I celebrate and envy your newfound flow state, Ben. I remember the feeling so well and have been literally starving for it for the last year and a half. Still waiting for the next miracle idea to grab me and not let go. I wish you all the best on Departures and cannot WAIT for your previous serials to be in print.
Thank you for the peek into your process. I, too, find myself immersed in visual and audio spaces when I'm writing a novel. Does Google Docs have templates for novels? Or did you have to create one yourself?
And thank you for the shoutout. I enjoyed our discussion so much and hope we can have another down the road.
Thanks, Meg! I’ve never really needed a template for a novel because the structure at least for mine is so simple. It’s pretty much H1s for chapter headings and the rest is body text.
This was so lovely to sit and watch and listen to this evening, Ben. Thanks for sharing so openly. I was just thinking about you earlier this week and what was coming up for you now that Harmony House was finished. My weeks haven't been the same without the rhythm of those posts.
I'm excited to hear of the new project and super impressed by the output and flow you are in. May it sustain and invigorate (or, if you want to throw just a teensy bit of that my way then I'll take it, haha). May it also bring financial success and a means to thrive off of a creative life.
Also, thank you for your incredibly kind words. It's quite trippy for me to sit here and watch someone mention my work and flick to my page on their screen, especially when I came here to Substack knowing no-one and with no subscribers other than my wife. The idea that people would end up reading my work still amazes me!
Thank you friend. Truly original and beautiful writing like yours will always find an audience. I always learn new words when I read your writing too, which is an added bonus!
What's the book, Ben?! The book Chloe told you about... 😂 Ugh, I LOVE your book cover - and the premise is super cool - a long time ago I heard about a man who could see a countdown on people's foreheads, from a Buddhist woman who said she knew him. Very excited about Departures, best of luck (on everything) - and thanks for the shout out! 🧡
Dear, dear Ben. You are a true creative. So touching to hear your shouting out of such special souls on here and I’m so very touched to be included in them. Departures sounds AMAZING and I seriously cannot wait to have something to fill the Harmony House shaped whole in my life! Your cover art is gorgeous. Had I seen that in a bookstore I would have bought it without reading the back (kinda shameful, I know). The way that you put so much of yourself and your talent into what you produce amazes me, and your multi talent is as intimidating as it is inspiring. Bring on Departures. I can sense that I have a new favourite on the horizon, and I am ready for it! 17k in 8 days, the mind boggles… so happy that you’re in such a juicy creative spot, my friend.
Thanks so much, Chloe, you’re far too kind. Though, as I mentioned, the origins for this story go pretty far back, I think it’s your work on D&B that infused new life into the story and made me decide to pick it up again. I can’t wait to get it to a point where I can share it with you and everyone else. It feels like a special one and very different from my other novels.
I’m so glad that the stars have aligned to have you revisit, and that it’s flowing for you in the way that it is. Truly honoured to know that D&B has woven its little way in, somehow. And truly excited for when the first episode lands!
Ben, I went back and watched your video update (was only able to read the post the first time) and I'm so glad I did. It's clear how much you love this work and are lifted up and held by your creative life. Hoping that ways to support a creative life find you soon!
Before they came to an end, he was the lead singer of Australian band Powderfinger, they were huge here.
Burn Your Name, by Powderfinger, is another lovely song. (Only on my mind because a nephew would have had a milestone birthday recently, but we lost him not long ago.)
Sometimes we have to look back to move forward. It’s great when we don’t completely throw away what we worked on in the past. You never know when it may be just what we’re looking for today. I feel like I’m in a similar transitional period with my own work. Using the past to fuel me in the present. I look forward to departures and whatever else you create with patience and intention. I know you inspire me in many ways. Thank you.
Thanks Erica, that’s so kind of you to say. It is strange how some ideas don’t let go and keep coming back until you find the right vehicle for them. Best of luck in your next transformation.
Looking forward to watching this. In the meantime, many thanks for the shout-out and in such brilliant company! I'm honored. Also, I want to thank you for connecting me with Susie Mawhinney. We've started an (informal) mutual admiration society. 💚
I celebrate and envy your newfound flow state, Ben. I remember the feeling so well and have been literally starving for it for the last year and a half. Still waiting for the next miracle idea to grab me and not let go. I wish you all the best on Departures and cannot WAIT for your previous serials to be in print.
Thank you for the peek into your process. I, too, find myself immersed in visual and audio spaces when I'm writing a novel. Does Google Docs have templates for novels? Or did you have to create one yourself?
And thank you for the shoutout. I enjoyed our discussion so much and hope we can have another down the road.
