My unsolicited advice is this: Write what matters to you and what you believe will provide value to your intended readership. If there is a negative aspect to your topics, write it honestly and authentically without worrying about who might be offended. Anything we write has the potential to irk someone, and that may just get them to think more deeply. Yes, teaching is tough—I have family members who teach in real life, I taught a college course some time ago, and I know I would not want to deal with those challenges again. Your idea is a sound one, and I think it could garner a wide audience—Debbie, maybe you need to find a perfect title (one that may inspire a little controversy) and start setting up and planning your challenges of teaching publication. Just imagine how much help you could provide if you dig into suggested solutions, or interview other educators to get their coping skills.
Thank you Maryan. You've given me lots to think about. I like the idea of interviewing other educators on topics that my audience would find interesting.
That is a weird feeling—nest year my oldest turns freaking 50—I can’t even wrap my head around that—he’s still 19 in my head. And you’re doing great on the 401 transition!
What a motivational piece. Thank you. I remember telling my husband 14 years ago that I wanted to write a book. I was a stay at home mom who's brain was melting into diapers and nap times. I spoke it into the world like a promise to myself. The exact journey it took me to get here, writing the hardest genre to sell (middle grade non-fiction), is only because of where I was 14 years ago and what it took to get me here today. That has to be worth something. I need to keep reminding myself that.
I've grown up in a multicultural setting where I got to see both sides of this...
Entrepreneurship at a young age was seen as something amazing and highlighted the resourcefulness of those who didn't have as much.
Wisdom and leadership, especially from teachers, parents, and elders, was hammered into me as something to respect and to consider whenever it was given.
Providing both perspectives can be a powerful combination, and it's something that I hadn't really thought too much about until I started sharing my thoughts with others at work. I think we appreciate the journey a lot more when we have more it to look back and reflect on.
Some cultures venerate age (as a sensible proxy for wisdom, or at least experience), while others put a premium on youth. The U.S. is a youth-celebrating culture. See how we lionize the college dropout wunderkind, or give teenagers the world stage on vital topics like climate change. The NYC mayoral vote was a story of disaffected youth writ large.
I mention all this not to disagree with your premise. I embrace the idea of leveraging hard won life lessons to tease out meaning. Rather, I observe the reading public doesn’t naturally gravitate to the voice of wisdom. We’d rather make youthful mistakes over and over than listen to our parents and grandparents, who actually know better.
I never understood why women won’t reveal their actual age or want to be 29 forever. Twenty-nine was a horrible year for me. Yay for the 50s and being at the start of 63!
Back in May, my angels gave me the message, “You will be known as the Grandmother of Dream Interpretation.” The idea of calling myself this horrified an older friend. Dr. Jen bought me a doorplate for my office and encouraged me to use it. It's on my website and LinkedIn profile. Many people would prefer to read a book or receive an interpretation from someone who has been interpreting dreams since the early 90s than from a youngster.
Absolutely! In other cultures, grandmothers—elder women—are respected and revered for their life experiences and wisdom. What the heck is wrong with Western thinking? Way back in the day, like 23 years ago, I had a terrific gig writing for a consumer electronics website. I was known as the Digital Grandmother and my following was huge. It’s cool to own who we are.
Thank you for those wise words. I’m coming to an acceptance of my wise crone years. I’ve been a holistic physical therapist for 35 years. It’s only now coming to be accepted at the end of my career. It feels like something to write about.. now I’m excited!
Thank you, your post is very motivating and made me think hard. I've been a teacher for over 30 years and I've lived through so much in that time.
My truth is that teaching is so hard, the systems that support it are harsh, often uncaring and drive good teachers to leave it due to stress.
I often wonder how I can write about this in a positive way. Perhaps I overthink it. Maybe I should just get on and write about it as often as I can.
