You Must Revise Your Life

Without inspiration, there is no writing.  Without reflection, there is no good writing.

 

As I developed my skills as a writer, I paid attention to both.  It was an epiphany to realize my lifetime of therapy and spiritual growth (since my 20's) were directly related to my ability to write.

 

 

 

 

One author who helped me see this connection early on was William Stafford 1914-1993.  I never met the man, but his little book, "You Must Revise Your Life," changed the course of my life.  

 

Some of his speeches have been archived online, and I watched one in prepping for this post.  The peacefulness and positivity he evokes in this video seem out of place in today's society.  But it doesn't have to be that way.

 

 

The idea from Stafford's title is simple: Reflection leads to transformation.  Whether you call it "growth" or "revision" or whatever, it takes a conscious effort to grow.  And those efforts pay off when it comes to the art of writing.

The word "must" comes from Stafford's belief that growth is the best part of being human.  It takes effort -- enormous effort sometimes -- to be reflective and make changes.  Stafford is particularly hard on writers in this charge, feeling that they must take stock of their own self if they are going to be decent at, and sustained in the work of, writing in the long run.