Thinking about writing
Ever since my Sarah Palin rant went semi-supernova, I've been thinking (and writing, natch) a lot about this thing called writing.
What is writing? Who writes? Who is a writer? When does "this thing I wrote" become "my writing"? Does one claim the label of writer, is it bestowed by others, or is it just what is? Is writing a vocation, a skill, a pleasurable pasttime... ?
(Of course, hiding behind these questions are more personal ones: Am I a writer? And if so, what then?)
I've thought about emailing some of the writers who commented on my essay to ask them these, and other, questions. I've thought about it, but it's hard to explain why I haven't done it. It's like... ever since I was little I've had this somatic knowing that one day I'd take holy orders. I am so against the Church on so many issues, and the only nuns I've ever known quite frankly scared me, but yet. And so, not coincidentally, I go to he dentist more often than I go to church. Out of sight, out of mind. The writing thing is like that. There's the same sense of inexplicable inevitability. And so, I haven't sent out those emails.
But the Universe will have its way. Just now I saw this video on the front page of Slate; it's part of a series (I haven't seen any of the others) in which writers talk about, you guessed it, writing. And the special guest in this episode is one of my favorites: Jonathan Safran Foer. Great interview. A bit serendipitous for a Sunday morning, but great nonetheless.