How is your writing going?
An update on mine.
12.9.23
I skipped posting on either of my blogs last week. Not because I haven’t been writing but because I’m working on some pieces to submit to be published. When you’re trying to get some work published, it’s best to keep it off any platforms or social media or it may not be considered. Since I’m several months into this serious writing journey, I thought I would give a little update and see where you are on your journey as well.
The main thing I’ve noticed over the past several months is how writing makes me feel more connected to the world around me. I see stories that need to be written EVERYWHERE. In interesting phenomenon in the skies, on wrong turn dirt roads, and when talking to every person I come across. We all have a story to tell. Not all of us will take the time to sit down and write that story, but that is what I feel compelled to do at this time. It may be a story that no one ever reads or identifies with but it is my story, and I have to get it out. Some of the other writers in the course have lamented how selfish it feels to be so self involved in this examination process. I’ve felt that way myself, but I know the more I write, the more I understand about me, and my purpose in life, so that I can be my best version of myself and a blessing in the life of others.
Back in August, when I met Janisse Ray at her book reading in town, I knew I needed her as a mentor. I had been looking for adult writing classes for several years, but I just never signed up for any because I wasn’t sure I would stick with them. I have a bad habit of signing up for classes and not following through to the end or feeling overwhelmed by the information and not being able to put any of it into action. Can any of you relate? When I went to her website and realized that she offered courses, I thought maybe since this is someone that I have loved and respected for decades, this may be just the writing guidance I needed. Another bonus is realizing she lives in my area.
I initially signed up for her Earth Grief Work course that met weekly on Sunday afternoons and prompted us to write about and work through our feelings of how our mother earth continues to be abused. I enjoyed her prompts and writing as a group with other writers of varying skill levels on a zoom call. When that course ended, I knew I needed more. Her calmness and ability to pull stories out of me was thrilling. So I signed up for the Writing Memoir course. Now, I have never wanted to write a memoir but I think that was because I was confused on how that process would actually work. I just always figured you had to start at the beginning as far back as you can remember and go from there. I truly think I had memoir and autobiography confused. This course started in October and will end in a couple of weeks, sadly. But her prompts have taken me on a deep dive into many childhood memories. It hasn’t been easy and can be quite painful at times. It has revealed generational parallels that I would rather not have repeated. It has been and continues to be quite a journey.
During this course she has suggested several memoirs and I have gone in search of other ‘craft of writing memoir’ books. The really interesting thing is how much it has made me want to read. I have read and listened to more books the past several months than I have in the last few years, and I LOVE IT! Less social media and tv time equals a happier, more grounded me. Here is a list of the books I’ve read or listened to in the past few months and my rating of each. Five stars being best and highly recommend.
Shimmering Images: A Handy Little Guide to Writing Memoir—Lisa Dale Norton *****
The Electricity of Every Living Thing—Katherine May *****
Reading Like a Writer—Francine Prose *****
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within—Natalie Goldberg *****
In One Place: The Natural History of a Georgia Farmer—Milton Hopkins, Jr. *****
Drifting Into Darien: A Personal and Natural History of the Altamaha River—Janisse Ray *****Wildcard Quilt: The Ecology of Home—Janisse Ray *****
Educated—Tara Westover ****
Memorial Drive—Natasha Trethaway *****
Native—Kaitlin B. Curtice ***
During the course of reading and writing over the past few months, I’ve also come across a couple of highly insightful books which are helping me understand some of the events of my past and the way I show up in the world.
The Highly Sensitive Person—Elaine N. Aron *****
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma—Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D. *****
As we close out this year and head into 2024, I look forward to continuing the hard work of bringing up the events of the past that have shaped my life and looking at them from the different perspective of midlife. Perhaps adjusting the narrative I have given myself through those hard times as a coping mechanism, so that I can let them go and make peace with them. I’m also excited to join Janisse on her Journey in Place correspondence course next year. She has become not only my mentor but my muse and beckons me to write more meaningful words everyday, and for that I am truly thankful that she is part of this wild ride.
Thank you for reading and following along with me on this journey. I would love to hear how your writing is going and as always, feel free to share in the comments or you can email me directly at: beckithewriter@gmail.com.
Many blessings to you,
B
P.S. Here are a few writing prompts for you:
I remember the way she/he looked with her/his back turned to me…
We were surrounded by the smell of…
When I walked in the room I could feel…
I love this book list! Some I have read & enjoyed- which is a good sign about the others. I'll be in the Janisse's class on Place too :-) Can't wait, though I'm sad we're almost finished with the memoir class.
Becki, these are thoughtful and astute reflections on our courses. Janisse has been influencing me since 2012. Her voice, whether in person or in written expression, is so soothing and lyrical. I’m writing daily, but nothing to publish recently. I’m doing more social activities here in the holiday season. I’m so happy we’ve connected. Thank you for tracking this memoir journey. I signed up for her year long class on “place,” as well. I hope to see you there!