Today I join my fellow bloggers in "serving up a slice"
to the Tuesday Slice of Life (SOL) community.
Thanks to Stacey, Betsy, Beth, Kathleen, Deb, Lisa, Melanie, and Lanny
for hosting this meeting place each Tuesday and nurturing our writing lives.
I wish I were one of those slicers who looked to March with elation and excitement. There's a little of that, but there's also a lot of fear and trepidation. Can I actually do this again? (This is my sixth year to participate.) One thing I know for sure is that without the inspiration I receive from fellow slicers, I couldn't do it. When I'm stumped for something to write about, I stop and read a few slices. And before long, a topic for my own writing emerges. It always works!
I have several concerns. I'm no longer teaching, so I feel that I have to search a bit harder for small moments to share. I find myself writing over and over about the same things - books, book clubs, grandsons (that's a new one since June and January, but it does pop up with ever increasing regularity), newspaper articles, and emerging spring. I wish I could report that I'm one of those slicers who plans ahead, sees March coming (it does always follow February), and has written several slices ahead of time. But that's not me. And one thing I've learned to do is to embrace who I am!
So sometimes, I'll be racing the clock, trying to beat the 9 o'clock deadline that comes far too quickly for those of us who live on the west coast. And sometimes I'll be scanning slices in search of inspiration for my own slice. Sometimes, I'll post a slice that isn't my best work. But you'll find me slicing away, every day of the month, and occasionally something emerges that is my best work. And I'm grateful for this community that trudges along with me through the muddy mess of my less than best writing so that I can uncover the occasional glimmer of writing that sings. Because my writing life is here - in the moments I share, in the reflections and poetry I pen, and in the challenges and celebrations of my ordinary life.
I am experiencing some of the same concerns, Ramona! What will I write about! Like you said, thank goodness for inspiration from other slicers!!! Be sure and check out my slice tomorrow because it is an invitation for one of those days when you have nothing to write about!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first year slicing, and I am feeling a lot of the same fears! The "what will I write?" monster is very real, but I know that this will make me more empathetic for my writers who struggle with the same thing!
ReplyDeleteI had a convo with another Slicer about this last week. Look for slices hiding in the tiniest places. For instance, I know (when I get stuck) I may write about why I never hang up my jacket when my daughter isn't at home, yet it's the first thing I do when she is with me. Why is that? Explore these little things and your slices will find you.
ReplyDeleteI know that you'll be there, and it helps me, too, Ramona. You're right, it's not always easy to feel like the words are worth sharing, but they are, and I enjoy every one of what you name your 'same' ones. Write on!
ReplyDeleteIt's okay to write about those same topics, that's what writers do! Don't we all? I'm with you on concern will I have something to say?
ReplyDeleteI feel like this is old home week. I think I look forward to March just so I can connect with all of you! See you tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteRamona, I love reading your blog and all about your life. Don't let the fact that you are no longer teaching stand in the way. I think it's only natural that we have some sort of fear or worry, for I too always want my post to be good quality. Looking forward to seeing you this March!
ReplyDeleteOh Ramona - I feel the same way. When not teaching I find I have to look at bit harder. I wrote about this today and have a post for tomorrow that is similar - about the books I turn to that help me think about writing. We will keep each other writing this month for sure! See you tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fitting conclusion to your slice, Ramona: "Because my writing life is here - in the moments I share, in the reflections and poetry I pen, and in the challenges and celebrations of my ordinary life." I found that in writing daily for Laura Shovan's challenge that some of my work was in a very rough form but being able to release it was an act of fearlessness (painful though it might have been).
ReplyDeleteRamona, I wish there was a big love button to click on this post, because I feel so many of the same anxieties that you do. I, too, fear my pen is bored of the same old stuff I write about and fear sounding like I just keep repeating myself. I'm looking for some new structures to try out this year and digging through my notebooks for some gems. Certainly, if anything, we can just keep writing and sharing pictures about our grandchildren. Who knew there was so much room in our hearts?
ReplyDeleteDitto to All of the Above:)
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading your work!
Yes. Trepidation. I just decided today to commit. Thanks to Slicers like you I'll be venturing forth. Always glad to read your posts. It's like coming to visit! See you at 8:59 PST!
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