A few months ago, I wrote about heading out into the world
to write, and the little teashop I sometimes visit when I’m stuck or stalled—to
shake things up and help me see my ideas from a new perspective.
But most of the time, I do my best work at my desk in my
very quiet office, all alone, preferably with the dog snoring quietly at my
feet. I don’t play music, even music without lyrics. I can’t think
with external noise going on. The noise distracts me from what I am trying to hear.
I usually know the basic idea I’m poking/prodding/massaging
into life. I pretty much know the what.
What I’m trying so hard to hear in my little quiet office is
the how. How do I express this idea in writing most authentically mine?
In her wonderful TED Talk, Susan Cain affirms the importance
of solitude, how introverts like me should embrace our need for quiet time. I
learned long ago that I need quiet time and even a quiet life (a modest social
calendar without too many distractions) to find my writing voice.
But Cain also
talks about how introverts should not try to force themselves to be extroverts, and this applies to the other
side of a writing life: going out into the world to talk about my books to
other people.
This has to do with authenticity, as well.
This has to do with authenticity, as well.
When I first started presenting, almost 20 years ago, I
tried to be more ‘out there’ than I usually was—bigger, badder, louder—the kind of author who
quickly has a room full of first graders shouting back responses in a happy
chorus.
I LOVE authors who can do this, and kids love them, too.
But every time I tried this, it felt like a false note, a lukewarm imitation of someone else. What I needed instead, I realized, was to be the best version of myself I can be.
For me this means sharing my passions: the importance of
following your curiosity, the importance of being open to new people and new
experiences. It also means sharing my enthusiasm for being in awe—of the
amazing things people have accomplished, of all the possibilities out there for
all of us.
6 comments:
And that's what makes you a powerful person and presenter!
I can't really understand how I can be both an extrovert and an introvert, but I completely identify with your post. I am more of an out there presenter (cause that's who I am) but I need and crave lots of quiet time. I think the biggest take-home from this post, Barb, is to be who you are. And your authenticity always shines through. Thanks for this!
I completely agree! I loved having a March-May full of school visits, but that's because I've developed my own authentic speaking style over the years.
And now, I'm really looking forward to a summer of solitude--quiet time when I can dig back in to my writing self.
Yeah, I always love it when some kid comes up at the end and quietly says, "That was really good." I always think, 'kindred spirit.' I think it's good that there are all sorts of presenters who can connect with all sorts of kids.
Seems to me I recall that even that crowd-pleasing Jesus had to get away to the mountain top every once in a while & recharge.
Yep, you hit it spot on, Barb. Authenticity and nonfiction go hand-in-hand. You really can't have one without the other.
Post a Comment