The Beat Goes On

Well can't compare to last week's blog of a mechanical bull, Nashville and Alabama. this week back to my usual schedule of writing, exercise, classes and working at the gym. Luckily I had scheduled myself a body work session last Monday as I was limping thru the day after the whirlwind of traveling over the weekend. Natalie Goldberg's class continues to amaze. It is different than any other class I have taken.... She does not critique our work; her aim is to build our "writer's spine" by imprinting upon us the importance of daily writing practice; and to allow our "wild mind" to surface - not judging whether what we write is good or bad. She believes that the inner critic is what shuts down writers more often than not and is responsible for many budding writers to quit their craft. I must say that it is a relief to read what I've written and know that I'm not going to get any critical feedback (I get enough of that in other classes); just commentary on the phrases, words, images that people like the most. Natalie studied with a Zen Master for seven years in Minneapolis, MN, and uses meditation on a daily basis to improve her concentration, focus and ability to be fully present to her mind.

On my coffee table I have all things Natalie: here's the list of books of hers I've read so far: "Long, quiet highway", "Banana Rose", "Thunder and Lightening", "Wild Mind" - and two I've just started: "Writing down the Bones" (actually her first book and most well known), and most recent, "Old Friend from Far Away". She said in the last class that by reading we can align ourselves with great writers, maybe some of their talent can rub off on us. I think it's a good sign that we both share some favorite authors - Carson McCullers is one of them.

I wish I had kept a book diary and recorded every book that I've read - with a little synopsis of what I thought about it. I think it would reveal alot about where I was in my life at the time I read it - highlighting issues and dilemnas. But I guess it's never too late to start. As usual I have about five books that I'm in the middle of: "Departures" by Paul Zweig (a memoir), "Our Losing Season" - Pat Conroy, "Writing down the Bones" - Natalie Goldberg and a book of essays by Charles Baxter on developing subplot in stories. Sort of like the way that I am with my knitting projects but the books are more of a constant and not so dependent on the cool weather to inspire me...

I'm off to a rewrite of a piece I did last week - it didn't get rave reviews - I have some serious revisions to do. Later on to Santa Fe to sit in Natalie's class and soak up her words hoping that they will serve as a springboard for my own writing.