Offers of salvation
Last night was my turn to take some work for critique to writers' circle, so I transcribed the first two entries from the winter journal, with a few editorial changes, and printed them. Longhand writing is so much more vital. Why have I tried to do all creative writing on the laptop for the past three years? Because it's convenient (not a good enough reason). In those handwritten excerpts, my voice asserted itself as I haven't heard in years.
I received positive feedback from E and C, too. Ironically, everyone in the group except me writes longhand, even the new 20-year-old English major. Before Laptop came into my life I frequently stood on the other side of the fence, preaching the gospel of notebook and fountain pen à la Natalie Goldberg. How I have back-slidden! I feel challenged to repair my ways. Fortunately I have a ready 12 Step Group in place.
This has also fueled my enthusiasm about the winter journal. C suggested it could work as a book, which has been my hope.
Meanwhile I feel challenged, overwhelmed, intimidated and annoyed by David Abram's writing. Somehow I need to slog through the rest of Becoming Animal: An Earthly Cosmology in the next week, so I have time to write the review. Browsing last night led to related topics on Dave Pollard's blog, How to Save the World. I am appalled (and attracted) by the aroma of apocalyptic and messianic thinking, with Earth Consciousness playing the role of Jesus. It is dangerously easy to join a religion when you encounter shared values. I want to remain open-minded and objective, and yet objectivity is precisely the Anti-Christ in Abrams' prophecies. It drives me crazy.
Sadly, today is my last day off. I am ready to go back, and not.