A Book for Writers - Wild Mind

I had a lovely, uneventful, swimming and eating vacation. The only very slight problem was my notebook. It was pretty enough with nice Mexican-ish stripes. And the paper felt satisfyingly sturdy and smooth. The only problem was the blankness of the pages.

My girls helped to remedy the situation. Filling that first blank with anything is always a relief.  

This portrait of me (quite accurate, no?) really got me motivated.


Finally, the book - Wild Mind: Living the Writer's Life by Natalie Goldberg provided the trigger for my pen to move. At the end of Chapter 2 Natalie encourages writers to complete a timed writing session. To kick it off, write "I remember." Anytime your pen hesitates, start another "I remember" sentence.  This was an effective way to trick me into writing just to write.


Now here's the kicker. Natalie suggests using "I don't remember" sentences every so often. When you're exploring a topic, this switch of perspective can highlight deeper insights than your basic memory.

 
For instance I started writing about how I used to collect cans and bottles around the pond next to my house and take them to the recycling center for 50 cents a pound. Which is a nice little reminiscence. But I don’t remember anyone telling me to do it. I don't remember what I spent the money on. And I don't remember ever getting in trouble for sometimes not emptying all of the black pond goo out of the bottles (which would have ever-so-slightly increased the weight.)  There's incentive, stakes, and risk in the story which I might not of dug around for otherwise.

I'm only half way through the book, but so far it is an engaging read full of helpful "try this" exercises.

Now, enough vacation, time to get to work!

Comments

  1. Lauri, I see a story waiting to be written about an adventurous girl that fishes plastic bottles out of the pond. A magazine piece maybe??

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    1. Great idea Yifat. You'll have to keep your eyes open to see if I bring the topic to critique group:)

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  2. Love this, Lauri! Thanks for sharing how you got a little help on making the pages less blank from some great little people.

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    1. Thanks for visiting Theresa! Kids can help a lot if you just respect their attempts.

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  3. You should use that illustration as your author photo.

    And I'm with Fishman. How about a PB story using your childhood recycling experiences as a foundation?


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    1. I have to brainstorm this a bit. Back then (way back then...in the olden days...the 80s) recycling was kind of new. Now it's a little more common. But the heart of the story is probably more of "power of one" focus.

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    2. You'd probably have to forgo your fart joke writing style, but it's worth a shot! ;)

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  4. Love the portrait...captures your flippy golden hair and arms outstretched for a perfect Mom hug!

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    1. the best part was her making me sit still while she studied my features. Originally the head was about 8 times bigger, so I'm glad she made an adjustment there!

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  5. I have a very important question. Penguins or Blue Jackets?

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    1. Hmm. Someone's trying to trick me because there's no hockey in this post. But, I will indulge the question. Penguins are always first in my heart, even though I do still have a Blue Jackets jersey.

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  6. Eating vacations are the best! I like how the girls helped you fill out the first pages.

    Thanks for the writing exercise, too. I'm always inclined to delve into memories, but now I know that what I "don't remember" can be intriguing as well.

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    1. Jennifer - I just tried it on another memory (one of those when you are just taking a walk and writing in your head times), and it was even more exciting. Definitely try it!

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