Writing With Abandon

Reflections and ramblings about life as an educator, writer, reader, knitter, and over-thinker. Trying to do the writing only I can do.

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I’m Amy. A born and raised New Yorker, currently living in Miami. Here to reflect on my experiences as an educator and learner, working things out as I write.

Showing up to the mat

Since January 1st, I’ve been reading and journaling alongside The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad. Described as a “guide to the art of journaling,” Jaouad’s book offers itself as your companion if you wish to complete a 100-day journaling project — there are ten sets of ten short essays by various writers, followed by a prompt related to that essay. It’s been mostly enjoyable, and I’ve thought about using it for my March slice of life challenge, though not every prompt inspires me to write each day.

Like today’s, for example: to write about an important first, and then “consider all the greater meaning embedded in that moment.”

That feels a bit too heavy for this morning when I only have ten minutes to slice before I settle down to work.

Something in today’s essay, though, did stand out to me. The essay was “Ghost Bread,” by Angelique Stevens. In it, she writes:

I tell my students that everything in their writing should bring with it some greater meaning: every word some greater depth, every character some greater representation, every object some greater symbolism. As writers, it’s our job to make sure our words do some heavy lifting. (55)

I guess on the one hand, I agree with her. This is part of the revision process: cutting and paring back on the fluff, leaving only the words and sentences that actually bring something to the piece you’re working on.

But on the other hand, I’m not so sure. If the goal, such as for a daily journaling challenge or for the slice of life challenge, is to just get something on the page, then this pressure of every word capturing some greater depth could very well scare someone off of writing any word at all!

What about “even just one sentence,” as Ana shares in Tiny January?

I know that Stevens’ students are likely university-age or older and have chosen a career as writers, but even then — shouldn’t there be some slack given to them? Shouldn’t they be encouraged to “just write,” even if it’s a sentence? And then, later, maybe go back and think about the meaning? And that it’s okay, too, if there isn’t a greater meaning? If it’s just a sentence, just you showing up to the mat?

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10 responses to “Showing up to the mat”

  1. Denise Krebs Avatar
    Denise Krebs

    Amy, you ask some great questions, and I have to agree. The challenge to write something meaningful and always doing “heavy lifting” is daunting. I love your idea of showing up to the mat and being here, ready to write, even tiny.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Amy Crehore Avatar
      Amy Crehore

      It will be my mantra this year for the March SOLSC!

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  2. Linda&Greg Avatar
    Linda&Greg

    I also agree – sometimes just getting words on the paper, imperfect as they might be, is better than getting no perfect words written. I definitely write like I speak, which works for me most of the time. There are days when I do go back and try to write more meaningfully, but not always.

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    1. Amy Crehore Avatar
      Amy Crehore

      Completely — and I love to read slices that sound like someone is just talking to me over a cup of coffee!

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Linda&Greg Avatar
        Linda&Greg

        Friends who have read my blog said it does sound like I’m sitting down and talking with them. So your comment made me smile!

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Leigh Anne Eck Avatar
    Leigh Anne Eck

    I have this book, and it is truly inspiring…on days that I want to be inspired. 🙂 I agree with your reflection here. Some days, just showing up to the page is all I can bring.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Amy Crehore Avatar
      Amy Crehore

      Totally! I think the first few days, I was all in for the various prompts, but for a daily writing practice, showing up is how I can make it happen. I’m grateful to have it as a resource.

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  4. Ana Valentina Patton Avatar
    Ana Valentina Patton

    You know I’m right there with you on this. I do like the challenge, however, to choose that sort of revision lens that can force us to look a bit deeper once we’ve dropped it all on “the mat.” Working towards that level of depth can be fulfilling, I think.

    I also think of Liz, and how sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves and our words is just to let them be in whatever form they came into existence.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Amy Crehore Avatar
      Amy Crehore

      On days that I have the time and mental capacity to look deeper, I will. On (most) others, I just want to fill the notebook. One of the most rewarding experiences is to go back and reread my journals. Looking for those kernels when I’m in the right mindset and a bit separated can help me see a piece I didn’t realize was there!

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  5. arjeha Avatar
    arjeha

    I think that if I felt that everything I write had to be heavy and have deep meaning I would never write anything. I agree that just getting something on the page is an accomplishment, especially during March.

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