Thursday, November 13, 2008

Full Circle


It was three years ago this month that I began this blog. November for me seems to be both a time for endings and a time for new beginnings. It has been an amazing learning experience, this little experiment of sending my words out into the world. Something quite unexpected came out of it for me...the impact of the words you all gave back. So, before I forget I want to say thank you for taking the time to share your opinions and hearts with me. I couldn't have come to this point in my writing without your wings.

If I had to pick the most important thing I've learned here, it's that writing is not a solitary adventure. Words and stories are what bind people together, they are how we connect. Stories are the threads between civilizations and generations. They are how we understand...our own souls, our monsters, our gods and most importantly--each other. I have learned the importance of a village, of having roots and belonging, of giving and receiving. This ending isn't about leaving because I will always return--to your writing space or a new one of my own.

But, since my decision to leave myself open to writing about something other than science, I have had nothing to say. Words have left me. The more I tried to write anything else--short stories, poetry or even this blog--the more pervasive and daunting the silence grew.

But in the absence of my own words and my own ideas, in that deafening silence, someone else's story has emerged. Her story is full of myths and legends, murder and magic. I have been listening obsessively to this story lately, trying to put together the mystery of it all and get to know the woman who is telling it. Her words are the only ones that I can hear now.

And so I begin...

and end.

But I won't forget to write.

xoxoxox

6 comments:

Tia Nevitt said...

I hope it works out for you. And do stop by and visit from time to time! Let me know if you do decide to start another blog. I did that about six months ago.

Good luck.

Anonymous said...

Shannon~ While this sounds suspiciously like a "goodbye" post, it's hard to tell. If you do decide to lay low, I wish you well! And I don't believe for a second that "words have left [you]." I believe that they have gone into their cocoon so that they can emerge at a later date as something more stunningly beautiful.

Mary Ann said...

I enjoy your blog. I hope you find your way and and that your words find you again.

Anonymous said...

Hang in there, knucklehead. You're thought of, and thought well of...

Words are whores, anyway, tramping around with whoever suits their passing fancy.

So, don't pay them any mind. :-)

Alice said...

Thanks for the post. I'm glad you've got a story growing in your head. That's a wonderful feeling. with love, Alice

Alice said...

Hello? Are you still writing. Thanks for your comments on my blog. I''d love to hear how it is going.

Alice