» Writing in the Moment
Years ago, I worked in a camera shop that had a photofinishing mini-lab on the premises. You could have your film developed in an hour and I would do this from time to time, running over to the store to get pictures developed from an event I just came from and odd as it may sound, I was always a little disappointed with the results. It was as if the memory was so strong in my mind that the pictures couldn’t do them justice. If I waited a while to have them developed, it seemed to bring the memories back and I liked that better.
I struggle with the same issue when I take a trip somewhere. I want to write about it while I’m there- while it’s fresh in my mind, but once again, it always comes out in a way that doesn’t seem to do the experience justice. I think I enjoy writing about my experiences in retrospect because once again, it brings the memories back. Sometimes I will even write about an experience more than once if it was something that was really important to me. Rather than re-reading what I have already written, I’ll write it out again much like re-telling a story around the dinner table and the cool thing about that, is that I often remember little details that I forgot the first time.
I think at the very minimum, I’d like to simply take notes when I am within the experience rather than trying to put words to my emotions. Then I have an outline for later.
Does that make sense?
On the other hand, I LOVE to draw mandalas while I am out and about. I can look back at them and say to myself, “Ah yes… that was one that I did while sitting in the breakfast nook at that amazing farmhouse in Ohio.”
Art by Biffybeans © All Rights Reserved.
Comments
While I do not tend to write much in my sketchbook beyond some quick notes while traveling, I can certainly identify with drawing while on the road. Looking at sketches done on location certainly helps recall details and the experience surrounding their creation.
I tend to agree re: the pics. However, with journaling, I jot down salient points, notes, etc almost realtime. This effectively becomes my first draft, and then later I may or may not write a more fleshed out second draft referencing the first draft. By doing it as I described I’m sure to capture important details without relying too much on my aging memory. However, sometimes the first draft becomes the final draft is I don;t feel like writing anymore about it.
I think that absolutely makes sense. Tea isn’t tea until it has steeped, and some preparations are necessary to enhance the experience of tea-ness. –Notes leading to more full writing–.
On a trip or “unique” outing, I am much more inclined to walk with a small notebook and annotate a day, provide myself the hint and indication I will need to spark the greater fullness I will write later on, than jump into that fullness right away.
In some way that I can’t fully explain, it is my experience that this process allows for more roominess, more dimension, for ease of re-entering at a later time.
In other words, I get what your saying and yep, makes sense to me!
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