I’ve probably mentioned this before a couple times, but editing is one of my least favorite parts of writing. Right up there with losing my favorite pen or having a pen run out of ink and having to use whatever is lying around. Guess I have a thing for pens as well. Believe, it’s all on the checklist for therapy sessions.
Anyways, I was editing some poems for the project I’ve been working on and wrote at the top of one “Who is this about? Who am I writing it to?” so I could go back and try a rewrite. It made me realize just how often I ask those questions while I’m writing as well.
There are some poems that I start out with a solid idea or memory that will serve as the anchor. Sometimes, it helps keep me grounded, and other times I wander off dragging said anchor behind me. Maybe I need to get heavier anchors?
Then there are times when a certain set of words comes to me or intrigues me and I just start writing. At that point, the words take over and I’m along for the ride. Maybe that sounds like hyperbole, but there are lots of times when I’m typing along and simultaneously thinking “Where is this coming from?” Honestly, those are some of the most pleasant writing experiences I have.
More than likely, a psychologist could tell me that the words are coming from my subconscious or some such place and the small disconnect between what I’m aware of and what I’m not is just enough to make it seem like the words are coming from some great void in the ether. However, I kind of like my description a bit better, so we’ll stick with that for the moment. When the words are coming from that place, I feel more like a mailman crossed with a detective – I’ve got a delivery, but there’s some digging necessary to figure it out.
Which is all half the fun, really. Me trying to do an investigation for something I wrote to figure out what it all means.