Bill-- You asked about what we're reading. My friend Ardie Cole recommended EAT, PRAY and LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert. Have you ever read Ann Lamott's Bird by Bird? It's a book that really makes you want to write, write, write. If you haven't written a book, let me just share what it was like for me. If you don't care, just delete this email but just thinking of Ann Lamott's description of what it means to write, reminded me of what I went through.
I started Smart Answers on June 15 last summer and had it finished (except for revisions) by August. It was an incredible process. The first step was that it seemed absolutely impossible. Everything I've ever written was impossible before I started. All I could think was, "I can't do this." and that first brazen act of putting the very first words out there was like jumping out of plane. Exhilarating but terrifying and this feeling that I could not control the words. Then, I got into it and I absolutely, totally obsessed on that book. I wrote and wrote and wrote and wrote for hours at a time to where my legs would cramp up and I didn't even realize it until I got up and couldn't walk. In other words, I was totally in the writing zone. When I went out for groceries, I would force myself to buy only enough to last a day or two because I was seriously afraid that I would just stay in the house and not go out for days at a time and I knew that wasn't healthy. There wasn't a night when I went to bed that I didn't think "Where am I in the book? What will I write next?" and there wasn't a morning I woke up when my first thought wasn't "Where am I in the book?" I told my editor that at first, that extended obsessive process of creation is like having a long, fascinating conversation--in my head of course-- with a really smart person who totally agrees with everything I say. Toward the end though, it became for me, a very claustrophobic process. I couldn't stand the sound of my own voice in my head that preceded the words I typed-- just droning on and on and on. I think everyone should experience that sort of magnificent and horrible absorbtion in their own creation at some point in their life. I talked to Nancie Atwell at IRA in Toronto and I know she gets it because she too sat there through 11 and 12 hour days writing, rewording and making the words do what she wanted, I've also told my editor that when the words magically come out just right that there comes a point where I don't even care if anyone else likes it or not. I have achieved something personal and intrinsic. There is just nothing else like it. There is a creative rush, a true high that comes at some times during the process. Actually, at this moment, I'm writing a little story for my granddaughter who's five. Playing around with a children's book is refreshing after writing my Smart Answers for so long. The chances of it ever getting published are about zero. It's very hard to break into that genre. I don't care though. I'm just so thrilled with this adventure. I have this little movie running in my head and I'm working the words to get them to obey me and come down on the page the way I want them and I'm picturing my granddaughter acting out the story and laughing at it. I guess what I'm saying is that we've all experienced the reading zone. But I hope you will trust yourselves enough to take a leap into the writing zone even if no one ever reads it but you. There is just nothing else like it. Read Annie Lamott's book and there's a good chance you will be seduced into the writing zone. > en have a book, but it doesn't stop me from posting what I > think and write.... > > Besides, everyone here buys the books mentioned. I'm sure Elaine and > Nancy > will sell quite a few copies based on what is being discussed here, so > what's the problem? I know I have bought many books based on the > recommendations of the people here...I trust your opinions. And like > any > good book, most have led me to others, and I'm (I hope) a better > teacher (if > not a better person) for reading them. > > Right now, I'm reading TOTALLY POSITIVE TEACHING by Joseph Ciaccio, > GENERATION ME by Jean Twenge, THE END OF EDUCATION by Neil Postman, THE > TEACHER'S CALLING by Gloria Durka, and LETTER TO MY SON ON THE LOVE OF > BOOKS > by Roberto Controneo....and that's just my professional reading! Have > MOT, > 2nd edition on order, of course! That doesn't include my LOOOONG list > of > non-professional lurid romances, thrillers, fantasy, and young adult > novels > (do they count as professional also?). Any other suggestions for > summer > reading? > > Bill > > > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/ > mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
