*sigh*

It’s possible that of them all, my relationship with writing is my healthiest. I love it and it loves me, a lifelong love affair. Neither of us harbors unrealistic expectations of the other. Each is wholly joyful when the other shows up to play, and neither feels jealous when the other has been away a while. We are intimate, honest, no pretenses, no conditions; full of possibility and openness. Our encounters are colorful, expressive, portable. I can think of few interactions that so consistently provide such comfort, relief, connection, and insight. True love.

How is my writing already good?
–I enjoy it so much, it makes me so happy, and it makes me better. If I did it just for me, this would be enough.
–My writing for others is generally well received, based on feedback: clinic notes, Day of Care summaries, letters, cards, emails, social media posts and comments, and this blog. So I do some good for others with my writing, which is rewarding.
–I have a distinct voice, which I work to keep honest and authentic. I write about serious things and I choose my words with serious intent, for the most part. I try also, however, to not take myself too seriously when I write (or ever).
–I show up to my writing all me, all in. I moderate the BOOBS OUTness according to circumstances. I feel both humble and confident about my better output, glad to have it out in the world.

How could I do it better?
–Distinct voice notwithstanding, my style could be more polished, no? Not sure what that would read/sound like…I have a feeling the book will read differently from the blog?
–Conciseness. I think I’m getting better at this? Some see my triplet tendency as redundant. So I will ask more often now whether one word is good enough when I typically use three (wince).
–Discipline. Daily. Huh. Not sure what book work will look like, but it definitely needs to be more consistent than my writing habits to date. More on this tomorrow…
–Judgment. Looking back, I have been harsh when editing others’ writing. I regret this. I know how to be kinder and gentler now.
–Diversify. That Creativity poem post was super fun to write, and surprisingly easy. I thought on October 31 that I could try more poetry this month, but it took starting a post at 11:30pm to make me actually do it. And I feel a fiction niggle somewhere deep in my intuition of possibility… oooooo…

What’s already good about society’s writing?

Holy COW, the talent. My jaw drops at the utter giftedness of writers all around the world, in every genre. The imagination, vulnerability, creativity, insight, eloquence–OH MY GOD I stand, sit, read, and listen in awe too often to count. I will never get to benefit from all of the amazing authors’ works–I think that is why I feel urgency to consume as many books as possible–it’s more the addictive GOC (Glow of Consumption) than FOMO. BRAVA and BRAVO to all writers out there–STRONG WORK and WRITE ON!!

Utterly inclusive community OMG. Once again I nod to romance. I wrote to my book club friends, “My romance immersion has broadened my life more than I could have imagined. I connect with readers, writers, and narrators/voice actors directly and learn all about the art, the work, the processes. I have experienced renaissance sexual and relational education that would be hard to get any other way as easily or enjoyably. As with any good fiction, the empathic connection and insights I gain from these books is shockingly useful and applicable in my work and life. The writing community I have connected with through consuming romance is incredibly diverse, knowledgeable, and inclusive. It has all only made my life exponentially better, which I cannot say about many other things..maybe joining my gym.” I see collegiality and mutual advocacy in few other fields as much as among writers–they promote one another’s books, collaborate often, and generally just celebrate each other. What a fabulous example for other professions to emulate!

How could we write better together?

Stop with the banning. Or don’t, actually. The more restrictive and controlling an authority gets, the more it attempts to repress ideas, the more creative, incisive, and subversive the ideas get. The strongest, more inspirational and widely rallying ideas emerge in writing, and always find their intended audience, ban or no ban. So go ahead, ban whatever you want. See what happens. I can just hear my fellow writers: “Bring it.”

Keep it real, not cheap. Text, email, social media posts and comments, direct messages, etc: Fast, convenient, easy. Also high risk for misinterpretation. misunderstanding, and relationship damage. I transgress as much as anyone. Let us slow down and attend to all forms of communication with the presence and respect we all deserve from one another. Less ‘on-the-fly,’ more ‘I’m here with you,’ even if ‘here’ is not face to face.

More snail mail. Write by hand, send it through the post. It’s love on paper and it is priceless. Challenge: This holiday, ink your greetings personally, even just a few words and a smiley face. It will take more time and effort. See how it affects your connections.

30/30 tomorrow, my friends, woo hoooooooo!! What a month in time to debrief, can’t wait can’t wait!