Writing is a funny business.
I’ve just come back from the most wonderful holiday time, spent with my family. We went up North to be with my sister and her husband and son, and while we were there, our brother and his three kids came too. We have a rather extended family, and we are now living in different places, different continents, even, so to meet up is a rare and truly wonderful treat.
The three kids are like their dad: thoughtful, clever and so quick. They made me smile and laugh with their antics and their way of seeing the world. I like kids because they show me thing I have generally forgotten about. In the business of writing, playfulness is often overlooked, yet it sheds light on what truly matters: joy, peace and sharing love. I truly love my brother too, and am grateful to be reminded just how much his joy means to me. In some ways he has had a tough life, and I was so pleased to see him smiling and happy.
While I’ve been away Susan Finlay has kindly published my short article, ‘Writing is a Funny Business’ on her blog. I hope you will have a read of it, and some of the other articles in the series. Thank you, Susan, for your thoughtful support, over many years. It means a lot to me.
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April 29, 2015
Taking a chance on Life
Fran Macilvey 'Trapped: My Life with Cerebral Palsy', Memoir, Path To Publication, The Rights & Wrongs of Writing 3 Comments
I’ve had occasion to ponder what would have happened, if I had never decided to write Trapped. If I had never made the effort, gone the extra mile and stayed up countless nights crafting, editing and refining what I wanted to say, what difference would it have made? My muse is always whispering Go on, life is for taking a chance on Life. But I could easily – oh, so easily! – just have told that beguiling, soft, gentle, persistent voice to shut up and leave me alone, and what would have happened then?
Nothing.
No-one would have suspected that my sitting quietly and being good was growing more despairing by the minute. My immediate family would probably have borne the brunt of my frustration, and lost the chance to see a kinder, gentler person in that woman seated by the window. But, I would have felt my loss, and I would have said nothing about it and taken no action.
After all, as the world of realism will tell you, there are so many reasons why writing is not practical: it is anti-social; I also tend to work late at night when I should be sleeping; when I write, my body cramps up and I skimp on exercise; I use my life as writing fodder and there may come a time when my friends are loath to speak to me, in case their latest stories end up in my books; I cannot, if I am writing, and parenting etc, also go out and get a paying job.
But there are more subtle, urgent reasons which make writing essential. These include progress, learning what matters, awareness and empathy, connection with others, (some of whom may be feeling lost, alone and adrift in a world where expectations are complex and conflicting); the importance of personal power and responsibility: to understand oneself better and to learn what we are capable of. To feel joy that has its foundation in the decisions we take. To look back and say, ‘See what you can do, with just a pinch of courage!’ Writing and all that goes with it, has taught me about what matters, and has gifted me the confidence – at last! – to go looking for adventure in a spirit of optimism and determination.
I say that is a lot to gain.
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