I was at a writing conference. It as the summer, nearly a year, after earning my MFA in Creative Writing–not that that makes you a writer–but the kick-off discussion for the opening panel was, Why Do We/I Write?
The conference was for graduates of our MFA program at Goddard College in Vermont.
Five writers presented essays addressing the question of what draws us as writer to this art form that for many of us is a compulsion–an obsession. The essay that most touched me was the one wherein the writer said she wrote, to create a little piece of heaven.
Now that may seem strange in light of the fact that good stories–in fact the best loved tales from all over the world in whatever canon of literature–bear at least one mark–great conflict or drama or as we call it–tension.
So how can tension and conflict provide a glimpse of heaven?
For me it rests in knowing that my characters will turn out okay–better yet–stronger people–more human and compassionate and merciful, to each other and most of all themselves.
Heaven for me is grace. And just as every good piece of writing holds tension and conflict–so too do its words reflect glimpses of grace and redemption.
I hope to hear from all of you on this Saturday and/or in the coming weeks when I broadcast my radio show, Book Talk, Creativity & Family Matters on Blog Talk Radio:
Date & Time: Saturday, February 21, 2009 3pm EST/12pm PST
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/anjuellefloyd