Writing In Public Places

I loved how intimate this chapter was. I felt like she was talking directly to me and telling me secrets about here private live of journal writing (or how it's really not private at all). Bonnie was the first writer so far in this book that talked about the issue of the disappearing act of writing on real paper. The way she talked about the pros of real hand on pen contact and the issues revolving around a generation relying only on typing actually made me want to throw out my computer and pick up a pen and paper. Most of all though, I liked how she described all the places she has written in and how you don't always need a quiet place and a comfy chair to produce good writing. It seemed like she was writing about a lover or a best friend, someone she cares for and will do anything to be with. I really loved the passion I felt in her prose.

A sea of blue ink

This piece seriously made me want to start keeping a journal both to have an archive of details I will forget but also for the same reason Kathryn Wilkens does, for personal growth. I agree that sometimes when all of my ideas and emotions are bouncing around and contained in my head that I can't really work through them. Sure talking to people helps bring these things out but I think that having a personal way to cleanse your mind is important as well. I think that both of the writers we have heard from have used these personal essays as a way to promote/boast about their work a bit, which sort of annoys me. But I think Kathryn makes a good point and illustrates her relationships with her notebooks in a beautiful and intimate way that is very accesible for everyone. I myself can say that after reading this I am going to go out and get a journal to start writing in.

My house

Hum Hum Hum. Hum Hum Hum. She sings to me. It’s a slow rocking melody that lulls me into a sun-saturated sleep. We’re sitting out on the deck looking at our house, our small beautiful house. I love how the red brick looks at this time of day, all on fire and burning. Burning but never becoming the remnants of a fire. Hum Hum Hum. I’ve always loved our house. Loved the way that inside its protective outer layer it is cool and safe. I love our room too. Others say its cramped, tiny, not enough, but I love the intimacy. I like coming home in the late afternoon to find her cooking some new recipe she just heard about. Grating turmeric and ginger into a pan while infusing cucumber into cold delicious yogurt. Hum Hum Hum. I love that we eat on cushions outside, listening to all things with wings and talking about the colors of the bleeding sky. But I love our house at night the most. When the white lights come out and float above us, just far enough out of our reach. When I look at them they seem so knowledgeable and full. Hum Hum Hum. She and I, we lay out on blankets and scarves in the warm night air and talk about everything, things that matter, and things that don’t matter at all. I love our house.

Me and my notebook #1

I liked how Stavans described a notebook as more of a place to just let loose and not write in any linear fashion. I wasn't so interested in how his doodles turned into a graphic novel but I like how he wrote how his notebook writing is similar to nakedness because its edited or written to be seen. I have a notebook that I write in sometimes but for me its a little difficult to get out of my mind and just let the writing flow. I always want to write the "perfect" poem, story, etc. But usually once I start just spouting anything onto the page I create things that I later can use and polish. He did a good job of explaining how notebook writing doesn't have to be perfect or even coherent, its just a way to get your thoughts out of your head and onto the paper.