15 Comments
User's avatar
Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

I really enjoyed this, Victoria. I think your voice and your own resistance to it both came out. I can't answer about writing to prompts, as I've never tried.

Expand full comment
Victoria Olsen's avatar

Thanks, Jeffrey. A lot of people love prompts so you might too--?

Expand full comment
Harriet's avatar

I don't mind a prompt if I'm doing it 'live' eg in a session or class (not that I do those very often either) but that's mainly because it then feels like a competition and I'm very competitive. I never have any shortage of things to write about when I'm writing in my own time!

Am also looking forward to hearing what everyone has to say about Gaudy Night next week.

Expand full comment
Victoria Olsen's avatar

I get this! 😁

Expand full comment
Barbara at Projectkin's avatar

Loved it, Victoria… I’m right there with you. The dreaded “here’s a prompt for you,” feels so dictatorial, it feels like a demand on my time. And your comment, “It’s hard not to be negative as a ‘critic.’ It’s hard to manage one’s inner critic.” You’ve left me ROFL 🤣 Where’s Gilda Ratner’s. Roseanne Rosannadana when you need here. Maybe you do: https://youtu.be/k59d-xMvooA?feature=shared

Expand full comment
Victoria Olsen's avatar

Thanks for agreeing with me! 😁

Expand full comment
Barbara at Projectkin's avatar

We can create a secret society of the anti-prompters. 😉 "Eschew the Prompt!" our posters might say 🪧

Expand full comment
Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Thanks for that brilliant introduction to Gaudy Night, Victoria! So pleased you've re-read it and looking forward to our discussion soon.

Expand full comment
Victoria Olsen's avatar

Me too!

Expand full comment
Scott Peterson's avatar

I think it was my last substack post that talked about finding my voice.What I have learned is that, like most things, you find it when you're not looking for it. Prompts? I see plenty of photography prompts, I tend not to take part. They're probably useful if you're blocked?

Expand full comment
Clyde Watson's avatar

I love writing to prompts, especially in real-time with a group of furiously-scribbling others with whom to share them right then & there, in the moment. I find they open up the imagination in a unique way.

Expand full comment
Victoria Olsen's avatar

Yes, I liked that post! And I think you’re right about finding your voice indirectly. And prompts being useful when you’re blocked, when you need to get something down…. I think my resistance is really about “wasting time.” Sigh.

Expand full comment
Clyde Watson's avatar

Bravo Victoria, for completing an 'assignment' you were not fond of! Dare I say it: my favorite part of this post is your various admissions, from your "silent balking" to the part that begins "...I am cranky this week..." It seems you have let us eavesdrop on your 'voice' in spite of your resistance, so thank you!

Expand full comment
Victoria Olsen's avatar

thank you, Clyde! I’m glad my crankiness serves a purpose. 😁

Expand full comment
Joshua Seiden's avatar

I came here to comment on that voice too!

"...stupid and boring..." made me laugh. What do we call that voice?

Expand full comment