This week's Sunday Scribblings prompt is "writing". I thought about how to approach it, what kind of angle to take, which anecdote to share. I decided instead that I'd rather step out of the prose for a moment and talk directly to the audience. Hi audience. My name is Robin. I'm a mother. And a wife. And an editor. And a lactation consultant. And a blogger. And a daughter and an employee and a colleague and a neighbor and any one of a hundred other titles.
What I'm not is a writer.
Writing is not my avocation, nor to be honest is it my truly my passion. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy writing, crafting words and verbal pictures, but the writing itself to me is a means, not an end.
I write to share my life and my experiences with others. I write to be part of a community. Many different communities. To be part of something larger than myself and my own small life. I write because I truly believe I would explode if all the words inside of me had no outlet. I am a "verbal" thinker. Where some people think in terms of pictures I have a constant stream of dialogue running through my head, just begging to be let out into the light of day.
In my "real", non-internet life, I'm sure it won't surprise you to learn that I am a talker. I'm always happy for a chance to share a story or an interaction. I find it hard to sit quietly and not jump into a conversation. I'm not looking to talk in a vacuum, though, or to dominate a conversation. The verbal give and take, the taking time to be silent and really listen, is just as important as the information I want to put out there. To me, writing, and this blog in particular, is another version of that same conversation. It's a way to put myself out there, but even more, it's a way to invite you all in. I didn't enjoy blogging nearly as much until I knew that there were at least a few people out there listening, and even more, responding. I think at heart I'm a closet exhibitionist. I get much more satisfaction out of exposing myself publicly when I know that there is someone out there watching. (I'm betting the search engines are going to have a lovely little time with that last sentence. Boy is someone going to be disappointed...)
So please, come in. Pull up a stool (they're actually pretty comfortable) and find yourself a seat around the island. The food's good, the coffee's fresh, and the conversation is flowing. All that's missing is you.
17 comments:
I feel as if I'd had a nice conversation with you already!
You have a lovely way with the written word, whether you consider yourself a writer or not :)
Great post!
I'm so glad I dropped in. Becca said it: Whether you call yourself "writer" or not, you are writing in an engaging way that captures the reader. I call that being a writer. I call it writing anyway, but if the reader is important, here we are!
CLAP CLAP, having met you a couple of times and talked to you many a time, I know exactly what you are like -- and yes, this is you. But you are also a damn fine writer. Articulate is articulate, be it with pen, keyboard or vocal chords.
Well, I just very recently found your site but I sure have enjoyed the way you write. =)
I think I've found this theme the most interesting so far--I love reading people's responses to a question I myself have give a bit of thought to.
And by the way, I think you can't escape the fact that not only are you a writer, you're a GREAT writer :)
You always have great coffee and great 'conversation'!
"I write because I truly believe I would explode if all the words inside of me had no outlet."
To me, you've rebutted your own statement - "What I'm not is a writer."
I'm also new to your blog but I've enjoyed what you've shared so far.
I accept your invitation :-)
I think you don't need to declare that you are a writer to be one. All your readers here, including me agrees that you're one great writer. In fact, I INSIST to tell you you are one very good writer whose style of writing I really love!
I wish I could sit on that island of yours and have a great conversation. Aside from giving long comments, I am also a talker :-)
Wow, thank you all. Seriously, wow. I really don't think of myself as a "real" writer, so I am really touched by your words. Just for that I'll put out some fresh-baked muffins to go with the coffee :-).
PS If you want truly excellent writing from someone who really is passionate about writing, visit Jo's blog (3rd comment here, sorry, I have no idea how to hotlink in comments). Her writing is top-notch. Go read it, and while you're at it vote for her short story too ;-).
(See, if I was a "real" writer, I would have noticed that I used real/really three times in one sentence! Egads...)
You are not a real writer but you still manage to hold outr attention with your post!
How very generous.....well you certainly know how to exaggerate LOL. And you are not only a very real writer but also a very real person, which is far more important! Jx
Each of our own special voices. Even if I live far away, I feel I can feel the love and find a connection, all through the click of a mouse.
Sometimes blogging intermediary voice isn't enough - so we find it through words. Your words gave that connection. That IS what writing is all about, my friend.
I'm enjoying your blog very much.Thank you very much for this.
wishing I could really pull up a stool to your island!
For a non-writer you write well. But then again I find that writer's also tend to be good talkers and love to tell stories.
A well-written post - but you do that so nicely - it's like you're speaking and I'm enjoying the listening to you as well as the thoughtful process of sharing.
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