The other time that I can remember I was on the bus going home from work and a poem came to me. It came from such an honest and raw place that when I was done, it felt so complete and finished. I knew deep down little would need to be changed in the editing process. Unfortunately, that poem lives in a cell phone that I accidentally dunked in water and is no longer accessible. I still think about that poem though.
Why is it that our acts of writing feel beautifully easy in some moments and back-breaking work other times? Am I the only one that feels that contrast? Sometimes I feel like the dazzling experience of writing with ease happens as a result of one simple thing - practice. It comes from the discipline of sitting down to write when it's unbelievably painful. It comes through returning to the revising process even when you've come to hate the sight of that piece of writing. It comes through submitting your writing despite the self-doubt ringing in your ear. These intentional acts of discipline produce those moments where everything clicks and writing is as easy as riding a bike.
The next time writing is painful, keep at it. Because every so often, you'll have an experience where you no longer bleed at the keyboard but soar.
Nicole ~ I hear you! I can only count on one hand the times it's happened to me recently, and only one time in the past two years that a voice other than my own, a sentence, was nagging at me so much that I knew I had to write it. And as soon as I did, the words spilled onto the page. It was the most amazing feeling. But most of the time I do struggle. I mentioned this on the Butt-Kicker boards, but I started reading From Where You Dream by Robert Olen Butler, and he teaches a technique to let your unconscious write for you because the problem is we're too in our heads, and writing should come from the heart, not the mind. Well, good writing, anyway, in fiction.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, and LOVE your closing line, Nicole. I hope to look up in the sky and see you soaring by with your keyboard. :)
@Angela - I love the idea of letting our unconscious write! I'd love to do more of that and I feel like those rare moments that I do end up having that easy feeling with writing, it IS coming from an unconscious creative level! Hope to see you soaring too!! :)
ReplyDeleteNicole--They are indeed rare--those times when a piece almost writes itself, it flows so easily out onto the page.
ReplyDeleteDo you know the book "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron? I have friends who swear by it, I've had a copy for ages, and I'm finally reading it. For many people, it gives them ways to tap into their creativity.
Great post. I wouldn't mind bleeding so much if occasionally there was clotting involved. ;)
@Sioux - oh I have and it's wonderful!! I actually read it around the time in high school and I remember it being VERY freeing. I have a copy somewhere and I think it may be due for a re-read. Ha, and clotting would help. SO much.
ReplyDeleteNicole,
ReplyDeleteYour story about losing that poem made me so sad! I've had a few instances where the words came out easily, but those have mostly been when writing nonfiction/essays. I think I've mentioned it before, but the short stories that come out quickly do better in competitions than the ones I labor over, go figure. Beautiful last paragraph!
@Renee - Great point about the short stories that come out quickly! I think you are absolutely right!
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