Returning to practice + play

Paper Trails #03: Three steps back to creativity + why practice is at the heart of it all

Paper Trails is a behind-the-scenes glimpse into my creative non-fiction projects, a place to explore brand story, life writing and the rhythms of the creative process.

Playtime

This week, I experienced a breakthrough of sorts, and brought myself back to the draft of my memoir. Not to write as such, but to practise.

It got me thinking: one of the main differences between the person who shows up and the one who shies away is in their ability to play. And this is less about activity, more about attitude. Because when you flip the switch from seeing a project as serious to seeing it as playful, it changes everything.

I mentioned recently that my memoir had been hard to return to — still raw, still close — but I’ve turned a corner, and I want to touch on three things that helped me make that shift, not as an accomplished writer, but as someone returning to something that has felt intimidating.

01. Joining writing groups

While I like writing groups, I don’t always enjoy sharing. But I’ve found strength in community through a few opportunities, all of which have helped me lean into tricky territory and find some ease in the process. What I struggled with wasn’t getting the words down, but obsessing over the details. I was in the habit of editing as I drafted, so getting out of that and into a rhythm has been helpful. What I’ve enjoyed most is the chance to experiment with different ways of sharing stories.

02. Booking mentoring sessions

I haven’t worked with my writing mentor since 2022. Our last session was during my pregnancy with my son, and though our work was unfinished, we agreed on a temporary ending. It felt fitting and reflected the core theme of the work itself, which is rooted in curiosity and the human desire to know and plan, yet ultimately find freedom in the unknown. It wasn’t tied up in a neat bow. It was honest and messy. And now, I’m excited to pick up where we left off. She’s an accomplished author, and with her memoir debuting next month, I’m curious to soak up her reflections.

Note: this is about creating alongside someone who knows you and gets you. For me, teaming back up with my mentor makes sense because she knows the work and how it came to be. But you could co-mentor, find a writing buddy or explore other options! Ultimately, it's about having people around you that you can trust. This has probably been the most valuable lesson I've learned from this season of writing.

03. Entering competitions

This isn’t something I saw coming, but it feels like an intuitive way for me to lean into rejection. Because rejection will come. Three years ago, despite being around 40,000 words deep, I felt entangled in my experiences and needed space. I think there was a need for protection, almost, given my circumstances at the time. Coming back to it now, that distance has been helpful, and I’m able to write through a new lens. The feedback offered by fellow writers has also encouraged me to be bold, worry less about what people think and focus more on what feels good.

Pick me, pick me!

The decision to “seek rejection” has been interesting, as for the longest time, I did the pick me dance. When I was in school, I was desperate to be seen, and I clearly remember the first time my English teacher saw me. I had pretty much let myself run free in my English exam and walked away with a mark I hadn’t expected. It shocked me. It shocked them. But with that shock came those first rumblings of ‘could I be a writer?’ and they never quite left.

I notice, from time to time, particularly if I’m part of a writing group, those same childish urges creep to the surface. That longing to be witnessed. Because the belief comes and goes. But since committing to a regular practice again, I feel more confident. It’s a knowing feeling. An understanding that things might not unfold as I hope they might, but that this is okay, because there are other ways. Sure, I’m still incredibly sensitive to rejection, but what matters most is that I feel good about my writing — not that someone else has validated it.

So my plan for the rest of the summer is to create for the joy of creating. To see what surfaces and hold onto it lightly. And in the act of doing so, in approaching it more playfully, I'm certain I'll submit to a few more competitions. Just for the hell of it. Do I think I’ll win? No. Will it benefit me to try? Absolutely.

Before I publish today’s flash memoir piece, I’d love to share the origin story behind my memoir and how it connects to the Brand Seasons® Playbook. I’m also taking part in a Business Book Proposal Challenge to help shape that project. Read on to find out more.