What do you write about?

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on December 23, 2004). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

From Samantha:

“What do you write about?”

This gives me pause. Do I give him the simple answer, or the complicated one? I’ve spent most of the last week by myself, pacing, waiting for things to happen. I’m impatient and, admittedly, a little grumpy. “I write about, um, memory.”

“I don’t understand.”

This doesn’t surprise me. “Well. You know how, when you have a memory, it’s really just a series of images that are vague, with a couple of points sticking out for reference? And then, when you try to put your memory in words, to tell it to someone, it comes out a little different than how you thought it looked in your head? What I do is, I try and find a way to make the words fit. I try to bring my life into focus. I bite my fingernails and try to tell people the contours of the jagged edges. You know. Like that.”

Sounds good to me — and, admittedly, it’s something I need to work on.

Maybe that’ll be a resolution for the upcoming year.

iTunesPeople Everyday (Reprise)” by Arrested Development from the album 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life of… (1992, 4:56).