My unsolicited advice is this: Write what matters to you and what you believe will provide value to your intended readership. If there is a negative aspect to your topics, write it honestly and authentically without worrying about who might be offended. Anything we write has the potential to irk someone, and that may just get them to think more deeply. Yes, teaching is tough—I have family members who teach in real life, I taught a college course some time ago, and I know I would not want to deal with those challenges again. Your idea is a sound one, and I think it could garner a wide audience—Debbie, maybe you need to find a perfect title (one that may inspire a little controversy) and start setting up and planning your challenges of teaching publication. Just imagine how much help you could provide if you dig into suggested solutions, or interview other educators to get their coping skills.
Thank you Maryan. You've given me lots to think about. I like the idea of interviewing other educators on topics that my audience would find interesting.
I’m doing this—Life 101 instead of Life 401. As a new-ish writer, it’s hard to break free from.
But, I’ve always shared my age. And next year, my oldest will turn 40. Now that’s a weird feeling.
That is a weird feeling—nest year my oldest turns freaking 50—I can’t even wrap my head around that—he’s still 19 in my head. And you’re doing great on the 401 transition!
What a motivational piece. Thank you. I remember telling my husband 14 years ago that I wanted to write a book. I was a stay at home mom who's brain was melting into diapers and nap times. I spoke it into the world like a promise to myself. The exact journey it took me to get here, writing the hardest genre to sell (middle grade non-fiction), is only because of where I was 14 years ago and what it took to get me here today. That has to be worth something. I need to keep reminding myself that.
It’s worth a lot. We’re glad you persevered!
I've grown up in a multicultural setting where I got to see both sides of this...
Entrepreneurship at a young age was seen as something amazing and highlighted the resourcefulness of those who didn't have as much.
Wisdom and leadership, especially from teachers, parents, and elders, was hammered into me as something to respect and to consider whenever it was given.
Providing both perspectives can be a powerful combination, and it's something that I hadn't really thought too much about until I started sharing my thoughts with others at work. I think we appreciate the journey a lot more when we have more it to look back and reflect on.
Some cultures venerate age (as a sensible proxy for wisdom, or at least experience), while others put a premium on youth. The U.S. is a youth-celebrating culture. See how we lionize the college dropout wunderkind, or give teenagers the world stage on vital topics like climate change. The NYC mayoral vote was a story of disaffected youth writ large.
I mention all this not to disagree with your premise. I embrace the idea of leveraging hard won life lessons to tease out meaning. Rather, I observe the reading public doesn’t naturally gravitate to the voice of wisdom. We’d rather make youthful mistakes over and over than listen to our parents and grandparents, who actually know better.
I can’t argue that at all :)
Thank you, Maryan. As always, your article is extremely motivating. I'll attempt to accept your challenge, but it's not easy.
I agree—not much of building something like this is easy, but it’s satisfying!
This is a powerful and truthful post!
I never understood why women won’t reveal their actual age or want to be 29 forever. Twenty-nine was a horrible year for me. Yay for the 50s and being at the start of 63!
Back in May, my angels gave me the message, “You will be known as the Grandmother of Dream Interpretation.” The idea of calling myself this horrified an older friend. Dr. Jen bought me a doorplate for my office and encouraged me to use it. It's on my website and LinkedIn profile. Many people would prefer to read a book or receive an interpretation from someone who has been interpreting dreams since the early 90s than from a youngster.
Absolutely! In other cultures, grandmothers—elder women—are respected and revered for their life experiences and wisdom. What the heck is wrong with Western thinking? Way back in the day, like 23 years ago, I had a terrific gig writing for a consumer electronics website. I was known as the Digital Grandmother and my following was huge. It’s cool to own who we are.
💯percent!
Thank you for those wise words. I’m coming to an acceptance of my wise crone years. I’ve been a holistic physical therapist for 35 years. It’s only now coming to be accepted at the end of my career. It feels like something to write about.. now I’m excited!
Yay! I’m glad you’re excited! That does sound like something to write about. You could share your insights around that for a long, long time!