Why I Write
A Sixty Seven Year Retrospective55 total reviews
Comment from Tom Horonzy
No wonder you received a Best ribbon. This piece is well written I especially enjoyed the butterfly metaphor, as well as my favorite line ...
"If a woman's entire nine-month pregnancy is a preparation"
DId you stick with the insurance gig? I was a competitor with Liberty Mutual, retiring in '06 with a company induction to their sales h.o.f.. When searching for employment after university I was asked what sales job did I want. i.d.k. Ok. What don't you want to sell? Cars and Insurance. Go figure.
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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No wonder you received a Best ribbon. This piece is well written I especially enjoyed the butterfly metaphor, as well as my favorite line ...
"If a woman's entire nine-month pregnancy is a preparation"
DId you stick with the insurance gig? I was a competitor with Liberty Mutual, retiring in '06 with a company induction to their sales h.o.f.. When searching for employment after university I was asked what sales job did I want. i.d.k. Ok. What don't you want to sell? Cars and Insurance. Go figure.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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Oh, Wow, Tom! I feel I'm among royalty. If I'd have put the time into selling that I put into writing for the 30 some years out of my Allstate office, I would not now be chasing butterflies while living on Social Security. I did not do my family or Allstate any favors. But I do applaud you for your achievements. I'll bet you won a lot of travel awards while you were with Liberty Mutual. Anyway, I'm so pleased you enjoyed my piece -- enough so to award it 6 stars! Zowie! Thank you, Tom!
Jay
Comment from tfawcus
The butterfly comparison is extraordinarily apt. I am compelled by it. I wish I were similarly compelled by the urge to write that you have described here. My own efforts are random and transitory, like those of the butterfly itself, dipping into a nectared bloom then flitting away to rest in the sun.
Coining a description like 'the flamingo-like dance that a short sentence brings, or the sinewy waltz of a compound sentence' would be enough to satisfy me for a week.
There is so much here that makes me think about the art of writing and my own relationship with it.
A most satisfying read. Thank you, Jay.
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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The butterfly comparison is extraordinarily apt. I am compelled by it. I wish I were similarly compelled by the urge to write that you have described here. My own efforts are random and transitory, like those of the butterfly itself, dipping into a nectared bloom then flitting away to rest in the sun.
Coining a description like 'the flamingo-like dance that a short sentence brings, or the sinewy waltz of a compound sentence' would be enough to satisfy me for a week.
There is so much here that makes me think about the art of writing and my own relationship with it.
A most satisfying read. Thank you, Jay.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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Oh, Tony, thank you for stopping by, and for your praise. I'm so pleased that you related to it so well. I consider you a master-crafter so receiving a compliment from you, accompanied by a 6th star, really warms me. You are appreciated, Tony!
Jay
Comment from Jane Jane King
I really enjoyed this piece...and strongly identify with a lot of it. You have to go through a lot to get to that pot of gold, but there are no words to describe that wonderful feeling once you've found it. A very thoughtful and astute description of what writing means to you. Well done!
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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I really enjoyed this piece...and strongly identify with a lot of it. You have to go through a lot to get to that pot of gold, but there are no words to describe that wonderful feeling once you've found it. A very thoughtful and astute description of what writing means to you. Well done!
Comment Written 04-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2023
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Thank you, Jane. I'm so happy you found my piece helpful to you and were able to find touchstones with your own writing.
Jay
Comment from prettybluebirds
Well done. You have accurately described the turmoil in a writer's mind. Sometimes we sit there and stare at the blank screen in utter despair. Other times, the words seem to write themselves. Best of luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Well done. You have accurately described the turmoil in a writer's mind. Sometimes we sit there and stare at the blank screen in utter despair. Other times, the words seem to write themselves. Best of luck in the contest.
Comment Written 03-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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I'm glad you found reading this helpful. Thank you for weighing in.
Jay
Comment from Kaiku
wow, you are the worthy-one. life has no age at your fingertips. the breath of each word you speak brings a life rich in substance. okay, enough of my bs, honestly though, your words dance unencumbered. No left feet in your pen.
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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wow, you are the worthy-one. life has no age at your fingertips. the breath of each word you speak brings a life rich in substance. okay, enough of my bs, honestly though, your words dance unencumbered. No left feet in your pen.
Comment Written 03-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Hey, but I like your bs. I'll let you clutter my ego any day. Seriously, thank you for reading and for your weigh-in. I'm glad you found it interesting.
