Recent Highlights in my life as a Substack Writer

I recently surpassed 100 posts on Substack! That’s an accomplishment, I suppose. But what really motivates me is the way publishing on Substack allows me to connect with people through dreams, writing, and my other assorted obsessions.

In case you’re still wondering what Substack is, I like to say that Substack is what you’d get if Mailchimp and WordPress had a baby. I explain why I say that in, (where else?) a Substack post, which you can read here.

I like Substack because it allows me to have different audiences for the different things I like to write about. 

For example, on the Substack publication that I call This Dream is a Poem I indulge my passion for dreams and writing. Recently I wrote this post about how to have more joy-filled dreams.

My second Substack publication, The Life of H: Sarah, Reimagined is a bit more specialized. In that publication I share poems and poetic prose about my many years-long (decades-long, actually!) investigation into the biblical story of Sarah, Abraham, and Hagar. That might sound a bit — well — intimidating. But I approach the topic as a poet, not a theologian. Plus, I often wander around within the theme, as I did in this recent post about a Japanese word that (kind of) explains what it’s like to try to translate biblical Hebrew into English.

You can subscribe to either or both of my Substack newsletters for free. Or you can get a paid subscription to receive posts PLUS bonus material. Take a look around here.

One more reason to love Substack?

Recently the platform provided me with some fun, and random stats about my activity over a 3-month period. For example:

☕ I read the most in the morning

📜 I scrolled 3 meters in Notes

🎉 I published my 100th post on Substack!

COMING EVENTS

Unearthing Sarah’s Story with Creativity and Spirituality

at Temple Beth Zion, Brookline, MA

with  Tzivia Gover

Sunday, October 20, 11:00am (in person) at Temple Beth Zion, Brookline, MA

It might seem that to gain the full stories of the matriarchs of the Hebrew Bible we need to read between the lines. But there is also much to discover and explore within the texts themselves where hints and information about these powerful women are hiding in plain sight.

In this workshop, author, poet, and Certified Dreamwork Professional Tzivia Gover will share her process of rediscovering the biblical matriarch Sarah and invite participants to find their place in this foundational story as well. Using text study, guided discussion, and creative writing we will dive into key passages about the first Hebrew matriarch, Sarah, to rediscover her on the pages of our sacred texts, and as an archetypal presence within ourselves.

Everyone is welcome, whether they consider themselves a writer or not, and at all levels of Jewish education, experience, and all gender identities.

For more info and to register click here

The Poetic Dream:

Tapping into the Subconscious for Creative Inspiration 

Hosted by Hudson Valley Writers, via Zoom

with Tzivia Gover

November 3, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm. 

Dreams contain all the elements of a great poem: Metaphor, symbolism, vivid imagery, humor, emotional catharsis, pathos, puns, and personification. Thus, it is no surprise that classical and contemporary poets from Federico Garcia Lorca, to Adrienne Rich, Lucille Clifton and countless more have used dreams to inspire their works.

Dreams can offer new writers and experienced scribes alike first drafts, prompts, or guidance for their writing. Likewise crafting poems from dreams can help people find new levels of creative self-expression, insight, meaning, and even healing. In this workshop we will use dreams and other material from the subconscious mind (including random imagery, dreamlike waking experiences, guided daydreams, etc.) to spark poems and other creative literary expressions.

This workshop is open to all participants, whether they consider themselves poets or not, and whether or not they recall their dreams. The aim of this workshop is to encourage creative expression through writing and dreamwork.

NB: This class will be taught on Zoom (Sunday, November 3, 12:30-2:30 PM ET) and will be capped at 15 students.

Registration required, For more info click here.

See all events here