If you are a writer it is inevitable that at some point you will be asked “Why Do You Write?” I’ll bet you’ve even asked that of yourself when the writing stops flowing, your trash bin is littered with rough drafts, and you’d really rather be doing something, ANYTHING but sitting at your desk.
“Why am I doing this!” you scream in silent (or not so silent) agony.
Can you answer this question? If not, you need a list. Something you can post by your writing desk to keep you going or pull out when that celebrity podcaster wants to interview you. I promise you, it will make your life as a writer so much easier.
During a recent meeting with my critique group the why do we write question arose. We threw around some thoughts, all of us agreeing that it’s not for fame and money (though admitting that we harbor those secret thoughts). But I realized I didn’t have a good answer. After giving this some thought, I’ve come up with 5 REASONS WHY I WRITE
I was recently introduced to the word “hygge” by my daughter-in-law. “You’ve never heard of it?” she said, then she showed me the hygge Pinterest board she’ d created. I’ll admit, I was intrigued, I bought a book on the subject and did some research.
What is Hygge?
There’s a lot packed into this little word (pronounced HOO-GA), but simply put, it is a Danish word that describes a mood of coziness and togetherness that contribues to feelings of contentment and wellbeing. It is regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture.
It’s a philosophy that, according to the author Meik Wiking, embraces rustic over new, simple over posh, board games over computer games, potluck dinner with friends over dining at a fancy restaurant. Think candlelight, warm beverages, cozy sweaters and socks, and families gathering around a fire.
But I live in Tucson
All of this warm and cozy stuff sounds good for the Danish who must endure cold, dark winters, but I live in Tucson, AZ. How would it work for me? Well, first of all, believe it or not, Tucson has a winter monsoon season. Here is what I woke up to today.
40 degees, raining here, but snowing on the mountains. Perfect motivation for me to channel my inner hoo-ga. I’m going to make a Hygge Corner.
Use What You Have
I’ll admit that I’m tempted to run out to Ikea or Target and fill my cart with fuzzy throws, candles, and sweaters, but that would add clutter which would not be very hygge-ly of me. To get hygge bonus points, the items you surround youself with should have a personal connection. (Plus when the temp gets to 110 this summer what would I do with Ugg boots and sweaters?) So for my hygge expirment, I’m determined to use what I have.
I already had a cozy chair in front of window in my bedroom. I tossed on a soft, handknit throw I’d made several years ago. Next I moved a small wooden table beside the chair. The space is limited so I was selective with my choices. A candle holder I bought in my home state of Indiana, my favorite planter my granddaughter and daugher-in-law helped me make, a small speaker for my favorite music, tea in the china cup my mom brought back from England years ago, my journal and current read.
Whoo hoo….hoo-ga!
I love it! Can’t wait to snuggle in with a good book and finish that cup of tea! As a sidenote, I was motivated to help my husband make a beef stew for dinner tonight. The all-day simmering smell was very hygge… hoo-ga-ly? hygglee? Oh well…you get the idea!
Threads of Thought
Hygge was a new term for me. As a former K teacher who spent most of my days teaching phonics, I struggle to pronounce it. Have you heard of hygge before?
It happens every year. I’ve just retruned from a three week trip to visit friends and family for the holidays. The wacky, wonderful flurry of food, fun, and fellowship has ended, and the quiet descends on me like a blanket of winter snow. Post holiday blues? Fatigue? Too much of the wrong kind of food (and beverage) and not enough exercise and sleep? All of the above.
Through the years, I’ve learned the signs, and I know myself well enough not to panic. This year, I am inspired by the trees surrounding our holiday home in Indiana. Here are 4 things I’ve learned from winter trees:
When we moved to Arizona, I insisted we bring our Christmas tree with us… the artificial one that had been ours since our kids had grown and we stopped going to Tower’s Christmas tree farm to search for the perfect tree to bring home.
For several years now, we have assembled the tree and placed it in our Tucson home. But this year I decided not to. Ed and I are traveling back to our home town to celebrate the holidays with our family and it doesn’t make sense to drag everything out for a few short weeks. I thought I’d be OK with the decision, but around the first of December, I was feeling a little lost.
