12 Comments
User's avatar
Doreen Frances's avatar

For me, the part about journaling is the handwriting aspect. My handwriting is terrible, and I've grown to dislike writing by hand. But sometimes that is the only way the thing inside me I want to say comes out, by making marks on a piece of paper. I'm glad that at this time in my life, I'm finally taking the time to write the stories I have wanted to write for so long.

Expand full comment
Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

I'm glad, too!

Expand full comment
Maria Luz O'Rourke's avatar

Thanks for this Robin! So many ideas I embrace fully. I am a daily journaler and cannot imagine not having such a place to hold my inner world.

Julia Cameron and her 'Artist's dates' scared the heck out of me, but I did them in early sobriety, needing to summon my curiosity about living.

And Northern Flickers sure are boisterous mo-fos who know how to take up space (a lesson for the timid little girl in me), and I get a thrill every time they visit my feeders! One left me a speckled feather with that gorgeous neon orange and I have it on an alter.

Blessings to you on finding balance as you create another book!

Expand full comment
Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

What a beautiful message. Thank you, Maria. I love that you have a flicker feather on your altar! They’re magical birds.

Expand full comment
Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Ahh, that's wonderful, Susan. How cool that you met Julia Cameron. Thanks for reading this and sharing your experience of discovering your path to writing fiction via the journal. Your paintings (the ones I've seen on Substack) are striking!

Expand full comment
Susan Kacvinsky's avatar

Beautiful Robin, I loved it. I met Julia Cameron when the Artist's Way. I've been doing my version of morning pages ever since. It's morphed to suit me over the years, turned me from a nonfiction writer into writing fiction. This post made me think about the last few decades and what the practice has done for me. Also, as an painter, I love the word: mark, I make marks on the page, I'm going to keep that.

Expand full comment
Julie Roorda's avatar

Thank you for this inspiring post, Robin. It has given me new energy while writing this morning. Speaking of red feathers, cardinals keep showing up prominently around me in recent weeks (although they are here year-round). I wonder if they have a message.

Expand full comment
Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Julie, thanks for your lovely message. I'm happy to think this post added to your morning writing. If I ever write a sequel to Birdlight, I'll include a chapter on the cardinal. As you likely know, that bird is associated with spirituality, and many see it as a messenger from the spirit world. Some people believe the cardinal is a deceased loved one, coming to pay them a visit.

Expand full comment
Julie Roorda's avatar

Yes, please write a sequel!

Expand full comment
Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

🥰

Expand full comment
Jacinthe Roy's avatar

Very on point Robin. In gratitude for these flickering insights.

Expand full comment
Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Thank you, Jazz. I'm glad. ✨️

Expand full comment