It’s Friday! And here are five things on my mind. (This may become a semi-regular blog feature, for those weeks when I’m struggling with writer’s block.)
- Ellis Peters’ detective series The Cadfael Chronicles. I’ve been recommending these books as perfect escape reading, to all my friends who ask and occasionally to those who don’t. This series features Brother Cadfael, a 12th-century Welsh monk who doubles as a detective. I know, I know, it sounds ludicrous–but trust me. It works. Pros: cozy, atmospheric, historical, satisfying and wholesome. Cons: slow-moving, some archaic language (they are set in medieval England, after all), and formulaic.
- Editing. I wrote a creative nonfiction essay that’s been patiently awaiting revision for about three years now. I’ve had three trusted writer friends look at it, and they’ve all told me the same thing: the beginning is great, and the resolution feels forced and inauthentic. I agree, and I have some ideas for moving forward thanks to their feedback, but still–there it sits, untouched. I could say it’s because I’m working on other things, and that would be true. But the deeper reason is that I’m scared. I’m scared to revisit the emotions of the story I shared. I’m scared I don’t have what it takes to make the ending ring emotionally true and pull everything into a cohesive whole. Most of all, I’m scared that the story doesn’t have the redemptive ending I so desperately tried to give it, and if that’s the case, is there any point in me publishing (read: trying to publish) the story at all?
- Judging the morality behind a person’s beliefs about COVID-19. Hold on to your hats, because I can get real passionate about this one. I’m tired of people who support shelter-in-place orders claiming that those who don’t are selfish and heartless. I’m tired of people who don’t support shelter-in-place orders claiming that those who do are fearful and undiscerning/apathetic. None of us have the knowledge to make those sweeping claims in our own heads, let alone broadcast them all over the Internet. Do you know a specific individual you’re disagreeing with? Have you asked that specific individual why they believe the things they do? No? Then, in the case of the coronavirus where the facts are still being compiled, and sometimes hard to ascertain, you can’t judge that individual’s morality.
- Fear. There’s healthy, God-given fear, designed to protect us from danger. Then there’s unhealthy fear, the kind that keeps us paralyzed and/or makes us controlling. One is good, the other is bad. Let’s remember this in regards to COVID-19, and not dismiss all fear as sin. And let’s remember that, as my friend Rachel pointed out, some people fear government control and intrusion, while others fear losing their lives or the lives of their loved ones. There’s fear on both sides, and even both fears within the same individual. Again, unless you know the person and have had thoughtful dialogue with them, it can be hard to tell if their particular fear and its particular level is healthy or unhealthy.
- Creativity. Specifically, how to write about creativity in a way that’s inspiring rather than overwhelming and relatable rather than preachy. Any thoughts welcome.
This Motley Crew 