I’ll be writing.

I’m writing this post on a Friday night; just hours before I leave my house at the crack of dawn to drive a couple hundred miles to a writing retreat led by three amazing women: Jen Louden, Susan Piver, and Patti Digh. My excitement is barely containable, but if I had to break it down, it would fall into three categories:

First, I’ve committed to do MAJOR writing in November. Yes, on the blog, but more, on the book! A promise made to myself for  a weekly word-count, I’m working with laser-like focus and heart-driven energy. So, the opportunity to spend eight hours in the presence of three fabulous writers and over a hundred attendees who are motivated similarly to me is gift beyond measure. I have no idea what I’ll glean from the event, what it will prompt or uncover. I don’t care. It’s where I need to be. And I’ll be writing.

Second, all three of these women are part of my 7.7.7 creation. I’ve had beautiful conversations with all three of them (MP3s available when you purchase the product) and in each I was compelled by their laser-like focus and heart-driven energy. I’ve met Jen in person because she lives close to me, but have only talked via phone with Susan and Patti. How great is this that I get to be with them face-to-face?!? And I’ll be writing.

Third, I’ve been collecting quotes the past few days on writing – to encourage and compel myself toward tomorrow’s event and what I’m about this month. Nearly all of them have reminded me of why I do what I do: because I love it; because I can’t not. When I read them I hear their author’s laser-like focus and heart-driven energy. I’m inspired. They remind me of what I know will always be true about and for me: I’ll be writing.

My next post will be post-retreat. I can’t wait to share that with you. In the meantime, the eloquent and powerful voices of other writers…writing about writing. In the meantime…I’ll be writing.

The writer’s intention hasn’t anything to do with what he achieves.  The intent to earn money or the intent to be famous or the intent to be great doesn’t matter in the end.  Just what comes out. (Lillian Hellman)

Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life: they feed the soul. When writers make us shake our heads with the exactness of their prose and their truths, and even make us laugh about ourselves or life, our buoyancy is restored. We are given a shot at dancing with, or at least clapping along with, the absurdity of life, instead of being squashed by it over and over again. It’s like singing on a boat during a terrible storm at sea. You can’t stop the raging storm, but singing can change the hearts and spirits of the people who are together on that ship. (Anne Lamott)

Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer. (Barbara Kingsolver)

There’s one thing your writing must have to be any good at all. It must have you. Your soul, your self, your heart, your guts, your voice — you must be on that page. In the end, you can’t make the magic happen for your reader. You can only allow the miracle of ‘being one with’ to take place. So dare to be yourself. Dare to reveal yourself. Be honest, be open, be true…If you are, everything else will fall into place. (Elizabeth Ayres)

Successful writers are not the ones who write the best sentences. They are the ones who keep writing. They are the ones who discover what is most important and strangest and most pleasurable in themselves, and keep believing in the value of their work, despite the difficulties. (Bonnie Friedman)

Take chances. You will succeed if you are fearless of failure. (Natalie Goldberg)

Did I mention I’ll be writing?

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Tagged as: jen louden, Patti Digh, Susan Piver, writing