A Writer’s Notebook

Just finished reading Ralph Fletcher’s book, A Writer’s Notebook: Unlocking the Writer Within You and I’ve already poured quite a bit out into my own writer’s notebook. It feels good. For a long time I’ve been purposely not writing because I don’t want to face so many of my thoughts. But it’s not just that. Somehow I started feeling like anything that came out of me and onto the page had to be perfection on arrival. I know better than that intellectually, but emotionally I clung to that hang up. Fletcher’s book really helped me accept how closed off I’ve become. I wasn’t always like this, but I’d say it’s been a good ten years.

What I liked best about Fletcher’s book is that there is no judgement. If doesn’t matter how good, bad or silly your ideas are. Writing is a process and most of what comes out might not be “good.” But what does good mean anyway? If it came from you, it’s good, whether it becomes part of a finished piece of writing is sort of secondary. You can’t ever make a finished piece of writing without being open to whatever thoughts and ideas are flying around in your head. I love that Fletcher shares some ideas for stories he’s written in his own writer’s notebook in their most primitive form. I’m thinking specifically of his idea for a story about a place where words grow like plants. He admits that the idea might be silly, but I think that’s the point. A lot of ideas sound silly in their infancy. We’re all silly in our infancy. But if you aren’t brave enough to be silly, corny, stupid, embarrassed, even ashamed, then how will you ever be creative? I have to learn to be open to this. And I think that will be the theme of this blog: Learning to overcome fear. I am terrified of failure, and I have to get over it—here and now. Writers fail. And teachers fail. Every lesson can’t be successful. I can’t go into teaching thinking every day will be magical. And if I’m not willing to fail, I’m never going to be any good at this. By this I mean teaching, writing and life in general.

So thanks Ralph Fletcher. I will continue keeping my writer’s notebook. And I will keep your book close by to remind me that being fearless means dropping the pretense and letting yourself be silly sometimes.

1,305 thoughts on “A Writer’s Notebook

  1. Can I just say what a relief to discover someone who truly knows what they’re talking about on the internet. You definitely understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to look at this and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you aren’t more popular since you definitely have the gift.

  2. Hey there I am so excited I found your blog page, I really found you by error, while I was browsing on Google for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a incredible post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the excellent job.

  3. What i do not realize is if truth be told how you’re not really a lot more smartly-favored than you may be right now. You are so intelligent. You know therefore significantly on the subject of this topic, produced me in my opinion consider it from numerous various angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be fascinated until it’s something to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your own stuffs nice. All the time care for it up!

  4. Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too wonderful. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart. I can not wait to read far more from you. This is actually a terrific site.

  5. A person necessarily lend a hand to make significantly articles I would state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and to this point? I amazed with the research you made to create this actual publish amazing. Magnificent process!

  6. Hi there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the outstanding work!

  7. I am curious to find out what blog system you are working with? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest website and I would like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any suggestions?

  8. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100% sure. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

  9. Thanks for the marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author. I will always bookmark your blog and will eventually come back from now on. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great posts, have a nice day!

  10. Nice post. I used to be checking continuously this blog and I am inspired! Very useful information particularly the ultimate part 🙂 I deal with such info a lot. I used to be seeking this particular info for a long timelong time. Thank you and good luck.

  11. I simply could not depart your web site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard information a person supply for your visitors? Is going to be back frequently in order to check out new posts

  12. Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any solutions to protect against hackers?

  13. Hi there, I found your blog by the use of Google at the same time as searching for a comparable matter, your web site got here up, it looks good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  14. Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *