Recently, I started a "blogging support group" on Facebook*, so I've met some new and really inspiring friends from all over the world who are in the same boat: Putting their creative work "out there" on a regular basis. I know this will sound super-corny, but I think of my posts almost like children I’m sending out into the world. When I finally hit “publish” (because it takes me forever to polish a post to the “perfection” I want it to be–I’m tough on myself like that!), I’m proud of them; I’m hopeful for them; I want them to find their way and to be met with kindness.
I think it’s the nature of bloggers, or writers in general, to drive themselves a little bit crazy with the whole creative writing process. I often think of Flaubert (because Sentimental Education is one of my all-time favorite books), who labored over every single word he committed to paper. I can relate to that (without the paper part), and I wonder: If he furiously and tediously searched for the absolute-perfect, most fitting French words for everything he wanted to express, then how can the English translations of his novels ever stack up? Did he realize that his words would travel on through time and change without his consent? The internet would have driven him NUTS!
A while back, I wrote something on a piece of paper and pinned it to my bulletin board: “What are you putting out there?” There is so much mindless chatter on the internet, and also waste-of-time movies, charmless TV shows, poorly written books, rag magazines…the list goes on. If we make an effort to put out quality thoughts and work, I hope in some small way that it’s tilting the balance. Along those lines, I'm trying something new here: Joyful Reads for the Weekend. This is a collection of posts that inspired me, or informed me, or I just plain-old liked them. I hope you like them, too. Please note that these are not necessarily "green" posts; they're just for your reading pleasure. Perhaps "Joyful Reads for the Weekend" will be a weekly feature for this blog--what do you think?
From my blogging friend Bethany, who inspired me to write the words above: Where Do You Fit it In?
Wise ways to live every day, not just the holidays: Generosity During the Holidays
Heart-breakingly beautiful (and found through the always-wonderful Friday Faves at Living Simply Free: Even Those With Nothing Can Give
From one of my writing mentors (although he doesn't know it): Slaves of the Internet, Unite!
Don't be scared off by the blog's title; my friend Connie writes hilariously and poignantly about parenthood: I Left My Baby on a Train!
Have a joyful weekend!
*Email me if you have a blog and would like the details on the Facebook group.
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