Today I found my inbox just TOO full. Sound familiar? So I went on a little hunt down into what I call the "bowels" of the box. This is the place that I "save" important stuff for future use, but it seems like "future" comes and goes and these "important" words take up residence here. In my search today I came across a newsletter for creative sorts that I get every few months. It's called "Root Notes" and it's written by Keith Jenninngs. I subscribed more than a year ago and for me to keep getting it, it has to inspire and have real value to what I do everyday.
I got this particular one in December. (Been awhile since I've seen the bottom of that inbox.) I kept this one because it made a major impact on me, as a writer, and it just had to be shared. It touched some deep convictions I have about my writing and reminded me of just why I do this blog everyday. It is particularly timely in relation to a comment I got on my blog in the challenge this week. It was very complimentary on both my topic and writing style, from a person who does not know me. After rereading this copy of Root Notes, it really hit home that our writing must be of a quality that stands on its own, without our readers even knowing who we are.
Keith also hits on a few more major points that make a writer say "ouch". Just the title is enough to make you wince:
"My 5 Artistic Sins (And How I Overcome Them)
He is a very thoughtful and insightful person. I love the challenges he sets for himself in his own writing. I think they are so important for those of us in this discipline, that in addition to sharing them with you, I am printing them out and hanging them on a mirror to read each day while brushing my teeth. (My readers know this is a time when my deepest thinking occurs.) So, for all you writers out there – here is the challenge in 2013:
And so, as another day goes by, it's truer than true, artists are first known by their art, and …..I have written.
I wish my checking account balance had the same number of my unread emails. I can relate.
Hahahahah! You made my night! What is your url, Arleen? Id love to visit your blog!
~Linda ~
lindabartosik@aol.com
this is great. it deffo can inspire the one to be more creative. I’ll check it out. thanks a lot!
This means so much! Thank you!
To write anything another person cares enough to read is such a gift, isn’t it? I don’t believe we write to express ourselves. I believe, at our core, we write to connect — with ourselves, others, the world we inhabit and beyond.
Look forward to reading along from this point!