In an effort to take up writing as an earnest and sustained effort in the future, I have begun to re-read Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. This book is full of wonderful advice for both the serious and amateur writer.

One piece of advice Lamott offers up, is to begin by writing about your childhood.  There is something about reflecting on these memories that brings the details of life to light.  As adults, we learn to draw connections, develop philosophies, and see the ‘big picture.’  Kids are focused on the details in the here and now.  It’s these details, all added up, that make for great writing.

As readers, we don’t want to be beaten over the head with the author’s point.  We much prefer reaching our own conclusions–the author’s job is to write such that we can do this and do this well.

So, I’m going to give it a go.  I’ll start by drafting quick descriptions of memories that I have, breaking them down as much as possible.  Someday I’ll return to them and fix them up and maybe turn them into some real piece of writing.  Perhaps not, but in the end, it’s the process that is valuable to me, not the end product.  Remembering this will hopefully help me to write without hesitation or inhibition.