It is technically two paragraphs, but I'm quite proud of these two that I wrote in an essay about my labor with my first child:
"When the pushing began I screamed like a wild animal in a rusty trap, so high and long that my midwife had to implore me to bring my tone down, ground it in my chest so that I didn’t blow out my vocal cords. I shoved myself, what little of myself was left to hold onto, deep into my heart and it ripped wide open.
I was pain and instinct, nothing more. I was not heroic. I was not noble. I was not transcendent. I was raw and wounded and wild, in the vicious, unyielding grip of the life that I had chosen, having no idea what that would truly mean, what it would require of me."
LOVE Barbara Kingsolver...read nearly everything, but just can't get into Lacuna. Small Wonders is one of my favorite books of essays, and I've been to most of the places she writes about in High Tide. Animal Dreams is probably my favorite. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - I was waiting to get a root canal and read the chapter on turkey sex - a definite wild read. The one about the monarchs -Flight Behavior (?). She's just an amazing writer. Loved this piece!
I love most everything she writes, too, but I couldn't get into The Poisonwood Bible (I know!). It was too epic, I think, and not intimate enough, which is what I expect from her. I loved Animal Dreams, along with her earlier works, The Bean Trees and Pigs in Heaven. I just noticed I have Prodigal Summer on my Kingsolver shelf and I've never read it!
Interesting. Lacuna is one of my favorite of her books, along with Animal Dreams. Just finished Demon Copperhead, which may be her most powerful book yet. Not an easy read by any stretch, but a story that needed to be told, and one it would be good for all to acknowledge. Flight Behavior is maybe my least favorite, but maybe another read of it is in order. I think I read it after Poisonwood Bible, another of my favorites.
I haven't read Lacuna though I have it on my shelf (a thrift store find). I did like Animal Dreams and her books of essays are wonderful. I need to order Demon Copperhead. Thanks for the reminder!
These are magnificent and inspiring. When I was in high school in the fifties, an English teacher (either my junior or senior year) required us to memorize the Gettysburg Address. Since that time I anticipate each word every time I read it, and savor it anew. The many classics I read during those years have been a source of inspiration in recent years when I've attempted writing. Once in a while I think I produce a paragraph or two that's a reflection of that inspiration and am humbled and surprised. And grateful for those magnificent writers whose use of words stirred me to eventually want to make my own collection of words and create a story.
I've always thought the Gettysburg Address was the most stunning speech I've ever read. At Gettysburg I saw the place where Lincoln spoke those words and saw the graves he was consecrating, and it meant even more. So when I wanted to show examples of rhythm and flow, I knew this had to be included--knowing, too, that some readers would think it was an odd choice. So thank you for commenting on it.
Hello everyone, of the 3 examples Kingsolver kept my attention most. I think what I am looking for is a little different. I will know it when I read it. I like words that surprise me in the way they are used. I also like descriptions more poetic that sweep me into delight. These have been fiction writers mainly.
When I was a teenager I would walk to a nearby park with my notebook and just write poetry. It flowed out of me . I want to find that girl again. To be able to write in a different way than I do at moment. I want to get away ftom dry teacher mode which is a carryover from my YouTube channel. I am uninspired by my current style and topics. I am not trying to do poetry. When I read the term Creative non-fiction today on your Medium page I perked up. I want to understand this style of writing better. I am an artist as a hobby watercolor, acrylics and I love pen, ink and coulored pencils. Hand writing something is more inspiring than my computer.. Jhershierra
It is technically two paragraphs, but I'm quite proud of these two that I wrote in an essay about my labor with my first child:
"When the pushing began I screamed like a wild animal in a rusty trap, so high and long that my midwife had to implore me to bring my tone down, ground it in my chest so that I didn’t blow out my vocal cords. I shoved myself, what little of myself was left to hold onto, deep into my heart and it ripped wide open.
I was pain and instinct, nothing more. I was not heroic. I was not noble. I was not transcendent. I was raw and wounded and wild, in the vicious, unyielding grip of the life that I had chosen, having no idea what that would truly mean, what it would require of me."
Wow! I would definitely want to read the rest of that! Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome to if you'd like. <3 https://ashasanaker.substack.com/p/rites-of-passage
Beautifully written, Asha. Riveting and compelling. Wow! Thanks so much!
Thanks so much for reading! What a treat!
Those first two paragraphs are killer! Not that the rest isn't...
LOVE Barbara Kingsolver...read nearly everything, but just can't get into Lacuna. Small Wonders is one of my favorite books of essays, and I've been to most of the places she writes about in High Tide. Animal Dreams is probably my favorite. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - I was waiting to get a root canal and read the chapter on turkey sex - a definite wild read. The one about the monarchs -Flight Behavior (?). She's just an amazing writer. Loved this piece!
I love most everything she writes, too, but I couldn't get into The Poisonwood Bible (I know!). It was too epic, I think, and not intimate enough, which is what I expect from her. I loved Animal Dreams, along with her earlier works, The Bean Trees and Pigs in Heaven. I just noticed I have Prodigal Summer on my Kingsolver shelf and I've never read it!
as I recall, that is beautifully written. Enjoy!
Interesting. Lacuna is one of my favorite of her books, along with Animal Dreams. Just finished Demon Copperhead, which may be her most powerful book yet. Not an easy read by any stretch, but a story that needed to be told, and one it would be good for all to acknowledge. Flight Behavior is maybe my least favorite, but maybe another read of it is in order. I think I read it after Poisonwood Bible, another of my favorites.
I haven't read Lacuna though I have it on my shelf (a thrift store find). I did like Animal Dreams and her books of essays are wonderful. I need to order Demon Copperhead. Thanks for the reminder!
These are magnificent and inspiring. When I was in high school in the fifties, an English teacher (either my junior or senior year) required us to memorize the Gettysburg Address. Since that time I anticipate each word every time I read it, and savor it anew. The many classics I read during those years have been a source of inspiration in recent years when I've attempted writing. Once in a while I think I produce a paragraph or two that's a reflection of that inspiration and am humbled and surprised. And grateful for those magnificent writers whose use of words stirred me to eventually want to make my own collection of words and create a story.
I've always thought the Gettysburg Address was the most stunning speech I've ever read. At Gettysburg I saw the place where Lincoln spoke those words and saw the graves he was consecrating, and it meant even more. So when I wanted to show examples of rhythm and flow, I knew this had to be included--knowing, too, that some readers would think it was an odd choice. So thank you for commenting on it.
Hello everyone, of the 3 examples Kingsolver kept my attention most. I think what I am looking for is a little different. I will know it when I read it. I like words that surprise me in the way they are used. I also like descriptions more poetic that sweep me into delight. These have been fiction writers mainly.
When I was a teenager I would walk to a nearby park with my notebook and just write poetry. It flowed out of me . I want to find that girl again. To be able to write in a different way than I do at moment. I want to get away ftom dry teacher mode which is a carryover from my YouTube channel. I am uninspired by my current style and topics. I am not trying to do poetry. When I read the term Creative non-fiction today on your Medium page I perked up. I want to understand this style of writing better. I am an artist as a hobby watercolor, acrylics and I love pen, ink and coulored pencils. Hand writing something is more inspiring than my computer.. Jhershierra
I see there isn't any edit button. Sorry for typos. I am on my cellphone