I was literally just listening to a podcast about reducing one’s phone time and it talked a lot about the time pay off—we do what we prioritise and then I read this and I just—Hannah, not only are you a writer, but you so generously share your writing with the world and that is a gift! I adore your early nights for reading and early mornings for writing. I wake up early to journal, but I’ve been feeling the itch to write again in that way and you’re inspiring me to be more deliberate about my time 💛
This kinda reminds me of something Dani Shapiro said becoming a writer, how it isn’t a choice; it's a way of being. That nobody becomes a writer who doesn’t have to. I think about that more than I'd like to admit :)
This was so wonderful to read, just in general but also in a relatability standpoint. As you mentioned, social media presents the deception of ease, so it's easy to assume everyone else is more successful or just better at life. "We all have the same 24 hours" and whatnot. I'm also a corporate gal who wakes up early every single morning without fail to clack-clack-clack away on personal writing projects and you could not talk me out of it. I get up early to write because I love to do it. Anyway, it's just selfishly so pleasant to know other people are making similar sacrifices to chase something we love.
looove this! I've been writing fantasy books early in the am before my corporate job and everyone asks how I've found the time, I always say that I've given up on a lot of other things I enjoy to prioritize this lol! It's the truth nobody wants to hear, especially when the other things aren't bad things. I used to workout for at least an hour everyday, now I do 20 - 30 minutes every other day, etc.
I have struggled with the saying no part of being a writer. But it's true - you can't have it all. I'm now 4 years into writing my first manuscript and I've cut back at me 'real job' so I can carve out more time to write. It's hard at times, and yes very unglamourous but I wouldn't want to spend my life doing anything else.
Fellow copywriter by day, writer by all hours here, and this piece made me feel so seen. I loved seeing a snippet of your routine, and how you've tweaked things over the years!
Very readable voice in this piece. Well done. Especially liked how you shared some of your routine in a way that didn’t feel prescriptive. Talked about sacrifice of time and energy in a matter of fact, non-judgmental way. Enjoyed this post. Thank you.
You most definitely are a writer. There is a relatability, beautiful words and depth with which you write that makes you stand out to me - I love to read but few authors/writers make me feel the way you do. I will forever love Tik Tok for introducing me to you and Josie Balka. Your words matter. ❤️
I said the words ‘I’m a writer’ out loud to another human being the other day (maybe for the first time?) - I felt like my brain shorted out for a second from the audacity of it all 😂
I was nodding in agreement with every word in this and then racked my brain to find out what I felt missing; writing isn’t fabulous. But in my opinion making it as a writer is. Whether in real life, print, magazines, zines or Substack, being acknowledged as a writer by anyone other than yourself feels fabulous- and it’s that kind of feeling that people glorify.
I was literally just listening to a podcast about reducing one’s phone time and it talked a lot about the time pay off—we do what we prioritise and then I read this and I just—Hannah, not only are you a writer, but you so generously share your writing with the world and that is a gift! I adore your early nights for reading and early mornings for writing. I wake up early to journal, but I’ve been feeling the itch to write again in that way and you’re inspiring me to be more deliberate about my time 💛
This kinda reminds me of something Dani Shapiro said becoming a writer, how it isn’t a choice; it's a way of being. That nobody becomes a writer who doesn’t have to. I think about that more than I'd like to admit :)
These words....🤌
This was so wonderful to read, just in general but also in a relatability standpoint. As you mentioned, social media presents the deception of ease, so it's easy to assume everyone else is more successful or just better at life. "We all have the same 24 hours" and whatnot. I'm also a corporate gal who wakes up early every single morning without fail to clack-clack-clack away on personal writing projects and you could not talk me out of it. I get up early to write because I love to do it. Anyway, it's just selfishly so pleasant to know other people are making similar sacrifices to chase something we love.
I love this. I have just started taking my writing seriously and it’s so hard to balance my day job with this.
looove this! I've been writing fantasy books early in the am before my corporate job and everyone asks how I've found the time, I always say that I've given up on a lot of other things I enjoy to prioritize this lol! It's the truth nobody wants to hear, especially when the other things aren't bad things. I used to workout for at least an hour everyday, now I do 20 - 30 minutes every other day, etc.
I have struggled with the saying no part of being a writer. But it's true - you can't have it all. I'm now 4 years into writing my first manuscript and I've cut back at me 'real job' so I can carve out more time to write. It's hard at times, and yes very unglamourous but I wouldn't want to spend my life doing anything else.
Fellow copywriter by day, writer by all hours here, and this piece made me feel so seen. I loved seeing a snippet of your routine, and how you've tweaked things over the years!
Very readable voice in this piece. Well done. Especially liked how you shared some of your routine in a way that didn’t feel prescriptive. Talked about sacrifice of time and energy in a matter of fact, non-judgmental way. Enjoyed this post. Thank you.
I love this so much. The strict writing schedule truly is so unglamorous but so necessary... and sometimes beautiful :)
You most definitely are a writer. There is a relatability, beautiful words and depth with which you write that makes you stand out to me - I love to read but few authors/writers make me feel the way you do. I will forever love Tik Tok for introducing me to you and Josie Balka. Your words matter. ❤️
You are brilliant Hannah
I said the words ‘I’m a writer’ out loud to another human being the other day (maybe for the first time?) - I felt like my brain shorted out for a second from the audacity of it all 😂
I SO DAMN LOVE YOU FOR WRITING THIS!!
I was nodding in agreement with every word in this and then racked my brain to find out what I felt missing; writing isn’t fabulous. But in my opinion making it as a writer is. Whether in real life, print, magazines, zines or Substack, being acknowledged as a writer by anyone other than yourself feels fabulous- and it’s that kind of feeling that people glorify.