Blog Archives

WHY BE HAPPY?

1/28/2014

There is enduring talk around art and health, particularly mental health. Are the most vivid, talented artists damaged? Is crazy and/or addicted and/or solitary the state in which artists create at their best? I know a lot of writers who imbue in their personal poison, and write, and they can give up some very good work.

Still, I have never been able to write that way. Although I can cull fine ideas reflecting on times in my life that feel stretched to a breaking point, and I can perhaps express myself with more abandon if I've had a glass of wine, or I’m feeling some kind of galvanized euphoria, generally clarity, good health and focus help me produce my best work.

I've been reading Jeanette Winterson’s Why Be Happy if You Can be Normal (how great is that title?), an extraordinary memoir written by an exceptional writer who has transcended much in life. I recommend the book heartily. Jeanette Winterson is a writer who has greatly influenced my literary sensibilities, as well as my writing (hopefully).

The memoir contains many beautiful quotes that explore the notion of emotional dismantling and craft, such as this one: “Creativity is on the side of health—it isn't the thing that drives us mad; it is the capacity in us that tries to save us from madness.”

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On the Topic of Acceptable Content

1/20/2014

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There are so many opportunities in art, life, literature, to smack your open palm over your mouth and gasp. Gratuitous sex, inappropriate images, foul language, vulgar innuendo are arguably ubiquitous in the new normal of our culture.

In answer to the never-ending discourse about what is OK, and what is verboten for us to explore as writers, and how morality can quickly turn perverse, I penned my short piece Writing for God.

As if on queue, about a week after the piece was published over at the provocative Literary Orphans, one of my finer LinkedIn writing groups began a discussion titled: "How do you feel about sexually explicit/graphically written material appearing on LinkedIn literary threads? Is this art or pornography? " The poster elaborated on a particular piece that was submitted for a poetry contest--I have not read the piece. As you may have guessed, the resulting comments were largely indignant. Ranging from a man who loathes erotica, to a woman who quoted OSCAR WILDE in defense of "taste," to finally someone saying, "if the words offend, by all means stop reading!"

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A New Year - Responsibilities and Achievements

1/8/2014

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One of the things known to hosts of successful blogs is that you must be consistent. I clearly have shirked that responsibility, and thus realize that I am not a successful host. But I intend to change that. Call it a resolution (a sure-fired way to ensure it will be broken). Good intentions abound.

Since last we visited much has transpired. I have had several more works accepted for publication—2013 closed out with eight pieces having found homes. Two more were completed, submitted, and await responses. I’ve already finished a new story, and today I messed with a silly piece called Customer Complaint, and worked on a story that I haven’t been able to get to congeal—it’ll happen.

On January 2, my creative non-fiction piece Stitching the Womb went live over at Hippocampus Magazine and generated an unexpected response. To date it has been shared on FB 229 times (and only two of those were me), it was tweeted four times, it’s even been pinned to Pinterest! The energy and emotional engagement of that piece has led me to an idea, more to come on that.

I have a piece, Writing for God, that I knew might not sit too well with some folks. But we must write what we are inspired to write, and I’m abandoning certain fears. I swallowed an even bigger fear when I submitted it to a spot I’ve long admired, Literary Orphans, and they accepted the piece--which is live as of today.

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Pamela Langley

In the past decade I have written memoirs for a nun, tutored children from Somalia, edited a college literary magazine, interned at Literary Arts in Portland, published a few stories, graduated from University with highest honors, given a speech to a packed house at the Schnitz, remodeled a fixer-upper, written grants for programs that helped, extended my emotional /intellectual horizons, made an intra-state move, started a business, regained my groove, placed my finger back on the pulse, joined Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn, bought a smartphone, traveled, raised puppies, and most importantly--honed my writing skills. I bare myself here on The Paper Garden and hope some moments will resonate with you.

WHY BE HAPPY?

On the Topic of Acceptable Content

A New Year - Responsibilities and Achievements

Pamela Langley

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