Lying on a puce polyester couch, worn notebook propped on thigh, a gnawed nub of a pencil in hand. Just Another Day or maybe The Heart of the Matter floating through the air, perhaps the T.V. is sputtering an only occasionally heard word of Bay Watch or Chicago Hope. Wide windows, silvery sun, cobalt canvas, blanc billows, the occasional bird and me. Welcome to the seventeenth floor.
And, it was just me. No Internet, no social media. Hell, I didn’t even have a cordless phone. I was writing for me. Anyone ever reading it not even a morsel on my mind. An easy task, back in the day.
I understand the quote is bigger than this. There are complex layers beneath its simple veil. It’s saying be true to yourself, write from your heart, don’t sell your soul, undress word by word. I won’t vouch for anyone else, but I’d like to think most, if not all, writers aspire to this. Raw and real. Revealed.
But, I did take pause. Fast forward to today. Can you imagine not thinking of the public while you write? I really can’t. Like now…you’re all here with me. Our room is dimmed in tea-stained light, our toes, a touch cold. Shitty Kitty is curled up on our bed and we’re bathed in the white screen-glow of Robin Williams fighting the good fight as Mrs. Doubtfire.
What’s that you say? You didn’t want the Shitty Kitty? Yeah well, me either, but that’s neither here nor there. You’ll have to take it up with our kids. Maybe you’ll have more luck with them than I (obviously) did on the issue.
Now, where were we? Oh yes…
I write a sentence…a word…I stop. I ask you what you think. If you don’t like it, I try again. Eventually, we agree and a piece is born. It’s a harmonious working relationship, rich with compassion, fused with contentment and compromise.
I write for me, I edit for us and I surrender for the kids.
Hazy Shades of Me 
This is a brilliant post and I totally agree. I love the quote!
LikeLike
Yay! Thanks Dianne!
LikeLike
“I write for me, I edit for us and I surrender for the kids.” Very thoughtful quote.
I fully agree that the best writing is done in relationships, not in solitary confinement.
LikeLike
Thank Tony. I did think long and hard on how to end it. I concur…writing is a relationship between the reader and the writer and the best partnerships always involve both give and take.
LikeLike
One might say that “Shitty Kitty” contributed to this piece in a positive way Hazy. Perhaps a redeeming quality, ’cause it makes for great reading.
LikeLike
Yeah, I guess he deserves some credit. 😉
LikeLike
You have such a brilliant mind. Thank you for this article…I like it a lot. 🙂
My New Blog: http://charliezero1.wordpress.com/about-me/ Your inputs are most appreciated.
LikeLike
Thanks, Charlie Zero. :0)
LikeLike
You’re welcome…I’d like to hear your input on my new blog if you can check it out. 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, too–why we write. Great post.
LikeLike
It is something to contemplate. I, without a doubt, used to write for me, but nowadays, I definitely think of an audience and would almost feel sad if I thought no one were ever going to read it.
I just don’t ever want it to affect my own voice.
Convoluted, huh?!?
LikeLike
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog
like this one these days.
LikeLike
Thank you very much. I try.
It’s a free wordpress “misty” theme. I just changed the banner etc., to my own personalized photo.
I appreciate you stopping by!
LikeLike