The Invisible Thread in Intuitive Writing
How intuitive writing carries a distinct energy that can help your writing flow.
Last week, while searching for book recommendations about midlife, I stumbled upon a sub-community of substack writers who tackle midlife from many fascinating vantage points. Of course, I subscribed and received a welcome email, inviting me to share a bit about my Substack.
They asked three simple questions that helped me pause and recall why I started Midlife Reflections and to notice if those reasons still hold true.
I included my answers at the end of this post.
Share a little about you and your Substack
What do you write? Who do you write for?
What are your goals?
After submitting my introduction, the second question lingered, as if nudging me to notice something I was overlooking. I stayed with it for a while until two things dropped in.
The Invisible Thread in Writing
As a fledgling writer, I might hold the pen but the words that float onto the pages often catch me by surprise. It typically starts with an idea for a new post that flows from my lived experiences (the good, the bad, and everything in between).
At some point, the writing takes on a distinct energy and direction all its own that stems from a deeper place. That’s when I become as much a fascinated observer and active participant in this beautiful craft.
Author, Lauren Sapala calls this an intuitive writing style that doesn’t fit a conventional writing structure, or rigid time frames. It flows more organically, intuitively, and is indelibly intertwined with the writer’s personality.
We all carry unique stories mapped across our life spans that shape us in undeniable ways. As you unravel those stories they teach you so much about yourself that fosters your growth, and helps mobilize your goals and dreams. For intuitive writers, those stories are weaved through their writing.
Parker Palmer writes:
‘Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent.’
— Parker J. Palmer (Let Your Life Speak)
That’s what my writing style and navigating midlife feels like — my life trying to tell me something. When I lean into the intuitive writing flow instead of forcing my writing goal into a pre-determined frame, those messages filter through.
In a recent post, I shared how much I relish silence and solitude these days. Not only because the world is growing frantically louder, but because I’m straining to hear that message from within.
That brings me to the second point.
Benevolent Detachment
When I circle this back to the question — Who do you write for? I replied that ‘I write for gentle souls struggling to find a footing in this season’.
But the reality is I have no control over how readers interpret my writing. There are far too many factors that come into play. Individual beliefs, world views, mood, current stressors, and unique life contexts that filters through the reader lens.
This is where the practice of benevolent detachment can be helpful. That is, to create space between your writing goals, expected outcomes and the process of writing for the joy and satisfaction of the craft itself.
As much as I write hoping to spark curiosity in others seeking deeper, braver, calmer living, writing for the pure joy and fulfillment it gives me is an outcome in and of itself. Then, adding the practice of benevolent detachment helps me maintain a footing in this craft of public writing.
Over to you, Substackers:
Do you ever sense that invisible thread in your writing, and how do you respond?
When Substackers Meet Midstackers
Midstack invites all new subscribers to share a bit about our Substacks to connect with other writers through their platform - Thank you, Jessica and Stephanie.
Here’s my response to their three questions:
I’m Glynis, a midlife introvert passionate about understanding how we tick as humans, and how spirituality can deepen and enrich our journeys.
My Substack, Midlife Reflections is a soft gathering place where unfinished chapters meet new beginnings, and untold stories find safe expression.
I write personal essays and poetry to share my raw, honest, curious explorations about healing, personal growth, and impactful living in midlife.
I write for gentle souls navigating this magical, maddening life stage, who are struggling to find a footing in this season because of socially conditioned roles, frantic living and, unaddressed wounding.
My goal is to spark curiosity in readers to explore and embrace midlife with openness and curiosity and to cultivate inner calm and freedom.