Whirrings and Whimpers Whispered

Lightening the Load

“People carry around their stories forever in their cells. And once you get it out of you and onto the page – you’re never going to forget it. But it’s not as heavy. A lot of it [writing] is lightening the load.” – Nancy Slonim Aronie

Lightening the Load

Much of my efforts in recent months have been focused on preparing for my in-person, Healing Through Letters Workshops inspired by a lifetime of writing to enable the deep processing of many intense emotions that cannot only affect the state of mind, but can present physically if not addressed.

I had the great pleasure of holding my first intimate workshop on 26th July 2024. It was held in Winchester. We sat on a bench under a tree overlooking the green on a lovely summers day. And I enjoyed holding the safe space while experiencing deep empathy in that place as I felt privileged to help navigate the strong emotions that surfaced.

It was wonderful to receive this comprehensive feedback from Oonagh this week:

Nicola was a wonderfully intuitive host for this workshop. She was empathic and gentle, as well as flexible about how the event ran. I did feel supported throughout the letter writing process. I stopped several times, for a break, to talk about something that had come up or to express the emotions that had been invoked. Nicola supported this natural flow beautifully. I enjoyed the flexibility and the outdoor setting, as well as the process.

The process did bring up some surprising thoughts, memories and the associated emotions. I didn’t consciously engage my brain to remember events or emotions, the writing certainly occurred in a state of flow and I had no preconception about exactly what might come up. This made it feel very much that what needed to come out had done so, and nothing was forced or prompted in any way .

I have used different forms of writing to help manage stress and release emotions? before e.g. journalling though this felt quite different and more of a process to help as an on-going tool after the workshop too.

The resources are very nicely presented and act as a reminder, however it is the process that held the real value of this workshop.

Nothing I would add or change …for me I am not sure that I would have felt able to be so connected to my emotions and to express them so freely had I been in a group. Yes, definitely value for money! Yes, a valuable process I can and will use going forward.

Oognagh Harrison

My workshops are not just about being in that moment of emotional release, they are about you taking away a tool to help you move forward so that your worry doesn’t show up as anxiety, stress, depression or more in your body.

I instinctively and desperately turned to writing letters therapeutically, as a way to make sense of the mental and emotional load I was carrying when connecting with my estranged dad who received a diagnosis of mixed dementia, just months into our first meeting in July 2023.? ?

As I emerge from the intensity, I found myself wanting to hold a space to help you find a healing way to navigate your own uninvited.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is work through a problem. It is painful facing it, so we suppress and avoid. And yet the whirring and whimpering still whispers to you, waking you up, keeping you restless. Whisper upon the pages instead.

The 24th August 2024, is the last day to take advantage of my discounted price for my Andover, Hants (UK), Healing Through Letters Workshops.

Why not come along and let go!

"I have used different forms of writing to help manage stress and release emotions? before e.g. journalling though this felt quite different and more of a process to help as an on-going tool after the workshop too." Oognagh Harrisons

Yesterday’s efforts are today’s reward

In the past 7 years I’ve put a lot of effort into my creative work. And I enjoy most of it.

Marketing is still not the favourite part of what I do. However, I do like creating my visuals in Canva. I have to be careful not to get lost in creativity for hours. And of course I do understand how important the marketing process is for any business.

I released my books, In Search of the Christmas Spirit and Plain Janey during COVID. Plain Janey was published as an ebook first, although it is the novel I wrote second.

I had no opportunity to find a bookstore, no opportunity to bask in the moment with others, with strangers or to talk about what inspired the stories.

I do remember holding my first bound copy of In Search of the Christmas Spirit, so many emotions bound up in that moment.

I barely had a social media presence at that time.

Organic, that is my preferred method, word and mouth will do it. I waited. If I write it they will come. Yes? No!

I have to admit I was also a little terrified of letting my babies into the wilderness.

