three Day Celebration.
Mom is gone and she "loaded and locked" the three day pattern before I hit 5. That's the beauty of it. Your brain knows nothing else once something like that cuts a deep groove in the neurons.
Oh, mom went 100 mph her whole life, and the week of her 90th birthday she dropped dead. Nobody was more surprised than her about that. The three-day birthday continues because I know no other way to have a birthday. This weekend, I purchased and digested What Comes Next. I’m so glad I found you. I will march in place by reading your other books while waiting for Still Life at Eighty to pop out in November. It felt like an indulgence to read for the joy of each page instead of my usual daily reading for knowledge and insight to write for professionals, communicators, and exceptionally talented adults.
Happy almost birthday, Abby. I like thinking that there aren’t rules about the way to write. There’s freedom to play. I’m relaxing more when I think about stories I want to tell and when I sit down to start putting myself on paper. It’s a mystery and adventure to only have a vague outline when I start coupled with the excitement and mystery of seeing how it all works out once I start typing. Thanks Abby!
well, if there are rules, they are there to be broken or burned. Or not, depending. You know what you're doing, or at least why you're doing it, but it doesn't get in the way of what you write. Thanks, Nan.
Tomorrow im tutoring 2nd grade inner city school. It’s my 12th year with the same teacher. It’s a weekly gig but the highlight of my week. Im 88 and a half, still wanting the excitement of connection. That’s where the magic is. Follow your passion.
You are so great and so lucky and so are your students! Follow your passion, or even just a weird interest in something tiny.
Oh weird interest in something tiny that’s funny
Thank you, Prajna. It is funny, now that I think of it. And fun.
Hi Abigail, I don’t know if you will see my note from today but Abby wants you to have the bouquet of flowers for you birthday on Sunday - but they will wilt. perhaps reading about her will bring you musical inspiration for your special day on Sunday. Happy Birthday! https://substack.com/@prajnaohara/note/c-72237599
Yes! That struck my funny bone too, and is very profound.
You do one paragraph on something tiny and I bet you keep going!
I just experienced this very thing actually. It worked! Thank you! 🌹
Thank you Abigail. Your courage gives me desire to be brave and the shot in the arm I often need! Your wisdom cannot be bottled! Excited for the upcoming celebration of you!
Thank you, Kathy. Very kind of you. Keep going.
My honesty always Abigail tempered by kindness, or at least that’s my intent.
You’re my inspiration
That's awfully nice of you to say. Thank you.
I met you a year ago at a reading with Siri at a bookstore in Kingston’s. I was going to my first ever retreat and have been writing ever since.
I love knowing that it’s possible to become an excellent writer, such as you are, by sitting squarely in the beginner’s mind. The idea of how excellent one must be to even begin to write has been so inhibiting for me. Your message today has unchained me, at least a little. Thank you, Abigail. Heartfelt happy birthday wishes headed your way.
You really just have to leave your ego in the hall and begin to write. It's simple. But be willing to get it wrong until you get it right. God. Now I sound like I know what I'm talking about.
Thank you. Just start anywhere and keep going.
lol 😂
What a great piece of advice. I have to tell you, reading Three Dog Life all those years ago taught me more about writing, voice, and following my curiosity than any workshop or craft book I’ve ever read. Thank you.
Thank you. Sometimes in the middle of terrible times something very funny happens, and it's got to go in, right? Part of life. I remember writing A Three Dog Life was the only book I wrote as it was happening, to keep me grounded and more or less sane. But thank god for dogs, among other things. Thank you, that was a huge compliment.
I’m going to read this when I start feeling less than because I didn’t go to college. Which isn’t often, tbh. But still. You are real people, Abigail, and I’m so happy I found you and your writing.
Thank you very much.
Honestly? I often think I'd never have written a word if I'd gone to college and had all those big No Trespassing signs everywhere. NARRATIVE ARC! and now of course I can't remember the others.
And we investigate what we're interested in, college or not.
I agree 100%. I didn’t know there were rules when I started writing in my 40s. I still don’t follow them. Ithink there are enough readers in the world that we will have our share. 😊
I hope you have a happy birthday and that you find more and more to be curious about :-) Thank you for taking that course many years ago and making time for writing- we are all better for it. I'm 47, in the thick of working and raising kids, and often feel depressed that I don't have more time for writing. Your career gives me hope so that I can keep showing up at my notebook. I found your work a few months ago and thought I'd better get my hands on your books. I know this sounds a little over the top, but I've been blown inside out by your mastery. Thank you for showing up for yourself and sharing those bits with the rest of us.
Thank you for such an enormous compliment. I am so grateful for your kind and lovely words. And there is nothing better for a writer to know than that she is of use to other writers. Thank you again.
