If we all wrote the same things, the world would be less interesting. But I promise you--with some thought and adaptation, these strategies can work for you or any writer.
I'm not quite to 60, I'm 57. The stories of my lived experiences are not good ones; you have to live with truly stupid people to understand stupid. My stories are not inspiring, or suitable for publication. So I'll stick to scholarly and intellectual writing on Substack; I'm not much for personal essays.
Lived experiences are exactly what readers want to know about from us. We are not checking your ID at the door. As long as you are writing to connect with the reader and respect them, it's a good story. Learning about stupid comes later in life and you have something to teach us. My lesson came at a high price and everything turned for the better when a professional negotiator taught me this: "We can work anything out with other people willing to negotiate. We can do nothing with mean or stupid. That's the definition of terrorist--mean AND stupid. Stop is the only choice left."
Since you mentioned the early lives of Boomers, I’m wondering how many folks here dealt with a father (or mother, or grandfather) who, in retrospect, you think had PTSD from WWII or Korea. There was no treatment (the diagnosis didn’t exist until 1980), but there were so many hurting men. Was your dad one of them, and would you be willing to share some of your story with me? (My dad was an infantry sniper—called marksman then— in the Philippines, which we pieced together. That usually doesn’t work out well.)
Glad you are stepping into this community and showing up with a topic in hand. Thriving communities are like covered dish feasts. Everyone brings something they are good at and likes it so much you could eat the whole thing. But you want others to get to know you through your contributions to the community. PTSD could use more understanding and I wonder if we can form bonds in this community where someone (you) has the best questions and another person is interested in running with it and doing a story?
If there are psychologists who work on trauma who want to weigh in, or people working through their own trauma who’d like to contribute, either from military experience or childhood abuse, I’d love to hear from them. How they’re doing, what’s helpful, what they’ve learned.
Right now I’m leading off with WWII because nothing was done for those soldiers or their families, they had a ton of kids who suffered through that often-severe family trauma, and very few sources talk about it. Those vets were part of “bright and shiny corporate America.” The “Greatest Generation,” after all. (Not a fan of Brokaw’s hyperbole.)
If anyone else wants to write a story about childhood trauma, there sure is plenty to go around. But since I grew up in this environment and have done a lot of research and treatment for my own trauma, I think I’ll write this one.
I am excited about your topic. My family has been military going back to the US Civil War, and I can tell you PTSD is not a new thing. Used to be referred to as "shell shocked." I have no proof that my parents (both of whom served at Pearl Harbor in WWII) had PTSD. My mother's personality was askew for as long as I knew her. I have two adult kids (son and daughter ) with military PTSD 100% disability. I'm not the person you're looking to talk with, but if I can help empower your work in any way, reach out. What an important subject.
I hope you jump into this community with both feet because your experience for 30 years on the rapidly changing phases of education is gold. The best way to understand what 60 is like is to have experience with students as they go from 15 to 45, with a trajectory headed into 60.
There are not many champions over 80 who start a Substack like you did and publish powerful messages EVERY day and sometimes twice a day. Glad you are here. We have much to learn from you.
Georgia, this is an outstanding explanation of the vision behind the Inkspired Community. I'm honored to be part of the team.
BTW--if you want to join us, we don't check ID at the door. Sneak in, no one will ask your age.
If we all wrote the same things, the world would be less interesting. But I promise you--with some thought and adaptation, these strategies can work for you or any writer.
I'm not quite to 60, I'm 57. The stories of my lived experiences are not good ones; you have to live with truly stupid people to understand stupid. My stories are not inspiring, or suitable for publication. So I'll stick to scholarly and intellectual writing on Substack; I'm not much for personal essays.
Lived experiences are exactly what readers want to know about from us. We are not checking your ID at the door. As long as you are writing to connect with the reader and respect them, it's a good story. Learning about stupid comes later in life and you have something to teach us. My lesson came at a high price and everything turned for the better when a professional negotiator taught me this: "We can work anything out with other people willing to negotiate. We can do nothing with mean or stupid. That's the definition of terrorist--mean AND stupid. Stop is the only choice left."
Wonderful!
Since you mentioned the early lives of Boomers, I’m wondering how many folks here dealt with a father (or mother, or grandfather) who, in retrospect, you think had PTSD from WWII or Korea. There was no treatment (the diagnosis didn’t exist until 1980), but there were so many hurting men. Was your dad one of them, and would you be willing to share some of your story with me? (My dad was an infantry sniper—called marksman then— in the Philippines, which we pieced together. That usually doesn’t work out well.)
Thanks--
Glad you are stepping into this community and showing up with a topic in hand. Thriving communities are like covered dish feasts. Everyone brings something they are good at and likes it so much you could eat the whole thing. But you want others to get to know you through your contributions to the community. PTSD could use more understanding and I wonder if we can form bonds in this community where someone (you) has the best questions and another person is interested in running with it and doing a story?
If there are psychologists who work on trauma who want to weigh in, or people working through their own trauma who’d like to contribute, either from military experience or childhood abuse, I’d love to hear from them. How they’re doing, what’s helpful, what they’ve learned.
Right now I’m leading off with WWII because nothing was done for those soldiers or their families, they had a ton of kids who suffered through that often-severe family trauma, and very few sources talk about it. Those vets were part of “bright and shiny corporate America.” The “Greatest Generation,” after all. (Not a fan of Brokaw’s hyperbole.)
If anyone else wants to write a story about childhood trauma, there sure is plenty to go around. But since I grew up in this environment and have done a lot of research and treatment for my own trauma, I think I’ll write this one.
I am excited about your topic. My family has been military going back to the US Civil War, and I can tell you PTSD is not a new thing. Used to be referred to as "shell shocked." I have no proof that my parents (both of whom served at Pearl Harbor in WWII) had PTSD. My mother's personality was askew for as long as I knew her. I have two adult kids (son and daughter ) with military PTSD 100% disability. I'm not the person you're looking to talk with, but if I can help empower your work in any way, reach out. What an important subject.
Wonderful words Georgia. Very inspiring and uplifting. It's great to see being over 60 in this way. Thank you.
I hope you jump into this community with both feet because your experience for 30 years on the rapidly changing phases of education is gold. The best way to understand what 60 is like is to have experience with students as they go from 15 to 45, with a trajectory headed into 60.
Thanks Georgia. This community sounds great. I’ll need some time to figure out the best way I can contribute to it.
WHAT a rocking liftoff!!!
There are not many champions over 80 who start a Substack like you did and publish powerful messages EVERY day and sometimes twice a day. Glad you are here. We have much to learn from you.
Wow! I'm right where I belong. Thank you.
We could use more like you. Glad you are here.
Kind words, Georgia. Thank you.