This week's Write on Wednesday prompt is:
So tell me, what are the areas closest to your heart? What aspects of your life in general do you find yourself sharing in writing? Do you enjoy reading/writing personal essays? Who are some of your favorite essayists?
Extra Credit (from The Right to Write): In your journal, list 50 things you’re proud of about yourself…what does this list tell you about the things you value most?
I think my family is closest to my heart, so I typically write about them. For my monthly column in the Mercer's Magazine I tend to write about memories from my childhood or from my children's childhoods. Personal essays are probably my favorite type of writing, mainly because it comes easy to me. Also, I have kept a journal / diary since I was 11 years old, so I have a lot of information to draw from. I don't know who said "Write what you know", but this is something I do in most of my writing.
I enjoy reading personal essays. For some reason, reading other people's memories and recollections gives me a greater sense of self. You get to know a person better when you read about those personal, private moments from their lives.I enjoy reading David Sedaris - he has such a humorous way to describing life! His sister, Amy Sedaris, is just as witty and funny! I also enjoy reading essays by Chris Buckley, Joel Stein and Chelsa Handler. Erma Bombeck has also been a favorite and I still occasionally pick up one of her books.
Of course, creative writing is a different beast all together, but I still throw in things I know about.
7 comments:
Oh yes, David Sedaris and Sarah Vowels too - I love so much of what I hear on NPR in the form of personal essays. It gives me a glimpse into the lives of others.
Yeah - Sedaris is another of my favorites, and I'm with Juliann on Sarah Vowell, too. I also love Anne Lamott's old Salon posts.
i am so with you... i like readin about the actual person,, their memories adventures, emotions... i like that better than any form of fiction or poetry... to me there is something not only healing,, but bonding in being privy to someone else's psyche......
I've not read any of David Sedaris' work, but I need to. I enjoy reading the impressions of others too - as you say, it's a way to learn more about others and ourselves as well.
Thanks for mentioning some essayists like Handler and Stein - I need to read more of them. And I agree on Sedaris - haven't read his new one yet, though.
Erma Bombeck -- I haven't thought of her in a long while. I always so enjoyed her stuff. And of course the Sedarises, too... I forgot to put them on my list.
I'm glad writing about your family is a favorite, because I always enjoy that!
I have not read Sedaris as yet!
Life in general
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