Friday Dispatch: Badda-Bing, Badda-Boom
The idiosyncrasies of finding form and (sometimes delaying) instant gratification
Friday greetings,
When it comes to finding form and the decision of whether to share new work right away or submit it for publication, discernment and intuition are both a big part of my process. Here’s a little case study from this week.
I wrote something new Monday morning. I think it’s a prose poem.
I say “I think” because sometimes it’s not entirely clear what a piece of writing is, form-wise. In these cases, I generally err on the side of “it doesn’t matter what we call it” and trust that it will find its right shape. Sometimes this happens iteratively in a matter of hours; other times, it can take months or even years to get clear on what a particular piece of writing is.
In this case, my morning pages – which started out with a lot of yawning – ended up touching on something that had been floating around in my head like space junk. After I finished morning pages and did my other morning routine things (Wordle can’t wait), I opened a new document and wrote down the one line I kept hearing clearly.
On the night of the 100th day, I finally dream the war.
Then I wrote another short line, followed by another, so that the first pass at this writing looked like a long vertical poem with lots of short stanzas. I also used that line as an anchor, returning to it numerous times.
From there, my instinct was to compress. I began combining lines until I wound up with what 650 words in a succession of short paragraphs. Now it was no longer a poem, but also not prose exactly, in that it wasn’t a linear narrative but more of a looping and weaving of things that have been rattling around in my consciousness for the past few weeks. As Emily Dickinson so famously wrote, “Tell all the truth/but tell it slant.”
This is how I arrived at calling it a prose poem. I tinkered with it, but minimally. (This lack of revision may be controversial, but we can talk about that in another post!)
As you may know, I tend to share a lot of my writing in real time. I write, and I share. Energetically, I’d characterize this as:
Badda-bing, badda-boom.
I think of it as a way of continuously pulling back the arrow, taking a moment to focus and aim, then letting it go. I can’t control how or where it lands. I can only repeat this practice, over and over and over. It’s also a way of keeping my energy moving and not getting stuck in perfectionism.
Here and there, though, I write something and instead of badda-bing, badda-boom, I have this little ping. I don’t know how better to describe it, but it’s a sense of wanting to sit on a piece a little longer. Sometimes this ping means it’s too unformed, too raw, perhaps just needing time. These pieces may or may not ever see the light of day.
Other times, the ping tells me to send the piece out. I’m reminded of the title of Jerry Seinfeld’s memoir, “Is This Anything?” The ping answers: Yes, this is something.
(Mind you, this does not mean that the badda-bing-badda-boom pieces are not something, just that the ping pieces are… different somethings. Geez, as I’m writing, I realize just how neurodivergent and incredibly idiosyncratic all of this! Does everyone have a process like this?)
Where I send it depends on both the form and the content. For example, when I wrote Something Epic last month, I had that ping pretty much right away. I had just recently learned of Midstory Magazine from a client, and immediately thought it might be a good fit there. Happily, I was right! (I also want to note that the turnaround time for that piece was remarkably fast. I just received a rejection, for example, from a small press I queried a year ago.)
This week, a Jewish literary magazine a friend (and fellow Jewish writer) told me about months ago came to mind, so I sent the new piece off there. I even paid the $5 for an “expedited submission,” so I will hear within the next week, which is lovely. I’ll keep you posted if it gets accepted. And if it doesn’t, I’ll have to decide whether to send it elsewhere or go badda-bing-badda-boom and share it here.
A client asked me yesterday about my process of submitting work (as opposed to “just writing” or sharing things as I go on social media and here on Substack). So the topic is top of mind. I hope it’s useful for you in some way and that I’m not putting you to sleep!
Needless to say, I am, shall we say, an eager beaver when it comes to sharing my writing. Like most things, this has its upside – I tend not to be precious about my work, and favor genuine connection over the potential for broader recognition. It can also be an Achilles heel, in that I don’t always give my own work its due, and sometimes it really is worth it to delay instant gratification in hopes of placing work where it will reach more eyes and hearts.
Bottom line, there is no right or wrong way. It’s an ongoing process of discernment, learning, experimenting, and hopefully bringing a modicum of grace, patience, curiosity, and a light touch to all of it (ha – makes it sound so easy – these are all also practices of a lifetime).
How about you? If you are someone who writes, do you share your work? If so, with whom and where? How do you decide? I’d love to hear about your process. We learn this way, with and from each other.
Badda-bing, badda-boom.
Shabbat Shalom and love,
Jena
Gratitude
It snowed all day Tuesday. In the late afternoon, Aviva and I took a walk, chatting the whole while, stopping here and there to admire the shapes of trees and each other’s rosy cheeks.
I saw two deer again. This time, they caught my eye through the dining room windows facing north. They were leaping across the field across the road, bushy white tails catching the weak winter light. So special. And then, just as I was writing this, a long yearling in the backyard, munching away. We sat and watched for the longest time, mesmerized.
My birthday last weekend was wonderful, filled with love from family and friends, amazing gifts, good food, and cake for days. I’m really glad to be 50. It feels like a true new beginning to me and gratitude has been my prevailing mood all week. Thank you all for the kind wishes! Behold, my new profile pic, with crown and cake.
As I wrote on Facebook: I’m eating it, too!
Come Write in Jewish Community
This week’s Shamati Session was breathtaking and life-giving. Sometimes I don't realize or remember how much I need and love being in the company of other Jews until I am, well, in the company of other Jews. This is why I go to shul. This is why I love being with family. And this is why I hold spaces like this one. Writing together and listening to each other's pure expressions was deeply moving. One woman said she had Googled "Jewish writing groups" and found me that way, then realized a friend had pointed her my way already. Serendipity? I'm always curious how it is in this wide world that anyone finds anyone. Gratitude. Connection. Memory. Meaning. Solace. You can still join us on January 22 and/or 29 – it’s by donation. Register here.
I spent Wednesday morning putting the finishing touches on a welcome document for Jewels on the Path for Jewish Writers, which begins on Monday. Seven people have signed up for this 12-week group, and I can't wait to welcome them.
If your writing life has dwindled in the past months (or years), here is a gentle and supportive opportunity to begin again. You could be embarking on a specific project – a Substack, a book – or you might just be wanting to reconnect with a regular writing practice.
All kinds of writers (no capital "W" required) are welcome, and you do not need to be writing about Jewish topics to join. The space is simply intended to provide a sense of safety and solidarity for anyone who is seeking the comfort and connection of Jewish community in these charged times.
I'm super happy to hop on a quick Zoom with anyone who wants to chat, so just drop me a line if you have questions the website doesn't answer. Otherwise, sign up here and you’ll hear from me on Sunday when I open the group.
I wrestle with your question a lot. Until now, it's been mostly theoretical, as I didn't have the time or energy to pursue publication. Now I do, so the question has become more concrete. I don't have good answers, but it was sure helpful (and comforting) to read your thoughts on the question!