My Mother, My Cheerleader

My mother recently bought me Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear.

“I’ll send it to you,” she said. “After I’m done reading it.”

I had to laugh. My mother’s been a lawyer for all of her adult life. This means pantsuits, a name plate and a private office, her own secretary. Most of her time is spent at her desk, in her chair, on her computer.

She balked when I got out of college and worked odd jobs, farming, tutoring, baking, writing. I started and abandoned business projects. I moved around, taking housesitting gigs and living in my tent when necessary.

“Don’t you want something steady?” she asked. “A retirement plan?”

“Hell no,” I said, running headfirst into the next thing.

The truth is, I could never do what she does, and she could never do what I do. And that’s okay. (Strangely enough, I used to love spending time at my mother’s office when I was a kid. So many office supplies! Rolly chairs! Sugar packets in the tiny kitchen! My dream was to be a secretary and tap on keyboards with long nails while talking on the phone all day.)

That being said - my mother is my strongest cheerleader. She doesn't really understand what I do, but she always stands behind me no matter what. Without her support, this path would be harder than it already is.

Differences are places for conflict, but they are also places for compassion and growth. My mom and I engage with the world in very different ways, and yet, we have much to learn by stepping into each other’s shoes from time to time.

I probably won’t have time to read Big Magic until grad school is over… But I’m really glad my mom is reading it! Perhaps learning about creativity will help my mama understand the world I inhabit on a daily basis. Reading this book might give her some insight into the inner workings of weird “artistic” types like myself. And who knows, maybe she’ll be inspired to dip her toe into some “creative living beyond fear”!

Welcome to a Community of Writers

We live in an age of constant digital interaction thanks to our various gadgets and social networks. I'm no technophile but I recently became the owner of an iPod Touch, which is basically an iPhone without the phone. (All I wanted was a music player... but apparently they don't make them like they used to!) Thankfully, this strange Apple product makes listening to podcasts extremely easy which means I have been geeking out on past On Being episodes as well as the newest, coolest podcast, Dear Sugar.

Dear Sugar was an advice column started on The Rumpus a few years back by Steve Almond who later gave the reins over to Cheryl Strayed. Now they have switched over the radio (because radio is all the rage, didn't ya know?) and I am hooked.

Now, this isn't just your regular advice column. When you've got two powerhouse writers running the show, you better believe things are going to get interesting. Almost every show, they call up their friends to weigh in on a question. Luckily for us listeners, these friends also happen to be people like Roxane Gay, George Saunders, Steve Elliott, and Elizabeth Gilbert. Only some of the greatest writers of our time... So yes, these podcasts makes me giddy like a schoolgirl because it's like eavesdropping on a conversation between your favorite writers. We get to hear them being candid and wise and funny and it's simply glorious.

Which brings me to the point of this post: writers and their online presence.

The internet presents several challenges for the modern artist, but it also provides a communal space for sharing and connecting with one another - whether you're a Pulitzer prize-winning author, an avid reader, or a hopeful writer.

Whereas before there was a barrier between writers and their readers, that gap is narrowing everyday, in large thanks to the interweb. Although not all writers partake in the digital world, you'd be surprised how many of them do take advantage of social media.

For example, Elizabeth Gilbert (of Eat, Pray, Love fame) has one of the most fascinating and inspiring pages on Facebook. She posts almost daily about whatever is on her mind that day, whether it be an idea from a book she's reading or a thought provoked by a walk around her neighborhood. She usually includes an uplifting message for aspiring artists/anyone. Not only does she share her thoughts with the world, but she responds to her readers personally, encouraging dialogue between her readers.

Some other examples: Roxane Gay tweets hilarious messages all day and edits an online magazine, Butter. Jesmyn Ward keeps a blog. Joyce Carol Oates is an active tweeter. Even dead writers have an online presence! Raymond Carver and Sylvia Plath both have Twitter pages.

Although some can take social media to an extreme, I appreciate the communal space that it provides  writers and readers to connect. It brings everyone onto a level playing field, in a way. The barriers come down on the internet. Writers are able to communicate informally, which also allows us to get an insider's view into their lives and psyches.

Good art should provoke healthy dialogue, and the internet is a place where those conversations can be held. Thankfully, we can all be a part of this huge, beautiful, messy, artistic world.