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| Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay |
Some experts say if you’re not writing, then you’re not writing. Meaning, I suppose, that if you’re not “bum in the saddle”, sitting-down-at-your-keyboard writing, then you can’t claim to be writing. Because nothing is getting down on the page.
Please excuse me as I disagree.
The cracks of time most beneficial to my writing are those moments when scenes are seared into my memory – a snapshot of everyday life unobserved by everyone but me.
The slant of the morning sun as it caresses the apple blossoms, how the barista’s head tips just so, the three-year-old in the bank who starts crying when his dad folds a crisp ten-dollar bill. “You bent it!”
These enchanting pictures get captured in a notebook or scribbled on serviettes and scraps of paper. And if nothing like that is handy, they are safely settled in my memory in a file marked “For Use Later”.
Writing not only happens at the keyboard.
Even Agatha Christie was known to mumble through possible dialogues for her stories as she walked the lanes of her village, ignoring the reality around her while she worked out her characters in her mind’s eye.
My own sit-down-at-the-keyboard writing requires great gorges and gulches of made-time, not found-time. This is where the snatched snippets I've collected in all those cracks trickle - or pour - onto the page, to enhance and illuminate bigger projects.
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| Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay |
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One of Joy's favourite parts of writing might be those cracks of time. The ones where she observes captivating moments around her that eventually make it into her writing.
During this season, most of her writing projects have been put on hold as she contributes to Creating Community in Isolation with her Tea Time blog posts at Scraps of Joy.
I agree. Things remind me of other things. For example, "Wild Thing" by The Troggs reminds me of the summer of 1966 when Dad bought me my first transistor radio. I still can see the bedroom where I lay on my bed with the radio by my pillow.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Bruce. So interesting how one sight, smell, sound can lead to something completely different. I can totally picture you lying on your bed with your new radio.
DeleteJoy,
ReplyDeleteI think you and I notice similar things in our world; I'm captivated by what catches your eye: "The slant of the morning sun as it caresses the apple blossoms, how the barista’s head tips just so, the three-year-old in the bank who starts crying when his dad folds a crisp ten-dollar bill. “You bent it!” "
And yes, it all becomes fodder for words on a page.
Enjoyable read!
Brenda xox
Thank you! I think you are right, Brenda. I’ve often thought we appreciate similar things when I read your beautiful blog posts.
DeleteI love the examples you gave! The little boy upset about the folded bill was priceless! You have such a lovely, descrioptive way with words, Joy. thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tracy. And, you’re welcome. Yes, that day in the bank is so seared in my memory. I was chuckling for days after.
ReplyDeleteYou have a relaxing, calming way with words, Joy. I too enjoyed enjoyed the read--your blog here and Tea Time at Scraps of Joy. The reading went well with my Nighty Night Tea. I especially appreciate your comment about "making chasms and crevasses of time (being) difficult. But the cracks are full of possibility and fun. It's just a matter of snatching the snippets.” You certainly snatched some good snippets for this blog. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this, Joy. I agree that so much of writing takes place far from the keyboard.
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