In my Notes app, I save my "story seeds" as Idea Fish (thoughts that swim by!) I also rediscover some stories in Facebook Memories--things that happened years ago that I forgot about until I was reminded.
Love the name "Idea Fish," Cynthia. Really captures how fleeting they are but I also feel that fish looks at you as it goes by and asks "Are you going to remember me?"
Yes, social media captures much of our lives. Good source for stories.
As someone obsessed with reading obituaries, I can attest that your advice applies to stories at all stages of life. The most fascinating obituaries are just collections of tiny, seemingly insignificant moments.
Isn't it's interesting how some of those tiny seemingly insignificant moments are what can really define us. And become the most cherished memories people have of us when we're gone. Thank you Mary!
Funny--I've never been obsessed with reading obits but just happen to stumble upon an old one yesterday and found a little seed about one of my ancestors writing letters while overseas in WWII. It was something I never knew. Maybe a story is brewing from that.
Yes! Stories are all around us! Swirling and tangible lie the wind, we just meet to notice them. I love that you reminded us that stories don’t need to be earth shattering, they can just be vignettes of everyday life. Thanks for this — just beautiful! 💙 and I’ve subscribed! 😁
Jeanette, discovering your Substack newsletter, changed the course of my day. I fell in love with your approach to capturing the stories in our ordinary days.
I was already doing something similar. You call them "story seeds" and I call mine "story starters."
When I learned about your book, Write Your Book at Fifty: A Call to Women. I bought it, and couldn't stop reading until I finished. You share such rich content to inspire hesitant and insecure beginning writers backed up with quotes and thoughts from a wide range of published authors.
I love that you emphasize you're not telling readers what to write, how to write, and especially not how to become bestselling authors. You dispel fears and the ever-present limiting beliefs.
You speak to the people who want to capture their memories maybe not for publication, but as part of their family legacy (my target group also.)
I look forward to improving my craft by creating and expanding on "story seeds" over the next three days and then sharing them here.
And you really made my day Flora with this genuine heartfelt comment, and sharing of how my book resonated with you. It's why I write here, to meet generous souls like you. Seeds, starters, these story beginnings are the little hints we remember that can become lovely messages to others. Thank you for sharing my post and for resonating with my work.
These are great tips, Jeanette. I teach this very idea in my writing workshops. Writers need to cultivate their curiosity, to look up from their phones, and be an observer of all the woeful, wonderful, and wacky things that occur each day. capturing these moments is essential, as you said. I love the idea of seeds and I look forward to reading more of your gardens.
In my Notes app, I save my "story seeds" as Idea Fish (thoughts that swim by!) I also rediscover some stories in Facebook Memories--things that happened years ago that I forgot about until I was reminded.
Love the name "Idea Fish," Cynthia. Really captures how fleeting they are but I also feel that fish looks at you as it goes by and asks "Are you going to remember me?"
Yes, social media captures much of our lives. Good source for stories.
As someone obsessed with reading obituaries, I can attest that your advice applies to stories at all stages of life. The most fascinating obituaries are just collections of tiny, seemingly insignificant moments.
Isn't it's interesting how some of those tiny seemingly insignificant moments are what can really define us. And become the most cherished memories people have of us when we're gone. Thank you Mary!
Funny--I've never been obsessed with reading obits but just happen to stumble upon an old one yesterday and found a little seed about one of my ancestors writing letters while overseas in WWII. It was something I never knew. Maybe a story is brewing from that.
Definitely a story there. How wonderful you have that old obit too.
Yes! Stories are all around us! Swirling and tangible lie the wind, we just meet to notice them. I love that you reminded us that stories don’t need to be earth shattering, they can just be vignettes of everyday life. Thanks for this — just beautiful! 💙 and I’ve subscribed! 😁
I'm glad this resonated and thank you for subscribing. Let's see more stories being remembered and shared.
Jeanette, discovering your Substack newsletter, changed the course of my day. I fell in love with your approach to capturing the stories in our ordinary days.
I was already doing something similar. You call them "story seeds" and I call mine "story starters."
When I learned about your book, Write Your Book at Fifty: A Call to Women. I bought it, and couldn't stop reading until I finished. You share such rich content to inspire hesitant and insecure beginning writers backed up with quotes and thoughts from a wide range of published authors.
I love that you emphasize you're not telling readers what to write, how to write, and especially not how to become bestselling authors. You dispel fears and the ever-present limiting beliefs.
You speak to the people who want to capture their memories maybe not for publication, but as part of their family legacy (my target group also.)
I look forward to improving my craft by creating and expanding on "story seeds" over the next three days and then sharing them here.
And you really made my day Flora with this genuine heartfelt comment, and sharing of how my book resonated with you. It's why I write here, to meet generous souls like you. Seeds, starters, these story beginnings are the little hints we remember that can become lovely messages to others. Thank you for sharing my post and for resonating with my work.
Thanks for your great tips on capturing our small moments as they pop up so we can return to write the full stories. I love your framework.
These are great tips, Jeanette. I teach this very idea in my writing workshops. Writers need to cultivate their curiosity, to look up from their phones, and be an observer of all the woeful, wonderful, and wacky things that occur each day. capturing these moments is essential, as you said. I love the idea of seeds and I look forward to reading more of your gardens.
Thanks Evelyn. As you say, there's such a wide world to enjoy once we look up from our devices. Writers need that engagement.
This post is so inspiring, Jeanette! I'm over 50 and willing to notice, observe and write!
We're waiting to see what you share, Brooke!
I'm over at The Pondering Scottie and loving every minute being here with you all!
I'm changing my folder name from the boring "Prompts" to "Story Seeds." 😊 Love it. "Turn on your noticer mode."
This is do true!
Thank you for sharing.