Live it to Give it Interview with Lacy Ellman (Part 1) + Free Book Giveaway!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 1:05 AM 
facilitated by Kayce Stevens Hughlett
I met Lacy Clark Ellman in 2010 when she was still Lacy Clark. Since that time she's gotten married, completed her Masters in Theology and Culture, moved across the country (a time or two), launched her website, A Sacred Journey, and most recently completed her wonderful new book, Pilgrim Principles which I had the privilege of reading pre-release. In her book, Lacy weaves classic pilgrimage wisdom with fresh, accessible insight. Her pilgrim spirit resounds clearly and truly.
This month I've been thrilled to act as the pilgrim-in-residence at A Sacred Journey. Therefore, I'm delighted to reciprocate the blog space and share Part One of my recent interview with Lacy Ellman.
Kayce: One of my favorite quotes in your new book is: “Without curiosity, the pilgrimage would never begin.” As a writer, I’m always curious to know what compels other authors to put in the time and effort to bring a book to fruition. Can you share how, when, or why you knew you wanted to write Pilgrim Principles?
Lacy: Pilgrim Principles was birthed out of two things: 1. I had been developing A Sacred Journey for six months and was ready to offer something more, and 2. in the six months of exploring the practice of pilgrimage on A Sacred Journey, I kept hearing the same question from readers: “What does this mean for me in my everyday life?”
While in graduate school, I wrote a Rule of Life for pilgrims and called it Pilgrim Principles (you can get a free copy of the Rule of Life when you subscribe to A Sacred Journey), and so in response to this question from readers, I decided to develop the Rule of Life further and turn it into an online course. That’s right—a course! In fact, I didn’t even know I would turn it into a book until I finished the first draft and realized that what I’d written could be a book. But once I came to this realization, I knew that turning Pilgrim Principles into a book, instead of a course, was the best step for me and A Sacred Journey. And who knows? Perhaps Pilgrim Principles wouldn’t be available today if I had sat down last year and said, “Okay, now it’s time to write a book. Go.” I always joke that the online course was my Trojan Horse—a necessary deception that was just what I needed to get the real work done.
Kayce: That's one more thing, we have in common, Lacy. My blog was my "Trojan Horse" for As I Lay Pondering. I had no idea I was writing a book until it was about two-thirds complete!
In Pilgrim Principle's, Chapter 5 is dedicated to daily rhythms of grounding. Did you establish your own sacred rhythms during the writing process and, if so, could you please share what they were and how they worked?
Lacy: I definitely developed some rhythms in my writing process that helped get the initial words onto the page. They weren’t necessarily overtly sacred in the spiritual sense, but I would still describe them as sacred rhythms in that they were the perfect formula for me to start writing, and it was no doubt through being faithful to these rhythms that something sacred emerged.
Basically, for the roughly two months I spent developing the first draft of this book, I devoted three hours each weekday afternoon to writing. I devoted one hour to each reading (day) in the book, and determined beforehand that I wanted each reading to be around 500 words (I thought it was going to be an email-style course, after all!). I already had the topics of each reading mapped out, so when the hour to write came, I chose which one I felt ready to write (which became hard in the final weeks when I was left with the more difficult topics), set a timer for an hour, and challenged myself to write a complete (enough) reading within that time. It worked out nicely because the word amount I’d set for myself was a perfect fit for an hour of musing and writing. Sometimes I would finish 15 minutes before (and then give myself a nice break!), sometimes 10 minutes after (and then still give myself a well-deserved break!), but it was always around the hour mark.
I think this combination of planning and execution was essential for me in completing my first draft, along with the permission for it to not be perfect, because all writers, Anne Lamott insists, write “shitty” (her words!) first drafts. I’ve also heard the first draft referred to as the “vomit draft,” which sounds disgusting, but was so helpful when writing, because truthfully, the initial stage of writing can feel like you’re vomiting words, and the concept of the “vomit draft” allowed me to be okay with that (and also helped me to feel less alone in the process—it’s not just me!).
Kayce: Anne Lamott has carried me through many a potential writing crisis!