I played some Christmas music, plugged in my “Evergreen” candle warmer and set out a few of my favorite things like the nativity set I bought when our children were young. We started with the basic stable and Holy Family, then Ed bought a new figure to tuck in my stocking each year until we ended up with a full cast of characters. The kids used to fight about whose turn it was to arrange it on the mantle each year. We had to keep a post-it note in the box to keep track. One got the even numbered year, one the odd.
This year I also set out the ceramic Santa that belonged to my grandparents and the Boyd’s Bear figurines Ed bought for me each year.
And then I set out the music box I have displayed each year since 1973 when my mother gave it to me. It is a small red box splashed with golden stars and a Hummel painting of the Holy Family on the lid. The date, stenciled on the top, 1973, is significant. Ed and I announced our engagement that Thanksgiving, and on Christmas Eve, he surprised me with a ring.
The vintage music box is beautiful. The years have taken their toll on the delicate inner workings and it no longer plays Silent Night when you open the lid. But the real treasure remains inside where, 49 years ago, my mother tucked a note. The paper is yellowed and fragile, the lettering is faint with age and blurry through my tears, but I know the words by heart.
Dear Deb,
Just couldn’t resist this music box. The year 1973 will mean a lot to you and Ed and I wanted you to have something special. Mom and Dad
PS
May you always have as many happy years as we have had and hope to have in the future. We’re both real happy for you and Ed.
My parents had many happy years together. Sadly, Dad died just shy of their 50th wedding anniversary twenty-two years ago. Ed and I willcelebrate our 49th this summer.
I’ll visit Mom when I’m back in the Midwest. Short visits are best as her memory is fading and it is difficult for her to keep up a conversation for too long. This time, I’ll bring pictures of the music box and read her words back to her. Perhaps it will spark a glimmer of recognition, perhaps not. But I know I’m in her heart, the place where she keeps her most precious memories tucked away, like the words of love she placed in a special music box 49 years ago.
Threads of Thought
What items bring back special memories for you?
Have a wonderful Holiday season! Treasure memories from the past and make new memories to treasure for a lifetime.
Special thanks to you, my subscribers, readers, commenters, and followers! You are the heartbeat of this blog. I can’t wait to see what “seams” like a story in 2023!
As the weather turns cooler, even in Arizona, I think about layers of soft fabric.
“The experience of creative living argures that hobbies are in fact essential to the joyful life. There is the hidden benefit that they are also creatively useful. Many hobbies involve a form of artist-brain mulling that leads to enormous creative breakthroughs. …Sewing has a nice way of mending up plots.” -Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
SEAMS Like a Story
My sewing/writing studio is designed to accomodate my creative impulses when they strike.
If you’re new to my blog, you might be wondering about the name. Why “seams”? Shouldn’t it be “seems?” In fact, when my son-in-law helped me secure the domain, he suggested I acquire both names.
When I first retired from teaching, I wanted to pursue my two passions/hobbies: sewing and writing, and my blog Seams Like a Story was born. I find my two passions to be compatable, both contributing to my creative process.
For this project I chose a pumpkin-colored flannel fabric to make up the simple Dress #2 from 100 Acts of Sewing
Both writing and sewing begin with a plan, an idea, a spark of inspiration. Where writing pieces together words to create stories, the act of sewing involves the extra senses of touch and sight, colors, and textures as I piece together a garment.
Problem Solving
Rushed through this seam on the neck facing. Sewed it at 1/2 inch instead of 1/4 inch. Fortunately, I caught it in time. Thank goodness for seam rippers!
I’m halfway through a story or a sewing project and something’s not working. Time to rip out seams, sentences, words. Edit, revise. Take time to make it better. Try it on for size.
Unblock Your Creativity
It happens. Somedays the words don’t flow or I just can’t face the blank page. The act of sewing activates a different part of my brain and gives me a fresh perspective. Often, getting the creative juices flowing while sewing will jump start my writing. “Creative breakthroughs” Julia Cameron calls them. (for more ideas on overcoming writer’s block see http://seamslikeastory.com/4-ways-to-move-through-writers-block )
My new flannel dress is comfy and cozy , perfect for a writing day, critique group meeting, or lunch out with friends.
Threads of Thought
Activities like sewing, painting, gardening, quilting, woodworking, writing, photography, interior decorating, cooking,….. contribute to living a joyful, creative life.
