Writing

I don't feel like a writer these days. But even as I type that I wonder what a writer really is. Do you have to be published to be a writer? Do you have to write every day? Do people have to know that you write? And even though I can answer yes to each of these questions, there is still a part of me doesn't always feel like a writer. A voice in my head says I'm not creative like so and so. I don't have a blog that I post to frequently enough, or that very many people read, etc, etc. (Can you see what a personal critic I am of myself?)

I started leading another creative writing workshop at the Mitchelville Women's Prison last week and one of the first things I said to the women is "A writer is someone who writes." I guess I should listen to what I say and take it to heart.

When I was an editor I wrote. It was part of my job description, and I got paid to do it. But even before I was an editor I was a writer. I think I have always been a writer. It's something that is a part of me as much as my curly hair, love of dark chocolate, and love of the sun and a good book.

I have been doing some writing during this time of transition, looking for jobs, whatever you want to call it. Most of it has been personal journaling, but I've also done some writing for an online magazine, veritasmag.com. I forget that I'm always writing, whether I realize it or not. Maybe it's just typing e-mails or writing a cover letter, but it's still writing. I'm expressing myself through words on the page. In my mind I think I tend to elevate the title of writer as something or someone that I can't possibly achieve. That's when I need the little voice in my head to gently remind me that "A writer is someone who writes." And at the end of the day, regardless of what the words say, I can always find something to write about.

I just discovered ted.com. The first talk I listened to was Elizabeth Gilbert's talk about Genius. I enjoyed her book, Eat, Pray, Love and loved what she had to say about the creative genius. If you have 19 minutes, it's definitely worth checking out. Hopefully now I will take a little over the pressure off myself and let myself write.

This is my first experience with ted.com, but I'm fascinated. I guess it's been around for 25 years, so I have a lot of catching up to do! TED stands for: technology, entertainment, and design. Each year there is a conference with 50 speakers who have 18 minutes each to talk about their passion in these areas. Past speakers have included Al Gore, Bill Gates, and Bono.