I’ve learned a lot from writing essays every week for the past three years. First off, I’ve learned that the procrastination that I considered my calling card from the time I was a wee child just doesn’t hit the same way it used to. Now, like some kind of old fart, I write my essays a week ahead of time, I give myself plenty of opportunities to reread them, rewrite them, and spellcheck them (seriously, without spellcheck I think my writing would be borderline unintelligible). Another thing I’ve learned from this whole process is how to really just sit down, grip it (the keyboard) and rip it (the essay). I don’t worry about the quality of my writing when I start, I don’t worry about if it flows or if it makes sense. Just get something down and move on because nothing is written in stone. The third thing I’ve learned from the nearly 170 essays I’ve written, and the point of this one, is how hard it’s becoming to find topics to write about that tickle my fancy.
The only way to get better as a writer is to sit down and do it, and that's what you've done, week after week for these three years. it's been a treat to see you grow in skill and confidence, and to marvel at how you can pull a wonderful essay out of that drink of water in the middle of the night, on the feel of a new sponge, or the simplicity of buttered toast. And yes, when you go deeper, there's a whole other reward. I loved the life and death of a banana, but I teared up at your farewell to your Grandma Ruthie. I'll see if my aging boomer brain can come up with a topic or two you might enjoy writing about but I'm confident your antenna will continue to find humor, beauty and fascinating insights in this crazy terrifying and sometimes glorious world.
If you could have a chat with your 18 year old self...
The house you moved into in your senior year of college. Red Solo cups. Your favorite coaches.
The only way to get better as a writer is to sit down and do it, and that's what you've done, week after week for these three years. it's been a treat to see you grow in skill and confidence, and to marvel at how you can pull a wonderful essay out of that drink of water in the middle of the night, on the feel of a new sponge, or the simplicity of buttered toast. And yes, when you go deeper, there's a whole other reward. I loved the life and death of a banana, but I teared up at your farewell to your Grandma Ruthie. I'll see if my aging boomer brain can come up with a topic or two you might enjoy writing about but I'm confident your antenna will continue to find humor, beauty and fascinating insights in this crazy terrifying and sometimes glorious world.
I love your range of topics. Keep the variety coming! You address things I never would have thought of, and grab my attention every time.
Great summary and admission that you have writer’s block.
Write about how your attitude/excitement/anxiety about Opening Day has changed from childhood to now.