I look down at my friend’s boots in front of me as we hike the great trail. We have left camp long ago and I have lost track of time. The only thing I remember was shooting guns the day before because staff was at the camp and their job was to teach us how to shoot for fun. So far it is the 6th day of the hike, I think and I even forget where we are walking to. The troop is lucky it’s not my turn to lead the way because I can barely think in this type of heat. We have all been hiking for 5 or 6 miles or maybe it has just been 1. Instantly as I think about taking a drink out of my hot water we go over the final hill and I see the next campsite in the distance. When I see it something clicks in my mind. I start thinking “what the activity of this camp”? Was it white water rafting, was it shooting again, or was it bike riding? As we get closer I can’t help to see three people sitting at a table waiting for us. After we finally put our packs down I go over to the table. The three people introduced them self as Ann Lamott, Mary Karr and Don Murray. One of them said let’s begin, then started to talk about the writing process.
While listening to the masters of the writing process I begin to think of questions to ask them. I ask “How do I become a good writer, what should I practice and concentrate on when writing?” Then almost instantly Anne Lamott chimes in saying that’s the thing “almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere.” (Lamott) So do not worry about creating a bad draft. After Anne comments Mary Karr follows saying “What would you write if you weren’t afraid?” I was puzzled for a second or two then responded with “I don’t know what I would write about. Every time I write I am under some type of pressure.” When Anne Lamott hears this she perks up and says “Now that’s just the problem you are thinking too much when you should just be writing.” (Lamott) So then I ask “what is the correct way to write?” Mary Karr states when I write “I revise and revise and revise. Any editor of mine will tell you how crappy my early drafts are. Revisions are about clarifying and evoking feelings in the reader in the same way they were once evoked in me.”(Karr) This is why you cannot be afraid to make a bad draft! Sitting there with no hope I look at the professionals and say “say that is easily for you to say. You do this for a living” After a long silence Don Murray speaks for the first time “Writing is primarily not a matter of talent, of dedication, of vision, of vocabulary, of style, but simply a matter of sitting. The writer is a person who writes.” (Murray) So after an explanation Anne Lamott Agrees saying “You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories.” (Lamott) Yourself should be the easiest thing to write about. She contuses to say it should be easy “Don't look at your feet to see if you are doing it right. Just dance.” (Lamott) I’m still confused at this point asking “Ok but after my first draft, that’s already all I got so how can I make changes to my paper?” Then Mary Karr reassures me explaining “every writer needs two selves—the generative self and the editor self.” (Karr) This is something g you will have to practice doing. I'm gaining confidence in myself after all of the tips I’m receiving from the masters of writing. I’m still wondering a few thing though. So I ask “How can I become more confident in my work” Don Murray the quite on of the group tells me "Instead of teaching finished writing, we should teach unfinished writing, and glory in its unfinishedness” (Murray) this will help you gain confidence because nobodies writings are perfect. I agree simply stating “this is true.” After the entire conversation I ask why you write? What’s in it for you?” Don Murray confirms “There is always magic in this for me, and wonder because I do not know what I am going to say until it is said. The writer within is always a stranger, with a grin, a top hat and long, quick fingers which produce what was not there before. I shall never know this magic man well, although he has been with me for sixty years. He entices me with his capacity for surprise." (Murray) You will never know yourself better if you do not write your mind on paper. I then say “Thank you, I now know a little more about the writing process.” https://www.heinemann.com/shared/onlineresources/0600/web%20sample_murray.pdf http://engl210-picetti.wikispaces.umb.edu/file/view/Lamott_Bird+by+Bird.pdf https://www.sabatinomangini.com/uploads/4/5/9/6/4596832/the_art_of_memoir_in_praise_of_revision.pdf
0 Comments
|
Ryan
I will use this blog to communicate with my classmates and give my perspective about different topics. Archives
December 2018
Categories
All
|