Truth of the Matter (A Writer’s Confession)

(Lyrics from “If We’re Honest” - 2014, by singer/ song writer Francesca Battistelli):

Truth is harder than a lie
The dark seems safer than the light
And everyone has a heart that loves to hide

But, I shall confide …

Truth of the matter:

I used to be a voracious book reader. Ever since I was a toddler and my mother sat me on her lap to read aloud to me, I had become hooked on books. Looking back to third grade, I recall signing out Frank Baum’s 'Wizard of Oz' from the library several weeks in a row so I could skip, skip, skip to my lou along the yellow brick road over and over again, even if the wizard failed to live up to my expectations. In junior high, I’d already embraced the heady novels of 'Jane Eyre,' 'Rebecca,' 'Gone with the Wind,' and 'The Time Machine.'

As an adult, I remember staying up past midnight, having fallen under the spell of Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, a United States writer who pioneered the historical romance genre with the 1972 publication of her novel 'The Flame and the Flower.'

Moving forward, my reading preference detoured to true crime novels. For the longest time I adhered to a steady diet of Stephen King’s novels of contemporary horror and supernatural fiction.

Truth of the matter:

I literally stopped reading for enjoyment in 2007 after finishing 'Blue Shoe' by Ann Lamott, a beloved author of mine who incidentally happens to share my birthday. You see, by then I had retired from teaching. Undergoing a midlife renaissance, I itched to revive my dormant flair for writing. Ann Lamott tapped into my creative reservoir by encouraging me to spin my own cocoon in the genre of Women’s Fiction.

Consequently, I tap into significant issues affecting the lives of ordinary/ extraordinary, flawed women who grapple with, confront, and overcome their personal dilemmas to become empowered in making profound life changes for the better. Secrets, idiosyncrasies, and sardonic humor prevail throughout my writing: 'Underlying Notes' (2007) and 'An Enlightening Quiche' (Coming Soon).

Truth of the matter:

Then, as now, and futuristically, all of my spare time will be devoted to conducting research, along with marketing and promoting on social media which involves the etiquette of reading and commenting on what other scribes and bibliophiles present on a daily basis. That mentioned, I also intend to write short pieces in the category of Memoir. Therefore, I am not keen on opening a book at the end of the day.

Truth of the matter:

I can no longer relax with a book, especially in the genre I write. Because of constantly critiquing my own work, I’ve developed a third eye for subconsciously editing what others have written despite realizing I am far from perfect. I also do not want to become unduly influenced by the author’s voice or storylines.

Truth of the matter:

When I do unwind, I sift through my pile of crossword puzzle books, and usually opt for those which present a challenge. While those who write books advising writers what to do often prescribe genre “reading” to develop one’s creative acumen through aspiration or emulation, I disagree. Writers are born with a special gift God gave us to heed our inner voice, mandating we must wield it at our own expense so someone else can curl up with a good book—preferably one of ours!