No effing clue, here.
Me neither. Howdy there, Kelly!
🫶
I love this ♥️ and “bopping” is one of my favorite words, I must say, that I use for my baby (also named Abigail - a father’s joy) when she’s going wild in her pack n play. She’s getting too big for it now.
Turn up the music. She sounds ready.
Abigail. My father is joy, is how I remember it. Good name.
Thanks for this reminder. Lately, my goal is just to *enjoy* writing again. To play. When that happens, it’s magic. Happy birthday!
Thank you. It is magic.
Dear Abigal--I just discovered your Substack! Thank you for all your writing, all you do, and for just being you. I live across the river from you, so if you lean into the Hudson, you can hear me singing Happy (slightly belated) birthday to you! Love, Jamie
So that was you I heard singng Happy Birthday?
Thank you, and thank you for enjoying my stuff on Substack.
Lovely to read your kind words this morning.
Oh, Abigail--I'm thrilled that you wrote back so quickly! I have been a fan of your work for ages. Also, I thought you'd like to know that just recently at Karen Karbo's Writing Retreat in Coullioure, France and your name and book came up several times as an example of brilliance and genius and wisdom. If you ever host a writing workshop, I would like to sign up! Truely, I'm just across the river in Kinderhook. Love, Jamie
Jamie, come over for coffee one day next week, or whenever you're free. I do have a workshop, but it's full, been going since I moved here. But it would be lovely to meet you. And thank you for all your kind words. Lovely to know about being mentioned in the Karen Karbo Writing Retreat.
Hello, Abigal--First of all, I loved this week's newsletter on the things we remember and the things we forget. Oh my goodness, how lucky those writers in your workshop must feel! Yes, I would love to meet you for coffee. I would be honored! My email is Jamie@JamieCatCallan.com
Can we set a date for Thursday, Oct. 31 or Monday, Oct. 29? Please let me know.
Love,
Jamie
"Plundered my life." Yes! And today's your bday and I hope it's a good one. A tad rainy but hey...
Thanks, Nancy. Lots of grandchildren and their parents! And I love a good rainy day.
Abigail, your story is a true inspiration! I love how you embraced the beginner’s mind, finding freedom in not knowing where your writing would lead. As someone who’s been on my own journey of self-discovery, I can relate to the joy of letting curiosity guide the process rather than being weighed down by expectations. Your words remind me that creativity flourishes when we allow ourselves to explore without a map.
It’s incredible that at eighty-three, you still approach writing with such openness and curiosity. Your body of work is proof that it’s never too late to start, and that the best adventures often begin when we don’t know what we’re doing. Thank you for sharing your journey and for reminding us that being a beginner is a gift, not a limitation.
Thank you very much.
And it's also much more fun. Serious fun, but fun.
Oh, how I can relate to this! Thank God "beginner's mind" is different than "imposter syndrome." Or is it? :)
Very different. Unless neurosis gets in the way. But write what we're afraid to face, something we don't want to know, let alone explore, write the hard stuff, be honest, and the imposter evaporates. I know that sounds rather irritatingly wise, but ask a good question even as a joke, and the old woman I am gets excited.
Three days to birthday? You can start now. I welcome you to Three Day Club. Here's the short version. When I was born on July 2 my mother took two more days of celebration just with me before leaving the hospital. Thereafter, mom started celebrating on the 2nd of each following year and kept the party going until the last of fireworks on the 4th of July. By the time I got to kindergarten, the conditioning was set with no change possible. I learned other kids had birthdays only one day and never understood why. Even when building businesses and serving clients, there was always a three day break just for me and everyone I invited to the Three Day Celebration.
You have a great mother. Wow. I'll start this afternoon. Cheers!
Mom is gone and she "loaded and locked" the three day pattern before I hit 5. That's the beauty of it. Your brain knows nothing else once something like that cuts a deep groove in the neurons.
I'm so sorry. You were so very young, my God.
Oh, mom went 100 mph her whole life, and the week of her 90th birthday she dropped dead. Nobody was more surprised than her about that. The three-day birthday continues because I know no other way to have a birthday. This weekend, I purchased and digested What Comes Next. I’m so glad I found you. I will march in place by reading your other books while waiting for Still Life at Eighty to pop out in November. It felt like an indulgence to read for the joy of each page instead of my usual daily reading for knowledge and insight to write for professionals, communicators, and exceptionally talented adults.
God, what a lovely thing to say. Thank you. Scriibner's pub date is Nov 19th. The Kirkus review had a STAR!!
I can never decide whether is is easier on everyone to drop dead unexpectedly or linger. Not that we have choices.