Women’s History Month
“Do you over-write, or under-write or do you write just right?” like the girl with the golden locks. I think writing right the first time is for fairy tales and if anyone tells you otherwise, some skepticism is in order. To get good work out, you must write first, then edit, and edit again, later. Learning the art of self-editing (and practicing it) is a gift to ourselves.
I tend to lean on the over-writing side of the spectrum, simply because there are just too many words in my brain and like a certain child of mine tells it “I can’t stop talking because I’ve got a lot to say.” But no matter how much we say, we simply cannot write as we talk—as there would not be enough volumes in the world to hold words spoken by women, hence, #valuededitors.
While there is documented research to show that sex affects speech and language development, with girls acquiring more skills earlier than boys; As mother to two garrulous boys, I am also aware that this is not a universally applicable finding. Language and speech development can be both culture and context specific.
One observation however, is the trend, that over time as women mature, we tend to become more conservative with our public speech, and indeed our words, for fear of being censured, and in keeping with many cultural and societal norms. As such many gravitate to “I have to know it all” to be able to speak.
But, I think of all the women through history, who didn’t wait, who refused to conform, who heeded the call and did the work so we could be here. … Because words can literally save lives.
No matter your role in life either by design, or by assignment, keep doing the work of bringing forth life-infusing words that benefit our world.
At GFE, passion for words is at the heart of what we do, passion especially for women’s words because we believe so much in equality and representation. This month’s letter is specifically for my women clients. I SEE YOU; I am one of you, and one with you, in collaborating to bring your words forth and I celebrate you all.
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Women Library Finds
Shared Reading Recommendations
As editors, we can’t do the work we do without reading across genre and style and eras. Reading because you want to and reading because you have to are two different things. I consider myself fortunate to do both types of reading. Recognizing our diversity and the idea that “different is as different does,” I share women-authored books from different genres that have inspired me.
Inspirational, Non Faith-Based: Becoming (Michelle Obama), Ikigai (Yukari Mitsubishi). Mitsuhashi’s palm-sized book, breaks down this popular Japanese concept in a way like no other… . Hint: It’s not like most personal development evangelists make it out to be.
Inspirational, Faith-Based: Unashamed (Christine Cain), Fervent (Priscilla Shirer), A Plentiful Harvest (Terrie Williams). In Williams’ book, she takes us through how the seven living virtues of Kwanzaa helps us create balance and harmony and reminds us to live, love and give for true abundance.
Business and Corporate: How Women Rise (Goldsmith and Hegelsen), Moms Mean Business (Baebler and Galloway).
Fiction and Fiction-esque: The Girl with the Louding Voice (Abi Dare), Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen suggestions (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie). Dare’s novel was on the NYT Best Seller List and won the 2018 Bath Novel award for good reasons. Her book challenges ‘editorial’ reading muscles and reminds us that communication is truly contextual.
Learning and Development: Design for How People Learn (Julie Dirksen). Dirksen, a leading instructional designer in North America teaches how to transfer knowledge from the learner’s perspective. Funny at times but altogether serious on delivery.
Reading and Self-Care
Self-care is anything you do to improve or maintain your well-being (social, emotional, mental, physical and spiritual), or more definitively — An activity undertaken deliberately by a human; self initiated and under one’s voluntary control.
Reading (books or other types of written works) is a practice that covers the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of self-care and yields exponential results for self and others. As mother to two elementary age boys, carving out an hour in the morning to read before they wake up is most of the self-care I need for this season.
What’s your current season of life and how do you infuse words into it?
“If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, you must be the one to write it.”
