Here’s a lovely reminder that writers need to turn outward, not just inward. In writing about “the other,” one writes the self.
“We think that to find ourselves we need turn inward, examining the intricacies of origin, the shaping forces of personality. But ‘I’ is just as much to be found in the world; looking outward, we experience the one who does the seeing. Say what you see and you experience yourself through your style of seeing and saying.”
That quote is by Mark Doty in Still Life with Oysters and Lemon
Still Life with a Glass and Oysters
Jan Davidsz de Heem (Dutch, Utrecht 1606–1683/84 Antwerp)
I like it. I need to look outward more. We started this blog at the advice of a counselor. She wanted Barry and I to stop holding things in. She said we needed a place to get our feelings out about everything we are going through. I have discovered I do not need to post when I am upset. I’ve started writing my congressman with complaints! Nice post!…..Jill…xo
Hahaha, I love that about writing your congressman. Yes, that’s what they are for! I’m glad you started your blog BTW because that’s how I met you! This idea of looking outward for writing is wonderful, I think, because it helps get us out of ourselves and yet when we write about something else, we are also expressing our own selves, too.
Very true….headed out to now the yard….wanna help? It is such a gorgeous day out! Time to get my yard ready for the year!….Talk to you soon! Jill
xo
I love this — it gives us a whole new perspective
It felt right to me when I found it. (I just started to write “It felt write to me” haha) Enjoy your Saturday :).
both work don’t they (lol)
So true. What any character or narrator observes characterizes him or her.
There’s been so many times I’ve forgotten this!
Love the quote and such a good reminder that “out there” can be so much more to the story. 🙂
I’m so glad you liked the quote–I thought it was great, too! I have to remind myself periodically to look outside!
A good reminder indeed. As an introvert, I tend to look inward. But none of us can walk alone.
Theresa
Theresa, that is so well put. And I also am an introvert, so I thought it was good to remind myself!
What an utterly ravishing, blissful picture… exquisite… fills my heart to bursting… thank you
Ah, I know–it’s so beautiful and luminous!