Writing Through Cancer

For the better part of this month, I’ve been trying to come up with the single word that will guide my writing and daily my life, in 2014.  It’s a practice introduced to me by two of my writing buddies over a year ago, one they have shared for several years, and one I embraced wholeheartedly, as did the other two members in our monthly writing group.  There was something elegant and, in a real way, more honest, about choosing a single, meaningful word than making a list of resolutions (as I used to do), ones that often disappeared in a cloud of good intentions, by late February.

Here’s how it works:  at our first meeting of the New Year, we each bring our word and, one by one, share it and the reason for its choice.  It’s not something one does easily.  This year, as last, I agonized for days, consulting my dictionary, thesaurus, and favorite poems, hoping a word would suddenly be illuminated, virtually leaping off the page and saying, “Choose me.  Choose me.”  None did.

It was only as I was playing with our dog, a lovable but very neurotic toy poodle, that inspiration struck.  That’s the way the muse works, actually, sneaking up on us when we least expect it, but only after we’ve done the work to be ready for her arrival.  As Kramer cavorted at my feet, I burst into song (yes, I admit it, I dreamed of being a hit singer in my pre-pubescent years, and even now, a candlestick sometimes doubles as a microphone).  “You’ve gotta’ have heart,” I sang, startling the dog.  He backed away, staring at me as I belted out the lyrics, still remembered, from many years ago.

All you really need is heart

When the odds are sayin’

You’ll never win

That’s when a grin

Should start…

(From the 1955 musical comedy, by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross)

I had my word, “heart.”  It has particular significance for me, not the least being the implanted device in my chest, a reminder of the day my heart actually failed five years ago.  It’s also a word I often use in my writing workshops. “Write from the heart,” I frequently say when someone asks, “but what do I write about?”

I routinely begin with an  image of a heart on the first day of my annual summer class, “Writing as a Healing Ministry,” at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley.  Now, it seemed,  it was my turn.  I consulted my thesaurus once again.  This time, I swear the word “heart” was practically glowing.  I scanned the list of meanings physical organ, emotions, compassion, enthusiasm, center, essence—and familiar usages like “by heart,” “do one’s heart good,” “ have a heart,”  “eat your heart out,” “take heart,” even “heartache.”  It is an extraordinarily rich word, and one that applies to my writing–the writing that matters to me the most–and to my life.

You’ve gotta have heart

Miles ‘n miles n’ miles of heart

Oh, it’s fine to be a genius of course

But keep that old horse

Before the cart

First you’ve gotta have heart…

This past Friday, our first meeting of the New Year, each of my writing friends shared their word and why they’d chosen it.  In every case, the words were as much about the way in which we wanted to live our lives this year as it was about our writing.  Our words led us into deeper waters as we talked, the territory beneath the water line that is so important to explore as a writer, the things that matter most to us and why.  All from one single word.

After we adjourned, I returned to my office and opened up the small two-inch by three-inch frame that’s held the image of my 2013 choice, “rewrite,” and replaced it with the picture of a small red heart on a blue background.  It sits to the left of my keyboard where, as I work, I glance at it multiple times a day, reminding me of author Judith Campbell’s oft-repeated quote, “When your heart speaks, take good notes.”  That’s my intent, staying on course, writing about and focusing on what truly matters in life, giving my heart at least equal time with my head!

This week, why not choose one word that holds meaning for you?  Then begin with that one word and write for 20 minutes.  Explore the meanings, memories, even the images that spring to mind.  You might even share your word choice and what it means for you in the comment section of this blog.  Or, do as my friends and I do.  Frame or post your word where you can see it on a daily basis.  Let it remind you of your intentions for this New Year.