July 18, 2011

I’m always shocked when people tell me, “I don’t like to read.” And I used to be stunned when wannabe writers told me that.

What poverty! I can’t imagine what life would be like if I didn’t love words.

For So Many Reasons

How do I love words? Let me count the ways:

• When I’m happy or want a reward for a job well done, I pick up a good book and read for pleasure.
• If I want to know something—from how to be a better grandma to planning a trip to England—I read to learn.
• If I have a personal problem, I look to books where people have shared their struggles and ideas for overcoming.
• If I’m hurt or afraid, I turn to my journal to sort myself out and talk to God about things. By the time I’m all written out, I feel much better and often I’ve arrived at a solution to my problem.
• And I get to make a living by staying home and making up stories.

What wonderful gifts, to love to read and to love to write. Today, instead of focusing on the frustrations of revision or marketing my work, I’m just grateful for the God-given desire I have for words.

What does reading (or writing) mean to YOU?

8 Comments »

1. 

   Thanks for the reminder, Kristi.The frustration can become overwhelming when we forget WHY we do what we do.

   Comment by Meline Scheidel — July 18, 2011 @ 6:57 am

2. 

   Meline, I have to remind myself frequently too! Sometimes all it takes is to sit down for fifteen minutes, alone with a favorite book, and dive into it and let the words flow through my mind… Then I remember.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — July 18, 2011 @ 12:29 pm

3. 

   Your five observations express my exact feelings about reading and writing.

   Comment by Deanna — July 18, 2011 @ 7:08 pm

4. 

   Deanna, what do people do in life if they don’t love words? I have no idea. Thanks for your comment–we sound like kindred souls.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — July 19, 2011 @ 12:08 pm

5. 

   Being able to read and write helps me function as a fully informed citizen. Reading & writing help me think critically. Reading & writing take me to other worlds, real & imagined. Reading & writing help me process events & emotions. Yes, Kristi, those of us who love words are rich, indeed!

   Comment by Jane Heitman Healy — July 19, 2011 @ 3:56 pm

6. 

   Jane, you added several great reasons to my list! Being informed, thinking critically–so important. And reading/writing DOES take us away to other worlds–even better than Calgon! (Remember that old commercial?)

   Comment by Kristi Holl — July 20, 2011 @ 12:03 pm

7. 

   oh gawds – my first addiction besides music -!!
   So addicted to well wielded ones! -
   I tried to sum it up one day – why I HAVE to write (or read) Nectar of the Gods and Buffet feasts – words are at the least 3 dimensional!
   The Word Hewer

   Listen to the way the words curl
   with full dimensional heft -

   like wood shavings gently severed
   falling in feathery motion
   patterning the floor.

   The impassioned hewer
   fierce in that sacred search
   of wresting perfect pieces
   from integral essence –

   the essence becomes the carving
   Is the very essence and the carving
   the very shape & color & heft
   risted truely, a fine integrity beyond words.

   Should someone stop to view
   It may strike so true
   That they are the poem,
   in the poem, looking out

   JHT’03

   Comment by jen — July 21, 2011 @ 1:48 pm

8. 

   Jen, loved your “Word Hewer” poem! Thanks for sharing. I couldn’t write a poem to save my life, and I’m so impressed with those who can.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — July 21, 2011 @ 2:53 pm

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