Friday, October 3, 2008

Kinetic Knack

Being a writer is like having homework
every night for the rest of your life.

Lawrence Kasdan

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Dear Spotters

I write every day. I spent my working life as a performing artist. Due to physical problems I can't work at that trade anymore, so now I write. I am amused to see that Google in its profile section under "industry" has no category marked "theatre," "film" "entertainment" or "show business." So I had to go with "arts." I guess that's okay. Artists have always been considered sub-citizens by the big corporate world, especially actors (except rich and promiscuous movie stars, some of whom are not "actors" in the strictest sense of the word). I'll settle for "arts."

By the way, you can also find me in all my amber autumnal splendor at:
http://wingstoart.livejournal.com/

Somerset Maugham said that if you want to be a writer you have to write everyday. In my case I write everyday whether I want to be a writer or not. I write because somehow I feel obligated to. I don't have a publisher or an agent tapping his impatient foot nor a teacher gleefully giving me impossible assignments. I just think that if I didn't write something and put it in my journal every night I would be letting myself down and also possibly a few readers. So I write whether I feel like it or not.

I often sit at this keyboard and know I have nothing to say. So I check the mail, go for a walk, do a little reading, ponder, take a nap (old folks do that), wake up and have another cup of coffee, while I try to put a sentence or two together. Soon I give up, hopelessly admit a blank mind and an uncreative day. It's pure drudgery. I heave a sigh over my lumpish nature and decide that I'll just leave a quote and forget about it.

BUT

Silently and suddenly, like a squirrel showing up on the porch outside the window, a thought comes to me. And then another, and soon there are a few that line themselves up in a good order, Some words pop up, a phrase or two, an example, some language that appeals to me, colors and sounds, pictures, a new way of saying something and a feeling. The squirrel becomes a deer. And then everything begins to circle around a main idea like planets around the sun, each sending out its own energy and beauty and light. The marvelous English language starts caressing my mind. I can't type fast enough. I'm in love again.

DB

8 comments:

Joyce said...

I for one am very happy that those thoughts come to you and that you write them down for us to enjoy. Love your new photo...you handsome devil.
Hugs, Joyce

Leigh/BlueDragonfly said...

And you do a darn good job of it! Your writings make me do some pondering on life-always a good thing.
:) Leigh

Leigh/BlueDragonfly said...

By the way-"Dear Spotters" very cool. I've also seen B-Landers. We do require a unique title for our amazing community, don't we?
:) Leigh

Sage Ravenwood said...

I'm finding writing at the end of the day helps me expunge the days stress. It gives me time to reflect and appreciate the smaller things that might of happened amidst that day that I might not of otherwise noticed. (Hugs)Indigo

Lisa said...

For someone who thinks they don't have anything to write you certainly do a fine job!! I thought only bar tenders were looked upon as sub par citizens, LOL.

Beth said...

Isn't it amazing how things will strike you? I'll doing something completely mundane and a thought for a blog topic will pop into my head. That Muse has a weird sense of humor sometimes.

Beth

Michelle said...

Your love of words is heartwarming, DB. And i, for one (along with countless others) am glad you take time to write each day (even if i am a total slacker about commenting... :o/ ).

Take care, my friend.

Chelle

Ken Riches said...

Thanks for plugging the "spotter" idea. Googlers is too generic, B-Landers comes across as bland, so for now, I still thing Spotters is the best (my appologies to those who get a negative feminine connotation from this).