Welcome! At the heart of The Joy Rise is creativity and connection. I write this newsletter for anyone who has ever felt their artistic courage flattened by fear. I'll continue to write books, but this is where you'll find me between books.
Wonderful to have you in my inbox on the regular! Hooray! I love your description of writing the simple word lists. I do something similar with art, when I feel stuck I will be deliberate in creating a constraint that gives me a reason to turn off my inner critic. Only draw with a red pen - of course you couldn't create a masterpiece with a red pen, so I am free. Too scared to put pen to paper, you are only allowed to create by tearing up paper and collaging. I've found in those silly constraints a freedom. I read your Joy book a few months ago and loved it - particularly the section on fear vs play - so much so that it inspired my post that week: https://sparkinthedark.substack.com/p/we-are-wired-for-play. Thank you for your work! xoxo
Ahh welcome!! You’re such an inspiration and I’m so glad to get to follow you here on Substack now 🫶🏽 Also I’m absolutely intrigued by the method you shared by Ray Bradbury and I think I might give it a go this evening
Hi Caitlin, thank you so much for being here, and for reading and taking the time to comment with such kindness and warmth. I appreciate it! How did you go with starting a list of nouns of your own? ❤️🔥
Dearest Holly. When I read your words i often feel such deep love and also deep grief. Could it be true that maybe maybe maybe I will write something that feels complete, true, finished, real one day? You fill me with hope. Grateful to know you, as a writer and in those brief moments we have shared in real life. You’re an inspiration xxx
Dearest Jules. I remain so humbled by experiencing the mirrors in words, in this case, that I can write with my love and grief, and upon reading my writing, you feel your love and grief. What a gift. And, for whatever it’s worth, I believe without hesitation that you could / can and will write something that will feel all those things to you. Thank you, as ever, for all your mirrors, love and support. I’m grateful to know you too and am cheering for you and all yours words, written and unwritten.
Turns out I did subscribe after all. Apparently my mind has been turned to mush (by grief). I have relished each word and look forward to the creative enthusiasm that seems to be bubbling back up in my heart.
Right?! Isn’t it a great tip!! It’s served me well for years now. Very grateful that this brought you a few moments of brightness and joy at this heart-thumping time ❤️🔥
Your first The Joy Rise were beams of sunlight that cleared the fog a bit in my very foggy brain (say hello to my perimenopause :-(( Thank you for this moment of JOY! Looking forward to more...
Loved this first edition of The Joyrise, Holly! The clip from Gardening Australia is just beautiful and your response to the question on creativity is so inspiring. Thank you. ❤️
I’m so excited to be here! I finished reading The House That Joy Built the other day and feel so inspired! Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your insights. 💚💚💚
I have no doubt this will become the most joyful place on Substack! 🎶✨
Beth, I’m just so grateful for your support. Thank you 🧡
😘
Wonderful to have you in my inbox on the regular! Hooray! I love your description of writing the simple word lists. I do something similar with art, when I feel stuck I will be deliberate in creating a constraint that gives me a reason to turn off my inner critic. Only draw with a red pen - of course you couldn't create a masterpiece with a red pen, so I am free. Too scared to put pen to paper, you are only allowed to create by tearing up paper and collaging. I've found in those silly constraints a freedom. I read your Joy book a few months ago and loved it - particularly the section on fear vs play - so much so that it inspired my post that week: https://sparkinthedark.substack.com/p/we-are-wired-for-play. Thank you for your work! xoxo
Ohhh I love this. Thank you so much for reading and sharing The House That Joy Built, I’m so thrilled it resonated with you ❤️🔥
Ahh welcome!! You’re such an inspiration and I’m so glad to get to follow you here on Substack now 🫶🏽 Also I’m absolutely intrigued by the method you shared by Ray Bradbury and I think I might give it a go this evening
Hi Caitlin, thank you so much for being here, and for reading and taking the time to comment with such kindness and warmth. I appreciate it! How did you go with starting a list of nouns of your own? ❤️🔥
Dearest Holly. When I read your words i often feel such deep love and also deep grief. Could it be true that maybe maybe maybe I will write something that feels complete, true, finished, real one day? You fill me with hope. Grateful to know you, as a writer and in those brief moments we have shared in real life. You’re an inspiration xxx
Dearest Jules. I remain so humbled by experiencing the mirrors in words, in this case, that I can write with my love and grief, and upon reading my writing, you feel your love and grief. What a gift. And, for whatever it’s worth, I believe without hesitation that you could / can and will write something that will feel all those things to you. Thank you, as ever, for all your mirrors, love and support. I’m grateful to know you too and am cheering for you and all yours words, written and unwritten.
Turns out I did subscribe after all. Apparently my mind has been turned to mush (by grief). I have relished each word and look forward to the creative enthusiasm that seems to be bubbling back up in my heart.
Thank you for being here Rhiannon, I’m so glad you are and what a gift to know about that bubbling in your heart, may it continue 🩷
So excited to be here
I’m so excited and grateful to have you here, Kim, thank you 💚
Oh my goodness, that Ray Bradbury trick, what a genius way of coming sideways at this writing malarkey!
This was definitely full of joy, thank you for brightening up what is a charged day back here in the UK 😅
Right?! Isn’t it a great tip!! It’s served me well for years now. Very grateful that this brought you a few moments of brightness and joy at this heart-thumping time ❤️🔥
You are pure joy. So glad we finally got to meet in person at Powell's. Watching you and Kate chat and laugh filled my heart to bursting.
Laura! It was such a gift to finally meet you in skin at Powell’s! Thank you for being here, I’m so glad to be connected ❤️🔥
Your first The Joy Rise were beams of sunlight that cleared the fog a bit in my very foggy brain (say hello to my perimenopause :-(( Thank you for this moment of JOY! Looking forward to more...
What a gift to know that this brought you sunlight and joy in shifting fog. Thank you for reading 💖
Loved this first edition of The Joyrise, Holly! The clip from Gardening Australia is just beautiful and your response to the question on creativity is so inspiring. Thank you. ❤️
Pam, thank you so much for reading - it’s so meaningful to me to know that you enjoyed the first issue ❤️🔥
I love you
This is wonderful
I have already submitted Bert’s application for dog of the month
I love you - your words mean the world - Bert will absolutely be Dog of the Month, there is so poker face about it!!!! ❤️🔥💖
I love you! Bert loves you!!!!
love love love!
Thank you thank you thank you!
Wonderful. 🪩
Like you 🪩 🕺 💖
So excited for this space my love! As usual, your courage and heart are palpable. ✨💕
It’s such a joy to know you feel this space so vividly, my dearest M 💚
Can’t wait to follow along, Holly. Thanks for sharing all your creative light ✨
Thank you so much, Jodi, I appreciate your words deeply 💛
I’m so excited to be here! I finished reading The House That Joy Built the other day and feel so inspired! Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your insights. 💚💚💚