Category: Writing

What is there to write? Or say?

I don’t have a clue. I don’t know what to write.

But  write. I try to write every day. And that’s habit.

Some of us do the bare minimum. It’s all that’s required. Why would you need to do more?

But some of us – they surpass the minimum every time.

And they are, in general, unforgettable.

For me, I like writing. I like the process of it. I love words. Words are infinitely interesting to me, and their interplay fascinates me. I enjoyed reading Susan Sontag for that very reason, her grasp and use of the English language captivated me.

Her style isn’t my style, though. I like to just write what comes to mind. It’s easier for me than talking, since it gives my brain that extra second to process, something I sometimes neglect when speaking, probably from talking too quickly, or just not giving myself the benefit of thought before opening my mouth.

Which probably adds to why I enjoy writing so much: it doesn’t leave me with regret, wishing I’d said something different.

I write. I might say I want to write better.

I travel. I might say I want to travel better.

I eat. I might say I want to eat better.

I live. I might say I want to live better.

What are these betters? What do they mean?

What does writing better look like?

For me, it means that I want to write in the voice that I believe I have. That I would want to read myself.

I understand maybe that’s not for everybody. Being better isn’t about being better for everyone.

But for the ones who are waiting for you, being better, it’s more than enough.

Write something. Anything. Create. Sometimes, that’s all it takes. 

Where does it come from?

When I’m writing I try to think of topics, and sometimes they come very easily. Most of the time, not so much.

So, I pull from what I know.

This goes back to filling the well – giving yourself input (reading, observing, whatever) so that you can be open to inspiration when it’s time to work.

We like to think of rightness as black or white. You’re right, you’re wrong. Clean, simple, settled.

Every so often, maybe it really is that simple. But in my experience, those moments are rare. Most disagreements live in murkier territory than we want to admit.

“The most wasted of days is one without laughter.” – E.E. Cummings

The enjoyment of life is predicated upon joy. barring that, life is scarcely worth the struggle.

Once again, my time in Japan has elapsed. I’m flying back home, to a pile of uncertain work that requires my immediate attention.

Oh how I long for a vacation.

There are these deer. And, you see, they kind of run the town.

Not in the literal sense. But, they do what they want.

Temples, tourists, traffic. All of it seems second to the deer.

But, i can’t help but wonder – is it good for the deer?