Saturday, March 13, 2010

How to Write


Write from the heart.

If I did that, you’d all be running scared.

Write from a place of truth.

See above. Ditto.

Write from passion.

If it’s lost – find it. If it’s buried – grab a shovel and start digging.

Write from strength.

Still and always strong, but sometimes tired.

Write from compassion.

I suspect I’m suffering from a surfeit of compassion – if that’s possible. The well is by no means running dry – I just have to direct some of that compassion toward myself.

Write from and with humour.

My sense of humour remains intact – it just doesn’t seem to be emerging in any of my writing or if it is, it’s a struggle.

Write about what you know.

I know I have limits. I know when I’m reaching those limits.

Although I am wise, witty & wonderful – oh, yes, indeed, I am – these w-words seem to have taken a hike lately. I think my plate is a little full.

It’s time to practice some portion control - starting with the main course. Me.

I’ve been down this path before. How and why do I keep ending up in the same damn place?



photo credit: http://www.fusedmagazine.com/2009/07/30/once-upon-a-time/


23 comments:

nursemyra said...

when in doubt, just take pictures xx

oreneta said...

cause your just like the rest of us. Hang tough hon, and hang out with your sons.

Deidra said...

You are, indeed, those three w's.

Sherry said...

Great post on how to write...you wrote it beautifully!

We end up at the same place because we watch our feet moving and we aren't looking up -- at the sky, the road ahead...we know the path so well we just stay on it.

What would happen if you looked up and walked a little to the left or right? Join me on Monday...you'll see what I mean! xo

Cheryl said...

Me too. Usually I can turn off the voices when I get involved with my work. Not this week though. Not at all.

Have you seen this?

http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

The Bodhi Chicklet said...

I don't know. I do know that I often feel like I'm not getting anywhere either. That all I do is futile. I'm stuck and everyone else is moving forward, changing and having adventures and I'm in a hole. I think it's a human experience that we can't avoid from our own perspective. Chocolate will medicate, temporarily at least.

Anonymous said...

I'd say passion and humor are the most important. Too many people take themselves seriously, and too many people write just for the sake of it. Which can be done I guess... but with passion :-)

Gorilla Bananas said...

Write when you have something to write about is my motto.

Mike Minzes said...

This is why you are a good writer!

Anonymous said...

Write for yourself. Write without fear. I think it is the fear that stops me every single time because of the emotions that come up. The one thing I did learn from that crappy Mindfulness Workshop was, let the emotions come, feel them, they will pass, you will be okay, and keep going. Fear is what holds me back.

Anyway, enough about me, I loved this post because you are very, very wise. So well written and so true. When you are stuck, keep going.

That other Writing Workshop I went to, the author said, write what you don't want people to know about yourself. Waaaay to scary for me for blogger, but been working on it my journal, even tough there.

Sorry for the rambling, but your post was great and touched a nerve. A good thing.
XXXXXXXX

Seraphine said...

"I am wise, witty & wonderful."

keep saying that over and over again. i's just part of who you are, but it doesn't hurt to say it over and over again. it's called positive reinforcement.
so what are you writing?
and sometimes, just write without worrying about where the words come from. they take a life of their own.
the important thing is to keep writing.
the things you are will show in the writing.

OneCraftyFox said...

You are a great writer!! Thoroughly enjoyed this post :)

Angie Muresan said...

This is one of the best posts on writing that I have read, Beth. And what do you mean about struggling with your sense of humor in writing? I love your sense of humor.

Bee said...

So, you've been giving until it hurts, right? I love so many of sharp, punchy phrases in this piece . . . "portion control" was especially good.

Maybe you should spend the day in bed reading? Just a thought.

Reeny's Ramblin' said...

I liked that!

It will come, never really goes away, just hides in the dust and cobwebbs.

OneCraftyFox said...

Hey girl, thanks so much for the nicey you left on my blog :)

laughingwolf said...

lotsa w-words ye missed there! :O lol

Maggie May said...

Me too. I'm in your boat. Hopefully not sinking it :)

Angel said...

maybe we need to re evaluate what's on your plate, huh? the biggest portion should be YOU..

XOXOXOX

rebecca said...

Funny, my creative well has run a bit dry lately as well. I can't seem to get into the prompts and just write about "life." That's where I'm at right now. Like everything else, I've no doubt this too shall pass.

Just be patient. It'll come....

Lynda said...

I moved house.. just wanted to let you know, you know, like in case you wanted to pop over and bring wine.. or chocolate - would hate to miss out on that...anywho - you will find me here:

http://lulusbay.wordpress.com

just in case like... you know....

Trish said...

Sounds like writing keeps you centered too. Although perhaps it doesn't always feel that way. But maybe that's why you keep coming back to it?

Barrie said...

Are you down this path again because of another "w" word? Woman.