Catching Up
As you know, this blog has been silent for the past two months or so. I blame my job, which I think I did mention in my review of Up the Down Staircase. Since I went back to teaching full-time, I realized that I couldn't spend 8 hours (and more!) on a job and still maintain all my blogging activities.
In my guilt and general too-much-on-my-plate-ness, I would go days and days without even visiting my blog and checking out others' blogs. A friend told me it smacked of teenage mentality (avoidance and all), to which I cheerfully replied, "Why, yes. Yes, it does." However, if I could characterize my state in my non-blogging days, I'd say I was like an inflatable doll slowly losing air. And I didn't really understand why until I read this paragraph from I Capture the Castle (which I haven't finished reading, for the record), the story of Cassandra, who lives in a crumbling castle with her poor family and who strives to hone her writing skills by keeping a journal.
"I finish this entry sitting on the stairs. I think it worthy of note that I never felt happier in my life--despite sorrow for father, pity for Rose, embarrassment about Stephen's poetry and no justification for hope as regards our family's general outlook. Perhaps it is because I have satisfied my creative urge..." (italics mine)
Put simply, I missed writing. For me. About what I love.
This is probably why I've also been so into discussions, readings, and talks about creativity. There's a lot of creativity in teaching, true. But there's a creativity in writing, whether it's fiction or non-fic, that's a whole lot more personal. Indulgent, even. So, I miss that kind of creativity and indulgence. Not that I think I can hold a candle to other writers I admire. But I don't really write for them, do I?
So, here I am, wondering how best to catch up with my initial blogging agenda--review the books I've read, aggregate interesting book news, and talk about bookish stuff.
Then I figure, for now, I won't concern myself with how to catch up. I think I'm happy enough writing this blog post. And possibly the knowledge that I am still able to sneak in some reading.:)
Comments
I've recently started a private journal and that's where I've been letting my creative juices flow for now. Actually, I think everyone should write regularly and not just bloggers or those in the academe. Writing is good for both the mind and the soul. ^_^
I'm also looking forward to your review of The Hunger Games and I Capture the Castle, which I have been longing to have a copy of.
I'll see you soon in October, during the FFP Austen discussion. Just wish me luck that I'll be able to finish Pride and Prejudice (and the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies as well) in time for the discussion.
Lately, I've realized how difficult is to make regular blog posts, especially the reviews which take several hours to write. I've been thinking of just posting book reviews in my blog, but I guess that means making posts once a week only. Sometimes, I miss just writing about stuff related to books and reading.
@Patrick - Yeah, if only I could have the time i used to have so I can write more often again. However, you're right--writing is a discipline and a muscle that should be flexed daily. Now, if only I could make the time.:P
@Peter - Yeah, it's been a while. Am thinking whether I should review Hunger Games first or the 13 other books I've read before it that I haven't reviewed yet.:D But I'm going to get around them soon. They're great books to write about.:)