When I signed on Facebook this morning, there were so many posts about 9/11 that it got me thinking about today's Muffin post. There is such a need to express ourselves--writers and non-writers--on a day like today whether it's through tweets, Facebook status updates, blog posts, poems, letters, speeches, stories, or essays. The written word, coming from the heart, is everywhere; and it's asking us where we were when we heard the news about the twin towers, or how do we feel about ways people are currently trying to express themselves, or most importantly, to remember our soldiers , who are bravely fighting against terrorism. Has September 11th been a topic of your writing? Have you been able to get your strong emotions onto paper or the computer screen? In what form?I've written about this subject in the form of poetry and an essay, and I've been lucky enough to have all three of my pieces published. I think it comes from the emotion behind my words, and my connection to the subject--9/11 affected me, and it comes out in my writing.
Some writers have a hard time writing about emotional issues or subjects that touch them deeply. It's difficult to step back and get the words on the page. But if you feel the need and the words are ready to spill out of you--on any subject 9/11, divorce, grief--then just do it. Get the words out, get them on paper, and then go back and revise when you're not so close to the subject matter. Don't worry if it's the same thing that everyone else has already written about--that's not what's important about expressing yourself about an emotional topic. What's important is you at this point. Later, you can revisit the piece and see if there's something for a reader in there--some universal point that everyone can learn from or share with you. If not, it's still important to express yourself--you can even post it on your Facebook page for your friends and family to see if nothing else.
Have you written about 9/11, the war in Iraq, or the recent controversy in the news over Ground Zero plans? Was it easy or difficult for you? What did you do with the piece you wrote? Stick it in a drawer? Share it with friends and family? Or get it published?
None of those answers really matter, although I would love for you to share your experiences with us. What matters is that you were able to express yourself on a day like today. . .and it came from your heart.
post by Margo L. Dill, http://margodill.com/blog/
**About the photo: This photo by Bernt Rostad was found on www.flickr.com. It was taken on April 1, 2010 and Bernt has this to say: "Currently, heavy construction is going on to construct a 9/11 Memorial and the new One World Trade Center building."
It's almost too big for words, as if there's not enough words in the world or not enough "right" ones to express the breadth and depth of emotion.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a post expressing my experience and feelings. It's small and quiet, and that's how I feel inside.
http://madelinemora-summonte.blogspot.com/2010/09/series-of-small-quiet-moments.html
Margo, you are so right about expressing ourselves through writing; it is the best way to process that "you" perspective in each of us.
ReplyDeleteAs a Canadian, in southern Ontario, the 9/11 events seemed quite near. On Facebook, yesterday, many voices shared in observing the 11th. I shared with the poetry community there and on my blog, a postcard that we sent from Canada to our neighbors to the south in the days following the attack.
We, too, remember.
Writing is an essential part of remembering for many. This post conveys that so well.
Patricia
PM_Poet Writer
Thanks Patricia and Madeline for sharing your thoughts on it. Madeline, I am going to check out your blog post now.
ReplyDeleteMargo