Write Right

The Writing Life

Archives for April 2013

You Don’t Have to Say Anything

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Boston SkylineI wanted to publish these words yesterday, but they were difficult in coming. They remain difficult now. I’m not sure what point they serve, if any, except as a reminder that silence sometimes is the appropriate response.

I find myself without words when it comes to the Boston Marathon. I truly don’t know what to say. Any time I try to write something, the writing feels forced, fake. I refuse those words. I have seen them published in the past about other tragedies, and they will be written again. I want no part of that. The words have to mean something.

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When the Words Don’t Come Easily

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When the words don't come easily, I end up with a lot of trashed drafts.When the words don’t come easily, when I have to fight for every one of them, I take solace in Richard Hugo’s thoughts. He says the hard work put into one piece of writing makes for the sudden ease of a future – not subsequent but future – piece of writing. I keep writing in hopes of finding that “sudden ease,” however brief it may be. A brief moment of ease is like the first drink of water after running a race. Nothing tastes quite as good as that water. Nothing is quite as refreshing.

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National Poetry Month 2013

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National Poetry Month 2013This National Poetry Month, I’ve decided to focus on a few poets who have contributed to the way I write or to the way I think about writing. It should be an interesting exercise because it’s difficult to limit myself to a few poets. I start with one and find myself referencing another. I start with a single idea and end up with ten or more. The ideas proliferate, like rabbits or the never-ending, multi-colored scarf.

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