I've recently been re-reading my early journals; I've been keeping one since 1976. It has become fascinating reading because I've forgotten so many things, especially details about my children when they were small (the kind of things you think you'll never forget, but do). I've also been surprised by how your mind "remembers" an event totally differently than the way it really happened! I've been happily immersed in them - and even gotten some ideas for writing projects.
It shouldn't be surprising, I suppose, that your mind ebbs and flows, and changes the mental landscape over the years. But this exercise has made me even more determined to keep writing in my daily journal. Even if only my near and dear read my entries after I'm gone, it is a permanent personal and family history that, I have realized, is invaluable.
So, when each day has waned, and the current journal sits at my desk awaiting my pen - and I think I'm too tired, or the day's events are really nothing worth recording - I hope I recall this life lesson and make myself write for a few minutes. After all, I have the evidence that it's worth it.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
First Journey
As my bio states, I've been writing since the age of four, but my first serious effort at the craft came at age 9. I was spending vacation with a favorite aunt and uncle on their farm in southern Illinois.
A field mouse had made its way into the house, and my uncle set a trap in a bedroom closet to catch it. Using scratch pad sized paper and a borrowed pen, I created a miniature chapter book about the rodent, told from his point of view.
As I remember it now, he was a discontented mouse, bored with his life amidst all his brothers and sisters. He longed for something new so he ventured away from home, entered the farmhouse through the window, and fashioned a getaway space for himself in a closet. Unfortunately, the farmer discovered the mouse's hideaway and set the trap. The last chapter of the book told of the mouse's passing, but justified the sad ending by stating that he died happy because of the escapade he'd been able to have.
Once I had formulated the plot, I worked for hours printing the story in tiny lettering, on each folded and numbered page, to make it resemble a mouse-sized book. I designed a cover with the title, "A Mouse's Tale". It was declared a masterpiece by my aunt & uncle and my parents. (My mother kept it for years but it has since been lost.)
The days spent writing and designing that book were magical for me; I was hooked. That wee tome set me on an unwavering path to wordsmithing. I cannot imagine a day when I won't be able to conceive another story idea.
A field mouse had made its way into the house, and my uncle set a trap in a bedroom closet to catch it. Using scratch pad sized paper and a borrowed pen, I created a miniature chapter book about the rodent, told from his point of view.
As I remember it now, he was a discontented mouse, bored with his life amidst all his brothers and sisters. He longed for something new so he ventured away from home, entered the farmhouse through the window, and fashioned a getaway space for himself in a closet. Unfortunately, the farmer discovered the mouse's hideaway and set the trap. The last chapter of the book told of the mouse's passing, but justified the sad ending by stating that he died happy because of the escapade he'd been able to have.
Once I had formulated the plot, I worked for hours printing the story in tiny lettering, on each folded and numbered page, to make it resemble a mouse-sized book. I designed a cover with the title, "A Mouse's Tale". It was declared a masterpiece by my aunt & uncle and my parents. (My mother kept it for years but it has since been lost.)
The days spent writing and designing that book were magical for me; I was hooked. That wee tome set me on an unwavering path to wordsmithing. I cannot imagine a day when I won't be able to conceive another story idea.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Beginnings
I suppose my first blog should explain why I decided to start this online publishing site. The obvious answer is because it gives me an easy way to promote my writing; to publishers, agents, and interested readers. But I have another objective. There have always been ideas rattling in my brain that I couldn't convince a publisher to print, or maybe it was just a rambling, or a personal idea or reflection, or something too brief to be an article or a short story, but something I felt needed saying. Along comes blogging, and I've found an outlet for all of that; hurray for me!
I hope my "musings" will be of interest to others. I plan to add postings several times a week; most will be written late at night because that is when I can compose without interrruption. Anyway, thanks for tuning in. Come back again when I have something more interesting to impart.
I hope my "musings" will be of interest to others. I plan to add postings several times a week; most will be written late at night because that is when I can compose without interrruption. Anyway, thanks for tuning in. Come back again when I have something more interesting to impart.
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