tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6432201290620111119.post2849455351052323301..comments2023-11-02T15:27:57.223+00:00Comments on Reading the Signs: The Distraction (on not writing)Reading the Signshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338983880105866139noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6432201290620111119.post-66416237766887812982007-01-14T23:49:00.000+00:002007-01-14T23:49:00.000+00:00Thank you ms P - and lovely to read this. I like ...Thank you ms P - and lovely to read this. I like how Zadie Smith perceives a writer's duty: "to express accurately their way of being in the world" which is perhaps another way of expressing the notion that writers should "write the truth". And she talks about what she aims for when she sits "in front of my computer."! So straight to keyboard, then. I also touch type but as I learned it in another life in order to be an office temp it took a while before I could separate keyboard from thoughts of dutiful secretary who types letters (I was that kind of a girl but the worm turned). And up to now, I would always write everything in longhand first, typing it out afterwards. I will always love notebooks and pens - and reading about writing. Something very odd has happened: two of my Natalie Goldberg books have disappeared into a black hole along with Julia Cameron's "Artist's Way." There's a message here if only I can read the signs aright. Ditch the spiral notebooks, and go straight to keyboard, perhaps? But I would still like the books back.Reading the Signshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06338983880105866139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6432201290620111119.post-27591187667586898062007-01-14T13:12:00.000+00:002007-01-14T13:12:00.000+00:00Dear Signs - I doubt that I will ever live this Ms...Dear Signs - I doubt that I will ever live this Mslexia business down. Never mind. I love what you've written here and I think that all writers procrastinate about how and when to start the day/project, whatever. If you haven't already, check out Zadie Smith's piece in yesterday's Guardian about what makes a good writer (also avaiable online). I trained as a journalist so learned to touch type and I've always found it easier to write straight to keyboard. I really enjoy typing. I also use notebooks for personal diaries and for observations when I'm out or travelling. I have special pens and like particular styles of book for different purposes. I'm also fussy about what I use for editing and correcting (propelling pencil for some things and pink ink for others). I personally don't think that any time writing is ever wasted - even if it's only a 'to do' list - as it's a way of organising your thoughts. I started blogging because I believe in the idea of writing practice (I'm a devotee of Natalie Goldberg) but don't usually like the exercises (even Natalie's). I preferred to set my own format and subject matter. If you're worried about blogging eating into your 'real' writing time you could try imposing a time limit - that worked for me. I was very taken by what Zadie Smith says about a writer's 'duty'. I've always felt that very strongly but don't equate that at all with gender. I'm not that kind of a girl - ask my family! I very quickly developed a commitment to my blog which I actually think is a good thing because it's disciplined. The downside is that it can feel like a burden (as can all writing) so I also decided that it would be acceptable to take the occasionally (notified) holiday from it!Pantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00712642194215828800noreply@blogger.com