Women Writing: En-courage-ment

I just watched a beautiful video from Women Writing for (a) Change Bloomington. My heart is full.

As I started writing, I was trying to express the gratitude I feel for this organization, and at the same time trying to explain exactly what it is WWf(a)C does. English has so many words for dominion, destruction, and progress, and so few for the intentional holding of transformative space... I opened an old notebook at random, looking for notes from all the feedback I received in WWf(a)C circles as I wrote the novel I'm publishing now. Here's what was on the page:

2/26/09

Read Vera and Wanda's argument [a scene from my novel] to my small group last night. Felt confidence grow in me as I read--from the early doubt and shame--this is no good and now they all know how lame my effort is--to just reading it, to knowing there's power in those words, and the story has hold of something here, this is well done and interesting.

I want to write my novel. I just do. No explanations, no excuses or apologies, no purpose--I want to write my novel.

So. Enough said. Thank you all.

And hey, if you can, donate something to Women Writing for (a) Change. Scholarships made it possible for me, and I want it to be possible for everyone. The world can always use more courage.