Monday, April 23, 2012

A Letter to My Writerly Self

MFA Sunday School: Lesson One - A Query Letter to Myself
A map to guide my writing & bring me back when I've lost my way

Dear Writerly Self,

I am a writer.  I am a writer of journal entries, blog posts and hasty, unedited emails I blast off to friends when I can't sleep in the middle of the night.  I am a writer because I have always found clarity forcing jumbled thoughts into written words, because I have always found something powerful about putting pen-to-paper or fingers-to-keyboard. 

I am a writer who in the next two years will become more deliberate and focused about writing.  I am a writer who will carve out time for regular blog posts, who will join that local writing group whose pamphlets I shove in my purse.  I am a writer who will learn to take risks and open myself up to criticism.  I am a writer who might even learn enough in the next two years to piece together those tiny fragments of a novel I have bouncing around my head. 

I am a writer who will dedicate myself to becoming part of a community, both online and in person.  I will do this because I am committed to my writing and I want to be held accountable to that commitment.  I will do this because I want to be challenged and to grow.  I will do this because I want to share my words, make connections and build a support system.  Most of all, I will do this because it is something I love.

Sincerely yours,

Kristen

7 comments:

  1. This is the sort of post that makes me want to stand on my desk like they do at the end of Dead Poets Society. Go YOU! You are a writer. Now let out that barbaric yawp over the rooftops of the world.

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  2. This is great. I love how you begin every paragraph with "I am a writer." Indeed, you are!

    I just now published my query letter on my blog, too, if you want to check it out.

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  3. Found you through Mel's Sunday School. I love your letter to yourself and I feel like I want to stand up and cheer with you :)

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    1. Thanks! In addition to the advice and structure which I badly need, I love that the Sunday School series gives all of us a cheering section. Thanks for the support!

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  4. Hi..I'm just popping over from Mel's MFA class & wanted to say how much I liked your letter, especially the 2nd paragraph how you were so clear in identifying yourself as a writer. Very well written.

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    1. Tiara - Thanks so much for taking time to read my letter. It's hard for me to put myself out there when it comes to writing, but receiving nice responses like yours motivate me to keep pushing myself.

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  5. Strong, to the point, and brave to go first! I will also be cheering for you and I Iove that you have called this spot, "I'll show you mine."

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