Daily Nourishment for August 24, 2024: The Things I Can’t Speak with Guidance from Melissa Febos
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 40 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 10-15 minutes
“If I could write worthwhile books in such a way that it wouldn’t upset anyone, I would. Unfortunately, that kind of writing has mostly proved not worthwhile. I often write about the things I can’t speak and one of the most common reasons that I can’t speak of them is because it would upset people.” - Melissa Febos
Pause.
Take six deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale. Then re-read the quote above.
Prompt.
Read the words below from Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative by Melissa Febos:
“The most common question that I have gotten over the years at readings, in classrooms, and from friends is how I deal with the fallout of including living people in my work. I usually first respond by telling them that there are no living people in my work, only characters, which are figments animated by imagination plus a small number of qualities shared by the person on whom they are based. They are a process and a product of radical reduction. The trouble is that almost no one likes to be reduced, even to their most cherished qualities.”
Practice.
Take notes or journal for for 10-12 minutes in response to the quotes above and the questions below.
—What are some ways you can honor others and yourself in your writing even though you're working with characters, "figments animated by imgination plus a small number of qualities shared by the person on whom they are based?"
—Which things do you not want to do? What would dishonor the characters in your writing?
—When writing about yourself, which qualities can you want focus on? Include the good, the bad, the weird, the beautiful.
—Which qualities would someone who adores you focus on?
—What about someone who doesn’t like you?
Want More?
Read Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative by Melissa Febos.
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Upcoming Workshops & Gatherings
—The August Co-Writing Schedule is live.
—Spiritual Direction for Writers® + Enneagram for Creativity Gathering will take place on Friday, September 27th and Saturday, September 28th. Recordings will be available if you can’t join us live. You can register here.
—August 31— Online Revision Stations Designed by Lauren F. Winner
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
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