April 12, 2013

Why I Keep on Writing



Once every fifth post or so, I feel encouraged about my progress as a writer. I see the development in my ability to express my feelings in words and in keeping to a train of thought. I sense something new and improved in my post as a whole and am happy and satisfied for a time.

And then I read a book by a writer who blows my socks off with their insight, their incredibly knowing way of describing human emotion and motivation, and I begin to think, "Why bother writing when it has already been done this well?" I have been reading one of those 'Collected Works', an awkwardly heavy hard-cover tome containing seven novels by D.H. Lawrence. He, of course, is one of the most gifted writers of the twentieth century, and one of the most famous. Lawrence writes with a clarity, originality and depth that is astonishing to me. I find myself reading a passage and thinking, "How on earth does he do that?" and then wonder if I could manage anything in that league - ever.

I remember when I was in my late teens and my English Literature teacher told me I was a good writer. He was the first to say that to me of any of my teachers and my parents were beginning to encourage me in writing as well. I found out that the best way to learn about writing was to read well, so I started reading all kinds of classic literature and I became a little overwhelmed by the skill with which these masters framed and filled in their stories. When I expressed frustration with my own fledgling efforts, especially in comparison with the sheer craftsmanship of the novels I was gobbling up by the dozen, my mother said something very simple, yet wise, which has stuck with me always: "They do what they do, and you do what you do." Comparisons were futile and unproductive when it came to any of the arts.

I remembered my mother's words the other day when I was reading and exclaiming over D.H. Lawrence's awe-inspiring prose, and I found myself thinking about writing in a whole new way. Stopping writing just because I could not write as well as the authors I so admire was like stopping running just because I am not a 90 pound Kenyan finishing marathons in just over two hours. Or stopping cooking just because I don't have my own cooking show and a ten-book contract like Jamie Oliver or one of those types. I love to run, I love to cook and bake, and I love to write, so I do, but I will strive to improve always. I will challenge myself with long distances when my body says yes, I will continue to seek out new recipes and techniques for the pleasure and satisfaction I get out of tasting and sharing something nourishing and delicious, and I will write, write, write because not to do so creates an emotional and creative dam in me that just begs to be cleared so the thoughts and words can flow how they will. I will do what makes me happy and fulfilled, healthy in mind and body, and although for many that seems obviously the way to think about life, it has been a long journey for me to separate what and how I do things from what and how others do things.

A couple of weeks ago, I wondered if I should carry on with this blog, but after the thought processes that have come about while reading an author who inspires me, I know that for now, I must. Not in order to be a 'great' writer, but to become a better one, which is all I can continue to hope for, whether five or 500 people read my ramblings.

Thank you for reading.


20 comments:

  1. I think we can get too hung up. There are many ways of writing. If I'm putting something together for a history article the the tighter I make it the better but the very tightening makes it tough going for anyone outside the historiographical community.
    Take Annie Proulx's, The Shipping News. I can write volumes about the people, economy and society of those fishing communities that wouldn't touch the intrinsic abuse of the place she puts into than novel. In truth she wasn't in error. The communities clinging to rocks on the edge of a frozen sea allowed for terrible things to occur.
    What she did in that novel was to hover in a region that wasn't over-tragic, wasn't over historic, wasn't over pornographic. The latter could easily happen if she wrote just a smidgen too much in those chapters.
    Me, I'm finding it difficult at the moment. It's like that for a month or so. I had a whole heap of topics that I simply needed to sit and write but other things got in the way, mostly a lack of energy if I'm honest.
    Anywooo, I'll have to buck up.

    Who is a good little writer is that kid of yours. She'll be very good indeed when she relaxes a bit and finds her voice. At the moment she's hindering her flow with a too firm a hold on grammar. But left alone that'll fall away.

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    1. Hi Vince, I also liked the Shipping News very much - good book. You might want to try another Newfie novel called Rockbound, by Frank Parker Day. It is quite good and takes place in the first half of the 20th Century, I think.
      Yes, Emma is a very creative girl. I'm now subscribing to her Wordpress blog! :)

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    2. Yeah, I'm getting her posts into my reader myself. I'm of two minds about commenting though. One, if she thinks she has no readers she may stop. It's nice to know someone is reading/engaging. But two, she's a kid and it's very hard to keep the line between not patronizing and mawkish.
      Anywoos, we'll see.

