Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Write on Wednesday

What's Your Line?

"What do you catch yourself thinking about? What experiences and relationships in your life are the most meaningful? What catches your attention when you’re out and about? These are the things you’re going to know, the things you’re going to care about, and that knowledge and caring will resonate in your writing.
This is where you’ll find your line."

Since I was a little girl I was a chatter box and always got a laugh. In school I kept up the chit chat much to the dismay of my teachers. I was the outgoing cheerleader that enjoyed being with people and making them laugh. I must also confess I loved the boys and was an outrageous flirt. Fast forward, past the hard 20's, and my world was turned upside down.

I was a 29 year old, single mom of two young girls, stripped of my career. Being told that ALS would take my life and the stability of my little girls. I had no time for pity parties. I had to prepare my girl's for a life without me. That would haunt them adversely to this day. When everything in your world begins to sink things you could have never imagined comes to the surface. Strength, love and hope!

Funny thing about doctors is they don't know everything. As I entered my 14th year with ALS I found my voice through blogging. Through the hell of the teenage hormonal years, living with a disability and finding the love of a good man, I had me a story. I write what I have lived and how it affects those around me. I use my chatty humor to tell a story I have been privileged to live. In most posts there is hope and I often use nature to express it. I see life so differently and I desperately want to share what I've learned.

My grammar stinks and I thank God everyday for spell checker. But I'm learning to express what I have lived through writing and poetry. I don't have any desire to be published, but I would give my right arm to have the fortitude to write my story as a novel (Jodi Picoult style, as seen through each characters eye's). In a way my blog is writing that novel but many relationships are left out (privacy issues). I'm going to take a few online writing courses, keep practicing using fiction and one day write my story. It's a daunting task with one finger but maybe with technology or a ghost writer it will happen.

What's my line? A deep appreciation of life.

18 comments:

anno said...

And what a great voice you have! I thank God, too, to hear you!

Giggles said...

As always you BLOW me away! I have shrills of goosebumps up and down my arms. You have a fabulous voice and I am always enthralled in what you have to say and how you say it! Thanks for being you, a voice beyond adversity!

Love and hugs to you
Sherrie

daisies said...

a deep appreciation of life is everything :) and your voice shines through your writing and it is loaded with talent and beauty ... so glad you found that writing voice through blogging ... xo

Geraldine said...

A what a wonderfully creative and talented person you are dear Tammy. I feel so fortunate to have found your blog. Isn't it interesting the ones we do find? I've been thinking about that the other day. I've had almost all good experiences in 'blogland' and I am amazed by all the great people I've met this way. Including you. Big hug, G

www.mypoeticpath.wordpress.com

K.C. said...

Ohmylanta! How glad I am to have found you... How moving this was... You are a wonderful writer.. Keep on and keep on some more... You have a story to tell... tell it.. Kayce

Kay Cooke said...

You are a great person to know Tammy and a wonderful writer.

Becca said...

WOW! in every way! You are such an amazing writer, and one reason is because you've got such a perfect handle on your subject matter. Your optimism in the face of adversity, your struggles with your family, it's all epic, and you know how to communicate it with just the right touch of humor.

Write on, girl! You've got what it takes!

Thanks for sharing this, and for all your steadfast support!

Amber said...

Lucky for us you express it here.
I love your spirit.

Will you email me again? I emailed you, but I wonder if I still have a wrong one? It didn't bounce back.

:)

Rebecca Reid said...

What a beautiful appreciation for life you have! here's my line

paris parfait said...

Honey, it's not the grammar, it's the story - and you've got that covered! Thank you for sharing your amazing experiences with us. xoxox

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

DO it! You already have a good start. Do you have some sort of word program on your computer where you could begin to write, and save, like Word Perfect or Office Word or something? I think it's a great idea--so have so much that is good in you to share!

Jeanie said...

This is so splendid -- a deep appreciation of life. I just love it. It's fascinating to read your story and other blog entries. So eloquent; you have the words, you have the style, you have the spell checker (which I couldn't live without, either!)

Thanks for visiting my blog -- I look forward to returning to yours.

Beatriz Macias said...

Tammy, you are in your way to that novel! You have the story, the talent, and the will. Nothing will stop you from doing this, if this is what you want... you have shown us that nothing can stand in your path. I feel privileged to visit your blog, and to learn from your deep appreciation of life! Thanks for your visit, and the button looks great!

susanlavonne said...

Don't worry about the grammar (or the spell checker for that matter). Through the authenticity of your writing that bubbly, charismatic cheerleader STILL shows through...but one with infinite wisdom.
xo

Annie Jeffries said...

Hi Tammy. I highly recommend online writing courses. They provide terrific guidance and structure.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad Al Gore or whoever, invented this Internet gizmo so you could find your voice and we could hear it! I love reading everything you write~xOx

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed your post and think you should go for the novel. I love the idea of telling your story through the eyes of different characters. I can't imagine the affect your disease and prognosis (thankfully wrong) had on your daughters. You're right, you do have a unique perspective and it seems you are meant to share it with the world.

Anonymous said...

Hi Tammy, Forget about the grammar, your words, your appreciation, your strength and your experiences allow your appreciation of life to burst and light up many lives. Thank you for visiting ... isn't WoW a great spot. See you there, Hugs. xo