Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Nourishing Differences

The Mystery within...
I was very fortunate to have recently attended a writers’ workshop in Mineral Point, Wisconsin at Shake Rag Alley.  For three days I interacted with other writers in quaint surroundings, mostly without the intrusion  of electronics—no TV, radio, computer, and I made only one phone call to my daughter to let her know when I would arrive home. 

Our instructor encouraged pencil and paper for recording our thoughts for our writing assignments.  She said a different thought process is involved between brain, pencil and paper verses fingers, keyboard and screen.  I knew that from when I recorded events from my days during the years I cared for my aging parents.  For three years yellow, green and blue spiral notebook entries piled up from which “God Never Hurries” was drawn.  I didn’t own a computer then and I am glad, for my writing would have been different without the movement of my hand held pencil across the blue, wide lined white paper.  I do need to confess that for our last writing assignment at Shake Rag I did revert to recording it on my laptop because of limited time and ease of reading it aloud in class.  It was the assignment where all participants provided a written critique.  So I got away with nothing and valued the insights shared.   

I learned when I am hesitant to write about a life experience it most likely is the most important thing I should write about.  I was reminded using everyday life descriptors keeps my writing real.  Another valuable tip I used to practice, but fell away from, was always keeping paper and pen handy, especially at my bedside table, to record thoughts to develop later.  Most important thoughts would come to me upon awakening to inform my first memoire.  Just last night I had a thought, but was too tired to turn on the light and write it down and now it is gone--hopefully not forever.

I was struck how diverse each of our writings were in this memoire class.  I believe the thing we all have in common is our differences.  It is what gives life its color, allows us to learn from one another, and grow from experiences shared.

Although it is always pleasant to return home, I truly miss the interaction with other writers in our rustic surroundings, and mostly absent electronics.  I would like to hang onto the  nourishing feeling I had of being more real in a more simple  world. 

Did I pencil and paper this reflection first?  No.  But I am  modifying my exposure to some of the of today’s electronic intrusions and am aware of feeling the better off for it.


What if we more often had the opportunity to realize a more nourishing real world? 

1 comment :

  1. Lovely, Marcia. And it was a delight spending time with you and your writing.

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