Candles and Ink

The old fashioned romance of writing

When I watch beautiful scenes of young women on films, entranced in the process of late-night writing episodes, I join them in my imagination. By lantern or candle-light, accompanied by feather pen and dipping ink, they soar into blank, white pages. Nothing detours their made up minds to pour all of themselves into book or letter.

The feeling and sound of felt tips dancing over journals is not unlike the magic of hearing and feeling your feet hit the ground, strike upon strike during a morning run. Systematic solace. Therapy. A sort of friendship with yourself, without the need for spoken words.

When I was young, I memorized the piano music that plays in the background while Anne (of Green Gables, of course) sits at her desk to write while feeling homesick.

That manic look Winona Ryder gets during her novel writing binge as “Jo” in the 90’s movie adaptation of Little Women? I admittedly relate all too well. I am Jo, in my mind and in those moments.

Writing; I get the thrill of it. I escape into it. I become it. Our words create our worlds. What rapture to have a whole map of places I can go and characters I can see, all because I took the time to invent them! What thrills you?

Take the time. Take the time to admire and gain inspiration from your own “Annes and Jos.” Who do you come alive for when they write or sing or play? Who reminds you most of the person who lives deep inside of you but has yet to be introduced? Light a candle. Grab a pen, or guitar or computer…You get the notion.

We can only see from the place we sit in. That is, we determine our own perspective. If I want to think like a writer, I put myself in the environment and mood of a writer. If you want to get in touch with something more creative or romantic about your life, you may need to switch seats. Get behind the wild eyes or burning minds of others who are passionate about the same “something” you are.

Sit with your own thoughts too. Write them down. Don’t be afraid of the quiet. Silence outside of us sets the stage for new ideas to be heard from inside of us. Be still and trust yourself. You know there’s a more creative, adventurous version of you waiting in the wings. Perhaps you just need to get reacquainted.

Here’s to Anne Shirley, Jo March and Me!