Of Words and Writing

As you know I have been cleaning out the house of unwanted stuff. I came across lots of scrap paper and notebooks with writing on them, dating back to when I was a young teen. They are all my old stories and poems which I had written in a fit of creativity, but never seen by anyone as I was far too embarrassed.  I always hoped they were brilliant and  amazing stories, but of course the writing never lived up to my expectations.

Sacred Buddhist Books in a Monastery, Nepal. Each text is individually wrapped and preserved.

However, going though these old scribbles I have discovered some of them are actually OK, especially if you take into account I was 12 or 13 when I wrote them. Although I am still too embarrassed to show anyone. I have also discovered that I don't remember how to write.

Oh I have written many many words throughout my lifetime but since going to university the words have all been for scientific reports. Then once starting work, all the writing I have done are patient reports. These have all been factual and straight to the point without any imagination to them. The only other writing of significance has been when I have been travelling. I always write a diary everyday and send mass emails to friends and family about once a week. Hopefully on these travels coming up I will just write this blog and people can read it if they want instead of me filling up their email boxes.

There must be a story in this scene somewhere, surely? Dozza, Italy.

And so I am having to re-learn how to write again. It is a skilful art in getting a fictional piece of writing to be liked and well red. One that I now know I need to practice if I want to write a decent story or poem. I need to learn to show and imply instead of stating outright that this or that happened.

Early attempts at writing. San cave paintings, Spitzkoppe, Namibia. 

On the subject of words and writing, I have been learning how to play scrabble. I have never played it before, but Justin introduced it to me about 2 months ago. Since then we have played several games each week. And every time Justin has beaten me. I have become better at constructing words and finally in the last game I beat him by 1 point! He had 235 and I had 236! Finally success!!!!! Now I just need to replicate this success and I will be happy. I also need to carry on this success in my writing. This game also seems to be bring out my inner competitive spirit.

A story within a story within a story, Dozza Italy. 

With all of this word play I have rekindled my love of writing, but still find it difficult to sit down everyday to write something. I seem to have developed a sort of love-hate relationship with writing at the moment.