Tuesday, August 18, 2009

CA 1 Inner Critique 0

Hello my faithful readers:


If you are looking for a posting on the kids, you might as well stop reading now. Today I'm writing about ME. Yes, ME the creator of this blog, the mother of those children, wife to their fabulous father and oh yes the WRITER.


So, what do I have to say about me? Just wanted to let you know what I've been up to recently. I have been feeding my soul by doing some writing that has nothing to do with my children's antics or even anything I think will delight you, my readers. Nope I am just writing...stuff. Mad scribblings in the middle of the day sequestered away in the bedroom. I ignore the persistent knocking of small hands, I take a deep breath and wait for my husband's gentle but firm reprimand, "N/L come away from that door. Mommy needs some quiet time, too." (God I love this man). Sometimes I creep out of bed to the living room on these hot nights and scribble 'brilliant' sentences that by the light of day appear to be, well average at best. But, I don't care I am writing again.


I had to fight off a big wall of writers block and an even bigger assault from the inner critique--man she's a bitch. I finally found it's just easier to let the bitch have her say. I sometimes go ahead and let her interrupt my work let her just spew all over the pages all the while I am secretly laughing at her, "silly bitch I'm writing down everything you say and turning it in to prose! Ha ha take that bitch!" Some might say it would be best to ignore her. Problem is, this inner critique was born of something outside of my and planted in my very soul when I was very very young. I have been trying to silence her for over 30 years - since I first discovered the joy of writing. So, I think now maybe I just let her have her say, sooner or later she'll tire out. Sooner or later She's going to see what I have to say is going to be worth all the blood sweat and tears. And tears there will be...


If I were a painter I would paint a glorious battle scene with angels and demons duking it out in a field of scattered memories and hearts. The angels would have the faces of all those teachers, friends, family, lovers, dreamers, writers etc who had inspired/believed in me along the way. And of course the littlest angel, with the biggest heart would be me. The demons would have variations on one face....


I've not been taking this journey alone. I've got the 'hand' of an old friend, Natalie Goldberg, and her book "Old Friend from Far Away" are gently nudging me along. Sometimes going back to the basics is the best way to begin again, I had forgotten that part of the puzzle. I forgot that I like to work the edges of the story first before diving into the middle pieces. It's all coming back to me piece by piece. I think this puzzle is going to take up the whole kitchen table and more, but I think I'm up to the challenge this time.


So, that's where I am. Oh, and don't you fret I'll be posting new antics of the Wee Wohlmut's soon. With quotes like, " I wanted a Happy Meal, not a Sad Meal" and "Can we brush our teeth now? Oh fank you! fank you!" I'm hardly wanting for material.


xxo CAW
MISS L SAYS, "don't bother Mama, she's writing"

2 comments:

Rois said...

Good for you CAS! I have been pondering doing some writing myself and like you it won't be about my blog stuff. I have stories in my head rattling around.
Love R

h e r e x a c t l y said...

hey hey sister. it's ya birthday! (the exact date?) and i'm thinking of you.

i love this post, love to know you're writing. how fucking excellent is that? you's good with them inner critic bitches, i know that firsthand. you've talked me through some nasty battles with my own from time to time -- i'm remembering in particular an excellent bit of strategy from you while riding a tri met bus... ;)

but you put out fires for other folk all day long. now it's your turn. i'm on the battlefield with you, c, and i'm honored to be one of the many who love you, and have your back.

xo mama!
your abiding berdine