Thursday, May 6, 2010

The thing about writing


image courtesy of photobucket.com

Writer. Me? Hmm…not so sure about that. More like someone who pushes ideas out of her head. Sometimes they land on paper or onto a computer screen,

other times in a brain storming session.

(This waffle pic ended up on the front of a worship CD.)

Then again, these ideas might find themselves on a canvas...



or a wall...



a piece of furniture...


or even a plastic container...


Then there are times when ideas get a bit scrambled on the way out and result in the removal of a windowsill or three by means of a powerful reciprocal saw. But I digress…


The thing about writing—good writing—is it has to be honest. You can’t hide behind technical brilliance or clever sentence structure. These things help convey a better story, but they don’t make the story. You do. Being honest with yourself can be scary. Being honest with yourself with the world reading along can be downright terrifying.

Your story doesn’t have to be factually accurate. Some of the most honest writing is the truth wrapped carefully within a fictional tale. But it shines through in the very best writing.

So today, I want to recognize all of you brave souls whose truth shines through your words—in your poetry, your short stories, your candid observations and even your sarcasm and parody.

Thank you. Reading your truths gives me courage to share my own.

27 comments:

Shark Bait said...

More like someone who pushes ideas out of her head.

Sounds like a writer to me.

Anonymous said...

Likewise, my dear. You do have a way with writing, and your painting/handiwork is beautiful. And the place you are creating in the world of social media? I don't know what to call that, but keep doing what you are doing!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

It's so true, when I read someone being bold with their truth, it shoves me forward on stage to do the same when I write.

Hey, did you paint those walls and do those craft projects above...too cool if so. I love messing with stuff like that. I constantly need to be a creating mode or else I shrivel up.
~ Wendy

Diane said...

Great pictures! Love the variety of color. :O)

Heather Sunseri said...

You're an artist with your paint brush and your words, Katdish! I want you to paint that ocean in my room. I could get lost in that.

Louise Gallagher said...

Hello lovely and talented and creative Kat of the artists soul,

When I was in that relationship that almost killed me, I didn't write. I couldn't -- writing is about truth and I knew my life was a lie -- I just wasn't willing to face it on the page. Couldn't, I told myself, because to face it would have killed me.

ha! Facing it gave me back my life. Writing it out gave me back my truth and integrity.

Love your visuals. And your writing.

Hugs

Louise

Bun Bun said...

Oh Katdish. That portrait of daughter number 537 is so beautiful! You truly captured her bouncy spirit. I am touched...

Huey, Dewey, and Louey said...

What? No duck pictures?

Sandra Heska King said...

Oh how funny. We're both writing about the writing thing today.

You are a writer, an artist, a creative soul.

And an inspiration.

I'm so glad I "know" you!

Cassandra Frear said...

Yay! Yay for being real!

If you didn't read my post yesterday about keeping things honest, I know you'll hear in loud applause for this post.

(Clappping now. Flowers tossed on stage. Roses brought to you. Enjoy your fans)

Kathleen Overby said...

Nice to see your other creative outlets. Didn't know you were that kind of artist also.

Um, Camel came closest. It's like we're all playing that old game "PIT" and @katdish comes up with a 'bull corner' on ............pork bellies - every hand.

Janet Oberholtzer said...

Nice!
Thank you for the encouragement!

Prodigal Jon said...

So true, without honesty writing is empty.

Maureen said...

She can paint on anything
the old the new the bold or the blue.

She can strips words from tweets
then re-combine 'em for treats.

She's a social media maven
the internets her own best haven.

A reader who's a leader, too,
she'll go to bat, this Kat, for you.

katdish said...

Aw, Maureen! So cool! Thank you my friend.

Michelle DeRusha said...

Your artwork is awesome -- love the sea turtle. Maybe you could head up to NE to do one of my kids' rooms?! :)

Love what you say about writing -- esp. the honesty part. Seems a lot of us are writing about writing this week. I wrote yesterday about it, and today have Jumping Tandem guest posting about writing and faith. Guess the topic is on all our brains these days.

Peter P said...

I wish I was at least 1 billionth as creative and talented as you!

jasonS said...

I love the creative process in all its forms: art, music, writing, etc. It's painful and rewarding, fun and daunting, rejuvenating and depleting. It's like a microcosm of a well-lived life. Wow, look- you've brought some writer out of me too. Thanks Kat.

Anonymous said...

You shouldn't question your abilities as a writer/blogger! I so appreciate everything you post.
I wish to quote you "Thank you. Reading your truths gives me courage to share my own." You are sharing that courage with others, including me.
You, my dear, are as unique as your title "Hey, Look a Chicken!"

Billy Coffey said...

"Some of the most honest writing is the truth wrapped carefully within a fictional tale."

I'm learning that one right now. So true. And so awesome, Kathy. Loved this post.

Helen said...

I am amazed at your creativity. I wish I was more creative. I so admire your ability to think these ideas up AND execute them. I suppose it is because you put yourself in all you do every step of the way. No wonder you are our social media guru. :-) We can all learn a lot from you.

(See. I remember how much you LOVE the emoticons......)

Cynthia Schuerr said...

Oh, you are such a sweetheart!
As a writer, I know I'm not alone in my fear, well, anyway my head knows it. But, with this post, now my heart knows it, too.

Thanks K

Kyra said...

Honesty in writing can be daunting and down right petrifying. It can be like standing on stage to deliver a speech to thousands in the altogether. But, you can reveal the truth in your fiction and it is strangely liberating. A piece of the writer always enters the work. It's inevitable!

Anonymous said...

I have been struggling with the details as I am writing my story. I find it necessary to color in the picture a little, which leads to a story that's not completely true in the strictest sense. Did I have on little, pink shoes that day? I don't know. In my black-and-white mind, I struggle with little things like this, because it's like I'm lying!

But without such details, it makes for just a shell of a story. You have to make it breathe a little, ya know?

Anonymous said...

Totally forgot about that windowsill! You're the best.

Rebecca said...

I love seeing your creativity expressed in art...I can't say I have the same talent, but it's still inspiring, as is your blog. Sorry I've been so absent. I need to catch up on my dose of Katdish again!

jake said...

I sometimes feel like I'm pushing my ideas out of somewhere else.... Wonderful post. I'm glad you figured your window out.... and You're a great artist, too!!!