Personal Notes

You're right, I haven't been writing much here of a personal nature lately. So here is a little catch-up.

I'm feeling much much better, almost 100%; not getting overly tired anymore and able to eat carefully and simply, but fairly normally - meaning that J.and I can eat the same dinner now, so long as it isn't something like spaghetti. Let me tell you, that is something to be grateful for! I haven't been able to bring myself to write about the experience in any detail, but I intend to - when it feels right.

But the main reason for the lack of original or poetic or ambitious-at-all posts is that I have been intentionally concentrating and working very hard on my book, and  - I'm happy to say - making lots of progress. When I started this sprint-to-the-finish in early October I had two sections (of three chapters apiece) remaining to be written; one of those is now essentially finished and the other is outlined, with all the notes in order. I've got a few more phone calls to make, a couple more conversations to have with the Bishop - but completion is in sight.

A number of years ago an editor gave me some good advice. He said, "Get the words down. Let that be your initial goal - just get it down. Don't' try to edit too much as you go because you will get bogged down; write down the words as they flow, then go back later." In approaching this huge reseaerch/interview/writing project, which is looking like it will be a biography of about 100,000 words when I'm done, I've tried to do just that, and it's worked really well. The next day, or the next week, I've been going back to cut-and-paste sections of a chapter to reshape the narrative, and do the finer editing that doesn't happen as I write. I start with a pretty clear structure and chapter organization already laid out, and then create the pieces. But this method keeps me from second-guessing the words when they first come out. I think what I've learned from blogging has helped too - which, again, is to just write -- regularly and a lot -- and then go back afterwards. It's so much less painful that way, and (I hope) the writing has a chance of retaining some of its original spontaneity. When I used to paint I noticed this same phenomenon - the underpainting and first gestures often had what I was aiming for, and as the painting became "developed" it risked losing that and becoming overworked - that was the struggle. Craft and technique always need to be at the service of inspiration, not the other way around, and artists need to develop a surefooted sense of what they are after - the spark, the high point, the moment or the gesture that makes the story. All the technique in the world can't put that in if you don't know it, feel it, keep it in front of you. But technique can do an excellent job of obliterating it.

You have to practice a lot, I think, and learn to trust yourself.

Comments

[Loretta]

Beth, it is good to read htat you are recuperating and coming back into your own. Your advice on writing and painting hit home on both counts for me. I've been eeking out an art project bit by bit, compulsively planning it because it is in a round robin with other more talented artists. I am just going to do it tonight.

[Tom Montag]

"You have to practice a lot, I think, and learn to trust yourself." This is the heart of any writing program, it's the whole enchilada.

Glad you're feeling better!

[Chris Clarke]

(o)

[qB]

It is good to hear of you here again, with words flowing all over the place.

[Dave]

Well said, Beth. Glad to hear the book is going so well.

[language hat]

Thanks for the update (and the useful advice). We're thinking of you.

[Kurt]

I've heard this piece of advice (don't edit yourself as you write) before, and sadly, I'm a slow learner and a compulsive self-editor. I am delighted to know, though, that _you_ are making progress--on all fronts!

[leslee]

I'm glad to hear you're feeling so much better - and getting near to completing your book. That's so exciting! Interesting points on balancing inspiration and technique - and trusting oneself.

[ruth]

hey beth, this is lovely and so true. there is nothing like the gesture that travels from our heart in the moment through our body onto the page:canvas:instrument. Like a caress, it will always be honest that way.

[ruth]

hey beth, this is lovely and so true. there is nothing like the gesture that travels from our heart in the moment through our body onto the page:canvas:instrument. Like a caress, it should always be honest.

[Natalie]

Hear hear here to all that. Beth, the dangers of losing something fresh, visual or verbal, by over-editing or overworking are all too familiar to me. It's a terrible struggle to stop one's self from reading over and going back to "improve" things constantly instead of forging ahead and doing the clearing much later. A gadget that delivers minor electric shocks would be very useful for putting a stop to such cowardic (that's what it is: not wanting to show one's self in public without make-up).
Congratulations for your book and your health's great progress. XX

[Natalie]

I meant cowardice of course.