Hi Helen! I just found your YouTube channel and you’ve inspired me to join Substack and focus on writing-first projects. I hope you’ve relit your creative fire!
Good day Helen. I love your YouTube videos, which brought me here to your Substack. I agree with Diana G. Pinto. I am an aspire writing/author. I could use your advice on planning for a new year, resources that actually help develop my writing, and anything else you can share. Miranda Marsh mentioned Beth Kempton's Soul Circle; I don't know anything about that circle, but perhaps joining a group where you can gain insights and inspiration can help.
In the meantime, read something you love, journal about your purpose, and reflect on what makes you happy.
Hello Helen. I love your writing and YouTube videos. I hear them often—it's like entering a cosy atmosphere inviting to the write.
My suggestion is to read your previous articles first to get inspiration. Listen to your YouTube videos, and ideas will pop up from there. It can be a sentence that sparks an idea or a comment from a reader. Read about other self-improvement topics. I'm in there, and I grab ideas from around the platform. Read the crowd. Or create your own timeline to pick ideas.
I agree with many of the comments here Helen. I too would say to remind yourself there is no should, shoulds are external pressures which we cannot truly take ownership of and are exhausting to carry all the time.
Maybe it might be helpful to switch genre and/or creative practice. When I feel there are no words in me, I turn to the canvas or my watercolours and let images speak. Sometimes I need to move my body (not workout!) in a way it wants and needs to move, stretch or be in nature. (Breathing counts as movement. ;)) Our body and soul are always communicating, but not always in words. Perhaps you'd like to explore other ways to listen to yourself and go from there. Just get as curious as possible and (gentle reminder) give yourself grace! I hope this helps a little. You are not alone. <3
Hi Helen, I'm so sorry you're dealing with burnout. It's the absolute worst especially when you want to write but can't get the words out on the page. You could write about other things outside of your writing like other hobbies and interests you have and things you like to do when the burnout does hit. Or you could write about your experiences of writing growing up and write about the genres/novels/stories that you don't write anymore and why you no longer write those types of stories? Why they no longer connect with you? I find those types of blog posts really interesting because you get to see how a writer has grown in their writing journey. People subscribe to you for you and your personality so I would say just write about whatever makes you happy. Your niche doesn't have to be just writing, it could be just you. Sorry for waffling on. I hope this was helpful in some way. I love your newsletter!
Helen, I'm only a wanna-be writer so not exactly qualified to comment but my thought would be that it might help to remove all the 'shoulds' that you're thinking relative to your writing and just write about what interests you, the person, and park the 'writing agenda' for awhile?
I'd love to learn more about you personally Helen, the Helen behind her writing desk, your other joys of life outside of writing, what makes you who you are in life.
Hello Helen I don't know how to put this so I am just going to say it. And don't get me wrong as I am not trying to be harsh . So here it goes. You are a brilliant individual who is more than a writer and I feel that you have boxed yourself in by your focus only being on writing. Who is the individual behind the writing? That's what I loved about what you shared previously. Your writing was much more holistic as I have been following it since medium. Remove the box , the labels whatever you call them and just write what comes to you. A poem ,short story, essay etc no restraints or restrictions just let it flow as naturally as it comes. With ❤️ 😍
Ah, Helen... I’m so sorry you’re still feeling so untethered 😞💜. I’m going to be annoying and ask you what YOU want to write about. Can you let yourself be quiet for a moment and just wait....be very patient....and wait for what bubbles to the surface. Because *that* is what you need to be writing about...not what you think you should be writing about, or what anyone else tells you to write about (including me! 😆).
“What we call writer’s block is a decision of the whole person, made outside the ego’s area of control...inability to write means that the unconscious self is vetoing the program demanded by the conscious ego”. - Victoria Nelson, On Writer’s Block 🥰
I remember when I first found you on youtube, it was YOU that made me watch and want to find out more - I loved the chilled vibes of your videos, your beautiful office and desk, your dogs and walks in the countryside!!! I think if you just re-focus on you instead of any output as such, and just share what you get up to that will be wonderful place to start!
Helen, write about you. Your journey. When I first discovered you I found out you had made some videos on your hens and at that time I too was getting hens. This inspired me more to go for it as you also mentioned in one of your posts how you went on a course to learn about them. Also your dogs! People love to read about pets. I have followed you for a while but do not know much about Helen. Write about you, how you got to this point in your journey, let it all spill out and then if you want to edit it.
Tell us about Helen. Here are a few thoughts on things I've picked up from your Substack and your YouTube videos - that you used to keep hens and ducks, and who was your favourite and why; that you love baking. What the lighthouse on your desk means to you. Your Agatha Christie reading marathon - are some of them waaaay better than others, and which are leaving you cold. Your comfiest jumper. What the dogs last did to make you laugh out loud. I'd love to know you through your writing, not just know about your writing. You've got this, you really have.
Hi Helen! I just found your YouTube channel and you’ve inspired me to join Substack and focus on writing-first projects. I hope you’ve relit your creative fire!
Hi Sylvia - that's great to hear. And yes, I'm hoping it is slowly returning.
Good day Helen. I love your YouTube videos, which brought me here to your Substack. I agree with Diana G. Pinto. I am an aspire writing/author. I could use your advice on planning for a new year, resources that actually help develop my writing, and anything else you can share. Miranda Marsh mentioned Beth Kempton's Soul Circle; I don't know anything about that circle, but perhaps joining a group where you can gain insights and inspiration can help.
