“The writer is usually either a practicing recluse or a delinquent, guilt-ridden one; or both. Usually both.” Susan Sontag
This feels like one of those English lit essay questions from university. Whenever I read the quote, I always want to add the word ‘Discuss’.
Notwithstanding my apparent latent and hitherto inert English teacher desires, Susan Sontag’s words lept out at me again a few days ago over on that deadly social paradise Instagram.
The writing paradox
That they landed with such resonance is the reason I’m sharing them here with you. It’s a funny old business being a writer. I spend a lot of time extolling the virtues of writing in-community (you may have noticed) whilst also adoring the quiet alone time my early morning writing sessions afford me.
In fact, when my Write Lab co-conspirator Jaya Gajparia suggested a couple of weeks ago we should set up an early morning Write Lab I had a visceral reaction. If the body could speak it very clearly said ‘Hell No’ to the notion of showing up for anybody or anything else other than my mug of tea and the open writing document at 6:15am.
It transpired Jaya wasn’t suggesting it should be a daily thing* which calmed my initial alarmed response substantially. But it was a clear, and quite tender indicator of how preciously I hold that private, silent writing time.
But that’s the thing about writers and writing. Or indeed about humanity as a whole. We’re walking paradoxes. We can (and do), to the great disbelief of many politicians and extremists, hold two seemingly contradictory truths at the same time.
Writing alone or Writing in-community?
I love writing alone and am absolutely either practicing my reclusivity or a guilt-ridden delinquent.
I love writing in-community and passionately believe in the power it has to enable us to turn up and get the words down on the page.
Two truths.
What’s your paradox?
(Discuss).
What about your writing?
If you are interested in finding some time for your writing, why not join one of our free weekly writing rooms – either on a Tuesday evening at 8pm or a Friday lunchtime at 12pm?
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