An Embarrassment of Riches

As I type my handwritten Festival of Faith and Writing notes into the computer, I am reminded:

• first, how much I learned, not only about writing, but about thinking and life; and
• second, no wonder I came home so tired!

Action items and philosophical gems are side by side in my notes ~ like a Festival gift basket containing ruby-handled scissors, solid gold pen, French chocolates and wine (these last for inspiration and digestion). These are notes I'll savor often and remember the privilege of learning from and being changed by such fine teachers.

Another embarrassment of riches item is the blessing of having my parents, sister and brother-in-law, and nephew and his wife in our home for Mother's Day. Being together filled my heart with joy, much like the way our "dessert cup" overflowed. We had jointly agreed upon NO desserts other than a fruit salad. My secret surprise, however, would be a lemon and white chocolate mousse and strawberry parfait. Then I thought, what's Mother's Day without strawberries dipped in dark chocolate? So I prepared a lacy tray of those. Others had also concocted secret sweet surprises. Mom showed up with macadamia nut bars she'd baked. My sister showed up with hazelnut-chocolate candy she'd made. My niece showed up with an orange-chocolate torte. Truly an embarrassment of riches, not to mention embarrassing appetites!

Van Gogh Coloring Book

In several sessions at the Festival of Faith and Writing, speakers recommended copying the structure of a novel we like. This strikes me as a bit like buying a Van Gogh coloring book. Even learning that most stories follow similar structures and knowing each author will "color" the story uniquely, I find this advice lacking. Copying structure may be an effective starting point, but developing literary craft and style are critical to being an artist in my own right. The first takes hours of analysis; the second takes a lifetime of study and practice. On another level, the first is something I can do; the second reflects who I am. This will require more than simply coloring my Sunflowers blue instead of Van Gogh's gold and my Starry Night green instead of his blue.

Pegs

When I hear new ideas, it helps to have pegs in my brain to hang them on. Reflecting on the horizon-broadening ideas I heard this month at the Festival of Faith and Writing, I can think of a few pegs. Here's an example:

From Scott Russell Sanders and Kathleen Dean Moore ~ Art described as "regional" is usually from someplace other than the big cities the media normally highlights as the norm. If the New York Times calls writers of the stature of Wendell Berry and Gary Snyder "regional," there's something wrong with the term.

I associate this with other discernment lessons about the propagandizing power of media biases, especially in the areas of politics and religion. I didn't realize this ethnocentric tunnel vision happened with media presentation of the arts, too. Another peg to hang this on is questioning established definitions, such as how we define success or freedom.

Words

In three days at The Festival of Faith and Writing, I have sat in numerous lecture halls for classes, and I have planted myself on numerous benches in tulip gardens between classes. Here are some miscellaneous snippets I heard and overheard:

in the beginning was the Word
journey
how far up do you want to be?
the litmus test of vocation: i can't NOT do it
an essay is mosaic art, a stained glass window light can come through
archeology professor
someone has to write web content
journey
monster truck rally of writers conferences
i mean that in a good way
journey
it would feel more like a job
he wasn't that creative in the bedroom
poet laureate of Lake Wobegon
divisiveness puts democracy at risk
i forgive you; will you forgive me?
once you think you have the answer, you stop asking questions
oprah called just to say thanks
anyone know where i can find coffee?
eavesdropping complicates everything