An essay for anyone who has something to say and is brave enough to tell it!
By Jill Modell-Dion
A writer must thoroughly examine one's work before publication so others can judge and scrutinize it. Over and over, I read, rethink, and rewrite, waiting for self-approval to kick in like a light switching on. The words I select are like stepping stones. I’m building a trail of phrases and lines, hoping to take the reader in the direction I want them to go, stuck on a path, anticipating what’s around the corner......Stone by stone, brick by brick, the thoughts I pick must be quick and slick.
I ask myself these questions as I write:
Did I express what I am trying to convey?
Did I use too many adjectives?
Are my sentences so long that they fall off the pages?
And has the reader quit by now?
Writing for others takes guts and confidence, and if you can’t overcome the weaknesses that hold you back, you’re doomed to keep all your unfinished work in the bottom of a drawer, box, or closet collecting dust.
I discovered these thoughts I had previously jotted down on the back of an old card. They may have been an attempt to prepare for how writing, while so liberating, can be fraught with rejection.
“A pencil and paper are my weapons of choice. Hours are spent just finding my voice. I’m clever as a fox; I can write in a box. I’m mad cause I’m bad, and I love cause I’m glad. I write for the masses through smoked color glasses. A zillion of downloads, I pray when I’m done…….. But into the night, I scribble my words to an audience of one.”
You see, we are all truth-tellers of our own stories, written or spoken. We feel alive and, therefore, have something to say. Whether we tell the narrative about ourselves or others, or through our fictional characters, how we spin our tale defines our truth.
But there’s always that fear no one will read what I write. Will this mean I’m a loser?
Remember the concept of a tree falling in the woods?—If no one’s around to hear it, does it still make a noise? And if no one reads my work, does my work have value?
“YES, for both questions, and don’t forget it.”
Irrespective of your audience, focus on imagination. It’s essential for relaying a good story. Without it, the details are static—there is no motion or change, and all you have is a flat and tedious tale…….boring! But fantasy isn’t the only ingredient with which to season your story. I aspire to harness the power of the writing trifecta: imagination, surprise the reader, and, most importantly, memory tucked away in our brains' remote places.
My mantra is, "Having a good memory makes one a better writer.”
Memory is the tabasco of seasoning that fuels the story. It helps to reveal emotion, enhances the message, injects energy, and jolts the writer into describing details with more authenticity. For example, I present my little story,
There’s a Dragon in my Building.
As a young kid in city housing in the Bronx, there was a closet-sized space with a door next to the elevator on each floor. It was called an incinerator. It had a hatch, an opening to a slide down to the floors below. Looking back, it was not just a garbage chute but a means of feeding the firebreathing creature chained in the basement. Possibly, a dragon was forced to live there to dispose of everyone’s trash. As the dragon was starving and salivating for nourishment, it reacted whenever it heard a hatch door open. It was patiently waiting and ready to release the flames of anger.
At least, that was what I fantasized about.
My imagination, which I draw from to tell this story, is shaped by memory. It is clear as a bell. Clutching that chute handle and slowly opening it to the fiery sounds of a mythical beast is still real to me..... The sound escalates as the trash bag descends into the beast's belly as I slowly close the trap door...... I am fierce as my mother awaits my return to the apartment, unaware of the dangers of a six-year-old with pigtails, wearing play clothes, and Keds. I feel victorious! I am a dragon slayer of Eastchester Gardens, Burke Ave.
Don't underestimate the staying power of a six-year-old’s experience from over sixty years ago. I’m no genius, but I'm lucky to have the wiring to recall even the most minor details from decades ago. Memory is the greatest weapon in my arsenal of tools.
As a professional in Aging Services and dementia for over forty years, I have learned that the power of reminiscence can elevate a declining quality of life. Reliving one’s past—at least the good memories—can make one come alive.
Even faulty wiring can spark at times, making a connection.
So, what does memory have to do with the spoken or written words you create for your audience?
It’s simple. Drawing on personal experience gives you an edge, and revisiting past feelings can shape your writing.—I’m still that six-year-old confronting the protagonist of my story, the beast, while feeding him from above and afar..... I am the character who feels from experience, ....the writer of the story,..... and the first audience—the most important…..
My opinion only matters until I decide to share my words and thoughts with others.
So, to wrap this up, whether you write or enjoy telling a tale or two, dig down into your soul to find your most profound memories…Write from the heart, trust your gut, and hope others will be entertained and maybe even inspired by your words…..And if all you get are crickets, remember you have one faithful fan—your audience of one—YOU!
****This piece was written as part of a collaborative work with fellow writer Abdul-Hakim Works, aka Knowledge B. of "A REAL HOOD SQUARE'S PERSPECTIVE" blog, "HOOD SQUARE," You may read his stories on Aging Creative's blog as a guest writer under Knowledge B. of "A REAL HOOD SQUARE'S PERSPECTIVE" blog, "HOOD SQUARE,"
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