MICHELLE! Another banger of an essay. So, I have been doing research on moths. They circle lights and lamp posts and candles because they use moonlight in nature as their reference point. So, when not out in the physical world with moonlight as a guide, they start circling whatever light source they find and they go in literal circles. I found that so poignant. In order to be found, they must get lost. Which is a lot like writing!
I'm so struck by how this circling pattern shows up in so many ways in our lives—and how it always feels like we're so lost and yet it's the very means for finding our way. And if we let it, it can become the most interesting part of the journey.
I see you in your circling, friend. You're arriving somewhere profound even as you continue to venture into the wild.
"And if we let it, it can become the most interesting part of the journey" — THIS! The wandering is not an annoying aberration from the journey, it is the journey. (...she said, reminding herself.)
Thank you so much, as always, for your close read and sweet feedback 🤍
I had an English teacher my freshman year who said that he didn’t give A grades to essays unless he saw evidence of the writer discovering something new in the middle of the essay.
I love essays that circle and seem to lose their way and then bring you unexpectedly back to where you started. Both reading them and writing them. But the best part is that sense of discovering a new world, a new insight.
I'm so with you on loving essays that loop and meander, then manage to find their way back. A writing mentor recently said, "if I can draw a clean, straight line from the start of my essay to where it ends, I know I haven't done enough" and I think about that all the time now. Thanks so much for reading, and for your thoughtful comment. 🤍
"The only way I was ever going to write an essay worth writing was to get completely turned around. I’d have to lose the trail, along with my conception of where it was taking me." Feeling this so much right now with my book manuscript! I've been lost and going round in circles with it for months - but a way through the woods is slowly coming into view. I LOVED this piece, Michelle, so beautifully written and illustrated with photos.
Ahh sending you all the support and 'keep going' vibes on your book manuscript! That's such an undertaking, and the going-round-in-circles feeling is deeeeeply relatable. Certainly a sign that you're writing something worthwhile. (Would love to hear more about the book you're writing!)
I really appreciate you taking the time to read and leave such a thoughtful comment, thank you 🤍 Cheering you on as the rest of your manuscript slowly comes into view!
Gosh, there is so much juicy wisdom in this, Michelle. I am always so inspired by your commitment to learning a craft like you've done with the braided essay, but then still allowing yourself to move beyond a preplanned outcome. Sometimes it feels like we're going in circles, but we're really just coming home. Such a beautiful piece! ❤️
I want to bottle this comment up and hand it to my future writer self the next time she's writing herself in furious circles and tempted to set her laptop on fire 😂
Thank you so much for this very kind comment, Makayla!
MICHELLE! Another banger of an essay. So, I have been doing research on moths. They circle lights and lamp posts and candles because they use moonlight in nature as their reference point. So, when not out in the physical world with moonlight as a guide, they start circling whatever light source they find and they go in literal circles. I found that so poignant. In order to be found, they must get lost. Which is a lot like writing!
Ahhhh do I love moths now?? That makes me weirdly emotional. And thank you so, so much for your encouragement, friend! It means the world 🤍
It made me cry when I read it. Maybe that’s why we’re writers? 😘😘😘
MAYBE THAT'S WHY WE'RE WRITERS. Tender hearts unite! 😘
"We circle so we might find our footing."
I'm so struck by how this circling pattern shows up in so many ways in our lives—and how it always feels like we're so lost and yet it's the very means for finding our way. And if we let it, it can become the most interesting part of the journey.
I see you in your circling, friend. You're arriving somewhere profound even as you continue to venture into the wild.
"And if we let it, it can become the most interesting part of the journey" — THIS! The wandering is not an annoying aberration from the journey, it is the journey. (...she said, reminding herself.)
Thank you so much, as always, for your close read and sweet feedback 🤍
This what's phenomenal! I really enjoyed reading it. You mentioned you enjoyed reading about people who traveled and such. I think you might enjoy my Substack! I'll be starting a series soon entitled the backpack Chronicles. I hope you'll check it out. https://open.substack.com/pub/selenabendixen/p/blue-ridge-longing?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=48uws3
Thanks so much for your kind words, Selena! Excited to go check out your writing 🏔️
I had an English teacher my freshman year who said that he didn’t give A grades to essays unless he saw evidence of the writer discovering something new in the middle of the essay.
I love essays that circle and seem to lose their way and then bring you unexpectedly back to where you started. Both reading them and writing them. But the best part is that sense of discovering a new world, a new insight.
Standing ovation for that teacher!
I'm so with you on loving essays that loop and meander, then manage to find their way back. A writing mentor recently said, "if I can draw a clean, straight line from the start of my essay to where it ends, I know I haven't done enough" and I think about that all the time now. Thanks so much for reading, and for your thoughtful comment. 🤍
"The only way I was ever going to write an essay worth writing was to get completely turned around. I’d have to lose the trail, along with my conception of where it was taking me." Feeling this so much right now with my book manuscript! I've been lost and going round in circles with it for months - but a way through the woods is slowly coming into view. I LOVED this piece, Michelle, so beautifully written and illustrated with photos.
Ahh sending you all the support and 'keep going' vibes on your book manuscript! That's such an undertaking, and the going-round-in-circles feeling is deeeeeply relatable. Certainly a sign that you're writing something worthwhile. (Would love to hear more about the book you're writing!)
I really appreciate you taking the time to read and leave such a thoughtful comment, thank you 🤍 Cheering you on as the rest of your manuscript slowly comes into view!
Gosh, there is so much juicy wisdom in this, Michelle. I am always so inspired by your commitment to learning a craft like you've done with the braided essay, but then still allowing yourself to move beyond a preplanned outcome. Sometimes it feels like we're going in circles, but we're really just coming home. Such a beautiful piece! ❤️
I want to bottle this comment up and hand it to my future writer self the next time she's writing herself in furious circles and tempted to set her laptop on fire 😂
Thank you so much for this very kind comment, Makayla!