Comments on: Peel Off the Labels to Give Yourself Space http://confidentwriting.com/2009/04/peel-off-the-labels-to-give-yourself-space/ The art of writing, for non writers Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:00:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Writing, Art, Creativity… and Postcards from Scotland | Confident Writing http://confidentwriting.com/2009/04/peel-off-the-labels-to-give-yourself-space/#comment-21321 Writing, Art, Creativity… and Postcards from Scotland | Confident Writing Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:53:22 +0000 http://confidentwriting.com/?p=2554#comment-21321 [...] about it at all.  I’ve declared in advance I’m ‘not an artist’ so already peeled off the label of expectations   Plus Janice is coaching us, gently, to experiment and see what happens.  To do [...] [...] about it at all.  I’ve declared in advance I’m ‘not an artist’ so already peeled off the label of expectations   Plus Janice is coaching us, gently, to experiment and see what happens.  To do [...]

]]> By: Rounding Up Breathing Space | Confident Writing http://confidentwriting.com/2009/04/peel-off-the-labels-to-give-yourself-space/#comment-14836 Rounding Up Breathing Space | Confident Writing Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:19:57 +0000 http://confidentwriting.com/?p=2554#comment-14836 [...] Peel Off the Labels to Give Yourself Space [...] [...] Peel Off the Labels to Give Yourself Space [...]

]]> By: Joanna http://confidentwriting.com/2009/04/peel-off-the-labels-to-give-yourself-space/#comment-14140 Joanna Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:54:30 +0000 http://confidentwriting.com/?p=2554#comment-14140 <b>Ryan</b> you have no idea how much I appreciate getting feedback like that - thank you so much for taking the time to share where you're at with your writing. Yes, the inner critic has been known to prowl about round here... but we're working out some great strategies for kicking him/her into touch! Hope to see you again sometime, and good luck with your writing. Ryan you have no idea how much I appreciate getting feedback like that – thank you so much for taking the time to share where you’re at with your writing. Yes, the inner critic has been known to prowl about round here… but we’re working out some great strategies for kicking him/her into touch! Hope to see you again sometime, and good luck with your writing.

]]> By: Ryan http://confidentwriting.com/2009/04/peel-off-the-labels-to-give-yourself-space/#comment-14136 Ryan Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:26:42 +0000 http://confidentwriting.com/?p=2554#comment-14136 Joanna, I am a freshman in college and have recently discovered my love of fiction writing. I came across your site yesterday and just wanted to say thank you for the guidance it provides. It's refreshing to hear other "writers" talk about actually being a "writer" and this article in particular struck me profoundly. As a new writer the label itself does at times seem restricting. Your mention of an inner critic holding you back is something I struggle with too and it is refreshing to see that there are a lot of people out there who face the same challenge. So basically after all that what I'm trying to say is thank you for posting a blog like this and I look forward to checking it regularly. All the best, Ryan Joanna,

I am a freshman in college and have recently discovered my love of fiction writing. I came across your site yesterday and just wanted to say thank you for the guidance it provides. It’s refreshing to hear other “writers” talk about actually being a “writer” and this article in particular struck me profoundly. As a new writer the label itself does at times seem restricting. Your mention of an inner critic holding you back is something I struggle with too and it is refreshing to see that there are a lot of people out there who face the same challenge. So basically after all that what I’m trying to say is thank you for posting a blog like this and I look forward to checking it regularly.
All the best,
Ryan

]]> By: Joanna http://confidentwriting.com/2009/04/peel-off-the-labels-to-give-yourself-space/#comment-14117 Joanna Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:44:19 +0000 http://confidentwriting.com/?p=2554#comment-14117 <b>Karen</b> that sounds like a wise approach to labels... just keep on choosing the ones that work for us. And smiling :-) Karen that sounds like a wise approach to labels… just keep on choosing the ones that work for us. And smiling :-)

]]> By: Karen Chaffee http://confidentwriting.com/2009/04/peel-off-the-labels-to-give-yourself-space/#comment-14111 Karen Chaffee Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:34:31 +0000 http://confidentwriting.com/?p=2554#comment-14111 I have written in one form or another most of my life, but I didn't really think of myself as a "real writer" until much of my work was being published. I do think of myself as a writer, now, and smile each time. I can see that labels either restrict or empower us, so I choose mine carefully. I no longer wear the labels of others, especially the mistaken or negative ones. I have written in one form or another most of my life, but I didn’t really think of myself as a “real writer” until much of my work was being published. I do think of myself as a writer, now, and smile each time. I can see that labels either restrict or empower us, so I choose mine carefully. I no longer wear the labels of others, especially the mistaken or negative ones.

