A writing teacher once asked me, why are you in such a rush? You’re racing through your scenes as if you can’t wait for them to be over. What’s wrong with you? Are you a fugitive? Are you being chased? And what’s with your main character constantly going out for walks in the woods alone? And where are all the people? Where are the lovers, the friends, the sons, the daughters, the aunts, the uncles, the mothers and the fathers? And then this teacher asked me something I would never forget. She asked where are the windows?
I think what she was asking me was “where is the light?”
It’s easy to be alone. It’s easy to slip out for walks all by yourself. It’s much harder to stay in the world–the messy, often catastrophically funny, heartbreaking world.
But that’s where all the good stuff happens
6 Comments
August 9, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I am now reading your blog and ‘can feel the kinship.’ I too have one son, and understand how difficult it can be with the writing. Congrats on your success.
August 9, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Hi Melanie, looking forward to reading your book, keep up the good word.
August 29, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Thank you, Marsha!
October 23, 2009 at 12:01 pm
How about this- deep fried battered meat pies. ,
January 21, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Melanie,
I enjoyed your book “The Map That Breathed.”
I too find it much easier to walk the woods, read the books, and (yes) even do the dishes… than to stick around and really talk. Lately, my talk has been a foreign language to others and has not brought me much joy. Nevertheless, it truly is within this mess that all the ideas, adventures, laughter, heartaches, and love occurs. Hang in there, keep up the great writing! Oh, and pray for those of us who have the same spirit, yet have never dared to write it down.
Regards.
March 27, 2010 at 4:49 am
Just wanted to stop by and say thanks. Enjoy reading your stuff.