We write books and poems and essays to figure something out, to get through a bad time and to find meaning. I've been thinking about this cause I'm in Twin Bridges, Montana where I would ride my beloved horse Robin down the above road. When he died I was devastated, lost in grief. I wrote about it on this blog and my friend, student and vet Bob Goldman left a comment saying that there should be a book of essays about losing an animal. That's how the anthology CHERISHED: 21 Writers on Animals They've Loved & Lost came about.
The point of this is don't wait around for the perfect moment to write. Write your way out of confusion or grief or anger or chaos or whatever you're going through. Figure things out, find peace through the writing.
Below was taken yesteday with my stepdaughter's horse Kash.
Hello, you two gorgeous creatures!
Posted by: Denise Emanuel Clemen | June 21, 2012 at 07:13 PM
The main thing I guess is to be able to express what we really feel and put those feelings into writing. That's how most writers make their pieces and excellent ones at that.
Posted by: Snap Open Poster Frames Brisbane | June 21, 2012 at 08:08 PM
Thanks for the mention. I'm in Boston with a copy of CHERISHED and a copy of COURAGE & CRAFT in hand right now. (My ordered copies of A YEAR OF WRITING DANGEROUSLY have still not arrived but I plan on harassing local book stores about it.)
What a great tribute to Robin...again.
Posted by: Bob G | June 22, 2012 at 06:14 AM
I'm writing to you from San Carlos, Mexico where I'm in a legal battle over a house my father owns here. Thanks for the reminder to write to figure things out and find peace! It's hard to concentrate when you are filled with anxiety so I've written little. But your post encourages me in that even the physical act of putting pen to paper is constructive and can be an antidote for the swarm of worries in my head.
Oh that road looks inviting. I envision you mounted on your lovely horse, Robin. Thanks for the post and the picture of you and Kash.
Posted by: Debra | June 22, 2012 at 07:49 AM
Another wonderful post, Barbara, reminding us to write the sour and sweet. I wrote my first short story as a middle-aged adult while waiting for the results of my cancer biopsy. I wanted a story to explain my scar. The scar has faded but I still have the story. Then I wanted to write 100 stories over 10 years to convince myself that I would live beyond cancer. Now I am 12 years beyond cancer with a pile of stories that reflect my life.
Posted by: Laura B | June 22, 2012 at 08:45 AM
Thank you, everybody!
It's so wonderful having the Comment section back on this blog - I really appreciate the time you take to comment - and love hearing your take on the post and your own experiences.
Posted by: Barbara | June 24, 2012 at 03:51 PM
Hi, Barbara. Thanks for this post. I lost my cat early this year in February. Am still dealing with the loss -going through waves of sadness that come and go. "Cherished" will be on my books-to-be-purchased list.
Posted by: Catherine | June 24, 2012 at 11:36 PM
Funny, I was thinking about McCourt this monnirg. My own childhood was cloudy at times, as was his, although I believe his brothers and mother dispute the accuracy of his tales. Dwelling in the past is a good way to turn your life into a pillar of salt (like you-know-who). I have been making an attempt to let the past go and smell the flowers around me, even if I have to buy a bunch at the grocery store. Too bad, Frank McCourt never seems to have been able to discover how to do that.
Posted by: Saias | July 30, 2012 at 09:47 PM