Writing from the Heart

Words are events, they do things. –Ursula K. Le Guin

We carry stories around in our heads all our lives, often forgetting about them until we see an image in a photo, experience a dream or hear a word dropped from a conversation or song. For me, the word speck triggered a memory, and suddenly a story written in fourth grade came into clear view. Mrs. Matthews, my teacher, assigned an essay on the topic of  “Favorite Animals” and we were supposed to write with strong emotion. Oh, I thought that would be easy. Being with Speck, my brindle-colored rat terrier, was like being with a best friend. He was a cuddly bundle of fifteen pounds who accompanied me on solitary walks all over the farm. I did talk to him, only occasionally I told my friends; but when I told him something of great importance, Speck would cock his head as if he understood. Through rain or snow, he waited for me after school and when the bus pulled up, he yipped and barked, saying hello in dog language.

Mrs. Matthews said we were to write a story that was close to our hearts. She said that stories improve when we convey strong emotion— joy, anger, frustration, worry, sadness, disappointment—and that we should find the courage to write freely. So I wrote about the silly games Speck and I played. We’d loved dress up and clowning around. Sometimes, we pretended we were royalty. Speck would strut around the yard wearing a kingly crown of petunias and I would sit on a pedestal of leaves. Another time, Speck wore a pirate’s hat and I was Blackbeard with a stick dagger.

And that’s it—all the story I remember writing for Mrs. Matthews.

Until a year later, the story went on. My diary entry read: Today Speck wasn’t waiting for me. Coming from the barn he dragged his back leg, but I don’t think it’s bad. Remember how he loves to play dead and hop around?  It’s just another trick he’s learned. My great dog! The next entry:How can it be? His other leg has given out!!! Pulled himself with his front legs across the driveway to see me… Shaking…the room went dark.

Writing Exercise:

1. For three or four days, jot down in a list words that stick with you. Don’t take any time to analyze them, just collect them.
2. When it’s convenient to write find a spot and read over your list. Repeating the words often and slowly. Ask yourself, what relationships do I have with each one? What do they mean to me?
3. Don’t hurry with this step. Use your reflective voice to stir memory and encourage insight. Consider the memories that continue to float in and out.
4. Select one. Ask yourself, what emotion(s) do you want to convey?
5. Write your story.

What triggered your memory? What emotions were stirred?