I am participating virtually in a writing conference this weekend and it is so encouraging. I have let this blog slide since April. April! I hope to get back on track. When I think about writing, I am overwhelmed with all the things I can write about and stay paralyzed with the inability to choose one and get started. It's a combination of procrastination and perfectionism, (thank you Laura Scala). When I write, I feel better.
Each speaker has offered ideas I haven't heard before and they all encourage me to write. I have realized that I have a few syndromes that interfere. First, there is the never good enough message I absorbed from my mom, who was very hard on herself. I have never looked at my life as a "hero's journey." I waste my time on my phone and TV, being entertained and distracted from the life that is going on around me. I am terrified of criticism, although I love receiving tips from friends who can suggest ways my writing could be better.
I come from a family of gifted people who expect something to be really good the first time we try it. In addition, we can think of all the other things that might be included. I don't mean to be hard on my family. I am just as guilty as anyone else.
And then there is Anne Lamott. She has been my favorite author for as long as she has been writing and she uses humor to point out things we might want to know. I got on her mailing list by going to a previous online workshop and I am soooo grateful. I would love to quote her, but you really have to read her work and attend a workshop to get the full picture of how much grace she portrays with her life. Her son Sam has found his way into writing and I have ordered his first book. What a gifted family!
Jacob Nordby spoke on "Your Creative Hero's Journey" and I was too tired to take notes. I went to bed, missing the final event, but I will be able to see it in a few weeks via video.
Tooday, I have heard from Ryan Spear on "Crafting Resilience," Claire Giovino on "The Space Between," Lauren Sapala on "Healing Writing Anxiety," and Laura Mckowen on "Pinning the Butterfly." And that's just until suppertime today. I hope all of you will check out the app "A Writing Room" and it's free.
More tomorrow, if I can make myself sit in a chair long enough.
