18 Comments
User's avatar
A Dream Life's avatar

I write to connect with myself and with others. Shameless promotion here but consider A Dream Life: A Memoir for your memoir book group. It won’t disappoint.

Natalie Serber's avatar

Thank you for sharing. xN

Leslie Senevey's avatar

I find so much beauty in the not knowing. That's where mystery and imagination live. And I write to connect - with others, the world around me, and with myself.

Natalie Serber's avatar

the connecting with yourself is the secret sauce! xoN

liz kohlenberg's avatar

Why do I write? What an interesting question!

I learn and understand, often, by writing. My experience -- and what I see and read -- become grist materials -- the process of writing digests them..

Also I communicate with others in writing, often.

Natalie Serber's avatar

agreed! The process of writing is like composting for me. Thanks, Liz!

beth's avatar
Jul 30Edited

This newsletter hit hard! Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. You continue to inspire me ♡

Debbie Weil's avatar

I’ve almost finished Sigrid’s new book of stories, It Will Come Back To You, and have been gobsmacked by it. Yes! to all you say; simple language, deeply provocative. Sometimes creepy. I want to re-read the stories immediately!

Natalie Serber's avatar

Her sentences. Her brain. I’m all in!

Traci Donat's avatar

Hi Natalie! I love your blog which I discovered through a friend who took a workshop with you in France a couple of years ago. If you are still in FH, and find yourself wanting to take a jaunt over to Orcas please let me know, I live there and would love to buy you a coffee or could certainly give you some tips for a day trip, including some well worn writing spots if you need a change of scenery - although your spot looks pretty good!

Natalie Serber's avatar

Oh my! So much to thank you for! Reading my newsletter, your kind words, being a paid subscriber! Also thanks so much for the invitation to meet on Orcas. I’m afraid I don’t have time this trip but I will definitely be back! Lucky you to live in such a beautiful place. xN

Sacha Cohen's avatar

Every post of yours is a gem. 🩷

Natalie Serber's avatar

I’m enriched by wonderful people like you. xN

Dana Wiley's avatar

So many right-on pieces in your substack today - I have long-term memoir project on family traumas and their impacts over time. Looking forward to hearing Urrea’s keynote in full (as the shame issue is so spot-on) as well as Deborah Levy’s book.

Natalie Serber's avatar

Dana! Our Venn diagram overlaps so thoroughly. Thank you for reading and letting me know! xN

User's avatar
Comment deleted
Jul 30
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Natalie Serber's avatar

I hope it was the good kind of hard. Sending love and the very best wishes. xN

beth's avatar

sorry I deleted that comment, I meant to delete the one below with the typo :P

beth's avatar

It was a good kind of hard. The quote from Luis Alberto Urrea about shame and your insights around it were exactly what I needed to hear. <3