Walking and writing
Ever been to a writers’ workshop and the instructor asks you to do something you really don’t want to do? I have – and so has Carol Hathaway Scott. In a recent article she writes:
The writing instructor’s announcement messes up my plan to sit and soak up information. “Walk outside for twenty minutes,” she says, “Then write a personal essay based on the experience.”
Walking can often be very useful in a writer’s life. I like to take a break from my writing and go for a walk for the following reasons:
- I need the exercise – and because my doctor says so.
- I need the fresh air.
- Sitting in front of a computer screen for too many hours each day can boring, and it dulls the brain and tires the eyes.
- Walking gives me thinking time and the creative juices start flowing.
- Going out for a walk also involves looking at the birds and plants and flowers, and that gives me material to write about in my birding blog.
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Seven Funerals and a Wedding
No Comments »14th June, 2006; Category: General
I realised a startling truth recently.
I’m getting older.
Big deal – so is everyone.
How do I know? Over the last twelve months I’ve attended seven funerals and a wedding. When you are young, the reverse might be true. But as you age, one tends to be called upon or feel duty bound to attend a growing number of funerals, and less weddings. That’s a fact of life.
Traditional Wedding
What struck me last week when I attended a wedding on the Saturday and a funeral on the Monday was the power of words. That’s why I am a writer, and have a passion for writing. The wedding was the traditionally worded “until death us do part” type. Beautiful words of commitment, familiar to many and very powerful as this middle aged couple pledged their life-long allegiance to each other. The ceremony was very traditional but the reception after was far from traditional. Again, words played an important part as various family members spoke of the two being married.
Moving Funeral
The funeral was quite different. This time family members paid tribute to the mother and grandmother they had so dearly loved. The words were simple, heart-felt and very powerfully conveyed the deep love for the deceased. Sense of family was strong. Love and loyalty was expressed and a deep loss felt. The minister leading the service skillfully relaxed the congregation in their time of deep grief. Deeply meaningful words of comfort from the Bible were read, words I’d heard or read perhaps dozens of times but now were dripping with poignancy.
The Power of Words
The well worn cliche about the pen and the sword have been proven down through the millenia. The power of words is unchallenged and can be used for good or evil, for persuasion or rejection, for love or hatred, for passion or indifference. They can be used to cheer on a winning team or ridicule a child. They can soothe and comfort, inspire to action or devastate in a sharp retort.
Readers and Writers
No Comments »13th June, 2006; Category: General
A hungry lion was roaming through the jungle looking for something to eat. He came across two men. One was sitting under a tree and reading a book. The other was writing a letter.
The lion quickly pounced on the man reading the book and devoured him but let the other man go free.
Even the king of the jungle knows that readers digest and writers cramp.
Downtime
No Comments »9th June, 2006; Category: General
I didn’t realise how much my life has come to rely on a connection to the internet. My server must have been down for about four hours yesterday. Couldn’t do anything on the internet. No emails, no checking stats, no posting, no checking on the blogs of others, no news.
Aaaaargh!
Back on again last night. Relieved at last. I think I need some counselling.
Survival as a Writer
In a weekly email newsletter I receive about writing there was a link to a useful web site for poets called “Winning Writers“. I haven’t had time to fully investigate this site but it seems to be very popular claiming over 16000 subscribers to its monthly email newsletter.
It is currently promoting an article applicable to all writers, not just poets. The article is called “10 Survival Tips: Ten Tips for Psychological Survival in Writing.” It contains many useful and well thought out hints on remaining sane and flourishing as a writer. It is not just about survival techniques but good sound practices for all writers.
I think Tip #10 is great advice…
Remember: All advice is made up. Writing, like all of life, follows made-up rules. Some rules are useful. Some are outmoded or meant for someone else. If any advice doesn’t feel right for you right now, ignore it.
Another article called “Manuscript Tips” is aimed primarily at poets. It is a very useful list of hints to follow when submitting poems to publishers or to poetry competitions.