Written by Karen D. Swim
Yesterday, I went digging through my writing file. Not the nicely polished, edited pieces file, nope. The file. The electronic brain dump with snippets of poorly written dialogue and half baked story ideas. Some were so awful that I blushed with embarrassment as I quickly closed the file. Others were like freshly turned planting soil, ready for seeds to take root with just the right amount of careful nurturing. A few were so good that I had to check to make sure I hadn’t swiped it from someone else.
I was tempted to share the “so bad, it’s funny” bits here but decided to spare you. Tripping the light fantastic through my own archives however was less painful than I imagined. It allowed me to step back in time and visit with my history. Buried in the fiction were nuggets of truth pulled from my life – Death of a Fairytale, Confessions of a Schitzophrenic Serial Optimist (sigh, my title struggle remains consistent) – all revealed a little bit of me layered with big fat swaths of imagination.
I love writing. A peek into my files validated what I have always known. The end result is not always lovely but the process is delicious. Even the really awful writing is fun to write and allows me to shake off the dross to get to the gold. I don’t spend much time looking back but on occasion it is good therapy. The look back can remind you why you keep moving forward, especially when new challenges are on the horizon. My dive into the archives was like flipping through my running journal. As I logged the miles I only thought of one step at a time, one run at a time. Somehow they added up over time.
I did not delete the bad or mediocre writing pieces. All had contributed to the total miles I have run thus far. The good, the bad and the truly awful after all have gotten me right here today.
If you’re in the mood for some great writing on this hump day, I highly recommend:
Ladders on the Right Wall – a straight from the heart, thought provoking piece by Janice Cartier. The post and comments are brilliant and provide such great insight into moving forward towards the “scary ” thing.
Turning Point – Brett Legree is back with a two hanky post that will tug your heart and stir your soul. While the post itself is filled with raw emotion, it also delves into our corporate work culture and why it is imploding around us.
And don’t miss Kelly’s book review and cool giveaway, plus a chance to give a shout out to a deserving business.
What’s in your archives? Any surprises?
Alina Popescu says
Karen, this bit is so true! “The end result is not always lovely but the process is delicious”. I remember going through old stories, novels diaries and essays a few years back! It was an interesting thing to do. It reminded me of what had happened, of what I wanted, of how I’d changed to become the person I was when reading everything. It’s both therapeutic and inspiring and something we definitely ought to do once in a while.
Alina Popescu´s last blog post..A few lessons I’ve learned in Sardinia
Brett Legree says
Karen,
Thank you for sharing your story today – I have a lot of snippets laying about myself. Sometimes the very roughest ones are the best, when you look at them again.
Janice’s piece gave me something I really needed right now. And the comments I received at my place (thank you for sharing it here, as several people dropped in to say hi) let me know that I’m moving the right way.
One step at a time, we will get there.
Brett Legree´s last blog post..turning point.
Talonsqz says
Karen,
I enjoyed reading about your pleasure and acceptance looking forward and back in explorations and framing experiments in artful narrative; seasoned with hints, clues and nuance in the mysterious process of thrive, flourish and righting. 🙂
Janice Cartier says
OMG to the tenth power Kelly!!!… What Teachers Make… the best, the best…..EVER. I laughed, I cried.. I said hurrah!!!
Phew what a week.
Karen ,
Thank you so much for including me here, good company indeed. There’s definitely a humanity theme going around this week. And I am so fortunate to have such good smart generous friends. Ladders are moved…the climbing begins anew… so glad to know YOU are there too. Huge big hugs.
Janice Cartier´s last blog post..Ladders On The Right Wall
Karen Swim says
Kelly, you always, always have the best links and resources. I cannot wait to dig into these. Meet ya back later to discuss! 🙂
Karen Swim says
Hi Conor! Thank you so much for reading and sharing. Janice and Brett are wonderful souls indeed. The recent posts truly reflect the caring, depth and transparency that they possess. Both have more talent in their pinky than most of us possess in our entire being and both are loving, caring, dear people. It is a pleasure to share them with my other great friends here. 🙂
Karen Swim says
Brad, both struck a very emotional chord with me on different levels and for different reasons. Even now, Brett’s post and the comments bring tears to my eyes. Both Janice and Brett laid open their hearts and the truth made for powerful writing. Takes a lot of courage to do that.
Conor says
Hey Karen,
Tough reading to say the least. What courage and bravery!
Thank you for helping us find such great souls.
Conor
Kelly says
Karen,
Thanks so much for including me!
Best thing I have seen all year, which I have been dying to link to:
What Teachers Make
This inspirational blog is where the link belongs! You may not believe it from the modest title but it will make you laugh, cry, scream, and want to call up an old teacher. Best three minutes of your day, guaranteed.
And in the vein of Brett’s piece (but nowhere near as heart-wrenching):
The Kid Doesn’t Stay in the Picture
George Tannenbaum, whom I (stalk) adore for his wit, is also incredibly good at angry with a quick hit of irony. Great short post.
They’re both surprises that’ll make you think. 🙂
Regards,
Kelly
Brad Shorr says
Karen, These posts are incredible and span more emotions than I can count. I could barely get through Brett’s.