As I delve deeper into my memoir (moving ever closer to the end), I sometimes waver in my thoughts about what it means to be a reliable witness. For example:
*How trustworthy are our physical sensations? What do they reveal, and what do they hide?
*How much confidence should we place in our own perceptions, given that there are many sides to the same story?
*Do our perceptions bend toward a foregone conclusion, and how do they shape us, if so?
These contemplations aren't mere navel-gazing, I assure you. They speak to a much deeper quest–one that I'm traveling while writing WITNESS. They're leading me to the questions behind the questions, and are helping me find answers beyond the obvious–a la Nancy Drew, but on a much deeper level. More so (and somewhat paradoxically), this recursive line of questioning is teaching me how to move forward with steadfastness and serenity, grounded in the awareness that I'm traveling the right path.
Earth Witness Mudra via Buddhism.about.com
I absolutely agree.
Thanks, Tracy. Patience isn’t always my strong suit, and therein lies a paradox. Nancy Drew that I am, I like to explore several possibilities before reaching a conclusion (if such a thing exists). And as we all know, sleuthing is a time-consuming process… 🙂
You will tell the story you are meant to tell.
Em
I believe this, heart and soul.
I love your questions, Melodye. Many of them are ones I’ve asked myself. And I’m very much looking forward to reading where you go with them.
I’d love to discuss these questions with you someday, Amy, preferably in person! Hey, it could happen…! 🙂
I agree, and I appreciate your validation of my process. 🙂
It’s far easier, I suppose, to skim the surface of a story, but I’ve always been intrigued by “what ifs.” Therein lie some of Life’s grandest adventures!
And, I hope, a far richer story.
Wouldn’t it be fun to explore these ideas together?? If I were to someday lead/attended a memoir workshop, I’d place these questions (and a handful of others) front and center.
When I taught memoir this summer, I found myself asking questions too, about my own book (still stalled). The questions don’t yield answers but more questions. And sometimes there are no answers. Keep going, almost there!