Another scientific fact about first pancakes: they help to spread the oil more evenly. So I think even if you had a pan at the perfect temperature, and the heat perfectly distributed, and the oil was exactly the right temperature, and the flour in the batter had perfectly developed its gluten, and you knew everything there is to know about 16th-century Florence (oops how did that get in there)…it’s not possible to have a perfect first pancake, and all the subsequent pancakes depend on those first ones in the pan having given their lives for the cause.
Wow Joanna! What a fantastic first post you’ve shared with the community. We definitely want all your pancakes! Encouraging and supportive, with insight and hard fought wisdom, gently deepened by your open-hearted vulnerability. Loved it and appreciated it.
Separately, but also related - I really want to be eat pancakes now. It’s a hook in my brain now leading my stomach! No complaints - adds to that inspired and happy place! 😉
Wow, thank you, Jen. One reason this draft took a few attempts was that I was exploring my voice, and I think your comment gave me the beautiful label for it: open-hearted wisdom. Your reflection is such a gift. P.S. I hope you get pancakes this weekend. Or maybe a Friday night pancake dinner?!
What a great first post, Joanna! I appreciate how real it is, and how you shared a way out of the doubt and uncertainty that comes with all creative work.
I look forward to enjoying many pancakes from you!
Thank you, Marisa! The intersection between personal growth and creativity is my favorite place to be. I can't wait to cook up so many more ideas for us.
This came to me at the perfect time. Thank you! I needed to hear this today. I missed the last meeting so I’m looking forward to hear more about you. Thank you for your vulnerability. You knocked this out of the park! 🙏🏾 (Now back to my 🥞).
Thank you, Joanna--for being vulnerable and sharing such a relatable and helpful story. I noticed today that I started my Substack more than a year ago, and though I'm reading and enjoying it, I still haven't published one thing. Time to put my first story on the griddle!
Writing a novel--revising a novel--pitching a revised novel--getting interest and full manuscript requests--and then passes. In my 30s, I would have been devastated. Now--while the balloon gets deflated a bit--it doesn't completely lose its air. This is why communities such as this are so vital. And yes--"How can we support each other even more."
I went to a workshop, where i've been a member of a writers centre for two decades, for the first time recently. It's partly due to living rurally, far away from the centre, work, kids etc. but I made the time and don't regret it, it even sparked a plot for a new story. It felt uncomfortable, meeting new people and travelling a distance, but it was so worth it to be in a room of likeminded people. Thanks for your post, it reminds me that I am on the right track. :)
This is SO GOOD! Working on my book proposal for months now and I’m stopping myself from continuing on, worrying about how the “first pancake” of it is going to turn out. It’s a DRAFT for a reason! The pancakes will get better. Thank you for this.
This is such an inspiration for me at this current point in my creative renaissance. I really appreciate the idea of preparing for persistence not perfection. My perfectionism has me make a big splash and then fade out at the thought of another gargantuan effort. But persistence in my creative practice consistently brings me peace. I’m gonna be chewing on this pancake for a while! 😋
This was the perfect post for me to read today. First pancakes are extra terrifying for me at the minute for some reason, but this post has reminded me not to worry so much about the consequences and be excited about what could be beyond the first one ✨
Another scientific fact about first pancakes: they help to spread the oil more evenly. So I think even if you had a pan at the perfect temperature, and the heat perfectly distributed, and the oil was exactly the right temperature, and the flour in the batter had perfectly developed its gluten, and you knew everything there is to know about 16th-century Florence (oops how did that get in there)…it’s not possible to have a perfect first pancake, and all the subsequent pancakes depend on those first ones in the pan having given their lives for the cause.
These pancake facts are 💯! I simply cannot wait to read a deep, rich historical set in 16th-century Florence. 😉
Great post! Thank you.
Wow Joanna! What a fantastic first post you’ve shared with the community. We definitely want all your pancakes! Encouraging and supportive, with insight and hard fought wisdom, gently deepened by your open-hearted vulnerability. Loved it and appreciated it.
Separately, but also related - I really want to be eat pancakes now. It’s a hook in my brain now leading my stomach! No complaints - adds to that inspired and happy place! 😉
Wow, thank you, Jen. One reason this draft took a few attempts was that I was exploring my voice, and I think your comment gave me the beautiful label for it: open-hearted wisdom. Your reflection is such a gift. P.S. I hope you get pancakes this weekend. Or maybe a Friday night pancake dinner?!
What a great first post, Joanna! I appreciate how real it is, and how you shared a way out of the doubt and uncertainty that comes with all creative work.
I look forward to enjoying many pancakes from you!
Thank you, Marisa! The intersection between personal growth and creativity is my favorite place to be. I can't wait to cook up so many more ideas for us.
I really like the phrase "spatula confidence." Not only is it a great way to describe making pancakes, but it also works with writing as well.
It doesn't matter how many things I've written, every time I write I have to build up my "spatula confidence."
This came to me at the perfect time. Thank you! I needed to hear this today. I missed the last meeting so I’m looking forward to hear more about you. Thank you for your vulnerability. You knocked this out of the park! 🙏🏾 (Now back to my 🥞).
Thank you, Joanna--for being vulnerable and sharing such a relatable and helpful story. I noticed today that I started my Substack more than a year ago, and though I'm reading and enjoying it, I still haven't published one thing. Time to put my first story on the griddle!
P.S. I even hesitated leaving a comment! :)
I see you feeling discomfort, finding your center, and doing it. I see your courage. Go Sheila! 🙌
Writing a novel--revising a novel--pitching a revised novel--getting interest and full manuscript requests--and then passes. In my 30s, I would have been devastated. Now--while the balloon gets deflated a bit--it doesn't completely lose its air. This is why communities such as this are so vital. And yes--"How can we support each other even more."
This is such a courageous journey. I see your power. Go Diana!
there’s a Russian proverb ‘pyervy blin kamom’ - ‘the first pancake is a blob’.
Hehehe. May we all embrace the blob!
I went to a workshop, where i've been a member of a writers centre for two decades, for the first time recently. It's partly due to living rurally, far away from the centre, work, kids etc. but I made the time and don't regret it, it even sparked a plot for a new story. It felt uncomfortable, meeting new people and travelling a distance, but it was so worth it to be in a room of likeminded people. Thanks for your post, it reminds me that I am on the right track. :)
You faced the discomfort and found such treasure. WTG Eimear!
This is SO GOOD! Working on my book proposal for months now and I’m stopping myself from continuing on, worrying about how the “first pancake” of it is going to turn out. It’s a DRAFT for a reason! The pancakes will get better. Thank you for this.
Congratulations on your firsts.
Excellent comparison!
This is such an inspiration for me at this current point in my creative renaissance. I really appreciate the idea of preparing for persistence not perfection. My perfectionism has me make a big splash and then fade out at the thought of another gargantuan effort. But persistence in my creative practice consistently brings me peace. I’m gonna be chewing on this pancake for a while! 😋
Needed this. Feeling very stuck about making that first pancake in a while!
This is brilliant, thank you, I needed to read something along these lines today. Off to make my first pancake soon.
This was the perfect post for me to read today. First pancakes are extra terrifying for me at the minute for some reason, but this post has reminded me not to worry so much about the consequences and be excited about what could be beyond the first one ✨