I've been experiencing some major mushy brain for a while now. Ever since I've had kids, the academic side of me seems to have slipped away. I was in AP English in high school and I loved it! I loved writing analytical essays. I loved discussing and writing essays about the books we were reading. I did well on my essay exams and got A's in that class. I could write, and write well.
But somewhere between then and now, all of that has fell by the wayside. I mean, I read some of my blog posts and wonder where in the world that girl I use to be went. I feel like I can't write anymore. My writing is boring and just plain blah! How can that have happened? Shouldn't I still be able to write? Sometimes when I'm talking or writing I try to use words that I know are in my brain somewhere, but I just can't find them! I feel like I'm stuck in my own head; knowing I use to speak and write so much better and it's there somewhere, but I can't get it to come out now. It is so frustrating! I seriously think that my brain has become mushy with each child I have had. Really! What else can explain it? Okay, don't answer that! Ask me anything about being pregnant, giving birth, or raising kids and I'm sure I can answer almost any question. But what about the part of me that existed before kids? Where did she go?
I want to regain my writing skills and improve upon them. I'm asking for help people! What can I do? I know; write more. But writing about how many poopy diapers I changed and the woes of bedtime routines just isn't cutting it for me. I need some new material. I need some feedback. I need a writing mentor. Anyone up for it? Cheyenne? I know you are a good writer. Anyone else? Maybe we could start a writing club. We could choose a topic each week and then post about it; offer constructive criticism and feedback; discuss what we've learned. Is anyone up for this? Please join my club and help a friend out!
5 comments:
I soooooooooo know how you feel. Not so much about writing but the mushy brain syndrome. It's really not fun. And I have felt more often than I care to think that I have lost a part of me (or a few parts) along the way. So I have some sympathy, my friend. (We should chat again soon :)
My brain is mushy, too, and writing is my vocation. A little club wouldn't be a bad idea, though, even if it's just you and me. We could make a blog out of it. I could put up some "tutorials". In the meantime, try this: Whenever you write in your journal, try to write it like you're writing a story for someone else to read. Describe everything (or at least one thing) in great detail. At first, you may not get all your flowery words on paper, but it's a good exercise. Before you know it, words will come spewing forth! I also reccomend reading old classic books like Jane Austen, L.M. Montgomery or Sir Walter Scott. Now those are people who weild the English language. You pick up a lot of good stuff from them.
Yea! I knew you would have some good ideas! And making a blog for it all would be super-cool! (Aren't I just full of sophisticated words?) HA! Oh and writing in my journal, what's that? Maybe that's part of my problem. Okay, adding to the never-ending list of things I need to do, but don't do: Journal Writing. I have a bunch of L.M. Montgomery's books that I have never read. They're all packed up in storage so I'll have to go dig them out.
I know what you mean!! I have that too. It might be fun to be part of a group, but I have never been as good as you. Maybe you and cheyenne could start and then I could follow laer.
If you start a writing club I'd love to be included.
I was in your spot a few years ago--I get the mommy mush brain. The best advice I got was to read good books and, as you already said, write more. You are so creative with your photography and blog design--anything you do to express yourself will keep those creative juices flowing, I've not doubt.
Also, have you met the girls over at Segullah? There are often some great discussions going on over there, you are sure welcome to join in!
(Since I'm on blogger you might not know who this is--it won't link to my personal blog. But I'm your cousin Dalene.)
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