Finding Our Voices

Finding an authentic voice is one of the writing fundamentals that I hear repeatedly -  so much so that I'd be foolish to ignore it. I am not sure what my authentic voice is, but I know what it isn't. When I ignore my heart, I am not in my real voice. When I moralize or write with expectations, I am likely to be off-putting. I am most likely to discover my voice by uncovering it. It's a top-down process of taking off layers, rather than by starting with bare bones and adding dressing. My final project is usually simpler and smaller than my first draft. Blaise Pascal wrote, "If I had more time, I'd have written a shorter letter." Sometimes I wonder how short I could make something if I had all the time in the world.

Priorities

Sometimes finding time to write is just a matter of priorities. For instance, I am happy to give up cleaning the house in order to write. However, some things come before writing, like eating for instance. Isaac Asimov wrote, "If my doctor told me I only had six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster." Although I appreciate the sentiment, that is not how I'd spend my last six minutes. I think I'd go outside and breathe the luscious air, even if it was raining. However, writing is enough of a priority that I get up before 6 a.m. to do it. I guess we all have our quirks.

In Praise of Criticism

"To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." - Elbert Hubbard

Last night was open read at this month's meeting of Sierra Writers. An open read is the chance for writers to hear their work critiqued in a safe, anonymous venue. There were a few new faces along with some excellent writing. However, it was the quality of the critiquing that stood out.

Good criticism is what keeps me from making a fool out of myself. I think I am a mediocre writer. However, I am a good, undefended listener, willing to take criticism. This transformative process turns my words into something better than I could have done on my own.

I collect good critics like some collect jewels. I think critics are worth more.

Lost Ideas

Sylvia Plath wrote, "Nothing stinks like a pile of unpublished writing." Actually, I believe there is something that is worse - a good writing idea that is lost. The other day I had a fantastic writing idea and I was going to blog it, and for the life of me I can't recall what it was. I thought if I waited long enough, it would return. Alas, it hasn't. Trying to remember a lost idea seems to interfere with new ideas. So, I will make this short, keeping my mind clear and my head out of the oven. Ed's cooking dinner tonight, thank goodness.

On another note: I have chosen a literary agent, signed the contract, and am revising the proposal. Life is good.