In the meantime, read something you love, journal about your purpose, and reflect on what makes you happy.
Are you a member of Beth Kempton’s Soul Circle. Lots of inspiration there.
Hello Helen. I love your writing and YouTube videos. I hear them often—it's like entering a cosy atmosphere inviting to the write.
My suggestion is to read your previous articles first to get inspiration. Listen to your YouTube videos, and ideas will pop up from there. It can be a sentence that sparks an idea or a comment from a reader. Read about other self-improvement topics. I'm in there, and I grab ideas from around the platform. Read the crowd. Or create your own timeline to pick ideas.
I agree with many of the comments here Helen. I too would say to remind yourself there is no should, shoulds are external pressures which we cannot truly take ownership of and are exhausting to carry all the time.
Maybe it might be helpful to switch genre and/or creative practice. When I feel there are no words in me, I turn to the canvas or my watercolours and let images speak. Sometimes I need to move my body (not workout!) in a way it wants and needs to move, stretch or be in nature. (Breathing counts as movement. ;)) Our body and soul are always communicating, but not always in words. Perhaps you'd like to explore other ways to listen to yourself and go from there. Just get as curious as possible and (gentle reminder) give yourself grace! I hope this helps a little. You are not alone. <3
Hi Helen, I'm so sorry you're dealing with burnout. It's the absolute worst especially when you want to write but can't get the words out on the page. You could write about other things outside of your writing like other hobbies and interests you have and things you like to do when the burnout does hit. Or you could write about your experiences of writing growing up and write about the genres/novels/stories that you don't write anymore and why you no longer write those types of stories? Why they no longer connect with you? I find those types of blog posts really interesting because you get to see how a writer has grown in their writing journey. People subscribe to you for you and your personality so I would say just write about whatever makes you happy. Your niche doesn't have to be just writing, it could be just you. Sorry for waffling on. I hope this was helpful in some way. I love your newsletter!
Helen, I'm only a wanna-be writer so not exactly qualified to comment but my thought would be that it might help to remove all the 'shoulds' that you're thinking relative to your writing and just write about what interests you, the person, and park the 'writing agenda' for awhile?
I'd love to learn more about you personally Helen, the Helen behind her writing desk, your other joys of life outside of writing, what makes you who you are in life.
My first thought as I began to read is, your still writing about writing. Your transparent with your journey. Your still writing! Thanks for sharing.
Hello Helen I don't know how to put this so I am just going to say it. And don't get me wrong as I am not trying to be harsh . So here it goes. You are a brilliant individual who is more than a writer and I feel that you have boxed yourself in by your focus only being on writing. Who is the individual behind the writing? That's what I loved about what you shared previously. Your writing was much more holistic as I have been following it since medium. Remove the box , the labels whatever you call them and just write what comes to you. A poem ,short story, essay etc no restraints or restrictions just let it flow as naturally as it comes. With ❤️ 😍
Thank you, Olatomi. Not harsh at all - more reassuring! ❤️
Ah, Helen... I’m so sorry you’re still feeling so untethered 😞💜. I’m going to be annoying and ask you what YOU want to write about. Can you let yourself be quiet for a moment and just wait....be very patient....and wait for what bubbles to the surface. Because *that* is what you need to be writing about...not what you think you should be writing about, or what anyone else tells you to write about (including me! 😆).
“What we call writer’s block is a decision of the whole person, made outside the ego’s area of control...inability to write means that the unconscious self is vetoing the program demanded by the conscious ego”. - Victoria Nelson, On Writer’s Block 🥰
Yes, I need to think about this. I’m sure I’ll have a quiet moment on my sofa tomorrow to think about it! 😘
I remember when I first found you on youtube, it was YOU that made me watch and want to find out more - I loved the chilled vibes of your videos, your beautiful office and desk, your dogs and walks in the countryside!!! I think if you just re-focus on you instead of any output as such, and just share what you get up to that will be wonderful place to start!
Thanks Emily, this seems to be a popular theme! I really appreciate it x
Helen, write about you. Your journey. When I first discovered you I found out you had made some videos on your hens and at that time I too was getting hens. This inspired me more to go for it as you also mentioned in one of your posts how you went on a course to learn about them. Also your dogs! People love to read about pets. I have followed you for a while but do not know much about Helen. Write about you, how you got to this point in your journey, let it all spill out and then if you want to edit it.
Love this! Thank you.
Hi Helen, can you tell me 10 things that you are so grateful for this year that surprised you ( wasn't planned by you)?
Can you tell me 3 books you'd love to read and why?
How about - if you could wrote about anything on this substack other than writing - what 3 things would you write about?
🌻
Brilliant questions, thank you!
In answer to your question: yes you can!
Tell us about Helen. Here are a few thoughts on things I've picked up from your Substack and your YouTube videos - that you used to keep hens and ducks, and who was your favourite and why; that you love baking. What the lighthouse on your desk means to you. Your Agatha Christie reading marathon - are some of them waaaay better than others, and which are leaving you cold. Your comfiest jumper. What the dogs last did to make you laugh out loud. I'd love to know you through your writing, not just know about your writing. You've got this, you really have.
Huggggggs! xxx
Rebecca, thank you, that’s a lovely thoughtful suggestion xx