“What lasts in the reader’s mind is not the phrase but the effect the phrase created: laughter, tears, pain, joy. If the phrase is not affecting the reader, what’s it doing there? Make it do its job or cut it without mercy or remorse.”
– Issac Asimov
Impact.
I believe the Universe nudged me last week when the combo of the Asimov quote and a delightful mentoring moment landed in my lap. I’ll explain…
I received excellent writing advice and it’s a nugget that’ll stick with me for a long time. Someone I admire did some overnight mulling about how to push me – ever so gently – to be bolder.
The first glimmer of goodness? Her input arrived as a six-word story. I’ve written about the technique more than once and I love it, returning to the challenge now and then because there’s nowhere to hide. Six words = essence.
Here are the serendipitous six-words she offered. Coincidence or destiny? I dunno, but she captured my attention.
“Don’t be afraid of jelly stains.”
After leaning across the table to ask if she could offer insight (to which I nodded vigorously) she retrieved a post-it note from her day planner and said she’d been thinking about me – wondering how to offer feedback.
“Not a critique,” she said, with encouraging eyes. “You have many writing personas but if you’re not careful, your voice from other careers – in higher ed and as a therapist – will get in your way with too many chronological, report-like overtones at the forefront. But writing now? You have the world at your fingertips, ready to play with all shades, and more.”
Her words hit – landing with recognition about why I’m dissatisfied with some of my recent work. To embrace her insight, I need to learn that precision is less important, and jelly stains might add grit that stories crave. Readers crave.
Am I a lucky duck or what? A brilliant writer provided finely tuned feedback, spurring me on with encouragement but without sharing the tiresome tropes I’ve heard a million times or more: more show, less tell; lean into sensory experiences; let your characters have flaws.
Her “jelly stains” comment has resonance. Advice crafted just for me, to write with abandon and paint the pictures – with the broadest strokes I desire. With any pallet I choose.
Her final gem? I’ve heard this one before but her unique reminder – to be authentic and let my voice, my writer’s voice come through – was new and it hit differently. I felt her generous heart, the warmth behind the words.
She said, “Be you. Just be you.”
Creatives revel in praise and accolades for the finished products, but applause for staying the course and minding the effort itself – with personalized nudges to keep going? Remarkable and unique.
Color me grateful, wrapped in jelly stains.
-Vicki 😊
Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press.
Check out this link to learn more about my book “Surviving Sue” – all about resilience and love.
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Victoria Ponders 
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