Day 14 - Passion
Though I am glad to be writing again, I am disappointed with what I'm writing. I've not written many posts of substance on this blog. My writing thus far (with a few exceptions) has lacked focus, direction, purpose (other than just putting something on the page), and passion.
Passion is what prompted tonight's post...specifically one woman's passion in using her gift. That woman is Crystal Bowersox. I am embarassed to admit that I've become a watcher of American Idol. I place all of the blame for this (in good humor, of course) on a good friend of mine who loves the show and implored me, many times, to watch. Early in the season I watched an episode of auditions, and the one thing I liked about it was hearing people's stories before they sang; I was specifically impacted by Crystal Bowersox. Crystal is a 24 year old single mom from Chicago who is gifted with (among other things) a remarkable voice. She is blessed with natural, raw talent - but she has another gift: passion. In her very first Idol interview, her passion for her son was evident. And in every single performance I have seen this woman deliver, she radiates passion. Crystal is a gifted musician, and she loves using her gift. My favorite example is her rendition of "People Get Ready" seen here. I have been stirred at least as much by her passion as by her singing (and her singing is truly, truly amazing).
That's what I want from my writing. I want passion to radiate from my words. Part of the problem is that I haven't really applied myself to this "assignment" (the blog) in many cases...last night's post is the perfect example. It was an afterthought; I was tired, I wanted to go to bed, I was writing only because I had to...and while I am glad that I'm dedicated to this venture, I want more from it. I want it to be thoughtful. And thought-provoking. Profound. Passionate! I want to love using what I have long considered to be my gift. I supposed it's true with anything you set out to do; the more you put into it, the more you get from it. I know it's true of my faith and my relationship with the Lord. Now I know that it is also true of my writing and my relationship with the written word. So, I need to raise my challenge to another level...I need to care more about it. I need to invest more in it. While I see the value in just writing every day, even if it is simply "I don't know what to write," I want more from this exercise. I want this to go somewhere. On day one I wrote that my motive was simply to write, but truth be told, I want readers. I want people to want to read what I write. I want to engage others. I don't want to just be a person writing; I want to be a writer. My definition of being a writer includes the caveat that people want to read my writing.
I believe that to raise my writing to a higher level I necessarily need to raise my vulnerability as well. Thus, I've decided to share this blog with a wider audience, and in doing so I hope to actually engage an audience. Currently only three people other than myself knows this exists, and to my knowledge none of them reads it regularly. So, as soon as this post is published, I'll be emailing links to several others whom I believe might take an interest in this venture and in challenging me. If you're reading this, I'm inviting you to become part of this journey with me. I'm asking you to comment on this or any other post...and here's where it get good (for you; scary for me!)... I want you to challenge me; whether it be critiques of my writing, proposing topics you'd like me to write about, or challenging me in some other way you dream up! Help me make this something that people want to read; help me become a better, more passionate writer. I'm waiting...
Passion is what prompted tonight's post...specifically one woman's passion in using her gift. That woman is Crystal Bowersox. I am embarassed to admit that I've become a watcher of American Idol. I place all of the blame for this (in good humor, of course) on a good friend of mine who loves the show and implored me, many times, to watch. Early in the season I watched an episode of auditions, and the one thing I liked about it was hearing people's stories before they sang; I was specifically impacted by Crystal Bowersox. Crystal is a 24 year old single mom from Chicago who is gifted with (among other things) a remarkable voice. She is blessed with natural, raw talent - but she has another gift: passion. In her very first Idol interview, her passion for her son was evident. And in every single performance I have seen this woman deliver, she radiates passion. Crystal is a gifted musician, and she loves using her gift. My favorite example is her rendition of "People Get Ready" seen here. I have been stirred at least as much by her passion as by her singing (and her singing is truly, truly amazing).
That's what I want from my writing. I want passion to radiate from my words. Part of the problem is that I haven't really applied myself to this "assignment" (the blog) in many cases...last night's post is the perfect example. It was an afterthought; I was tired, I wanted to go to bed, I was writing only because I had to...and while I am glad that I'm dedicated to this venture, I want more from it. I want it to be thoughtful. And thought-provoking. Profound. Passionate! I want to love using what I have long considered to be my gift. I supposed it's true with anything you set out to do; the more you put into it, the more you get from it. I know it's true of my faith and my relationship with the Lord. Now I know that it is also true of my writing and my relationship with the written word. So, I need to raise my challenge to another level...I need to care more about it. I need to invest more in it. While I see the value in just writing every day, even if it is simply "I don't know what to write," I want more from this exercise. I want this to go somewhere. On day one I wrote that my motive was simply to write, but truth be told, I want readers. I want people to want to read what I write. I want to engage others. I don't want to just be a person writing; I want to be a writer. My definition of being a writer includes the caveat that people want to read my writing.
I believe that to raise my writing to a higher level I necessarily need to raise my vulnerability as well. Thus, I've decided to share this blog with a wider audience, and in doing so I hope to actually engage an audience. Currently only three people other than myself knows this exists, and to my knowledge none of them reads it regularly. So, as soon as this post is published, I'll be emailing links to several others whom I believe might take an interest in this venture and in challenging me. If you're reading this, I'm inviting you to become part of this journey with me. I'm asking you to comment on this or any other post...and here's where it get good (for you; scary for me!)... I want you to challenge me; whether it be critiques of my writing, proposing topics you'd like me to write about, or challenging me in some other way you dream up! Help me make this something that people want to read; help me become a better, more passionate writer. I'm waiting...
I have read the posts and I will continue to read--you have great style, a SERIOUS flair for word usage and it is just generally fun to read.
ReplyDeleteI am utterly surprised with how many of your opinions mimic my own- I really did not realize we had that much in common other than DH's that are brothers!!! Keep up the hard work!
I am going to be looking EVERYDAY!!!! so Write write write! Once the daily process gets ingrained the passion will follow-think of these two weeks as the summer before your freshman year and then college started and the writing just takes off (well for me anyway...)SO keep it coming! You have lots to say and I for one really want to hear it!!
Hugs form the Gilberts East!
Esdg
Oh girl, don't worry, you're in my Google Reader, so I'm keeping-up with every post! =) So here's my idea: Why don't you challenge yourself to reading more books, say, a book a week. Aren't writers supposed to be big readers in order to learn how to write? Maybe you can read things within the genre of what you want to write and/or just any other good writing you're interested in. You could do book reviews/critiques on here. It would give you something to write critically about on the blog as well as exposure to other writing to help you become a good writer. And I always love to hear about good books! =)
ReplyDeleteEmily, while I think the books are a great idea...I am the world's SLOWEST reader!! My problem is that I really read and dissect every word, and reread anything that I really like or don't quite get the first time. I'm currently reading a book called A Million Miles for a Thousand Years...I have 40 pages to go and I checked it out from the library on March 13th!! So, a book a week? Not a chance! ;)
ReplyDelete