Posts
I
love quotes. I stumbled across the following gem from William Faulkner:
“A
writer needs three things—experience, observation and imagination—any two of
which, at times any one of which, can supply the lack of the others.”
Interesting.
Experiences have become the seeds for some of my stories, as well as for some
scenes. Observations have helped me to find the right details for characters,
settings, and plot developments. I consider imagination, though, the most
important of the three, at least for my fiction writing.
Do
you agree that a writer needs experience, observation, and imagination? Which
would you label the most important? If you don’t agree with Mr. Faulkner, what
would you list as the three things a writer most needs?
***************************************
And now for a Personal Note:
As many of you know, I posted about a “curve ball” health issue that has kept me away from the bloggy universe for the last month plus. Since I have not been around as much as I had hoped, and it’s looking like I won’t be blogging regularly any time soon, I’ve decided, after much should I or shouldn’t I? debate to share my circumstances.
An MRI of my shoulder, meant to diagnose what I thought was a torn rotator cuff muscle, revealed that I have lung cancer. A shocker, especially since I have never smoked and I have always been what my friends and family consider a health and fitness nut. Apparently cancer doesn’t care. And, apparently, it can be ironic. Anyway, such a diagnosis demands treatments, surgeries, and all kinds of appointments and paperwork--stuff that has a way of taking over a life, like it or not. Soon enough, though, thanks to the battalion of angels also known as doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals, I will be back to writing and blogging full time with (thank you Mr. Faulkner) plenty of new experiences and observations to draw from. “Soon enough,” though, may mean months. I will do my best to be around as much as possible the way I’m doing my best to finish my latest novel, but this may be sketchy at times.
Everyone has something to deal with; this is my something for now, but I wish you all happy reading and happy writing and I promise to visit whenever possible.
We all have challenges and it's best to take them with a smile and determination to see it through. Love your Faulkner quote! I'd like to add it to my website page of Favorite WRiterly Quotes.
ReplyDeleteI will be thinking of you, Cynthia. {many,many,many x more hugs}
ReplyDeleteNancy! Thank you! Hugs back.
DeleteI'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, Cynthia.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sabrina.
DeleteI'm going to continue to send healing vibes your way. I know that you're in good hands and will make a fabulous recovery.
ReplyDeleteI love the Faulkner quote.
Also love what you said that everyone goes through something. This is the beauty of writing. It's always there waiting for you when you return.
It is the beauty of writing, Karen. And so nice it's always waiting. I'm so glad you liked the quote.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about your cancer. I'll keep you in my prayers. Good luck with the treatments, and with finding time to write!
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you, Danielle!
DeleteOh, Cynthia. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. What a shock it must have been. You have a great positive attitude about it all and that truly helps. I am sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kelly! I'm feeling very positive. Often, I'm mostly annoyed at how much writing and blogging time is being lost. What does that say? ; )
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about this, Cynthia! You're so strong, lovely and determined, the cancer doesn't stand a chance. Focus on your health first and always. I'll be sending all kinds of healthy, healing vibes your way. All the best. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteThe quote is perfect. I'd put imagination first as well. Take care.
Thank you so much, Jemi! Hugs right back to you!
DeleteI'm rooting for you! Prayers, hugs, wishews and good vibes your way!
ReplyDeleteChar!!! Thank you! Soon enough I'll be joining you at another signing. : )
DeleteOh, Cynthia, this is upsetting, and terribly unfair. Stay strong, my friend!
ReplyDeleteI will, Alissa. Thank you! xo
DeleteWow, I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis! I will be sending you lots of prayers and good, healing thoughts!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa!
DeleteI am proud of you for posting such a lovely, honest message. Hugs, Shannon
ReplyDeleteThank you, as always, for your encouragement, Shannon! Hugs back to you!
DeleteOh Cynthia! I am sending healing thoughts and prayers your way. My cousin's wife had this diagnosis. She too has gone through surgeries and treatments. She doing fine. As will you. Keep a diary, if you can. Write about everything. Get well soon.
ReplyDeleteSuch great advice, Bish! I have started a diary and already I am grateful for it. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers and encouragement!
DeleteI'm in shock. I hope you have a speedy recovery, Cynthia, and still get to do a lot of writing. *hugs and tons of positive vibes*
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stina! Yes, yes, I am hoping I can still keep writing, too. What better therapy? : )
DeleteOh Cynthia... Many prayers for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteMany hugs too.
Thank you, Lynda!
DeleteHoly crap. Sending you the best possible vibes for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Faulkner quote, hmm, I agree of the need for the three, but I can't say which is most important.
