I don't think any breakup or heartache would hurt as much as it would if I had to give up writing. It is my greatest love affair. We drifted apart for a while and I hope I never let that happen again. It quite honestly feeds me in ways nothing else can xoxo
book that changed my life? there are two: Skeleton Cave, by Cora Cheney, the first 'longer' story book I finished reading alone as a child lying in bed sick with chicken pox. It gave me my first experience of privacy within a numerous family. The Business of Fancydancing, by Sherman Alexie, not only provided an emotional lifeline at a critical time in my life, but erased the boundaries I had placed between poetry and fiction and nonfiction, permitting a much more meaningful experience as a reader.
Thank you for another inspiring, thoughtful newsletter.
"It gave me my first experience of privacy," "it provided and emotional lifeline." Thank you for sharing this, Laurie. It is so beautiful to see how these books have touched you and you describe it so well, so viscerally. I remember that feeling as a child being entirely consumed by a book, gobbling them up, feeling like it was my own secret world. I am so glad you enjoyed the newsletter and thank you also for your inspiring and thoughtful comment :)
I actually don't quite know who I would be if I couldn't write. It's been the thing that has been most consistently with me and the thing that I have always found solace in that if it was taken from me indefinitely I'd probably fall apart. My relationship with it has changed over the years, but for the last couple it has been my ride or die and I have never been so creative.
Loved the newsletter. And totally agree with the other comments - there is no way I could not write. I'd go mad. For my mother an event hasn't happened unless she photographs it, for me an event hasn't been truly felt if I don't write about it.
Taught a writing group where I started with "this is to help you enjoy the love of writing for writing's sake and not to get published" I lost 2 men who said they didn't see the point of writing if they didn't get published. Interestingly with all the writing groups I run it is women who enjoy them for the joy of writing and if they get published we all celebrate, but men seem to want the money and fame!!! Not being sexist, just an observation!!!
I don't think any breakup or heartache would hurt as much as it would if I had to give up writing. It is my greatest love affair. We drifted apart for a while and I hope I never let that happen again. It quite honestly feeds me in ways nothing else can xoxo
I love this and totally understand. I think the drifting apart can make the reuniting even sweeter too ;)
You are SO right xoxo
P.S. I loved all of this post very much.
Aww, thank you! I am so glad!
I couldn't not write. I'm always writing or thinking about words.
I love this Cathy and I feel the same! Such a great reminder.
book that changed my life? there are two: Skeleton Cave, by Cora Cheney, the first 'longer' story book I finished reading alone as a child lying in bed sick with chicken pox. It gave me my first experience of privacy within a numerous family. The Business of Fancydancing, by Sherman Alexie, not only provided an emotional lifeline at a critical time in my life, but erased the boundaries I had placed between poetry and fiction and nonfiction, permitting a much more meaningful experience as a reader.
Thank you for another inspiring, thoughtful newsletter.
"It gave me my first experience of privacy," "it provided and emotional lifeline." Thank you for sharing this, Laurie. It is so beautiful to see how these books have touched you and you describe it so well, so viscerally. I remember that feeling as a child being entirely consumed by a book, gobbling them up, feeling like it was my own secret world. I am so glad you enjoyed the newsletter and thank you also for your inspiring and thoughtful comment :)
I actually don't quite know who I would be if I couldn't write. It's been the thing that has been most consistently with me and the thing that I have always found solace in that if it was taken from me indefinitely I'd probably fall apart. My relationship with it has changed over the years, but for the last couple it has been my ride or die and I have never been so creative.
I just love this idea of writing being your ride or die and I totally relate. What a gift! And I love hearing that the creativity is abundant.
Loved the newsletter. And totally agree with the other comments - there is no way I could not write. I'd go mad. For my mother an event hasn't happened unless she photographs it, for me an event hasn't been truly felt if I don't write about it.
Taught a writing group where I started with "this is to help you enjoy the love of writing for writing's sake and not to get published" I lost 2 men who said they didn't see the point of writing if they didn't get published. Interestingly with all the writing groups I run it is women who enjoy them for the joy of writing and if they get published we all celebrate, but men seem to want the money and fame!!! Not being sexist, just an observation!!!
"an event hasn't been truly felt if I didn't write about it" I love that!