Looking for the cow
It's hard to believe you could come up with a story so fascinating that you could write one hundred thousand words in its telling.
You’ll think of many other stories other people have written.
Maybe you'll have ashamedly thought, “What if I just take this story, and bend it like so”
You might think on abandoning writing.
Don't worry, you won’t come through with the story straight away. You will have tiny idea bursts that your brain swallows as fast as they appear.
These go into the vat of your mind and are stewed until little ideas start to congeal into a story.
This story is made up of hundreds of little events and circumstances; one hundred thousand words wont seem enough.
Wrap these circumstances, people, and events- these little ideas- up in an overall story. Any story you like, just tell it well.
6 comments:
i wish i have more time to linger and read your entire blog. nevertheless, i bookmarked you for future enjoyment.
thanks for dropping by my site.
It's all about how to tell the story, I agree with you on this completely. Great blog.
Like it, like it very much. This is my first visit . It will not be my last.
@ Hot Momma, Thanks for the high praise = ) I guess one of the good things about “The Anatomy…” is it’s bite size, so you can come back and take a mouthful as you want = ) It’s written this way, because even when dealing with a physical book, many people wont have time to sit and read for hours, they just need a little boost. With something that’s meant to help people, I don’t want to be telling anyone anything, but setting off sparks in their minds and letting people teach themselves by their experiences. Look forward to seeing you again = )
Teresa Baniaga is a freelance writer, and runs a blog called “Hot Mamma”, which you can find in the links bar, or (http://www.matheubaniaga.com/) It’s a great catch all blog, and has some of her articles available for viewing.
@ Jasko, compliments from anyone who is a fan of the Stone Roses, Iggy Pop, Sonic Youth and Sisters of Mercy are always going to be welcome here = ) Thanks, Jasko. I regard story as the most important thing to writing, the master to which every writer is bound; anything else just won’t cut the mustard.
Jasko has a blog called, “Jasmin’s heart” (http://jasmin-morehard.blogspot.com/) It’s a catch all, but often about his paintings. Check out the post, “To say or not to say,” http://jasmin-morehard.blogspot.com/2008/03/to-say-or-not-to-say.html JC provides a great point of view on whether or not to hold back in your blogging.
@ David King, Thanks, David, I appreciate your visit and comment. Thanks for the visit, and I hope you enjoy what you read on future visits.
When you check out David’s blog, “Pics and Poems,” (http://picsandpoems.blogspot.com/ ) pay special attention to his poetry. David crafts beautiful images, and demonstrates a strong hand in Haiku. In particular his haiku that starts, “Wind and rain all day…”
This is the first in a ten part series called “The Cow posts” I like cows, they’re very nice animals, to look at, painted on plates- anyone who has milked cows in winter will agree, that this is where they are best seen. This is, incidentally, where the inspiration for this ten part series has come from- plates, and ten of them. I cam across these plates in one of DT Suzuki’s books “Essays in Zen Buddhism” and thought, “Wow, that really sums up my philosophy on writing but I have no idea how to put that into words” so I did anyway. I hope you enjoy this little mini series- call this the very nut of it all = )
Tom
I have a thing about cows, too. If you read my post entitled "No Coincidences" you will see why.
I read one of Suzuki's books many years ago when a friend introduced me to Zen and meditation. When the Lamas and monks came to the college where I taught, I was always first in line to speak with them, ask questions or just watch as they created the sand manadalas. The experience left me floating for days. Although my religious beliefs have changed through the years, I still remember the teachings and the attitude associated with the whole Zen experience. So, I can understand how you relate your passion for writing to that utter oneness with the world that is found in such ancient cultures, traditions and religions.
Thanks, The Fearless Blog, there is a certain resonance I feel toward Zen and its practices.
When I was young I was involved with archery, competing at an international level, and found that the better I shot, the more shut off my mind was. Time didn’t pass, I didn’t feel the heat, I didn’t even know what the score was. I repeated one series of motions, over and over.
I spent years afterwards cashing that feeling. I’d try lots of new things, but didn’t understand why they didn’t have the same feeling associated with them. I thought I must be trying the wrong activities. I’ve written for as long as I can remember, and some years ago, I came to it with a serious mind. I was humbled by having failed to complete a book before, but found that if I just persisted with things, I could complete them- whodathunkit? It was only after I feel completely into a rewrite that I felt that “no mind” feeling again.
For anyone with an interest in Zen, DT Suzuki’s writings are well worth investing in. For those of you interested in the conditions of the human heart are well advised to nip over to the The Fearless Blog, you can find a link to The Fearless Blog in the links bar to the left.
Post a Comment