On Writing

I was treated this morning with a happy memory.  Eleventh grade english, the Waterford School, Mrs. Sorenson requesting I stay after class a minute.  I don't remember what she said, I remember two things:  1. Suspicion that I may have cheated on my paper.  2. She thought  it was a really good paper.  I had not cheated.  What did have was my first taste of being in the zone.  I was focused, I knew my stuff, and I let the writing muse guide my thoughts into the words that flowed through the word processor.  And it felt good.  I'm pretty sure she told me I could be a good writer.  Anyway, that is what I took away from the moment and it stuck with me.  Confidence.

The memory was inspired by a group discussion with various writers on the Mormon Chanel's All Things Creative podcast.  I have the Mormon Channel app on my phone and listen to these programs on my morning runs and in my studio.  To my surprise and memorial-satisfaction, one of the "writers" voices on this mornings discussion was the influential Mrs. Sorenson (Kimberley Heuston).  Find it here.

I particularly like hearing from writers on their processes and struggles.  Words are a bit of an enigma to me.  I find writing tedious and painful.  I think people sometimes think an artist picks up a brush, lays the paint on a canvas and magic happens.  Out comes a beautiful something.  And they say, "I could never do that."  Neither could I.  For some that may be the case.  But I, and most artists I know, have a multi-step process with the use of resources and tools in order to create their art.  Sometimes the process is beautiful, on occasion it can be rather painful.  I have been guilty of thinking of writers the same way.  Words come to them easily, they just purge their thoughts and out comes a story. So, I relate from a creationary aspect when writers say that even for them writing is labor intensive.  I enjoy hearing musicians discuss creativity as well, but don't find the same connection.  Did I just do it again?  Accuse musicians of having it easy?  Maybe, but I exclude song writing.  But they are writing, not playing or performing.  So there.

If you get on the Mormon Channel, be sure to give my sister's fabulous documentary a listen.  It's really good.