JOURNAL - MORNING PAGES

It’s in the silence that I experience my creative voice. Noise shuts out my inner voice or soul that longs to express itself. All I have to do is show up at the page and record three morning pages (The Artist Way) and I believe I won’t experience writer’s block again.

I write morning pages daily to enable me to write from the prompts at our Headwaters Writers’ Guild (HWG) meetings. Otherwise, I would freeze on my page. It’s not like I write anything profound or awesome like Harry and Alex but at least I am able to write something.

I remember Barbara Kyle (author) saying, “Everything can be fixed.”

If I view my raw writing as if it were a masterpiece, I’d never pick up my pen. I would have quit writing years ago. And I certainly wouldn’t write anything at HWG’s writing sessions. Allowing myself to write badly frees the writer within.

Whenever my writing is edited, I am reminded that writing is really rewriting. It would be wonderful if my prose or poetry never needed editing. Possibly, in twenty years from now, it might happen but I’m not holding my breath waiting for perfection. If I waited to write perfectly the first time, I’d have given up a long time ago.

The late Ed Wildman used to say, “You can only be defeated if you quit.”

It’s not easy being a writer. One of my biggest regrets is that I stopped writing in my early twenties. My inner critic taunts me. “Imagine what a good writer you’d be if you never stopped.”

I disregard the thought and just continue writing. I focus on the present and not the past. I remember that writers, write.

Last week when I met my writing friend Bonnie for lunch, she wanted to know if I’d finished editing my poetry book.

“No,” I said.

“Do you have a deadline?”

“No.” I shook my head.

“Without a deadline your dream will never happen.”

Thanks Bonnie for the kick in the butt. I’ve finished editing (hopefully the second last edit). It’s great having writing friends that encourage you.

BOOK LAUNCH BOOKLORE

YOU ARE INVITED

Book Launch: Stories of Prayers and Faith – Compiled and edited by HWG’s member—Gloria Nye.

Four members (Diane, Gloria, Nancy, and Ruth) of theHeadwaters Writers’ Guild have stories in this book.

NOTE: CHANGE IN DATE RE BOOKLORE!

Meet the Authors: Eramosa Eden Retreat Centre,
8178 IndianTrail, Rockwood,
(directions at www.eramosaeden.org)
519-856-0380

Sunday, April 18, 2010
2 - 5 PM

BookLore, 121 First Street, Orangeville. 519-942-3830 Monday, April 26, 2010
7 PM

HWG HISTORY - Ed Wildman

This is an email that I sent to our writing group on April 6, 2004. I'm sure Ed would be proud!

Tuesday, April 6, 2004

I was talking to Ed yesterday. He said that he really likes our group because there's no friction in the group and you can tell that we all like each other. He also said that we are supportive and kind to each other. I told him that he was right -- we all like each other and it is a good group.

He also commented that when he took the workshop from Natalie Goldberg she mentioned that in reality they were all to learn from each other. He is happy that Carrie joined the group (March 2004).

Ed said that he hoped that we would pass what we learned to others . . .
He also remarked that everybody has made improvements with their writing.

I talked to Ed 'cause I told him that he had a very interesting life and if I were he I would be working on a book about his life. That we all enjoyed the characters in his stories because he'd captured the essence of them. I told him, I couldn't wait to read his memoir.

I really like our group because each of us contributes and we all inspire each other. There's always a good feeling in the group. It is like we were meant to be together and write.

Blessings
Nancy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD!

I hope you don't get writers' block for another 10 years!

All the best from HWG!

Twitter Part 2

To re-inforce my statements on the benefits of Twitter, I share with you the following links:

http://bookmarketingmaven.typepad.com/book_marketing_maven/2010/03/why-do-i-love-twitter.html

and

http://onlinedegreeprograms.org/blog/2010/100-twitter-feeds-that-will-improve-your-writing/

JOURNAL WRITING

Since I started to post to our Blog, I've grabbed entries from my journal. I've written poetry, short stories, essays, and a novel in my journal. After I write three morning pages (The Artist Way by Julia Cameron), I then continue writing especially if I'm in flow.

Label is a poem that I wrote probably in 2004.

LABEL
If it weren’t for the sorrow in my soul,
I might have done great things
It’s not that I didn’t try
As much as I believed
The label that my family
wanted me to wear

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY

Happy Birthday Harry. I hope this is the best writing year of your life!

All the best!