Linette Writes About Writing

Hello, Readers.

This week I’m going to write about writing.

I like to write. But you know that. I write blogs each week, so I must like to do it. Otherwise why would I? (The answer to that question will soon be revealed. Read on!)

I also like to write stories. If you read my blog a few weeks ago, you know that too. I’m working on a novel…or trying to. I also enjoy writing letters, emails, promo ads for work… pretty much anything.

Whenever I write, or whenever anyone writes, it’s important for them to know who their audience is.

For example, when I write a letter to my mom, I figure Mom’s the one who’ll read it, of course. But I also know she’ll probably let Dad look at it too. It’s a good thing for me to keep in mind.

Or when I write an ad, the first thing I need to know is - who’s this for? Am I trying to get students to shop the Bookstore, or are we trying to appeal to a wider customer base? The words I use, as well as the length, style and subject matter depend on the answers to those questions.

But when I write in my journal, as I do each morning, I can write whatever I want, any way I want. Why? Because other than the Lord who sees all, I know no one else is going to read it but me. And I don’t care if my penmanship is a mess, or if I misspell words. And I certainly don’t have to worry that what I say is too emotional, too trivial, too blunt, or too deep. I can, and do, write about anything. Writing without an audience to worry about is a joy.

Ramona Czer wrote a book about journal writing I really like. It’s called The Tablet of my Heart – Journal Writing for Spiritual Growth. (If you are at all interested in journaling but don’t know how to start, I encourage you to get a copy of this book.) In it she lists 7 reasons to keep a Journal:

1. KEEP A JOURNAL IF YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND YOUR UNIQUUE THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS

2. KEEP A JOURNAL IF YOU WANT TO LEARN TO PRAY HONESTLY AND COMPLETELY.

3. KEEP A JOURNAL IF YOU WANT TO EXERCISE YOUR POWERS OF OBSERVATION.

4. KEEP A JOURNAL IF YOU HAVE STRONG EMOTIONS YOU NEED TO WORK THROUGH.

5. KEEP A JOURNAL IF YOU NEED TO DISCOVER YOUR GOALS AND MAKE PLANS TO PURSUE THEM.

6. KEEP A JOURNAL IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A RICH MEMENTO TO PASS ON TO YOUR DESCENDANTS.

7. KEEP A JOURNAL IF YOU HOPE TO WRITE SOMEDAY FOR OTHERS.

Six of those fit me perfectly. However, I decided a while ago that the 6^th one, KEEP A JOURNAL IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A RICH MEMENTO TO PASS ON TO YOUR DESCENDANTS, wouldn’t work for me. I’d roll over in my grave if any of my descendants got a hold of my journals after I was gone!

Certainly, I will save them, and reread them when I’m feeling nostalgic. I may refer back to them, and even incorporate parts of them into other things I write. But it’s better if they are not shared with all of humanity. No. That’s what my blog is for.

Which brings me to why I blog. Just as my letters to Mom are for Mom (and Dad), and the ads I write at work are for our customers, my blogs are actually a gift I hope to give my grand kids one day; “a rich memento to pass down to my descendants.”

You see, a few years ago I really thought a lot about what I should be writing and why. I know I’m not a phenomenal writer. If I ever finish my novel, it might be entertaining to some, but it won’t win any Pulitzer Prizes. I don’t hold any illusions about that. But I do love to write. And I believe that my love of writing, and whatever ability I have as a writer, are from above. It’s a gift. And as with all gifts, it’s my responsibility not to waste it, but to figure out how best to use it.

I finally decided, after much deliberation, that I wanted to write something I could pass down to my grandchildren, and maybe even their children, and so on, and so on, as long as anyone cared what old Gramma Nettie had to say. At first I called this collection of short musings, Letters from Grandma. I began with the intention to write one letter a month. But as is often the case, great intentions don’t carry you too far. I soon realized the deadline for completing my magnum opus was a bit far off. I don’t even have any grand kids yet. And even if I did, it’ll be years, maybe even decades, before they’re old enough to care to read my collection of stories, advice, and ramblings. With a deadline like that, procrastination soon set in. I needed something to spur me on.

So I formed a writer’s group. I’d been in one before, years ago, and it was extremely helpful. But it was hard to find people to join it. I got a few interested individuals, and we had a couple of meetings, but eventually even those people became too busy, and my writer’s group was no more.

Then one morning, without much thought, I typed “blog” in the search box on my computer screen. One of the ladies in my short-lived writer’s group said she had a blog. I wondered if having one of my own would help motivate me to write. Within an hour this site was up and running. I was a blogger, just like that.

My goal was to post once a week, and except for the last week in December when I took a little Christmas vacation, I’ve kept it. But that doesn’t really surprise me. I like to write, remember? What surprises me is that… wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles… people are reading my blog! I honestly didn’t expect that. And whenever it happens and people mention it or post a comment, I’m just amazed. Not only am I a blogger, I’m a blogger with followers. Who’dah thunk?

But, I still want this blog to be a gift to my descendants. It’s for them…my future grandsons and granddaughters. They may just be a figment of my imagination now, but I trust they’ll arrive one day. And when they grow up, and they’re old enough, I’ll give a copy of this blog and all the others to them… in a big fat 3-ring binder…or more likely, on a high-tech flash drive of some sort. However it’s delivered, I hope they’ll treasure it, as much as I treasure them, because I know I will.

That doesn’t mean you, my friend, family member, or stranger from 2011, can’t read and enjoy my blogs too. I’m glad you are. I’m thrilled, actually. Cuz, you know what? Journaling without an audience is a joy, but writing to an audience is even better.

Thanks for reading.