Anita Mathias: Dreaming Beneath the Spires

Anita Mathias's Blog on Faith and Art

Virginia Woolf on writing

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To write in the fewest possible words, as clearly as possible, exactly what one meant, that was his only lesson in the art of writing--Virginia Woolf on her father Leslie Stephen.

Who said, “Learning to write is learning to think?” 

I would realize that time and again in my apprenticeship. You delete a tangled sentence, and think again, “What exactly am I trying to say? What is the impression that I am trying to convey?”

It’s the same when I look at my children’s work, or the work of students (when I used to teach writing). I ask, “What exactly are you trying to say?”. It’s no good trying to sort a tangled sentence. Just go back to the original thought, and make sure that what you are saying represents it. 

Clarity first, beauty second.

Virginia Woolf on writing

By

To write in the fewest possible words, as clearly as possible, exactly what one meant, that was his only lesson in the art of writing--Virginia Woolf on her father Leslie Stephen.
Who said, “Learning to write is learning to think?”
I would realize that time and again in my apprenticeship. You delete a tangled sentence, and think again, “What exactly am I trying to say? What is the impression that I am trying to convey?”
It’s the same when I look at my children’s work, or the work of students (when I used to teach writing). I ask, “What exactly are you trying to say?”. It’s no good trying to sort a tangled sentence. Just go back to the original thought, and make sure that what you are saying represents it.
Clarity first, beauty second.

Sonship and the Fatherhood of God

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The John Arnott conference last week spent a lot of time on the Fatherhood of God, something I believe cognitively rather more than emotionally. Yet, I know that it has an absolutely transformative effect on individuals who understand and believe it.

They asked us to imagine a really beautiful baby in the arms of a doting Father. That is how God sees you, they said.

They also read out this rather cheesy, but somewhat sweet piece of writing,
“If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. He sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise every morning. He could live anywhere in the universe, and he chose your heart.”

Self-publishing

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Self-publishing is the way ahead for a self-critical, perfectionistic writer like me. . Write something I am pleased with to my own standards, get it into print. Worry about an agent and editor after it is in print.
Oh the joy and freedom of just trying to reach goodness (not perfection) by one’s own standards and no one else’s.  It really is the way forward for me. 

Self-publishing

By

Self-publishing is the way ahead for a self-critical, perfectionistic writer like me. Write something I am pleased with, the best I can currently achieve, good according to my own taste, get it into print. Worry about an agent and editor after it is in print.

Oh the joy and freedom of just trying to reach goodness (not perfection) by one’s own standards and no one else’s.  It really is the way forward for me.

In Praise of Solitude

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I love to be  in my our conservatory, reading, writing and thinking–or even trying to– alone. It’s a lovely, floaty feeling. It’s so peaceful. How I love solitude! (At times!)