My morning seminar with Rachel Manley inspired and reminded me why I love to write. We all had to go around and say our reason for writing (like I’ve done a thousand times before, and may I mention that I don’t like that it has to be only ONE reason) and I’m curious to how my answer changes (I wish I had written down all my different answers over the years). Today I said I write because in “the real world” I’m always on the outside, looking in, but when I’m writing, I feel connection and a sense of community.
After lunch, my manuscript was the first to be critiqued in my large group. The feedback was really positive. All the work I put into last semester paid off. I love my story and I think it shows. Plus, I have new ideas for what may change.
This is why I’m here.
I also realized that what I said yesterday is ludicrous. Sure, most people primarily care about looks, but being smart is still most important to me. I loved being smart today. That’s right, I’m tooting my own horn. After all, a writer needs to celebrate the few times each year when she is not writing from an isolated place and when she is encouraged to continue.
I ate dinner with my new mentor and some of the other students. I know it’s going to be a shift, but now I think I am going to like her. She already gave me some solid, thoughtful ideas to grapple and puzzle over.
After dinner, I went to the faculty readings. Rachel Kadish’s new book is simultaneously hilarious, witty, sharp, and intellectual. I can’t wait until I graduate from my program, so I can read all the books written by my mentors that I haven’t allowed myself to read yet. From what I heard tonight, I really recommend this one.
I also enjoyed Rachel Manley’s reading of her memoir. Hearing her words is like swaying in one of those musical swings made for babies.
I just got home and Kimberley and I continued the celebration with a bar of raspberry dark chocolate. She’s enjoying pear cider while I’m having my nightly cup of garlic tea (garlic cloves steeped in water).
Day four can’t possibly live up to day three, but that’s okay. I’m going to try and ride this wave for a while.
