Writing down the Bones (1/22/2015)

Writing Down the Bones. I find the book to  be very insightful, not only for writers but for individual development as a person. She points out some very good things, it is brought up in Artistic stability that we all do things that make us a little crazy. That is completely fine and the "crazy" things we do help makes us who we are. She also mentions that just because someone else may think it is crazy that does not by any means make it so. For example, keeping a huge stack of note books of fifteen notebooks filled with your "random" daily thoughts. I say random with quotes because the thoughts may not be random to you or to those who know you but to the outside world they are just that.

I love that in several chapters she talks about writing being a process, literally and not so literally. There is something known as the writing process but writing in itself is a process mentally, physically and even emotionally. You start with an idea or even just a blank piece of paper and you just go. sometimes writing takes a lot of focus and revision in order to become something we see as fit for reading other times not so much. From personal experience I find that my best pieces come from when I am up all night stuck in my head or when I've had a bad day so writing becomes an outlet. However, there are days when I want to take things slow and revise several times especially for papers in my science oriented classes. Natalie mentions that the more you write the better you get, I both agree and disagree with this. In my opinion it depends on the type of writing you do because just like with everything else you will reach a point where you plateau and no longer significantly improve. Improvement can also be seen in several different ways, whether it be developing a stronger voice, better word choice or even being grammatically correct more often.

One of the best ways to improve both your writing and yourself  is to listen. Note that listening isn't just the physical act of hearing something but to understand and find meaning in what you hear. It could be a story you overheard in a coffee shop or the birds singing as you stroll through the park in a Thursday during your lunch. Whatever it is, slow down and pay attention. It makes life not only easier but more enjoyable in my opinion. Your writing will also come more easily to you, paying attention and getting details without really stressing your brain will help to retain information and help you to combine life with what you are writing. Whether that be a poem, an article or a thirty page thesis to graduate. Slow down, breathe and lastly LISTEN.