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    3. Emma realized her new commenter was you and got a real kick out of that. Don't worry about leaving comments, though. She likes it when people just click the 'like this post' button, too.

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  2. Close to what your mom said, you are not D.H. Lawrence but you are Rebecca! He could no more tell your stories than you could tell his. I LOVE your blog. It challenges my way of thinking but more importantly, it challenges my way of living. I too question why I write but most often it is just because I have a story to tell, not because I want to improve my writing. You are an inspiration as a person, as a mother, as a runner, as a cook and as a writer!

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    1. Thanks for all the support you have given me here over the past year or two! I really do appreciate it :)

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  3. Good. I'm glad you are staying with your blog.

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    1. Thanks, Lucille. Many of my old blog circle has basically stopped writing and it is easy to get into a rut of thinking perhaps I have no more to say here...but then, I find that I do have more to say :)

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    2. I think the drop off in blog writing has been generally observed and blamed on Twitter! Do you like Twitter?

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    3. I wouldn't know, because I don't use Twitter. I believe I spend enough time on the computer without it, but then, I don't have a smart-phone and don't wish to be 'plugged in' at all hours of the day. My daughter says Twitter is a way to be more connected with your followers so they will hopefully be more dedicated. Canadian politicians use it a lot to maintain contact with their constituents. I suppose Twitter allows you and your followers to connect a lot more often since it is in short spurts, I guess.
      Do you like Twitter?

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    4. No I don't have a smart phone either and don't think I have any spare capacity for tweeting. I think I'd find it too demanding and needy.

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  4. It's funny, as I started reading this, I was thinking about the other side of things. Sometimes I pick up a book by a bestselling author and think, "this is such crap, I know bloggers who can write SO much better!"

    But at the same time, I'm also guilty of comparing myself with others - mostly with artwork. It's really better to be inspired by those we see as better than ourselves at something, rather than to be discouraged! Good in theory, right?

    And I'm so glad you will "carry on"!

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    1. That is funny! I remember asking a girl working at our local library to recommend a good detective novel for me. She pointed one out and I picked it up. It was TERRIBLE. It read like a really bad TV cop show. So, yes, there are so many good writers not publishing books!

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  5. smiles...as we write we find our own voice...i think that is what makes writers special...that and playing around with how you tell a story until you find your way...only way to do that is to write more...for sure...smiles.

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  6. Thanks for sharing this, Rebecca. I read a ton of blogs each week and often enjoy yours because of the way you let people in with your stories. This post reminds me of why we need to always have a clear purpose in mind. We can get caught up in hits, comments, and followers when it is really about sharing the stories, becoming better at what we do, doing what we love... your writing models the power of this to me and is always a good reminder. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks for commenting! I'm very glad to know what you think. I just think I have plateaued a little and now I have to work harder to get to the next level for myself.

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  7. I write because I like to write. It is obvious that you like to write, too. I recognize the immense talent of famous novelists as you have; however, it is theirs, not mine. Everyone has something to give to others. I hope you'll continue to give to us via your blog, and maybe a book down the line if that be your goal.

    I appreciate your thoughts. As Chris said, "You let people in with your stories."

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    1. A book is certainly a goal down the road. For now I have time only for this blog and the other, and so I have decided to work harder and smarter with the time for writing that I do have.
      Thanks for being here, Anita!

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  8. Comparing is a great way to learn about ourselves. What we like and don't like. Our opinions. I think it is funny when I'm sharing a thought with someone and I think to myself " didn't know I felt that way" . It's a great way to solidify your thoughts and help others to develop their own!! Keep on thinking and sharing please.

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  9. I was a few lines into this when I thought to myself, "Rebecca, that's just silly. You write your way, and they write theirs." Then I saw your mom's advice, and I realized that you have been told.

    So, I will just encourage you.

    I am not around much anymore, but I love to catch up with your writing. You know you can tell your stories the way no one else can. Not even D.H. Lawrence.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!