I asked one of my favorite writers, Patti Digh, a question today. She answered it quickly, which normally would make me feel stupid. Then I read her answer to me.
I asked her what she does on days when she doesn’t feel like writing or can’t find inspiration for her writing. I LOVE her answer, and I quote, “I sit in front of the computer with my hands on the keys.” So even though my fingers are generally on the WRONG keys because I’ve blocked out a lot of my typing class in high school, I’ll try that advice to see where it takes me.
I want to be a poet. But I feel like me being a poet would be like a fish that couldn’t climb trees. I want to be a novelist. But I feel like me being a novelist would be like that same fish that couldn’t climb trees. Doing either of these things makes me feel stupid. But I want to use both those ways of expressing myself in what I do. Narrative techniques need to help me tell my story. I want poetic language to tell my story. So I’m trying to learn that poetic language that doesn’t come easily to me.
So how can I pull these pieces together to make a memoir? I’m frustrated. But I’m here, still wrestling.
Finding Our Voices Together 