16 Comments
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Sarah Stevenson's avatar

“Healing around it” is a perfect description; thank you. I’m still in the midst of that process.

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courtney summers's avatar

It's a tough process & it's not at all linear but recognizing it is a good anchor for remembering to be kind and patient with yourself and I hope you are. I'm wishing you the best with it!!

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Sarah Stevenson's avatar

And the "healing around it" resonated because I realized how much past baggage was affecting my reaction to setbacks.

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Sarah Stevenson's avatar

Thank you so much!! It's been a rough couple of years--mental health-wise, primarily, but then also I was dropped by my agent this past fall so it feels like I'm completely starting over. At least my mental health improved before that happened, I guess.

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courtney summers's avatar

I'm so sorry that you have had to deal with so much professional and personal upheaval in such a short amount of time. That's a lot to go through. :( If it's any consolation, I do think as hard as these things are they are enabling a path for better things. When certain professional relationships come to an end it's usually for the best. You deserve someone who can offer you their full advocacy and support.

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Sarah Stevenson's avatar

I really do appreciate the kind words. I’ve been trying to remind myself that it wasn’t a good fit for a long time, and that if I was spending so much time tying myself in knots trying to turn my writing into something she was happy with, to no avail—then that wasn’t healthy.

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Emily Slaney's avatar

Glad to hear this 😁💖 As always thank you for sharing your experiences, emotions, process/progress & thoughts with us.

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courtney summers's avatar

thank you as always for hanging around :)

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Jimena Patiño's avatar

I can't tell yet when I'm just writing a novel or a story or something I will use later in another form. This substacks are solid gold for writers and their process. Thanks for sharing

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courtney summers's avatar

thank you for reading!

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Susan S.'s avatar

Another exquisite newsletter❤

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courtney summers's avatar

💗💗💗

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Maurene Goo's avatar

this hits: "The forefront of my author brand has become a diary of a very specific, very personal, transitional state in my career." thanks for sharing your journey, brilliant pal.

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courtney summers's avatar

thanks for being there every step of the way, my just-as-brilliant pal 💗

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Kat Howard's avatar

I appreciate these letters, this sharing of this part of your process, so much. Thank you.

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courtney summers's avatar

And I really really appreciate your presence throughout, Kat. Thank YOU. <3

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