I am speeding through Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. She talks about writing and life and creativity and characters and everything speaks to me now, where I am. She speaks to me in my uncertainty about writing and in the newness of it all for me.
I told my husband that I could read it cover to cover once a month and still find the richness in it. I would be inspired to sit down with my computer by the window and write by the natural light, or to take a walk in the hills listening to the spring come.
She says to write every day, at least 300 words to train your brain and your hand in the art…it is something I am already doing. She is writing 14 years ago, before the weblog-explosion, which in fact, is what has caused me to fall in love with the craft again.
So I write, and I read, and I am wondering what comes next. I write and I am interrupted almost by the minute by toddler feet thundering through the hall, and by the cat, and by the fact that I am writing on my laptop hunched over sitting on the floor of my bedroom. I am surrounded by a mound of clean-unfolded laundry and by toast-crusts from this morning. I am makeup-less with wet hair and I am thinking about the craft store errand I must run in a few minutes. I am thinking about Hope’s 100th day of Kindergarten and the 140 goldfish crackers I must deliver to her room.
I am thinking about the fact that I have carved out a writing area for myself in our loft but I haven’t had the chance to sit near the window and create. I am here, in the messy room with my books piled at my feet. And it keeps nagging at me this morning that I can’t find the newest, most interesting one I just bought: a series of most intruiging writing exercises that I’ve just begun to bite into. It’s here, I am sure, but I probably won’t find it until I fold all the clothes.
So I live, interrupted, for now. I am at peace with it because in the center of all the interruptions is a small child who needs a healthy snack or a husband who needs to hold my hand. And I am quite alright with the disruptions, because, in the end, it gives me something to write about.
i like anne lammott, she is controversial, and real,and okay being in the moment, but tender yet frank about God. when i read her i feel as if i have permission to feel what i’m feeling.
i am having a hard time finding my song at this time. my passion crushed (is that too much to say).
but i fight for it, it is my gift.
i have seen too many people stop fighting for their passion and gift. i see them, they are hurt, sad,complacent,hiding… i do not blame them, i hurt for them, and for the glory God should have in their lives.
your a writer Sarah, it is a gift.
that gift teamed up with your passion for life, your family, truth,and growth brings me back here daily to be encouraged,inspired,reminded, coached.
and we know that regardless of children, laundry, toast crumbs… there will ALWAYS be something to interrupt. there will always be an ideal way it could look,but we find our words (our song) best with wet hair, errands to run, kids to feed,
as life unfolds around us.
What wonderful interruptions you have now, but I’m sure that God is His providence is using/will use the interruptions for His glory and for your good
It is funny how the interruptions will change as we journey on our paths.
Along the way though each bump provides wonderful thoughts for writing.
I LOVE Anne Lammott. I went to hear her speak on writing at UCLA a couple years ago. It was fantastic.
I followed her into the bathroom and went into the stall next to her. Scary, I know!
I got her autograph and asked how she was doing. She said, “Tired.”
I’m such a geek.
I agree, you DO have a gift for writing. And if you never had any interruptions, what would you write about?
Love you!
This is a good attitude, Sarah… it creates more happiness for you, in the end, too, which eventually will keep your spirit free to write.
I admire your tenacity and determination… and your writing.
Jen
you’re right, sarah. living interrupted is what gives us something to write about. sometimes i feel i have nothing to write about, and it’s usually because i have been in my routine too long. interruptions, although frustrating at times, remind us of who’s really in control.
I guess if you can write with so many interruptions, then you can really write! I love your words. You are inspiring. You capture what we are all thinking and feeling but don’t know how to express (at least not with so much eloquence!)
i am thankful for the interruptions that give you material to write about! i look forward to reading your words each day. you are able to create beautiful pictures with your words. it is such a gift to be able to put into your thoughts and feelings into words- and to do so as beautifully and eloquently as you do is amazing!
I thought of you when I read this quote this morning:
“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection.”
Happy Thursday to you, Sarah!
Jen