It’s the third week of my writing class. I’m learning a lot, and my writing has never been worse. I can’t even write a post as the minute I start typing I start reading what’s missing and how painfully hard I am trying.
I’ve been blowing off my writing assignments, too. I’m going to have a lot of explaining to do (to myself) if I can’t catch up. Maybe, I’ll ask myself for an extension. I just have to catch myself in the right mood.
On the other hand, I have been keeping up on my reading assignments, which are to read as many personal essays as possible. I have a stack of books next to my bed and the library keeps calling to let me know the books I special-ordered are in.
I’ve decided Nora Ehpron is my new BFF: so lovely, funny, and insightful. But David Sedaris…I mean, are there even words? I’ve read him before, but reading him again, years later, I am indebted.
Among so many others, I love this sentence from “This Old House” (When You are Engulfed in Flames): “Like anyone nostalgic for a time he didn’t live through, I chose to weed out the little incoveniences: polio, say, or the thought of eating stewed squirrel.”
Seriously, how does he do that? Duuuuuude.
I have to stop posting now. Even though it’s sunny, it’s like -10 degrees outside and my throat hurts. The kids (who don’t have school today) are in the basement making up a fashion show, using the dirty futon as their runway. I’m grabbing another cup of throat-soothing coffee, and sneaking back to bed with David.
P.S. Ugh — this post, see what I mean? I can’t write a thing. I curse you, writing class!
Small Town. Small Times. 
It sounds exciting and very cosmopolitan to be reading personal essays and all. It will all come, don’t you worry and I heart your posts.
PS Posted a link to your blog today on a personal essay I posted today on Crackbook! Hope you don’t mind!
Thank you. I heart your post, sista.
OK, first of all, I have never read a bad post here! For real. You are amazing and so clever with your sentence structures and descriptions [need I remind you that Shauna Niequist commented on your Martini post and *loved* it?!] Secondly, [however] I do completely understand your feelings and can empathize with how difficult it is to see anything shiny and pretty on our own canvases. Just keep reading and passing along your wisdom for the rest of us! You have a great voice and something interesting to say, which means you’re already ahead of 80% of the rest of the blogging world 🙂
I might have to print this and post it on my wall. You write such lovely comments. Thank you.
(Nodding emphatically along with heartscape.)
I’m always amused by the fact that the same authors who inspire us to write are the same ones who make us feel like we should just give up now. (Or is that just me?)
Anyway, I see nothing missing from your posts. Yours is one of the few blogs that always makes me genuinely feel something. And, much like a good book, I always wish I could go back and read it for the first time. Try not to be too hard on yourself. You’re seriously awesome.
I know about the jealousy/inspiration thing. Every time I read other blogs (like yours) I think – why can’t I write that? Your blog is so fresh and fun and yummmmmy.