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Sarah Allen's avatar

I sometimes wonder what the purpose is of posting my silly comics or poems online, but I think this is it. It's showing the universe that I'm open to ideas, and that makes a huge difference.

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K. Woodman-Maynard's avatar

Yesss! I love that, Sarah.

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Deb Lund's avatar

Yes! Good point!

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Deb Lund's avatar

Hello, Minnesota! North-central MN transplant on Whidbey’s Island. (only a

Minnesotan gets why I felt the need to add that, right?) I’m just now realizing I might be doing a version of setting aside ideas myself. I don’t even get to the saving. I just rule it out believing I don’t have the chops for it. Good thing I’m never stuck on coming up with ideas, but I could be bypassing the best!

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K. Woodman-Maynard's avatar

Hello, Deb/MN transplant 😊 I encourage you to give some of your ideas a shot—you might be surprised at what you have the chops for, or how they develop!

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Deb Lund's avatar

Thanks. Still going on picture books, but other ideas keep trying to break through. You know—the whispers you ignore until they either stop speaking to you and huff off or keep raising their voices until they’re screaming at you? There’s one of those tugging at me. We’ll see… Thanks for the nudge!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

I do this all the time with my Substack! I try to hold on to some idea for later, and later never comes...but new ideas do!

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K. Woodman-Maynard's avatar

Thanks Kelcey! I also find Substack is a wonderful example of this!

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Deb Lund's avatar

Ack! I need to take back what I already said! Reading your words “with my Substack” reminded me of one I’ve been saving, and it was because of you, Kelcey, and my friend Julie with those three words, “That never happened.” But yes, good thing those new ideas show up!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Oh dang, Deb! Maybe it's time to tell the story! ❤️

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Deb Lund's avatar

Yup. I think that story is why I haven’t written anything here in far too long. But not quite ready… 🙄 Thank you for the nudge! And all the other ones that you’ve sent my way unintentionally! Still recommending your memoir, most recently this week to a memoir teacher. ❤️

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K. Woodman-Maynard's avatar

I agree! Sounds like it might be the time!

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Megan A Arnold's avatar

"It was a mix of perfectionism and fear." I feel seen! (But also a little called out 😆) Thanks so much for this great post. Please keep sharing your ideas!!!

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K. Woodman-Maynard's avatar

Oh I know perfectionism and fear all too well. Thanks for your comment and encouragement, Megan!

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Rachel Danziger's avatar

Yes, I do worry about “using my best ideas” and this post was exactly what I needed to read right now! I’ll definitely be coming back to it

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K. Woodman-Maynard's avatar

Thanks, Rachel!

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Rachelle Meyer's avatar

It reminds me of that old adage - “Love is not a cup of sugar that gets passed around and used up.” How lucky we are that these precious resources aren’t limited but actually grow by using them! Sweet food for thought.

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K. Woodman-Maynard's avatar

I love that adage, Rachelle! Thanks for sharing!

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Wait a minute!'s avatar

“Not every idea needs to be brilliant or fully realized—just putting them out there, even imperfectly, helps refine them or make space for better ones.” That’s me. Beating myself up about all my imperfect creations that I put out into the world. But then I notice that my imperfect creations make me the creator look more authentic and genuine. And I’m making progress. I can see improvements. I’m slowly getting more comfortable in my own skin. 🥳

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K. Woodman-Maynard's avatar

It’s so empowering (but also hard) to put imperfect creations out in the world. Way to go, Ann!

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Kinga's avatar

Oh gosh. So I have this idea for my comic book. But I'm really not any good at comic books (yet?). So I want to practice on some 'lesser' idea. Except I don't have any 'lesser' idea so as a result I'm not doing anything at all. Perfect strategy :/

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K. Woodman-Maynard's avatar

I’m a big believer in starting small and also starting before you’re “ready.” Maybe just tell one scene from that story as a comic? Or summarize the whole book in 8 panels? Best of luck, Kinga!

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