Jay
Comment from Brenda Henderson
Well crafted. I don't believe that I have ever seen the writing experience so eloquently captured and expressed. The wisdom and experience gained through your years of experience propels the reader forward through your prose. Well Done!
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Well crafted. I don't believe that I have ever seen the writing experience so eloquently captured and expressed. The wisdom and experience gained through your years of experience propels the reader forward through your prose. Well Done!
Comment Written 03-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Well, thank you, Brenda. I hope you've found some touch-points in my journey to connect with for yours. I certainly appreciate the six stars that accompany your kind words.
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You're Very Welcome!
Comment from papa55mike
Well, it's forming a habit to create. I read that Ray Bradbury wrote 1,000 words a day regardless of what happened. What a wonderfully written piece. I wish I had a six for you.
Good luck in the contest!
Have a great day, and God bless.
mike
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Well, it's forming a habit to create. I read that Ray Bradbury wrote 1,000 words a day regardless of what happened. What a wonderfully written piece. I wish I had a six for you.
Good luck in the contest!
Have a great day, and God bless.
mike
Comment Written 03-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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I'm brought again and again to your bio-pic. Never have I seen such love registered in a woman's closed eyes as yours. You should give her an extra-special hug.
Thank you, Mike, for connecting with this piece. I'd read that about Bradbury. I wish I could boast of that. Even more, I'd like to be like Balzac, who was noted for weighing each daily page of writing instead of counting them. Now, that's dedication, though I think a bit exaggerated. But alas! I'm lucky to squeeze out 500 words. They will be pretty good words, though, or they'll stay on my worktable.
Again, thanks, my friend.
Jay
Comment from BethShelby
I enjoyed reading your commentary on why you write. I know writers have different approaches and like you they sit at the computer at a certain times each day and wait for the words to flow. I like the example you use of a pole vaulter and later a butterfly. I think you're methods work because I always enjoy what your write, particularly in your butterfly phase. I'm not that organizedm but there are days I feel compelled to write and on those daysm words flows without thought or direction. It satisfies some basic need I have and for which I have no idea why it is there..
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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I enjoyed reading your commentary on why you write. I know writers have different approaches and like you they sit at the computer at a certain times each day and wait for the words to flow. I like the example you use of a pole vaulter and later a butterfly. I think you're methods work because I always enjoy what your write, particularly in your butterfly phase. I'm not that organizedm but there are days I feel compelled to write and on those daysm words flows without thought or direction. It satisfies some basic need I have and for which I have no idea why it is there..
Comment Written 03-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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I love your last two sentences in your review, Beth. I couldn't have been more articulate as you there. I wish you would round it out and submit it in this contest. Others will find it helpful.
Jay
Comment from Sally Law
Aching for a six here, my friend. Thank you for this honest write. Writing for me is Plan B since my eyesight has deteriorated. It's what I do now six hours a day. I love it though and wish I had started at a younger age. I so enjoyed this in your one-of-a-kind writing style.
Sending you my very best today as always and my very best in the contest. Sal Xos
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Aching for a six here, my friend. Thank you for this honest write. Writing for me is Plan B since my eyesight has deteriorated. It's what I do now six hours a day. I love it though and wish I had started at a younger age. I so enjoyed this in your one-of-a-kind writing style.
Sending you my very best today as always and my very best in the contest. Sal Xos
Comment Written 03-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Don't worry about a six, Sally. Just showing up like you do warms my heart and my day. As to your six hours a day of creating, God bless you! That explains how you crack through the barriers each week and come up with your always delightful stories. On a VERY good day I might squeeze out three.
Comment from Liz O'Neill
This is some great metaphors: "So ... with my pole tip pointed to the heavens, and my eyes trained on the crossbar, I race down the runway ...." & "Those feelings fueled the fire in my gut for the first quarter-century of my journey." &
" I was definitely struggling through the discomfort of just my first trimester." Many readers with identify with the plethora of life metaphors. Great job.
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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This is some great metaphors: "So ... with my pole tip pointed to the heavens, and my eyes trained on the crossbar, I race down the runway ...." & "Those feelings fueled the fire in my gut for the first quarter-century of my journey." &
" I was definitely struggling through the discomfort of just my first trimester." Many readers with identify with the plethora of life metaphors. Great job.
Comment Written 03-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Thank you, Liz. I like that you chase down my metaphors and dish them back up to me. Just knowing that they affected you gives me confidence that I've done something.
Jay