One of my mottos in life is that how we do one thing is how we do everything. What similarities and differences did you find between the journey of writing and pilgrimage?
I’ve never thought about this, but now that you say it, it’s so true! For me, I’m definitely an agent—I’m a person who desires and takes action—in small decisions, big decisions, and especially in travel. Growing up I traveled often, and so it became a huge value and priority to me—so much so that I’ll orient my life (and my finances) around it. I’m a wanderer always ready for the next adventure and a spiritual seeker always eager to know more. And I suppose my writing process above goes to show that that’s how I work, too.
Always taking action has led me on a unique and surprising path in my life thus far, which can no doubt be difficult, because being a pioneer can be isolating and uncertain. But when I get past the fear and not-knowing, I’m satisfied with where my journey has taken me and am excited about the unfolding mystery that the future holds.
Kayce: Your website, A Sacred Journey, is about spirituality and living with intention in our travels and everyday life. What does a normal day look like for you?
Lacy: Well, I should start by saying it’s been a while since I’ve had a normal day, and even when I’m not busy or traveling, each day can look a bit different, but I suppose that’s the value of a morning routine. To me, doing my morning routine help makes the day normal, whatever it might bring (something that’s really important to helping me stay grounded and centered).
So let me tell you what my morning routine looks like! I’ll preface by saying that this is a morning routine that I’ve found to work well for me during this particular season—it has looked different in the past and will likely morph to my changing needs in the future (I don’t expect to have the luxury of 1 hour + morning routines once I have kids!)—but I suppose that’s what makes it so grounding. The alarm usually goes off around 6am, and while it definitely wakes me up, I’ve been letting myself lie in bed through one or two snooze cycles, gently adjusting to waking life and the day ahead. My ultimate goal is to be up and reading, tea or coffee in hand, by 6:30. Then I read a spiritual or inspirational book for about an hour (right now I’m reading Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction to prepare for my upcoming program), write at least one page in my journal, and practice centering prayer for 10-20 minutes, depending on the time. I try to be done by 8am, when my husband and I eat breakfast together each day.
There are two things I’ve learned recently: 1. that my routine is grounding, so it’s valuable to do, and 2. that somedays routines don’t always go as planned, so be flexible and forgiving—perhaps, in the end, this grace I’m learning to offer myself is the most valuable thing of all.
(Then I clean, work on A Sacred Journey and design projects, and if I’m still on track, finish my workday with a smoothie and some time catching up on my favorite blogs, but as I said, it’s been a while since there’s been a “normal” day! In the evenings, Kyle and I cook, watch our favorite shows, or spend time reading. We’re definitely homebodies!)
Kayce: Brilliant words on routine and flexibility. I love it!!
Homebody or not, you've got a lot of fabulousness going on in the world!! Thanks for your thoughtful answers and I can't wait to share next week when we hear about your superpower and what live it to give it means to you!!
Lacy Clark Ellman is a lover of food, books, spirituality, growing and making things, far off places, and lovely spaces. She writes about intentional travel and living and shares stories of other pilgrim’s journeys at asacredjourney.net.
Lacy’s new book, Pilgrim Principles: Journeying with Intention in Everyday Life, is available in print at barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com and also available for Kindle. Learn more about the book at pilgrimprinciples.com. WIN YOUR OWN FREE COPY BY ENTERING THE CONTEST BELOW! Winners will be announced February 1, 2014.
Books, Journey, interview, pilgrimage
Reader Comments (4)
Thank you so much for this interview -- In this time of winter and cold, it is the perfect time to slow down and savor this interview. I wrote a rule of life several years ago and I have traveled so far from it. It is time to get centered again -- THANK YOU.
def inspiriting for any writer or want to be writer -
a reminder of a UK study results on what increases length of life - yep. maintaining a sense of 'curiosity' !
well done - look forward to reading and ty for interviewing and introducing us to Lacy
Thanks for commenting, Ruth & Sharon. Lacy is an inspiring young woman! I'm happy to introduce her to others!!
Delited to receive your winning announcement !
many thanks for the intro and the offer -
I'm also well pleased to find you and your writings.. blessings!