]]> By: Joanna http://confidentwriting.com/2009/04/peel-off-the-labels-to-give-yourself-space/#comment-14100 Joanna Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:06:41 +0000 http://confidentwriting.com/?p=2554#comment-14100 <b>Lea</b> I think there's a difference between the labels we use externally and for ourselves - I might, depending on the context, call myself a writer in company, but I think it's best left peeled off when I'm writing just for me. I agree with you about being clear what we're about to allow clients to make sense of what we do / find us - as I said on Twitter though, I'm much more into coaching others to write than being 'a writer' myself... and writing coach is one label I am (thankfully) happy to stick with Lea I think there’s a difference between the labels we use externally and for ourselves – I might, depending on the context, call myself a writer in company, but I think it’s best left peeled off when I’m writing just for me. I agree with you about being clear what we’re about to allow clients to make sense of what we do / find us – as I said on Twitter though, I’m much more into coaching others to write than being ‘a writer’ myself… and writing coach is one label I am (thankfully) happy to stick with

]]> By: Joanna http://confidentwriting.com/2009/04/peel-off-the-labels-to-give-yourself-space/#comment-14098 Joanna Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:49:30 +0000 http://confidentwriting.com/?p=2554#comment-14098 <b>Lisa</b> oh dear, the pressure to be well off as well as witty, intelligent, creative, productive, successful! I can see how 'editor' and 'writing teacher' would work well when you're introducing yourself to others... I wonder though, which label do you find it most empowering to use when you're talking to yourself? <b>Julie</b> yes, indeed, I know that one :-) It's one of the reasons we all understand each other so well - it's that instant recognition and appreciation of what others have put into their work, the joys, the trials and tribulations... whereas our offline friends are rather liable to glaze over... ;-) <b>Tess</b> thanks for sharing that quote. I hope the words... or maybe the shifting around of some unhelpful labels... will help get the words to flow Lisa oh dear, the pressure to be well off as well as witty, intelligent, creative, productive, successful! I can see how ‘editor’ and ‘writing teacher’ would work well when you’re introducing yourself to others… I wonder though, which label do you find it most empowering to use when you’re talking to yourself?

Julie yes, indeed, I know that one :-) It’s one of the reasons we all understand each other so well – it’s that instant recognition and appreciation of what others have put into their work, the joys, the trials and tribulations… whereas our offline friends are rather liable to glaze over… ;-)

Tess thanks for sharing that quote. I hope the words… or maybe the shifting around of some unhelpful labels… will help get the words to flow

]]> By: Joanna http://confidentwriting.com/2009/04/peel-off-the-labels-to-give-yourself-space/#comment-14097 Joanna Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:43:16 +0000 http://confidentwriting.com/?p=2554#comment-14097 <b>Avril</b> I hope you enjoy cooking up some good stuff - definitely worth a try :-) Thanks for sharing that experience and introducting yourself - I look forward to chatting on twitter too. <b>Catherine</b> thanks for all that. I guess I probably talk about 'intention' rather than love - what drives, motivates, enthuses, lights up your words and your writing, and I agree, that's the bit to look for, and then throw yourself into <b>George</b> that's very simple but powerful advice... the best sort. Thanks. Yes, interesting alternative version of the conversation at your place too... again making the point that we should do what works for us, what allows us to do our best stuff Avril I hope you enjoy cooking up some good stuff – definitely worth a try :-) Thanks for sharing that experience and introducting yourself – I look forward to chatting on twitter too.

Catherine thanks for all that. I guess I probably talk about ‘intention’ rather than love – what drives, motivates, enthuses, lights up your words and your writing, and I agree, that’s the bit to look for, and then throw yourself into

George that’s very simple but powerful advice… the best sort. Thanks. Yes, interesting alternative version of the conversation at your place too… again making the point that we should do what works for us, what allows us to do our best stuff

]]> By: Joanna http://confidentwriting.com/2009/04/peel-off-the-labels-to-give-yourself-space/#comment-14096 Joanna Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:13:48 +0000 http://confidentwriting.com/?p=2554#comment-14096 <b>Naoko</b> that's made me smile, I like the term "wordsmith" too, and someone who likes playing with words... they seem to offer more room for play, creativity and experimentation somehow :-) I'm glad you found the post useful. The conversations that have followed on are fascinating to me. <b>wilson</b> I can sympathise, I used to get called "dictionary" when I was at school, because I could spell so easily, the other kids found it easier and quicker to ask me than to look up the dictionary. I would also say that most of my best friends are book worms, really I think that's a compliment! I'm glad though that you've managed to move beyond the limitations of the labels other people applied, and are being your best self <b>jan</b>I'm smiling broadly too :-) "I love writing" is perfect, so full of enthusiasm and action. I'm also smiling that our conversation should prompt my own realisation about things that were holding me back, and help me to generate such an interesting and hopefully rewarding conversation among readers here too Naoko that’s made me smile, I like the term “wordsmith” too, and someone who likes playing with words… they seem to offer more room for play, creativity and experimentation somehow :-) I’m glad you found the post useful. The conversations that have followed on are fascinating to me.

wilson I can sympathise, I used to get called “dictionary” when I was at school, because I could spell so easily, the other kids found it easier and quicker to ask me than to look up the dictionary. I would also say that most of my best friends are book worms, really I think that’s a compliment! I’m glad though that you’ve managed to move beyond the limitations of the labels other people applied, and are being your best self

janI’m smiling broadly too :-) “I love writing” is perfect, so full of enthusiasm and action. I’m also smiling that our conversation should prompt my own realisation about things that were holding me back, and help me to generate such an interesting and hopefully rewarding conversation among readers here too

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