Not knowing things is thrilling, and being able to say "I don't know, and I'm going to find out," is one of the most exciting parts about falling down any sort of rabbit hole—if you couldn't tell from when I interrogated you about your process for my own newsletter. Publishing is a mess, and burnout is real, but gosh, learning is fun.
Beautiful, Courtney. Do you know how many of us are studying you? I don't say that to overwhelm you or put pressure on you or stoke any past sense of performativity you may have. But rather, I tell you this in confidence--confident that I will continue to learn from you as an author, creative, and student of the world and self, and in confidence among this group of like-minded Author Diary mentees who appreciate your vulnerability during your journey that you've generously shared with us. As always, thank you.
Kristine, if I feel overwhelmed or pressured by that it is in the best way possible because I consider it a privilege that anything I write and share here could have any part in your own journey!! It makes me genuinely fucking happy that you have made a commitment to your authorial voice--which has always been so generous, sharp, and insightful in its comments here--and having it heard because we're all circling that same vulnerability and it takes a lot to insist on being heard. Thank YOU for participating here. It means a lot.
I love to learn! But I've also felt the intense shame of feeling stupid for not know what so many other writer's seem to know (or non writers). I've been at burn out from writing too and it's such a sad experience. I'm probably still in some kind of suspended state of it, but more at peace with it now. And with all learning the student's understanding and feelings are the core important thing - and should be tailored around that. I home schooled my son from age eleven to sixteen because secondary school was not good for him. He's at university now and continues to amaze me with his creativity and skill and the art he produces. Anyway. You're doing the best thing for you and I'm so glad that you are. 💖
I think resisting burnout often creates more burnout, so I hope finding some peace with the feeling helps open up the next phase of this path with you. I LOVE that you homeschooled your son! It takes a lot of courage to go against the grain like that because it can be so stigmatized but I am not at all surprised to hear that he ended up thriving under a teacher and parent like you :)
Thank you, Tara! I appreciate that. Dropping out is so unfairly stigmatized and directs scrutiny (imo) in the wrong place. Not everyone was supportive of the choice me and my parents made, and I'm glad we didn't heed those critics. And thank you for reading this!
Being an eternal student is my favorite thing, and I think it's such a great outlook in this world. Regardless of how much we learn and how much we can teach others, we're always still learning and the next book will always be a new experience to go through.
Love these insights into your beautiful mind and can't wait to read your next words 💜
Someone once told me the day you don't learn something new you're dead and I was like my God that's intense but also true!!! It's a beautiful thing. Thank you for being such a positive and kind presence in these posts. I always appreciate it.
Not knowing things is thrilling, and being able to say "I don't know, and I'm going to find out," is one of the most exciting parts about falling down any sort of rabbit hole—if you couldn't tell from when I interrogated you about your process for my own newsletter. Publishing is a mess, and burnout is real, but gosh, learning is fun.
That last sentence needs to be a on a T-SHIRT!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful, Courtney. Do you know how many of us are studying you? I don't say that to overwhelm you or put pressure on you or stoke any past sense of performativity you may have. But rather, I tell you this in confidence--confident that I will continue to learn from you as an author, creative, and student of the world and self, and in confidence among this group of like-minded Author Diary mentees who appreciate your vulnerability during your journey that you've generously shared with us. As always, thank you.
Kristine, if I feel overwhelmed or pressured by that it is in the best way possible because I consider it a privilege that anything I write and share here could have any part in your own journey!! It makes me genuinely fucking happy that you have made a commitment to your authorial voice--which has always been so generous, sharp, and insightful in its comments here--and having it heard because we're all circling that same vulnerability and it takes a lot to insist on being heard. Thank YOU for participating here. It means a lot.
I love to learn! But I've also felt the intense shame of feeling stupid for not know what so many other writer's seem to know (or non writers). I've been at burn out from writing too and it's such a sad experience. I'm probably still in some kind of suspended state of it, but more at peace with it now. And with all learning the student's understanding and feelings are the core important thing - and should be tailored around that. I home schooled my son from age eleven to sixteen because secondary school was not good for him. He's at university now and continues to amaze me with his creativity and skill and the art he produces. Anyway. You're doing the best thing for you and I'm so glad that you are. 💖
I think resisting burnout often creates more burnout, so I hope finding some peace with the feeling helps open up the next phase of this path with you. I LOVE that you homeschooled your son! It takes a lot of courage to go against the grain like that because it can be so stigmatized but I am not at all surprised to hear that he ended up thriving under a teacher and parent like you :)
I continue to love and value this series of posts so much.
I really value your presence in them, Kat. Thank you so much.
Whether intended or not, I love how you challenge assumptions about education and how we define “educated”.
Thank you, Tara! I appreciate that. Dropping out is so unfairly stigmatized and directs scrutiny (imo) in the wrong place. Not everyone was supportive of the choice me and my parents made, and I'm glad we didn't heed those critics. And thank you for reading this!
Another insightful, candid and illuminating chapter in the book of Courtney Summers!💕
This one was co-written by my mom. Thanks for letting me be a dropout :)
Being an eternal student is my favorite thing, and I think it's such a great outlook in this world. Regardless of how much we learn and how much we can teach others, we're always still learning and the next book will always be a new experience to go through.
Love these insights into your beautiful mind and can't wait to read your next words 💜
Someone once told me the day you don't learn something new you're dead and I was like my God that's intense but also true!!! It's a beautiful thing. Thank you for being such a positive and kind presence in these posts. I always appreciate it.