16 Comments
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Ellen Chapman's avatar

Lots to think about here! I’m still trying to work out what it is I want to say about the topic I’m currently writing about that won’t leave me alone. I’ve challenged myself to write 1000 words a day in November so hoping by the end of the month I’ll be able to see more clearly the point I’m trying to make 🤞

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Penny Wincer's avatar

That’s a great challenge! 1000 words for me is a sweet spot - anything less and I feel like I haven’t warmed up/got into flow

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Claire Tomkins's avatar

I love this so much! Your piece has helped me get a bit clearer on the real message behind my (yet to be written) memoir. This year has been all about sitting with the unknown and realising I don’t need all the answers. Thank you 🙏🏻🫶🏼

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Penny Wincer's avatar

So glad it helped!

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Andjelka Jankovic's avatar

"I don’t think as writers we need to have all the answers in order to contribute" Bless you and this line! I needed to hear this halfway through my first book's "will I ever finish it" second draft that has stalled.

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Penny Wincer's avatar

Keep going! ❤️❤️

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Camilla's avatar

Thank you for this piece Penny ❤️

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Penny Wincer's avatar

❤️❤️❤️

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Tara A's avatar

Penny I love seeing myself reflected in your reality. When I read tender I saw myself and it was incredible to see all the nuanced carer set ups of different carer experiences, to feel that I’m not alone, even if it really is a bit shit. I am always grateful for your honesty, your words definitely give me strength.

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Penny Wincer's avatar

❤️❤️❤️ it’s so important that such an isolated act has some visibility

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Johnson MaganaXX's avatar

I'm Johnson Maganaxx. So... You wrote a book. That is great! I also am a writer. As you can see. I love to tell stories. TENDER may be the start of a successful journey. Look, no matter what anyone says, the key is in story telling. You need to know how to tell a story, in your head first. Take index cards, and write out one of the scenes that you have imagined, and then do it again, and again, until your story is finally complete. Then you use CHAT GPT to create this scenes for you, and to guide you along on your journey. You see... you know the structural formula that entails in writing something. Great. You wrote a book to show how high the cost of unpaid care could possible be. I'm impressed. I'm proud of you! But now I thin it is time you, Penny wincer, write a bestselling, blockbuster story. About love, crime, time travel... you make the choice. I'm a published Author, which wrote the novel... The Boss of All Bosses. Check my SUBSTACK page. And see all of the kinds of stories that I write. I know you can do this... if you truly want. I sure did. Ans so can you. Besides, I really do not know any woman that writes books. So... that's why I am impressed. But... you feel you can do better. You don't need to know it all, you just have to know, how to tell a really great story. Because... the key is, and always will be... in THE STORY TELLING. For it is, and will always... BE KING. Remember that... The Woman That Wrote A Book Called... TENDER. Be blessed with many story ideas, Penny Wincer. Because, I surely believe in you. But... do you really believe... IN YOURSELF, Penny? I'll catch you... on the flip side. Thank you for all of your information, Penny Wincer.

Oh, and you need to create a monthly deadline...

and stick to it, Penny.

As you can see...

every single month...

I come out with a new novel.

But the question is... "How do I do it?"

Johnson MaganaXX

IX-XI

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Danusia Malina-Derben's avatar

I’ve a strong sense you may have misinterpreted Penny’s piece. Her words crack open the idea that when we write a book it follows that we may not have solved the issue we focused on in said book! In her case, unpaid care. Not having all the answers is a gift. This admission doesn’t denote lack of belief in self. That’s a simplistic assumption. And as a reader of your words, this comes across as patronising.

Johnson here’s the baffling parts. You offer advice as if Penny is a newcomer rather than a book writing coach. Your point that you know no woman who writes books, do you mean in your life, or generally? Every bookshop is laden with writers who are not men.

Or are your comments a willy waggling pseudo supportive set of self bolstering manoeuvres to climax at: How do I [Johnson] do it?

Maybe you and Penny are besties in which case the kisses at the end are in keeping with your relationship. But really, is this the case OR how could these comments be stone cold tone deaf?

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Penny Wincer's avatar

Ahh I’d just ignore it Danusia - I think it’s a sign the bots have come to substack 😆😆. Chat GPT is clearly still pretty shit by the looks of it 😂

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Alison Young's avatar

I thought too this could be AI and it seems AI has learnt how to be provocative. It needs to learn that there are many female writers past and present and it missed Penny’s point entirely.

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Danusia Malina-Derben's avatar

Ha. Bot with bad use of ChatGPT just sent me a love story. 🤮

Loved this essay btw

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Penny Wincer's avatar

Thank you! (Also I reported this comment now - how tiresome the bots have arrived. We’ll it was peaceful for a short time 😂)

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