Work In Progress
Ever since I read The Time Traveler’s Wife, a notion in the book has stayed with me as strongly as any other aspect. And if you still haven’t read this book, I don’t know what you’re waiting for. It's a fantastic read.
The time traveler, Henry de Tamble, has run into himself on a few occasions. He escorts his five-year-old self around a grand museum on his younger incarnation’s birthday. He occasionally takes comforting words (and cash) from a version of himself only a few weeks older. On the day before his wedding, Henry decides it’s time to get his long hair cut short. The moment the task is done, Henry looks in the mirror and recognizes himself as the older, more mature man he knew he was going to become sooner or later. Now that person is staring him in the face from the mirror.
Even without the time traveling aspect, I very strongly like the idea of knowing who you’re going to end up becoming. Even if only on some internal, subconscious level, there’s the concept that we know ourselves well enough to recognize almost tailored alterations that benefit us as a whole, or just ‘fit’.
It can be something as broad as finding out you’re got a talent for something as a kid. Discovering a new favorite book. Meeting that friend you feel you’ve known for years. All the resonance of a strong case of Déjà vu with none of the discomfort. Or am I the only one that finds Déjà vu uncomfortable…
Regardless. Even something subtle as a change in appearance (such as a new haircut) that just says “This is me.” I think it’s indicative of something deeper, or at least I’d like to think it is. As for myself, I don’t think I’m ‘there’ yet. Not done making alterations. I mean, I’ve known for a while now that I enjoy writing (and it’s something I think I’m reasonably good at), but I still haven’t quite found my voice for it. I have one writing style for the slam poetry, and another for these blog entries. I’m still finding it in other venues, like play-writing and fiction.
I don’t remember who said it, or even how I came across the following advice. It could have been in a magazine quote, a book, or given in person. Regardless, it has stayed with me: “Write something that *you* would want to read.” I know what I like to read. I also know what I love to read. I haven’t yet fallen in love with my own copy, which is a good thing I’m sure.
In any case, the idea of *being* a work in progress, with subtle or significant changes yet to be made, is one that appeals. The writing tip could be applied to other areas… Perform like the type of showman you would want to watch. (Still an actor.) Act like the type of person you would want to spend time around. Sort of an inverted golden rule. No wonder people tell me I’m self-centered…
And I can work on that.
The time traveler, Henry de Tamble, has run into himself on a few occasions. He escorts his five-year-old self around a grand museum on his younger incarnation’s birthday. He occasionally takes comforting words (and cash) from a version of himself only a few weeks older. On the day before his wedding, Henry decides it’s time to get his long hair cut short. The moment the task is done, Henry looks in the mirror and recognizes himself as the older, more mature man he knew he was going to become sooner or later. Now that person is staring him in the face from the mirror.
Even without the time traveling aspect, I very strongly like the idea of knowing who you’re going to end up becoming. Even if only on some internal, subconscious level, there’s the concept that we know ourselves well enough to recognize almost tailored alterations that benefit us as a whole, or just ‘fit’.
It can be something as broad as finding out you’re got a talent for something as a kid. Discovering a new favorite book. Meeting that friend you feel you’ve known for years. All the resonance of a strong case of Déjà vu with none of the discomfort. Or am I the only one that finds Déjà vu uncomfortable…
Regardless. Even something subtle as a change in appearance (such as a new haircut) that just says “This is me.” I think it’s indicative of something deeper, or at least I’d like to think it is. As for myself, I don’t think I’m ‘there’ yet. Not done making alterations. I mean, I’ve known for a while now that I enjoy writing (and it’s something I think I’m reasonably good at), but I still haven’t quite found my voice for it. I have one writing style for the slam poetry, and another for these blog entries. I’m still finding it in other venues, like play-writing and fiction.
I don’t remember who said it, or even how I came across the following advice. It could have been in a magazine quote, a book, or given in person. Regardless, it has stayed with me: “Write something that *you* would want to read.” I know what I like to read. I also know what I love to read. I haven’t yet fallen in love with my own copy, which is a good thing I’m sure.
In any case, the idea of *being* a work in progress, with subtle or significant changes yet to be made, is one that appeals. The writing tip could be applied to other areas… Perform like the type of showman you would want to watch. (Still an actor.) Act like the type of person you would want to spend time around. Sort of an inverted golden rule. No wonder people tell me I’m self-centered…
And I can work on that.
Labels: change
posted by Casey Jones @ 6/13/2005 09:22:00 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home