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In Honor of Writing (and Art-ing) Groups

"Turn it over one hundred times, and on the one-hundred-and-first time you'll understand... When you think you understand a teaching, when you have an interpretation of a story or character that feels comfortable or right, it's time to start over at the beginning."  

Vacation is letting me turn things over, turning over the perceptions, the interpretations I've held on to so tightly.  And, I know I said I wouldn't write,but there are some things that just can't wait.

This last week I went with my mom to visit the writing group she leads.  There were nine women there, all of us interested in improving our writing.  Each woman took a turn reading something she'd prepared and our indomitable leader offered us two opportunities for six-minute timed writings (topic one: the eighth dwarf, topic two: shoes).  The writing was BEAUTIFUL!  And here's what I learned from being in San Antonio, Texas, with a group of women I've never met:

There are people like us everywhere.  It is so easy to glom on to the attitude that I am the only creative person... that I am the only one working to improve her craft.  

My studio is small and cozy, but feels like a universe... but, I face it now: it is a universe that is all about me and my view of the life I lead.  When I'm working there, I imagine up and deep into the imaginary space of discovery, but I rarely envision the actual roads that web out all over our country and all the people that live along them.  I rarely take the bird's eye view, seeing that some of those houses contain people who have gathered together to learn from each other, not for money or fame, but for pleasure and growth.  Somehow, even in this ether-web of seeming to be connected with other artists, I needed a visual, a real-life, concrete picture of people in a room, sipping ice water and sharing the sacredness of creation with each other.  I needed to see the ensuing celebration when the learning was over, when the same women seemed to overflow with the joy of sharing and growing, toasting their homemade Lemoncello and licking Napoleon pudding off their fingers.  

I am inspired. 


Comments

  1. PamJuly 21, 2010 at 1:24 PM

    YOU ARE INSPIRING!

    ReplyDelete
  2. LindaJuly 21, 2010 at 4:30 PM

    This one made me cry in great gratitude, for a million reasons! I am SO proud of who you are and all the ways you inspire me. I'm going to forward this to the Thursday Night group right this minute, tears still in my eyes.
    THANK YOU for being a part of that wonderful night and for being a part of every one of my days and nights, Miss Zippetydodahdaisy! I love you so much! mom

    ReplyDelete
  3. KathiJuly 21, 2010 at 5:06 PM

    I am so sorry that I had to miss meeting you and spending time at writers' group with you, Day! I was in Kentucky with my newest grandson, and that was wonderful, too- I hope you'll come back to S.A. soon!

    ReplyDelete
  4. debdebJuly 21, 2010 at 5:58 PM

    Hey! Day! We are honored to make it to your blog. It was such a pleasure to meet you, have you be a part of our group and listen to your writing...and also listen to how you approach your art/craft. Your talents and energy are astonishing. You rock! AND roll!

    ReplyDelete

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