The Messenger
Look out across
the massive field of
red bulbous tulips,
the same two foot tall structures
row after row.
And you,
lone tulip,
head held
one blossom
higher than
the others.
You,
face tilted
heavenward,
soaking in
God’s secret messages,
and piping them
to the earth.
You,
His messenger,
Remember this
When the sun
beats upon
your tiny shoulders
and you grow
weary of
it’s weight,
may you
find
the strength
to last
a little longer,
for the world needs your healing power.
I implore you. If you feel the calling, you MUST write. There are too many people who depend on you to share the gift you’ve been entrusted with. It’s vital.
Day before yesterday, I freaked about writing my dad’s story…What qualifies me to write it? How do I finish it when my dad can’t talk? Am I good enough?
There were so many questions and feelings of inadequacy. I reached out to my amazing writer friend, Bridget. She knows how to give a voice to others because she writes people’s stories. I knew she understood what it was like to reach a point of vagueness, or sheer terror, and feelings of inadequacy…and still she wrote on. She reminded me that if I didn’t write his story, then my dad truly would not have a voice, especially now that he can’t talk at all.
Today, I went to the nursing home and read my dad another chapter of his story….a story I know that has deep meaning for my daddy. I read it aloud to him, and he crumbled and cried. Was I looking to make him cry? No, of course not. But what this revealed to me was the power of hearing the voice of a vaulted man. This is a man who never showed emotion of any kind. This is a man who used alcohol to not feel pain…not feel emotion…in an era where men were to be invincible over any kind of vulnerability. When he cried, he showed me that he had been real and honest with me. When he cried, I knew he had heard his own voice out loud. When he cried, I knew I had captured the essence of what he was feeling. He had entrusted me with that part of him that revealed to himself he was human. I remember earlier this summer my dad had said, “You gave me my life back.” He needed me to be his voice. He desperately wanted to be a part of this world and to belong.
Lastly, when I left, I reminded him, “Daddy, you’ve done some great things in your life. You have left a legacy for your grand children and great grand children. I am proud of what you have accomplished. I am proud to be your daughter because you are honest and kind and good.” He mouthed the words thank you with some sounds, squeezed my hand tight fiercely and kissed me.
Yes, he made mistakes…some really bad mistakes in which he felt the deepest darkest shame. But the darkness had not defined him. As a writer, I got to reveal that the shame was only part of the story…that alcohol was the antagonist for a short time. But the real Ernest, the one who overcame the darkness had risen and become a victor in his own story. His reveal had provided a path for others.
This, my writer friends, is your mission, giving a voice to those whom can not speak or do not know how to speak. This is how we heal our world, one story at a time.
BOOKS THAT ARE INSPIRING FOR WRITERS:
BIRD BY BIRD – Anne Lamott – What I love about this book is that it gives the writer a “buddy,” a pal that can relate to your writing woes: when you write like crap, when you can’t write at all, when you stay staring at a computer screen…she helps you to feel normal. And then she gives you some great tips on how to solve these problems. It’s a quick read, and it’s stock-piled with HUMOR! This book has been giving writers great advice for over twenty years.
ON WRITING – Stephen King – This book not only gives great tools from a writer who’s obviously been very successful, but it’s laced with humor and how writing and living are closely connected. It’s been around for over 10 years and still well loved. That says a lot about this book.
WRITING DOWN THE BONES: by Natalie Goldberg – Natalie applauds the age old adage that if you want to improve your craft, you need time to practice and experience. Good tips on how to get the stream of consciousness going and leaving the editor behind. Though it was first published 20 years ago, there is still sound writerly advice. (quick read) She has several other books that are helpful to writers as well. Other books: One on secrets of writing Memoir – Old Friend from Afar ; and one related to her writing workshops – The True Secret of Writing Connecting Life
The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron– – Great way to start a wrtierly life -Morning Pages allow you to use your stream of consciousness writing and get rid of the editor. There is no focus or judgement just a commitment to writing a certain amount of time every day. You’ll be surprised what happens! You get real gold nuggets! (and lots of ideas too.)
Word Arts Collage by Peggy Heller – Though this book was intended for the use of Poetry Therapists, it also has some great tips and tricks for put imagery and words together.
Writer’s Market 2014 – Guide to getting Published – This book has been very helpful in finding publishers and agents, getting published in magazines and writing contests. It also has going rates for Publishing costs, Advertising & Public Relations, Business, etc. so you can get a better picture of how much it will cost to run the business side of things.
MY PINTEREST – BOARD FOR INSPIRATION, QUOTES, STRATEGIES
WORKSHOPS & CONFERENCES:
Here are a few events that I have attended this year or will be attending that I know you will love.
Inspired Legacy – next Workshop November 13th-16th – Bridget is a New York Times Best Seller – I have been to three of Bridget’s retreats, and they are worth every penny.
Why:
* Wicked tools to organize your research and your writing
* Tips and tricks of the writing trade
* DOs and DON’Ts of getting an Agent & Getting Published
* Special one on one with Bridget – brilliant, intuitive, relevant feedback
* Collaboration with peers – give and get feedback
(She holds one every three months or so. There are also opportunities for yearlong coaching workshops. AMAZING!)
Sun Valley Writer’s Conference – intimate setting in a beautiful resort in Sun Valley. You can make connection and meet with awesome writers all over. Next conference is July 2015. TBA
Destiny & Legacy Workshops with Frank White & Sheli G–
Destiny -This workshop is more for the business aspect of your writing/author business. What you will like is that they “get real” and they have a lot of business savvy. You will learn what’s working and not working. – This version is for women only. DESTINY will probably come back around in 2015. I will keep you posted.
Legacy 2014 – the men’s version of the above Destiny workshop is due to come out around October. As soon as I hear something, I will let you know!
Diane McKinnon – Live to Write – RETREAT in NH – I don’t know Diane, but I do know she is passionate about writing; and when someone is passionate and on fire, they usually have some juicy good things to impart!
LINKS TO HELPFUL WRITING SITES:
Writers’ Digest – This is a magazine full of writing tips and tricks and advice on everything from writing to publishing and how to get an agent. They have contests too. Don’t want a magazine coming to your door? Go to their web-site!
National Novel Writing Month – This is a tool for writers who have a difficult time being on one project and staying on one project. It offers you a chance to be with cabin mates who can cheer you along, and there’s a way to watch your progress through word count. How it helped me was to accept my writing as not having to be perfect every day. Get it down, edit, craft, beautify later. Get the bones built; put the skin on later. November is the big month for writing 50,000 words toward your novel, but the have smaller camps too.
Writer’s Reference Guide – This web-site goes along with the book version to getting published. Has the same information as above.
PINTEREST – BOARD FOR INSPIRATION, QUOTES, STRATEGIES
BLOGS I’VE WRITTEN ABOUT WRITING ARE HERE. (link is temporarily broken)
VIDEOS COMING SOON!
Writing Wings For You 