Flow on, friend. 💜
Thanks, Meg! I’ve never really needed a template for a novel because the structure at least for mine is so simple. It’s pretty much H1s for chapter headings and the rest is body text.
This was so lovely to sit and watch and listen to this evening, Ben. Thanks for sharing so openly. I was just thinking about you earlier this week and what was coming up for you now that Harmony House was finished. My weeks haven't been the same without the rhythm of those posts.
I'm excited to hear of the new project and super impressed by the output and flow you are in. May it sustain and invigorate (or, if you want to throw just a teensy bit of that my way then I'll take it, haha). May it also bring financial success and a means to thrive off of a creative life.
Also, thank you for your incredibly kind words. It's quite trippy for me to sit here and watch someone mention my work and flick to my page on their screen, especially when I came here to Substack knowing no-one and with no subscribers other than my wife. The idea that people would end up reading my work still amazes me!
Thank you friend. Truly original and beautiful writing like yours will always find an audience. I always learn new words when I read your writing too, which is an added bonus!
🤗
Happy writing, Ben! This update was so made my morning, your gentle voice, the gorgeous music snippet, the intro to your new novel...
All the best with the job search as well.
Thanks so much, Claudia. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
What's the book, Ben?! The book Chloe told you about... 😂 Ugh, I LOVE your book cover - and the premise is super cool - a long time ago I heard about a man who could see a countdown on people's foreheads, from a Buddhist woman who said she knew him. Very excited about Departures, best of luck (on everything) - and thanks for the shout out! 🧡
Thanks Troy! I’m really excited about this one. The book Chloe gave me is called “The Smell of Dust on Rain” by Martin Prechtel.
Me too, really looking forward to it.
Dear, dear Ben. You are a true creative. So touching to hear your shouting out of such special souls on here and I’m so very touched to be included in them. Departures sounds AMAZING and I seriously cannot wait to have something to fill the Harmony House shaped whole in my life! Your cover art is gorgeous. Had I seen that in a bookstore I would have bought it without reading the back (kinda shameful, I know). The way that you put so much of yourself and your talent into what you produce amazes me, and your multi talent is as intimidating as it is inspiring. Bring on Departures. I can sense that I have a new favourite on the horizon, and I am ready for it! 17k in 8 days, the mind boggles… so happy that you’re in such a juicy creative spot, my friend.
Thanks so much, Chloe, you’re far too kind. Though, as I mentioned, the origins for this story go pretty far back, I think it’s your work on D&B that infused new life into the story and made me decide to pick it up again. I can’t wait to get it to a point where I can share it with you and everyone else. It feels like a special one and very different from my other novels.
I’m so glad that the stars have aligned to have you revisit, and that it’s flowing for you in the way that it is. Truly honoured to know that D&B has woven its little way in, somehow. And truly excited for when the first episode lands!
Ben, I went back and watched your video update (was only able to read the post the first time) and I'm so glad I did. It's clear how much you love this work and are lifted up and held by your creative life. Hoping that ways to support a creative life find you soon!
Thank you so much for your kindness, Stephanie! I appreciate you.
Thank you for the shout out, Ben. And, wow: "prolific flow." It may be worth not having work at the moment.
It’s certainly worth it for my heart.
An intriguing story idea, I'll await with much enthusiasm!
Thanks, Caz!
Thought you might enjoy this song, Ben - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2evvDooWUIg
Wow, that’s lovely. He’s got a beautiful voice. Thanks for sharing.
Before they came to an end, he was the lead singer of Australian band Powderfinger, they were huge here.
Burn Your Name, by Powderfinger, is another lovely song. (Only on my mind because a nephew would have had a milestone birthday recently, but we lost him not long ago.)
I'm so sorry, Caz. That's tragic to lose one too young. Thanks for commenting and sharing a bit of the story behind this songwriter.
Sometimes we have to look back to move forward. It’s great when we don’t completely throw away what we worked on in the past. You never know when it may be just what we’re looking for today. I feel like I’m in a similar transitional period with my own work. Using the past to fuel me in the present. I look forward to departures and whatever else you create with patience and intention. I know you inspire me in many ways. Thank you.
Thanks Erica, that’s so kind of you to say. It is strange how some ideas don’t let go and keep coming back until you find the right vehicle for them. Best of luck in your next transformation.
Looking forward to watching this. In the meantime, many thanks for the shout-out and in such brilliant company! I'm honored. Also, I want to thank you for connecting me with Susie Mawhinney. We've started an (informal) mutual admiration society. 💚
That’s wonderful. Those are the best kind of societies. 😉
The new project sounds amazing. I really love the dual timeline story idea. Keep going! 👊
Thanks, Ann!