In So Many Words
Nicki Ehrlich
What have you learned in your writing journey that you’d like to impart to other writers? When I was asked this, one clear thought came to mind: encouragement. I wish I possessed the magic words to reassure writers to keep going, keep creating, keep writing. I know how important encouraging comments are in my writing journey.
Recently I attended a concert at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. Barbara Higbie and Teresa Trull are musicians I’ve admired for many years. So many years, in fact, I wasn’t sure what to expect from these two “senior” musicians. Years ago I was part of a crew for an outdoor concert called “Divafest” which took place at various venues in Guerneville, along the Russian River. It was produced by the Institute for Musical Arts (IMA, which has since moved to Goshen, Massachusetts). I met Higbie and Trull there, carried their instruments, and escorted them onto the stage.
Higbie plays piano and violin. That’s an understatement. You can hear it on recordings, but you almost have to see it to believe what her hands can do with those instruments. She was the first female instrumentalist to be signed to the Windham Hill label. Her voice can sing you to tears and laughter. Trull plays guitar and can belt out ballads and R&B like nobody’s business. Hard to tell just where it comes from, her voice transcends vocal chords and lungs. This is how I remembered them.
Higbie, now in her late sixties, Trull seventy, here they were celebrating their birthdays on stage.
What I experienced at this recent concert, exceeded my memories. Their voices still strong, their musicianship incredible, their connection with an audience remains unmatched. The energy they put into their art and craft floods a venue and throws the music’s arms around each and every audience member.
And here’s how that pertains to writing. It’s what I want my writing to do. It’s what I want to convey any time I talk about writing and publishing, everything I love about this art/craft. And I want to encourage others to keep writing, have writing goals, endeavor to reach those goals no matter where you are on the time spectrum.
Like a song, an author talk, a workshop, or a conference can inspire. Even when we think we might have heard it all before, we’re bound to hear that one thing that will make our next article, our next story, our next chapter that much richer. As writers, we need to continue to listen and learn. We strive to entertain, to spark emotion, to inspire.
Like a singer, we have a voice. The writer’s voice, the characters’ voices, all lend to the overall vocal tone of the story.
Like a musician, we have a craft. We must practice the craft, immerse ourselves in it, play with it, mold it. Then, take the stage. Submit the poem, the short story, the memoir, hire an editor for the book. Let others read your work, listen to feedback, work with it some more.
I’m so grateful for the encouragement I’ve received along the way, and I encourage you to keep the instruments tuned, including your voice, and reach for that standing ovation.
Central Coast Writers
PO Box 997 - Pacific Grove, CA 93950
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