About Hibou
Look, I know this is where I’m supposed to tell you all about this newsletter you’re about to run screaming from subscribe to, but the truth is I just got here myself. And if nearly thirty years of writing has taught me anything, it’s that I often have no clue what I’m writing at the start of things.
Here’s what I do know.
I’m a former journalist turned aspiring novelist. I’ve had a few successes with short stories and essays, but the bulk of my writing life has been spent toiling away at one novel or another. A few heartbreaking near misses with those novels have made me recalibrate my definition of a writing life well lived. Publication—while still a goal—is no longer the point.
The point, of course, is the writing itself.
Because in the end the writing is the only thing we have full control over, and no matter how many gatekeepers tell us no, no, no, they can’t take away the joy that comes with unlocking a sticky widget in a plot that’s been dogging us the entire chapter or the pleasure of finding the right turn of phrase or the delight when a character we’ve created takes an action so surprising we can’t help but feel she’s thumbing her nose at our well laid plans.
So for now, HIBOU is a a newsletter for writers on the hunt for a wise writing life. All writers are welcome here—from those just getting started to seasoned pros—but I have a special place in my heart for writers in the murky middle of their writing lives who—like myself—understand that a well-rounded writing practice involves not just regular reading and writing but a commitment to protect your creative flame from the punishing winds of self doubt and long odds.
I started Hibou with a reread of Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way that included weekly posts inspired by each chapter. Now I’m moving on to a series about tools to support your writer’s mindset. Read along with me, won’t you?
Why Subscribe for Free or for Real?
A free subscription means the newsletter lands in your inbox the moment they’re written, like an unexpected letter from a trusted friend.
A paid subscription also means the newsletter lands in your inbox the moment they’re written, like an unexpected letter from a trusted friend, for now. But it also means you’re supporting a writer which is just good karma. The reason I even have paid turned on is because a reader sent a pledge and it really touched me. So, you know. Touch me!
Why Substack?
To find out more about the company that provides the tech for this newsletter, visit Substack.com.
