Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Life Returns to Normal



So, now I'm over jet lag and getting back to my routine. Well, sort of my routine. Normally my routine would involve writing for two or three hours a day in addition to house chores, email, and studying Spanish. But, I haven't been doing the writing part of it at all except for journaling. My writing time has been spent studying the 2012 Writer's Market and querying or composing cover letters for snail mail submissions. I have to confess great guilt over not working on revising and rewriting my novel for some time. Trips and visits seemed to take priority.


On the other hand, these visit were spent in heartfelt talks with friends and and family, filling my mind and heart with memory and insight, tapping heartwise into some of my deepest feelings. An outcome that can only enrich my future writing, I would think.


Last year I had the opportunity to interview an author whose writing I admire quite a bit, Kirby Larson, author of Hattie Big Sky and The Fences Between Us, as well as many other books. You can read the interview here. I asked at one point how her busy life impacted her writing. In addition to writing award-winning books, she teaches, presents at conferences, does school visits, etc.. Her answer was: 


"I am reminded every day of Katherine Paterson's powerful words: "The very persons who take away my time and space to write give me something to say." (Katherine Paterson is another author I greatly admire.)


So I take solace from the words of these two marvelous writers whose books shimmer and reach into the heart of things. After all, if we had no life outside of writing, we'd have nothing to write about. In fact, writer's block may often be about living too much in your head and not taking renewal from the life going on around you.


What do you think?

11 comments:

  1. We must live first, and then write. Not sure who said that, but I like it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I find times away from writing can give me a new zest for it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You're right. Very powerful words! It's so true... I don't think it's possible to write amazing stuff without living - because experience is a major part of inspiration or at least making that inspiration "real."

    ReplyDelete
  4. Writing is a life long romance with all its ups and downs.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Joanna, I agree. For me, sometimes time away from it is very restorative. I think better and write better.

    Abby, nicely said: experience is a major part of inspiration."

    Rachna, that's a good comparison. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Glad you're over jet lag:) If you're still journaling, I'd say you're still writing. It may not be a WIP, but it can give your mind a break from fiction for a while and allow you to continue to hone your craft at the same time:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I agree! Real life must come first :D

    ReplyDelete
  8. Marc and Julie, thanks for the reminders that journaling is writing. Am
    And that real life comes first.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love the Katherine Paterson quote :-) And yes, people first. Then our writing will have more meaning, seems to me. Besides, aren't our brains working in the background during our times away from the desk? I think so!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm having a terrible time getting caught up on my email, let alone getting any writing done, since our travels and being sick. I sure am looking forward to getting my energy back. C'mon energy!!

    ReplyDelete

I love to read your comments and will respond to them. However, any comments left by "Anonymous" will be automatically deleted.