Stretching My Wings
honing my writers journey and book suggestions
Hello friend! My name is Amy. I am so happy you have stopped by ⨠If you are new here, a warm welcome to you! This space is where I meander through midlife, connecting to my true self through the seasonal shifts and simpler living, and seeking my inner wise woman. If you are also on this path and looking for someone to walk gently beside you, I see you and am here. Letâs color outside the lines together.
I am incredibly excited to be attending Rosie Meleadyâs writerâs retreat in Tuscany next monthâ¨. In preparation for that, Iâve immersed myself in books on writing and done some deep soul work on my voice. I found myself more grounded, and the sense of stuckness I feel when about to take on a big project is loosening around the edges and breathing.
I got my first breath of air while reading Laura Pashbyâs Little Stories of Your Life. This book was like a hug for me.
Like me, Laura blogged in the early days and has a keen eye for photography. I felt a lot of parallels between how we approached our creativity, and it reminded me of those early days and how important photography was to me. I participated in 365 projects and ensured that my blogs always had only photos I had taken. I would bring my Canon DSLR everywhere and would always be taking pictures, long before the advent of camera phones.
âPhotography encourages us not just to look, but to actively see. When we look, we direct our gaze in a specific direction, but when we see, we perceive, imagine, recognize and understand. Choosing to pay close attention to the present moment and learning to maintain a steady focus is the starting point for a photography practice that continues to develop our ability to see, until eventually this altered perception becomes a part of who we are.â Laura Pashby
Upon reading this, I realized that I wasnât paying attention with that photographerâs eye to the same extent, and how much I missed it. This gentle reminder has spurred me to be more thoughtful about capturing a picture each day again.
In Natalie Goldbergâs Writing Down the Bones each chapter is a short vignette full of ideas and practices; from practical suggestions on tenses to the dos and donâts of writing engaging details.
âWriting is the act of burning through the fog in your mind.â âYou never leave who you are. If your a writer when writing, you are also a writer when you are cooking, sleeping, walking (âŚ) It comes with you. You canât divorce yourself from parts of yourself.â
This resonated with me. Many times, I find myself going about and doing life, suddenly words start to take shape in my head, and I need to get them written down. Inevitably, if I donât take the time in that moment, poof, itâs gone! So I have been trying to use the notes app on my phone to jot these thoughts in the moment, before that âfog in your mindâ dulls the inspiration.
Rosie asked that we âplease bring a book they like the writing style of; if you are working on a memoir, bring a memoirâ. I took some time to go back through all of the memoirs I have read in the past several years, and I was surprised by what I found: a definite theme emerging!
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl, The Salt Path by Raynor Winn, Finding Feedom by Erin French, A Rosie Life in Italy by Rosie Meleady, Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad, The French Ingredient by Jane Bertch and Hagatude by Sharon Blackie (part memoir and part mythology).
After compiling that list and noting the definite essence that these books embraced, I went back through my blog posts from the beginning of my writing journey. That was such a trip! So much so that I decided to have them all bound and printed, which ended up being 8- 230 page volumes! Not only is it a remembrance of my path thus far, but it is the best possible scrapbook of my family. When I hit purchase on the printing, I felt a deep exhale escape.
I realized that these books, along with my previous writings, all surround transformations; life changes that focus on growth, finding self, and the magical healing power of food. I think Iâve realized that when you are living a creative life, you are always learning, and I am excited that this prep work I have been doing for the retreat has focused me! How do you nourish your creative self?? Stay tuned for scenes of Italy coming late next month!
Until next time,
đ
Italy is always a nourishing place. Have a wonderful time there, Amy!