On Taking a A {Writing} Break

Why listening well is more important than speaking

How to Begin?

Julie Andrews was right. Well, Rodgers and Hammerstein to be exact, whose lyrics she sang in ‘Do Re Mi’ from the Sound of Music (1968.) Starting at the very beginning is a very good place to start.

However in writing, like many tasks, knowing where and how to start is always the hardest part. I’ve crafted this post in my head several times over the last few days and the sentences have come incompletely formed and unfinished.

So, I’ll just jump in and say—it’s time for me to take a break from posting.

Not forever, just for now.

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I've been writing online for over twelve years—that’s several hundred essays, poems and posts—along with my sporadic newsletter Random Acts of Writing¹, also born over a decade ago.

That’s a lot of talking. Well, typing.

Along the way, my writing content, direction and form morphed and morphed again and again. From original posts on my blog²about “the intersection of faith and life” to niching down as poetry-focused and writing solely here on Substack, God has continued to offer invitations and opportunities and ideas for writing. He’s also continued to refine my focus and intent.

I am okay with that and here is why: being true to who God has made us informs the best kind of writing. I am a Random Abstract Global processor—my mind works on several things all at once and those projects and ideas which call me change frequently, as does my way of working through them.

So change is good. And I’ll go first.

Knowing this about the way we learn also honors and affirms the God in you. We all listen through our own particular lenses which impact what we receive through what we read and what resonates with the deepest parts of us.

With that in mind, I want to offer work that does both—resonates with you as a reader but also allows you to receive what you need, whether that’s poetic inspiration or information and encouragement.

Learning how to listen is an art. I am learning how to better listen to what God is speaking about what He wants me to do with what I write.

Learning how to both read poetry and write it is also an art. I’d like to bring you both—words to listen to and work to learn from.

So~I have some things in mind to facilitate that—for instance, how to use the Threads feature here on Substack to promote conversation between (among?) you all. It could be fun!

Also, finding the balance between offering Poetry 101 workshop in person or online via pre-recorded or live Zoom connections. I would like very, very much to figure out how to bring you what I’ve learned and offer you a place to practice and play with poetry. (Yes, I’ve said that many times before….it’s finding the time to figure it all out that I need to make room for.) Should it cost money? And if so, how much? Stay tuned for that…

Most importantly, in the months ahead—June through August—I will take the time I need to pray about what exactly those offerings will look like.

Also? I don’t want to burden you with any more noise. God knows (I almost typed ‘noise’ again) we don’t need it.

The internet in general and online spaces-even Substack where I’m writing currently—are way too crowded and packed with an overabundance of voices.

I want what I have to say to not only be welcomed but heard, not just be one more clanging gong in cyberspace. More like music you’re looking forward to than a frequency you need to tune out.

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In addition to my “walking around life,” to quote Eugene Peterson, one that includes tending my bursting garden and ready-to-pop zinnias, spending time with family and grandkids and visits to the beach, all the usual Summer time offerings, several invitations have presented themselves to me which I’ll be praying and working through in the coming months: (yes, that is a long, run-on sentence)

• Teaching a poetry workshop weekly at our local Community Center

• Coaching and consulting folks on their self-publishing projects

• Praying and pondering a path forward for a memoir project that’s been simmering

• A podcast appearance from Believe to See (thank you Danielle!)

• Diving into the how-to’s of online, pre-recorded poetry workshops

• The content and frequency of my Substack posts

• Fill in the (summer) blank

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So, what can you look forward to?

1. The last week in May will feature one more post for Subscribers with a poem and reflection. Paid Subscribers will receive a long-promised curated list of poems and poetry to accompany your summer. (Now that I’ve typed that I have to actually follow through. You’re my witnesses!)

2. Once a month in June, July and August towards the end of the month, you’ll receive a poem and reflection and other Random Acts of Writing (or Speaking) that I’d like to share.

3. What else can you look forward to? Less (virtual) noise for one. Also, consider taking some time to cull your own writing and listening spaces… Maybe pray about how God’s Spirit wants to speak to you in the quiet? Journal about it somewhere.

   I look forward to connecting with you in a meaningful way, albeit less frequently, but in a way that will be healthy and heart-filling and hopeful as well.

   See you in a few days—watch this space!

   
   Warmly,

   Jody

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P.S.Interested in reading more right now to get caught up with Poetry & Made Things? Just click on this link that will take you to my posts for the last ten months here on Substack. Have a look around and be inspired.

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Luci Shaw, matriarch of Christian poetry and inspiration for my own poetry journey

1. My newsletter archive on MailChimp (2023-2024 can be seen at this link

2. www.jodyleecollins.com