15 Comments
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Ishah Naomi's avatar

I was so moved by your poem Some Days and the story you shared, that I immediately sent it to 3 of my dearest friends...

They all responded with joy, one has written it in her journal to return to regularly. Another has plans to write it out, frame it and put it up in her home as a daily reminder.

Your work has a beautiful impact. Keep going... and thankyou ❤️

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Lindsey Fears's avatar

I love this. Needed to be reminded of these truths.

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Melanie's avatar

Thanks for being understanding and encouraging Tanner. Very happy for your success!

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Carrie Roer's avatar

Thanks for putting this into words -- I feel this! I've been dabbling in writing off and on for over 20 years, and every time I try to give up I eventually come back... saying "I just can't NOT write."

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The Interconnected Cord's avatar

I see you, my brother!

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Meemanator's avatar

I forwarded this to my grandson who is seeking his purpose in NYC. He is 33 and has always been an artist, whether in writing, music or art. I've often reminded him there is a reason for the term 'starving artist'. He knows, as do I, that he has followed in my footsteps. I have apologized to him over and over for this influence. :-)

I started writing when I was 8. That was 70 years ago. I never let anyone read my stories though. I folded them and stuffed them in the bottom of my sock drawer. My sixth grade teacher introduced me to poetry and I have never gotten over it.

When I was all starry eyed I thought being published was the goal of any writer. I spent two years researching the business of publishing concluding, disheartened, that it is indeed just a business and being a good or even excellent writer is not the goal of publishing. Being salable is though. Apparently crude sells very well nowadays.

So, I wrote anyway, posting in my own website and then in Blogspot and now in Substack. In 2005 I set up my own POD publishing company helping authors get their books in print. And I taught how to write and how to do art and how to build things and... in the end all that mattered was that I never stopped just because I did not fit in the stream of consciousness du jour.

I write to find out what I think. It's a passion that satisfies me in every way I can imagine when I have corralled a wild herd of thoughts into something cogent and meaningful.

You are correct - never stop even if it isn't what you thought it was going to be.

https://meemanator.substack.com/p/god-only-knows

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Alli Bauck's avatar

Thanks for sharing! 🫶🏻 Always an encouragement!

I'm in a season of life where being creative is a means of mental health: I'm not making anything for anyone but myself. It's the process for me, not the product.

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Tanner Olson's avatar

🫶🏻 It's a beautiful thing just to create.

Something healing about it.

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Jen Savell's avatar

“Imitation also helps us find out who we want to be and who we do not want to be.” Yes! This is where I find myself—still figuring out what I want to do and how. This whole piece is so hopeful and encouraging. Thank you!

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Tanner Olson's avatar

So glad it connected with you!

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Jimmy Warden's avatar

Thanks for sharing, Tanner.

I appreciate your willingness to help other creatives keep moving forward.

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Tanner Olson's avatar

Of course! We gotta help each other out.

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Phyllis Scantland's avatar

This is so great! I used to write, but life got in the way and I stopped. I’d like to say that some of what I wrote was pretty good. It’s my own belief that my best work was the from the times when I was in the worst times in my life. The need to find a way to express my feelings. Reading this makes me feel like I am ready to write again. Thank you!😊

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Tanner Olson's avatar

Thanks for reading :) Happy writing!

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Phyllis Scantland's avatar

Thank you!

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