I have truly had an inspired year. I made a commitment to making writing a daily part of my life, and I have successfully done that. My life has changed as a result. Everything I experience in the world is different because I experience it through writer's eyes. I process information and thoughts differently and more completely. I look for meaning in the seemingly meaningless. I exploit the minutia of my life and extrapolate all I can from daily living, to better appreciate my life and all I have, and to develop my skill and commitment as a writer.
I started two blogs this year. This one devoted to personal writing and reflection of all types, and another one devoted to writing about education (backwithclass.blogspot.com). I read a lot about writing, and I subscribe to websites, e-zines, and Facebook pages devoted to writing. Perhaps most importantly, I joined together with four more women who are equally enthusiastic about writing, and we formed a writing circle in which we meet in person once a month, and share writing in a closed group online. It has been wonderful!
Writing has become such an integral and wondrous part of my life this year. It is a realization of who I am, what is important to me, and who I want to be. I have evolved from a teacher of writing (which I still am) into a writer. For the first time in my life, instead of calling myself a teacher or a person who loves to write, I actually refer to myself as a writer. Wherever I am, whatever I am doing, there is a piece of writing inside of me. Sometimes at night I am unable to fall asleep because I am writing in my head. Other days I wake with a piece oozing out of me. This morning while folding laundry, I was beginning to formulate this post in my head. Wearing my writer's eyes makes me happy.
Everyone has an end of year countdown; it is what people do this time of year. Though I do not often follow the masses, as I reflect on this year I feel grateful, and figured why not? Writing has been an important part of my year, so here are the top 13 pieces of inspiration I gathered online from various sources this year. Why 13? I tried a top 10 and was not able to narrow it down enough. Since it is the close of 2013, I thought 13 was appropriate. I chose online sources because quite frankly, they are fun to look at!
#13
This is how my writing circle got started. A friend and fellow member of the National Writing Project contacted me after reading several of my Facebook posts. We realized both of us were searching for something and looking to commit ourselves to make writing a priority in our lives. There are no excuses if you want to be a writer. You simply need to make time. When you see everything as an opportunity for writing, it gets easier. Whether journaling your thoughts for yourself, or putting writing out there for others, it has to become a regular part of who you are. Now.
#12
This is in the same vein as the last one. Just because you write it, does not mean someone else has to read it. Just write something, it does not matter what it is. It is like going to the gym. You will be happy you did it once you get motivated to do it.
#11
#10
Writing is most certainly a labor of love. I am talking about real writing, not the kind you do for a teacher or your boss, but the kind you do for yourself. For me, as a writer, it so incredibly satisfying to have an idea and for the articulation of the idea to flow out in just the right words. This is not to say the first draft is the final draft, but to be able to get the whole thing out without an interruption in my thought process makes me extraordinarily happy. Most pieces or posts that I write require me to step away and come back, sometimes because of time and sometimes because I just cannot seem to get it out. When the words flow... pure joy.
#9
As a writer I often struggle with the truth. To clarify, I do not have trouble with honesty in my writing, but I often fear my honesty will somehow get me into trouble. At one point my husband suggested I blog anonymously so as not to jeopardize my career or personal relationships with my writing. After much discussion and soul searching, I made a decision. If I am genuinely committed to becoming a writer, I have the right and the responsibility to own my words. I do not want to hide my identity or my truth.
#8
Toni Morrison hit the nail on the head for me. Writing is thinking, feeling, processing, creating. Depending on the piece, the moment, the purpose, it can be any combination of, or all of these things.
#7
I do not remember where this gem came from, but I love it! My students would interpret this as exact measurements for paragraphs, pages, and manuscripts. I can just hear them asking, "Does a paragraph have to have exactly 50 words?" Obviously, these figures are reminders for aspiring writers that the mountain can be climbed. I am working particularly hard on number four and number six this year. I want to print this as a poster for my workspace!
#6
It is a little difficult for me to admit, but I do write for me. I write to "exorcise," to explore, to share. Though I want others to read and to enjoy my writing, I generally write to purge my thoughts and feelings, my ideas and my worries. It is extremely cathartic and therapeutic for me. See #5 as well.
#5
Allowing myself written expression keeps me from exploding. Sometimes creating a story or journaling my thoughts are the only way I can keep myself from going utterly bonkers. Have you seen my post Up in Smoke?
#4
Whether it is to reveal something personal in my writing, to try a type of writing that takes me out of my comfort zone, or to quite literally write about fear, I try to remember this. If we do not take risks we do not get the rewards, especially that of personal growth. I have drawn great strength from the members of the National Writing Project and my personal writing circle. They give me the courage to write and to share.
#3
This is so true! I try to impress this upon teachers of writing when I talk about writing. Anyone can write, with time and commitment to writing. It is the human experience and human emotions that link the writer and the reader. If you are human, if you feel, you can write. I try to remember this when I feel inadequate as a writer.
#2
Oh how I love this quote! I encountered it online sometime in the spring or early summer and it became the inspiration for my poem Word Shower (6/24/2014). I am a logophile, a word nerd, a lover of language. When I read Crane's words of being drenched and soaked in words, I can picture myself in a giant bathtub filled with words (don't judge- many of you would say this about wine or chocolate, or countless other things). I love new words, new language, and finding just the right way to say and describe what it is I want to say as a writer. This idea, that poem I wrote, were all the springboard for seriously committing to the writerly life.
#1
In the same vein as numbers 7 and 8, this is a reminder to me to stay true to myself. I never want my writing to become someone else's writing. I want to say what I need to say and let it be. Whether it gives someone an ah huh, a little chuckle, or a big realization, I cannot know when I write. True honest writing will last as long as it needs to in the hearts and minds of my readers or me.
Thank you for reading. I am more committed than ever to continuing to live a writerly life. I hope you will come back and share my posts with anyone you think may enjoy them or benefit from them.
Happy New Year!
Peace, love, language.
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