I haven't taken an English course in...a long time. Naturally I've spent a great deal of time writing in college, but I sincerely doubt any of that could be considered mindful writing. I wonder how much better my writing would have been had I discovered this concept before.
I think my pizza just got here.
I'm back. They went a little heavy on the sauce, but that's okay. Disruptions! Disruptions everywhere. They threaten my focus, even the delicious ones. Disruptions, or intentional breaks taken from writing, both force me to pick up my pen and begin reevaluation mode. Welcome back to the piece of paper E, it's time to harshly critique what you've accomplished so far. Boice says "it doesn't take much to undermine my fragile sense of self-worth". Oh Boice, we might be soul mates. My eyes wander over one word or phrase I no longer like, and I question the rest of it immediately. My right pinky has grown so accustomed to tapping the delete button I almost feel sorry for the poor thing.
Maybe these disruptions, or intentional breaks taken from writing, are the secret. Today when we paused between writing our BDS', I crossed out 40% of what I had written. Why did I generously expand on describing someone's hair? Does a hair description really deserve an entire paragraph? No. It doesn't. My love for detail leads me so far away from the main point at times. Reflection is a helpful remedy, but I don't know if I'll ever be completely satisfied with something I've written. Is that abnormal?
Practice, practice, practice.
I'll keep at it,
E
"Reflection is a helpful remedy, but I don't know if I'll ever be completely satisfied with something I've written. Is that abnormal?" --To be honest, I don't think it's that abnormal! I'm never really "completely" satisfied with the things I write, but I often get to a point of feeling okay with what's on the page, enough so to stop for a while. Do you ever get to that point? Have you ever tried just writing and writing without self-editing, pausing for a while (a day or so) and then going back? Sometimes that helps me--just the act of writing, getting something out, sitting on it, and coming back sometimes makes me realize what it is I'm really trying to say.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can find a way to build up your confidence and motivation. I think Boice -- your soul mate :) -- will help!
I love your voice, and I can tell already that I will enjoy following your blog for the remainder of the semester. I think it's easy to question and critic ourselves so much because so much of what we write and do becomes our identity. It's only human nature to wonder if you are expressing yourself in a manner that is suitable, and hope that people understand exactly where you're coming from. Sometimes I have to tell myself, " F--- how people read this, and what they think, and how it comes off, I'm going to write exactly what I want, and say exactly how I feel." However having the courage to say and do these things, don't necessary give you the courage to publish or place them into the eyes of viewers!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe in all that's all every writer really wants, confidence. Confidence as well as the ability to actually focus. I am the same way with distractions and I could swear under oath that I have symptoms of A.D.D! However where are the lines drawn? I'm hoping that Boice will give us much more insight on ways to stay focused (besides meditation-because coffee buzzes are horrible at handling them). Hopefully we BOTH find these things this summer! xo
P.S ; By voice I meant your ability to carry on " voice/personality" in your writing.. Loving your voice sounds kind of creepish at first glance! lol!!
ReplyDelete^Not creepy at all :)
ReplyDeleteBut that smiley face I just posted might be a little creepy.
ReplyDelete