Thanks, JeffO. "Holy crap" was pretty much my reaction, too. ; )
DeleteAnd yes, it's hard to pinpoint which of Faulkner's three rates highest. I'll take the combination of all. : )
Cynthia - I am thinking of that book, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" right now. You hang in there, girlfriend. Thoughts and prayers for you!
ReplyDeleteThat's great and so sweet, Victoria! Thank you!!!
DeleteOh, Cynthia, I'm so sorry to hear this. Your positive attitude shines through. Sending prayers for healing your way. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marcia. I'm so glad you sensed my positive attitude. I am positive and I'd hate to come across any other way.
DeleteOh, Cynthia! What a shocker, indeed! We never know what will come our way. Sending positive vibes and more heavenly things your way. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteHugs right back at you, Donna. Thank you. ; )
DeleteAs you know, Cynthia I've been thinking of you a lot as you and my niece travel parallel paths to wellness. I'll keep you both at the forefront of very best and most powerful healing thoughts.
ReplyDeleteTake care. Be well soon.
Thank you, Lee. And I hope your niece is well on her way to recovery and putting this "chapter" behind her, too.
DeleteAh, so sorry to hear your news. Thanks for sharing it. Your life will definitely be filled with things other than blogging, and understandably so. Best wishes on your journey, and we'll be here for you whenever you find time to appear! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol! : )
DeleteSuch a huge curve-ball! I wish you all the best in your recovery.
ReplyDeleteIndeed and thank you, Peggy. The good news is that curve balls never stay in the air for long.
DeleteI'm sorry you're going through this. I'm sending healing vibes your way. I wish you the best as you recover.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Medeia. Maybe I'll still see you at the Miami conference again? ; )
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear this. It sounds like you have a great attitude, though, and that will go a long way towards your speedy healing.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Susan! Positive thoughts are healing.
DeleteSo sorry to hear life and fate has deivered such a blow. Very best of wishes for a speedy recovery!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Pat!
DeleteYou will be in every one of my prayers <3
ReplyDeleteOh, Madeline, thank you very, very much!
DeleteWow, that really is a curve ball! Praying you find healing quickly.
ReplyDeleteLove that quote.
Xx
Thank you, too, Michelle. And it is a great quote, isn't it?
DeleteI've been running around doing my tour and everything that comes after, so didn't catch you post. I will be praying that all goes well and that you make a full recovery.
ReplyDeleteAs to writing, I think imagination is very important. Observation is good too. It can be a great substitute as we learn from other people's experiences.
Thank you, Joy.
DeleteAnd, great point about observation.
You will be in my prayers, Cynthia. Blogging should be low on your list of priorities....take care of yourself. (hug)
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you, Sharon. Hug back to you. ; )
DeleteOh, no! I'm so sorry. That sounds absolutely horrible and terrifying - and crazy, too, because how can someone who's so careful end up with lung cancer? I'm sending you hugs and good wishes.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Caryn! Yes, lots of people are scratching their heads, trying to figure out how I came down with this particular type of cancer. But. . .
DeleteCynthia...you won something on my blog. Could you email me at sharonkmayhew at gmail dot com?
ReplyDeleteHow lovely, Sharon. I will! Thank you!
DeleteHugs, prayers and positive thoughts for you, Cynthia.
ReplyDeleteWishing you speedy recovery.
Thank you, Nas. The speedier the better! ; )
DeleteCynthia, you are in my thoughts. It sounds like catching it the way you did was a blessing in disguise. If that's even a way to look at something like this. And no doubt being so otherwise healthy will help a great deal to get you through this. Wishing you all the very best!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy! You're so right--catching it by way of the MRI was a blessing in disguise. I hate to think what would have happened without that shoulder pain.
DeleteI am sending you tons of healing thoughts and positive vibes. Hugs and prayers, too.
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Thank you, Nutschell!
DeleteSince I didn't blog during September, I read this just today. That's some curve ball you caught. I'll be sending lots of good thoughts and prayers your way. Sounds like they spotted it early. Take good care of yourself. We'll all look forward to seeing you return all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol! Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed is the goal and the plan! ; ) Glad you're back... I'll be by your blog soon.
DeleteI've been away from blogging for a while myself and don't know why it is that this particular post was the first of yours I've read since returning. I'll push as many positive thoughts as I can your way. A positive attitude, along with persistence, are two of the most important traits a writer, or anyone for that matter, needs to become successful.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Dave. I agree that a positive attitude and persistence are ingredients for success in most if not all areas.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's not a curve ball. You got hit with the pitch. I'm bundling up all my good vibes and launching them your way. What a perfect quote. Ah, the twisting of the observation with the imagination. Is there anything better?
ReplyDeleteYou're a brave woman and you will get through this. Don't worry about the blog, you come first. I'll make sure I say a prayer for you and your family. Best Wishes - Cynthia
ReplyDelete