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Wednesday
Aug112010
The tools.
August 11, 2010
I have a few minutes to write a post before I hop off to the next thing. So here I am, with screen before me. This feels strange, it has been a remarkably technology-free time.
I went on a hike today, with the resident naturalist and a bunch of other people. I think we all felt that we needed to get out of our heads. We've been reading a lot, marking words with pens, analyzing, discussing. It's been beautiful.
And every day the constant hills and valleys of self-congratulation and self-degradation. I'm pouring Cheez Whiz all over my brain with this stuff, who can think when they're thinking about themself? I will publish, I will never publish. She's much better than me and I'm totally okay with that and I'm confident in my voice and who am I kidding I have no voice at all, just a dull whine in the desert, the whine of trucks in the distance. Nothing worth listening to. Maybe some air brakes thrown in.
So when that starts up I'm thinking about this:
The woman who cleans the condos on my floor is a small Mexican woman who reaches my armpit and is seven months pregnant. With her seventh child. I know because I asked. She smiles sweetly when we say hello to each other every day and she pushes this gigantic cart around and cleans all day, and so I will get out of my head and tell my insecurities to shut up already.
The first talk this week was about empathy and humility, two of the greatest tools in the writer's toolbox.
I'm learning about a lot more here than just writing.
I went on a hike today, with the resident naturalist and a bunch of other people. I think we all felt that we needed to get out of our heads. We've been reading a lot, marking words with pens, analyzing, discussing. It's been beautiful.
And every day the constant hills and valleys of self-congratulation and self-degradation. I'm pouring Cheez Whiz all over my brain with this stuff, who can think when they're thinking about themself? I will publish, I will never publish. She's much better than me and I'm totally okay with that and I'm confident in my voice and who am I kidding I have no voice at all, just a dull whine in the desert, the whine of trucks in the distance. Nothing worth listening to. Maybe some air brakes thrown in.
So when that starts up I'm thinking about this:
The woman who cleans the condos on my floor is a small Mexican woman who reaches my armpit and is seven months pregnant. With her seventh child. I know because I asked. She smiles sweetly when we say hello to each other every day and she pushes this gigantic cart around and cleans all day, and so I will get out of my head and tell my insecurities to shut up already.
The first talk this week was about empathy and humility, two of the greatest tools in the writer's toolbox.
I'm learning about a lot more here than just writing.
Reader Comments (12)
Thanks for taking a moment to share. I've been wondering about you and how things are going! The woman who shares the hallway and smiles with you is humbling indeed.
Air brakes thrown in...you crack me up!!
Now.
Seriously.
Here is what my grandpa told me to do, and I'm going to tell you to do it too...Look in the mirror and you see that person there? That is the only Rae in the ENTIRE world (sure, Grandpa said "Eleanor" but work with me here). There is NOT ONE Rae like that, and never will be. Just you. So your voice is not an automotive drone, no way. And nobody can be a better Rae than you.
Wow. I even cheered myself up now.
Write on dear friend. Write on!
That truck in the distance has a voice, airbrakes and more, as does the woman from mexico, as do you. We love your voice. Your craft and gift is what lets us hear the voices and stories of those we haven't personally met, through you. write on. mark
Reading my previous post, ;-), I realize that we all seem to like other voices over our own. But that's good, I think.
I really think you have a theme going with your posters...and I agree with all of them.
WRITE ON! Right on!!!!
Yes, write on - you have a definite gift given to you so that you can share with others. No matter what you write about you bring life to it! You have an amazing ability with words.
Thank you for taking the time to talk with the cleaning woman. That sort of connection is vital in this ever changing world.
By all means, write on!!!
I am so happy you are choosing to write! I am getting to know your amazing heart of love and humility. I am brought to tears of compassion and driven to love more and more often by your simple post. I really try to write in a way that moves people, I know I have great thoughts to share. I see in your writing (just this blog, I haven't even read anything else of what I assume are amazing things) that you have a gift and that you desire to really grow it to it's max potential. Wow. My heart swells with inspiration. Thank you for being you!!
I've read this third paragraph... oh, five? six? fifteen? times now. It delights. Your writing delights. And you must know by now that a lot of us can't wait to hold your book in our hands.
Agreed. It was so great sharing two workshops with you, lady. I'm looking forward to the rest of the book!
ks
Your voice made it to my desert and I am so thankful for your writing and the most importantly the journey.