I’m loving my spiral notebook. I took the suggestion of Natalie Goldberg, one of my newest mentors, and picked up a cheap, basic spiral notebook to use as a writer’s notebook. Why? She suggests we avoid choosing a writer’s notebook “worthy of the great American novel”, but rather, select a notebook that will permit you to write junk. It relieves pressure! I’m loving it.
I’m also loving her suggestion to “keep your hand moving”. It is an amazingly emancipating experience.
Allow me to share another piece of “junk”. This was something I scribbled out in the car on my way home from a road trip to Louisiana to visit my grandmother.
Going Home
It’s amazing how quickly you go from enjoying a trip to ready for it to be over. I’m not sure when it happened — sometime on the endless stretch of road. Or perhaps at the most recent stop at a dirty fast food restaurant with abhorrible service and sticky floors. Perhaps it was later — as my weary body began to grow increasingly homesick for my bed, my soft, worn sheets, my own cool pillow, my own shower and closet full of clothes. Perhaps, I most miss the effortless ease of my kitchen — the homey snacks and familiar meals. I miss my desk — cluttered as it may be. But it’s my clutter. I can’t wait to see Bo — though I’m sure he’ll hold a grudge for a while; he, too, weary from his own, sad adventure. As the car carries us toward our familiar destination, I begin to realize it is the rhythm and routines I may miss the most. Awakening in a dark, cool bedroom. Emerging into a sunny, cheery den, greeted by precious, tired faces. My day driven by my own agenda — on my own (relative) terms. My children resting peacefully in their own beds & napping places. Lunch at the kitchen table — of coffee table. Solitude. I haven’t been alone in a week! Perhaps that is the secret. I can’t wait to be at home again.
It may be junk — but it’s my junk.
Keep reading and writing!
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