I finished the book! I am exulting in my trusting of the process and writing using the way I was writing about – in other words, listening and feeling and trusting.
I am so proud of myself.
!!!
I had a mini-realization this morning. I believe and teach that the creative process has three basic stages: gestation, fruition, and respite. The respite or resting part is the one we all tend to downplay or forget or skip. I realized why today — resting can be scary because we have to trust there is something else coming! It’s the void. As I was sipping my tea and walking Luna this morning, I felt how much more comfortable I am creating, instead of sinking into the softness of rest and nothing… Even if that rest in just a few hours of hanging out and noticing what wants to come next, maybe some art or reaching out to a friend or creating something with Lilly…
Hmmm… off to rest and listen and embrace — maybe 
— resting.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Anne in Virginia Jun 10, 2006
Congratulations, Jen! Enjoy the respite you’ve earned–and need. I’m very much looking forward to reading your new book. It’s as if you shared its gestation with us through the blog, and I feel a personal interest in its birth. I laughed out loud when I read your earlier post about wanting to invent fire. I struggle with this one every time I write something. Most recently, it was the first journal article on my dissertation research, which of course had to be PERFECT so the scientific community would know how competent I was and I would get a decent job. Oh, yes, it’s the Lottery Syndrome all right. The joke was on me, though. Two days after your post, I moved home to wrap up my postdoc work and look for a job. Four days later, before I even got the article submitted, I got a call offering me the ideal position! I had interviewed for it in the spring, but the offer went to someone more experienced. After two months of negotiation, the other candidate bowed out–so the organization came to me. “See,” said the Universe, “You already bought the winning ticket. You just had to wait for the drawing.”
2 Julie Leung Jun 10, 2006
Congrats Jen! Thanks for the insights, as always. Enjoy this sweet season!
3 Toni Jun 11, 2006
Congratulations! Feels like you just began that book yesterday-ish, too. Enjoy that respite, you’ve earned it.
4 Woz Jun 11, 2006
Jennifer, I haven’t commented before this, but I read each and every one of your posts and have followed you through this process. Please know that I have cheered you on and am so excited that you have finally reached your finish line. I respect your process and look forward to seeing the finished product!
5 Carole B Jun 11, 2006
Congratulations Jen on finishing this stage of your work! I know it will be wonderful and can hardly wait to read you again…in book form. Is your edit function lengthy, or do you self-edit and publish like That *snapping fingers*?
Thank you for all the help that you have provided me, and well, All of us! Enjoy your respite, and know how big a piece of creation that is!
Hugs,
Carole
6 Maureen Jun 12, 2006
Dear Jen,
Congratulations from the bottom of my
heart. It’s been a gift to be able to
share some of your stuggles with you as
you move through the syzyrgy (sp?) of your
creative flow.
Looking SO forward to having
one of your new books in hand.
Love,
Maureen
7 Tara Jun 13, 2006
Hi Jen,
Congratulations!
It’s been fun peaking in on this journey of yours, and I can’t wait to cozy up with your book. I’m learning so much from you while I struggle to establish myself in this writing world. Most importantly I’m always amazed at your honesty and optimism. And it seems like your creative spunk will never run dry. I don’t know how you find the time and energy to keep all of us inspired with your blog, while you also raise a daughter, write books, run retreats, and have a radio show….surely the list goes on.
Thank you for introducing me to the third stage of creation! I’m currently waiting to hear back from an agent regarding my novel ms, but all I can do is fret about what I’m supposed to be doing. Reworking my synopsis, rewriting some chapters, getting my next submission ready, writing to find out if it has already been rejected…I hadn’t really thought about resting. This won’t be the first time that you taught me that resting is okay. Not just okay, but part of a process.
Sweet Dreams…(I can almost hear a sigh of relief from the giant baby in my belly)
8 Rhiannon Jun 16, 2006
Hello Jennifer,
Not sure if you’ll remember me but I was one of your moderators WAY back in the beginning of Comfort Queen.
Just wanted to say congrat’s on the finished book…sounds like it will be wonderfully insightful.
I guess I should also say Thank You…your work, the comfort queen site and the people that I met there have been a big inspiration to get me where I am now on my journey. A number of great friendships were formed there along with the inspiration for a more creative, centered, soulful life.