A new look
As you probably noticed, I recently changed the name and visual images I am using here on my Substack site where I publish my stories. The old name and visuals were put together pretty quickly six months ago when I created this publication. I named it something personal, which always a mistake when you intend to market something.
However, since I’m not actually a brand that was cool for starting off.
However, it was time for me to step up and put my name on the site and my publications. I may still tweak things but I’m happy with the new images and the logo I created. It represents my new world and also reflects the balance I want to have in both my life and my writing.
I don’t want to write happy stories and I don’t want to write sad stories.
I want to write real stories.
What does that mean?
The concept of writing real stories about me seems obvious, but how does this work with fiction? How can someone write a real story about made up places, characters, events and other details?
Isn’t that the very definition of not real?
Actually, I always thought it was odd that fiction was make-believe tales and non-fiction was the real stuff. It establishes fiction as the base and non-fiction (reality) as an opposite. Now I see that in way this is true. Mythology and storytelling set the stage for the reality we create and experience. You can communicate concepts and experiences with books, films, and art that are very difficult to get across otherwise.
The stories we tell create the lives we live as much as the other way around.
Of course, all language spoken and written persuades, influences, teaches, motivates and shapes us. My goal is to write as truthfully, simply, and lovingly as possible. I don’t want to use language to hide, to harm, or to manipulate. I want to use it to grow, heal, and to share and connect.
This officially started off last Thanksgiving, when I lost my voice and decided half-jokingly to take a vow of silence. I wrote about it for my second post Real Word, Turkey. The picture I used was a woman with a turkey, and in my mind I was the woman and my mind was the turkey. You can check it out below.
The practice I began on that day was really just as much about learning to master my mind as my mouth.
The two are partners, so it worked out well although it’s an ongoing project.
The other thing I was trying to do was find my own voice, and I can honestly say that started right here on this page at that time.
I’ve always written and loved reading but I never found my own voice. I’ve written some journalism, poetry, fiction, plays, and then I became a copywriter. I created blogs, website copy, social content, email content, and that kind of material. I wrote for clients about technology, business services, fashion, culture, and all kinds of other topics. I learned a lot but I didn’t find my own voice.
I didn’t believe back then that my own voice had value. I didn’t think my stories mattered. The stories that were important to me seemed unimportant to the world. My life and the things that had happened to me and those around me also seemed unimportant to others.
Today, that has changed. Of course, the stories I want to tell are still not valuable to many people, but that does not mean they don’t have value. It is the role of the storytellers, the artists, and the creators of this world to tell those stories in a way that makes them visible and gives them life and power.
I am going to be a part of it.
I am working, learning, and investing in that goal every day.
Summer days
Summer is finally here — almost at least. June 20th is the Summer Solstice and I am really looking forward to it. As I have shared, the Solstices and Equinoxes are an important part of my life and the story I am writing, The Extraordinary Rise and Relocation of the Smart Animal. I am going to be working hard on the story and organizing a method for its presentation both here and after this. This story is not about my life but there is a part of me and what I’ve seen and experienced in every word of it. If you have not read any of the posts I’ve shared from it, I invite you to check out the piece just below.
Updates and other projects
You may notice there are areas that need to be updated due to the changes I’ve made to the site. I’ll be working on that, along with the Minizines that I look forward to getting feedback on.
As far as my own personal story goes, what about that?
I’ve never wanted to tell my story because I only wanted to escape it. I’ve run hard and fast my whole life and I never got away. I have shared about my journey here and will continue to, but as far as my own story goes, it’s a little more difficult to express. One of the projects I recently began is a deep exploration of my life and personal story so that I can fully own and control my own narrative. My focus is on me and my role, not other people. This is an important step, and I’m glad to have started. The concept of being honest, simple, and loving in my thoughts and words is key to its success!
Thanks for reading!