This Writing Life

Writing a book is an interesting challenge. Some of the difficulties were expected. Some not at all. Overall, I am relishing in the task. It is pushing me out of my comfort zone and demanding of my focus. My brain is enjoying the everyday arduous workout. Being stretched around concepts, being forced to look critically at my own actions and the actions of others, and to be understanding, forgiving, and grateful.

One of the great perks of writing is the necessity to read. To write well, you must read. Extensively. Acquiring this “permission” to read, without guilt has been such a gift. I am always feeling like I should be doing something else. Doing the laundry or washing the dishes. Sadly, this has turned my bookworm self into a guilty pleasure reader. Suddenly unencumbered by the guilt, and indeed told by Stephen King I should be reading 2 hours a day, AT LEAST, I am enjoying returning to the familiar world of imagination, mentally travelling through space and time. It is such a pleasure.

I am now in my second month of the Faber Academy “Writing the Narrative Non-Fiction Book” course, with the very gorgeous Deborah Robertson. Along with a delightful crew of fellow non-fictioners, who meet to motivate, assist and encourage each other. The sessions are always thought-provoking and enlightening. The workshopping of works is both personally enriching and a valuable resource. To receive feedback from a group of people is so helpful in understanding if you are “on the right track.” The set readings are expanding my horizons. Not only reading authors I do not know, but also looking at them from different perspectives.

Recently, and very late to the party…I have discovered Anthony Doerr. I started with “All the Light we Cannot See,” a novel set in WWII Germany and France. Following this I read “Four Seasons in Rome,” a memoir of a year in the author’s life. Working in Rome, with weeks old twin boys, and insomnia. I am now “listen” reading on Audible, “Cloud Cuckoo Land,” another novel set in multiple times throughout history.

Anthony Doerr’s use of language and his descriptive imagery is magical. I absolutely lose myself in his books. I particularly enjoyed his expressive “word pictures” of Rome, having visited less than a year ago. You can almost feel the oppressive heat and smell the delicious food. “All the Light…” left me a complete blubbering mess. Not just at the sadness of the story, but at its unequivocal beauty. I highly recommend, and am definitely intending to read more.