Dad used to tell me that there was a time and place for all things. I marveled at his innovative insight until I read Ecclesiastes. Or, as the author of a comparative philosophy text used in undergrad school phrased it, there is 'a principle of alternation'. Freely translated for these purposes . . . 'sometimes you got it and sometimes you ain't ; sometimes they flow and sometimes they don't'..
Some of the posts that have appeared on this blog were written with great ease (almost wrote themselves; now, I know. . .I'm not talking 'great literature' !); others, were a struggle. So it goes. It is becoming clear that attempting to 'force' the 'juices' is futile. At times like those, I find it best to 'sit still' and pay attention to what bubbles up and to remember
Many years ago, my counselor would coax me with "How are you going to know what you are thinking if you don't hear yourself talk?" I wanted to say, 'But I'm an Introvert; I think inside." And now when posts take on a life of their own, I wish Vernon were still living so that I could point out the times when I didn't know that I thought, believed, felt in a particular manner until I 'heard' it written. Those are the Musings . . . just thinking 'aloud' . . .a kind of 'layman's philosophizing', I suppose. For example, the post about the old truck:
The last post about my Uncle Ken was 'fun' to write. I love to tell stories and there are lots of good stories in most (reasonably) normal families, especially one with as many kar'akters (see earlier post by that title) as are in our entourage. As the oldest grand-son of a large extended family (I have two older female cousins), I 'was there' and saw, heard, experienced family interactions in ways that my younger cousins (born soon before or after the deaths of our grand-parents) did not know first hand. Obviously, the cousins are 'storehouses' of a wealth of lore as well. Maybe we 'older ones' have the opportunity to remember, preserve and make available 'family treasures' . . .some very valuable, some just pedestrian . . . for the next generations. And, while the specifics are relevant for but one family, I am learning that what resonates in specifics often resonates in the generalities. Readers who do not share blood kinship with me and my families report that occasionally they recognize traces of their own clan in something written here. I suppose that those posts are the 'Meanderings' .
Five cousins are not pictured.
The 'Mutterings' ? . . . Well, a synonym might be 'grumblings' or 'kvetching'. Those I prefer to minimize. ( An exception would be the early post 'Curmudgeon'.) There are allegations that we 'old timers' take such as our perogative. Ah, now there's a stereotype: 'the Grumpy Old Man'. I have met a few of those of both sexes but I donot believe that persona is the norm.
The motivations for and benefits of writing are many. Several of my clients utilize writing as an adjunctive aid for their therapy, as I was urged to do in the 1970's. A few write blogs, others write poetry, some keep journals, and still others explore meaning & purpose in their sermons.
In an earlier career as an academic historian, after MA thesis and doctoral dissertation, I published a few 'scholarly' articles and papers. And, at the time, those were reasonably enjoyable. But not like the blog writing is proving to be.
An undergraduate fraternity brother began his career as newspaper reporter and columnist then went in diametrically different directions as Urban planner and later Congressional lobbyist. In his mid-late 50's, he returned to his first love and has since published several acclaimed novels and, most recently, a non-fiction work. Along the way, he teaches creative writing in nearby colleges and does book readings. He is a 'fulfilled man'.
(See his website: www.charlesfprice.com which also has a link to his blog.)
Trained as a journalist and later as a clergyman, my younger brother for several years was the editor of the local county weekly newspaper. Additionally, he wrote a column of opinion, local lore, legend and personalities, as well as some wonderful stories. Along the way, he has picked up several state press association writing awards. "Aunt Bea" of Andy Griffith Show fame is buried in our town. The funeral was a 'By Invitation' service and although not among the invitees, he wrote a story about the event that won a North Carolina Press Association award. It was all factual, though sprinkled with a bit of the Blarney Stone effect. Although no longer the editor, he continues to write the column.
A story has three parts . . .beginning, middle and end. So, in conclusion, " 'Write On' about whatever you feel like you need to say" .
Satchel
No comments:
Post a Comment