I’ve learned a lot since then, since 2019 when I put pen to paper, since transcribing the words on to my laptop, since I submitted my manuscripts for publication. So I decided to relaunch my fiction serialised on Substack from 30th August 2024. I've reclaimed the rights. I'll do it my way.

Simply become a paid subscriber and escape into my words, a fictional world, at break time, lunch time, on the train or before bed. Where ever you have 10 or 20 minutes to spare up to 3 times a week.

Nicola McDonald Substack Subscription: https://nicolamcdonald.substack.com/subscribe

I have another two books slowly percolating in the recess of my mind, waiting to grow into what they will become.

Joy

I am celebrating joy today. A 'to-do' from 2023 has been put on my 2024 'done' list.

I've been excited this week, because in among all of the day to day, the trials and tribulations, I've managed to serialise my fictional novel, Plain Janey, which was first published as an ebook in 2020, right in the midst of COVID.

Plain Janey is a four part supernatural thriller, which follows the story of Jane a life coach, a wife and mother and details the psychological deterioration of Sophie, her best friend since primary school.? Adult themed, some chapters do contain descriptive s￡x scenes, infidelity, murder and grief.

And it's ready for paid subscribers to read on substack or in their inbox from 30th August 2024. If you have already subscribed to my free newsletters you can upgrade here.

https://nicolamcdonald.substack.com/subscribe

100 mph

I have found myself, in my desire to catch up with ‘stuff’, post dad’s diagnosis, running through a never ending list at 100 mph. It’s important to slow down and check in occassionally.

I am loving work, it’s creative! I’m booked on courses that will stretch me, that will enable me to spread my wings having chosen to do what I fear. I'm about to use my voice differently, terrifying for this highly sensitive, introvert. But regret is not the last word on want resting on my lips.

I show up for my creative work, for you, for me, but in the last 2 weeks my body has felt more fatigued. How can that be? Surely if you love what you do you can’t get burnt out?

Of course you can.? Life is about balance.?I have a highly sensitive mind that doesn't switch off, so I need to hug a tree, dip my toes in the sea or look up at the stars occasionally.

I have felt the absence of many I follow and connect with on LinkenIn, also.?

Taking a break

Perhaps, with the wonderful summer weather which we are experiencing in the UK at the time of writing this Newsletter, have you opted for a staycation? Are you busy out with children or grandchildren in the school holidays?

Or perhaps you have taken a drive or a flight to somewhere near or far away. It’s so important to take a break isn’t it?

What are my international connections up to? Not all of us are in the summer season.

Perhaps you are on a social media detox?

We’re on Holiday

By the time you read this, my husband and I will be prepping for a flight to Portugal. We’ve never been before and it’s the first long holiday without children. They’re all adults now. I’m excited, that it’s just us as I acknowledge my children want to have their own adventures. And I am aware that in this new phase of my life, I am entering unfamiliar territory after 3 decades of raising children.

With the different pressures my husband and I are feeling, some imposed and some self-inflicted, we are ready to re-energise.

Positivity

This week I worked on what I am in control of and what brings me joy.

And this week, I’ve loaded my adult themed, fictional novel Plain Janey onto Substack as serialised fiction.? Bitesize chapters, one or two, at a time!

I’ll be releasing my fictional novel ‘In Search of the Christmas Spirit’ mid November 2024. This novel is suitable for children and adults. Aoife is a a highly sensitive child with a big heart.

There is something magical about writing your way into a better space and writing your way to an imaginary place. In flow you are at one with your story.

Excitingly, I know some of you are writing your way through to publishing books. I will read with excitement how you reflect on the process and celebrate this wonderful achievement.

I have spoken to strangers and friends and connected with people who have dropped into my DM about how to begin their story.

Tomorrow, or next month or soon is a typical response to, "When will you begin?" Some stories have sat waiting for oxygen for years. So, what if you choose today to begin instead? Go on... what if?

I look forward to catching up when I'm home.

“I can shake off everything as I write: My sorrows disappear, courage is reborn.” – Anne Frank

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