Today I’m joining others over at Emily Freeman’s for her monthly “Things I Learned” link up.
I discovered some things about my writing this month that I hadn’t realized. Not that I’ve taken time to do. much writing lately, and that’s because of another thing I learned.
….that 25 years worth of accumulation can’t be cleared out in 6 months. I can’t say as I enjoyed my summer this year. Normally we spend the season traveling, taking motorcycle rides, and gathering for family cookouts…but not this year. I spent the majority of the season on a long overdue project; to finally clean out my huge attic. I was determined to accomplish the task before leaving for Florida for the winter. It didn’t happen, but it certainly wasn’t from lack of effort. I spent day upon tedious day for months sorting, sifting, examining, and eliminating. Once back in Florida I was discouraged, feeling as though I could have done more. But then I realized something. I remembered that I didn’t amass this mess overnight. No, it happened gradually, over many years, bit by bit. It therefore seemed unrealistic to expect that all would be cleared quickly. So maybe the real lesson learned is that I need to remember to deal with things as they arise instead of shoving them in a corner, allowing them to build up to the point that they rob me of a whole season of life that I could have otherwise enjoyed.
..that there’s a name for my writing style. Sometime this month I read a blog whose author said she preferred reading didactic writing above all other types of writing. Didactic writing is writing that is primarily designed to impart information and is intended for instruction and teaching. Yep, that’s me…definitely didactic. Come to find out one of my favorite authors, Leo Tolstoy, wrote many didactic works. Although it has its place, unfortunately, it is also said that didactic writing can tend to be dry and boring. Oh my! I might need to take a lesson or two by reading from another thing I learned about in November…
…to not always write with the end in mind. Realizing my Florida library card was mistakenly sent to NY and desperate for something to read, I picked up a copy of Writing Down the Bones
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“to not always write with an end in mind…” oh that is good. Wow. I need to let that just sit awhile in my head and make its way down to my heart! So good!
So nice to meet you!
-stacey
I hear ya, Stacey. I’m going to be working on this quite a bit, I think. Such a new place for me though. Thanks for stopping by.
I have never thought about finding my writing style but now you have me thinking about it and I learned another new word! =)
My library card is one of my prized possessions, I love it and would get antsy as well if it were to go astray. But, sounds like you had a good book and good thoughts to come from that. I’m going to look up that title, it sounds very thought-provoking.
Thanks for visiting, Breanne. My sister-in-law just let me know today that Emily Freeman quoted Writing Down the Bones in her new book, A Million Little Ways, so I guess it’s just a new discovery to us. 🙂 Don’t you just love finding a new, great read? I appreciate you taking the time to comment. It’s wonderful to meet you.
Hudson Taylor who founded the China Inland Mission was famous for saying “we suffer from accumulation”. So you’re in good company!
Writing Down the Bones reminds me of the scene in Finding Forrester in which Sean Connery teaches his young protégé how to begin a story by just sitting down to type. I hope it works on keyboards, but they don’t have the romantic sound and feel of an old Royal or Smith & Corona.
The counterpoint to a didactic style is personal passion. Write about (1) what you know and (2) what you genuinely are passionate about. It turns lecture into inspiration:)
Your blog is beautiful. I’m in the process of setting up a self hosted blog on WP.org. I’m not thrilled about starting all over again on another site, but I love the features of the new theme and Genesis framework.
Blessings,
Kelly
Thank you so much for your comment, Kelly. Great quote from Hudson Taylor. I need to mount that above the door that leads to my attic! Also great advice about personal passion. I’m pretty passionate about God’s Word so hopefully I’m okay. 🙂 How exciting that you’re setting up a new self-hosted site. My sister-in-law just did that (www.patriciafisherdesigns.com) and she learned so, so much in the process. It was a lot of work, but she’s very happy with the new freedom and the endless plug-ins available. I’m excited to see yours… I’ll keep checking. Bless you, and again…thanks for the visit.
I need to write without a destination this week. I am totally blocked and so I’m doing nothing! Thank you for the insight from the books you’ve read!
I’ll be doing this more too, I’m sure. I’m for anything that can help work through blockage. Thanks for the visit and comment. I just like you, Emily. 🙂
Lisa,
Thanks for visiting my blog…I enjoyed reading your list and learning more about you…I’m probably also didactic…I wish I loved to organize like you…and I say if you love making those charts for your photo challenge, then keep doing it 🙂 Blessings to you, and glad we “met” 🙂
Thanks, Dolly. I appreciate you stopping by, and thanks for the encouragement.