Dear Whispers’ Friends,
Caryl Calsyn shares thoughts to ponder about. I thank her for sharing this introspective
search, a challenge for each of us to dig beyond the surface to capture a
unique view. Please post your thoughts in the comments' section.
I hope you share your words and thoughts that may help our Whispers’ family find the right mix to continue forward.
This is a welcome to past contributors and new writers. May you all find joy in writing.
Blessings,
Karen, Whispers’ Editor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Are Writers Unique?
Are writers a different breed? Are writers more
observant? Do writers ponder meanings below the
surface? Are writers more contemplative? Do writers have
greater sensitivity?
Yes, I have a lot of questions and no, I don’t have all the
answers. However, I can and intend, to tell you what I think.
I think writers are unique. They don’t aimlessly
meander only half seeing what they see. They don’t just pass through
life intent only on where they need to be next. They tend to wonder
about the importance of what they see on their journeys. That
awareness can emerge in the form of sadness, humor, nostalgia or in other
ways. Perhaps non-writers see none of these things. Yes,
any writer can tell you that at times putting words on paper can be a chore,
but they feel a need to do so for themselves and for others who may read their
words.
I did not come to these conclusions on my
own. They came as a result of being a member of the Whispers’ family
of writers and a local writers’ club. The written word quite often
reveals something about the author. I sometimes feel as if I know
someone I have never met. Often more so than some I have met, where
the dialogue doesn’t go beyond the usual, “How are you?” and “I am fine” level.
I treasure the uniqueness of writers.
Caryl Calsyn, United States
Being a writer or poet is expressing the same insight and imagination used by a potter, sculptor and artist; we just 'paint' by words which allows the reader to 'see' the vision in our words. The reader is then free to use their imagination to follow what they are reading into. Our brain can pick up all the senses; touch taste smell etc. and reach out and grasp what the writer or poet is projecting through his or her's words. Without writers and poets we would live in a stagnant world!
ReplyDeleteJane, so true, we would live in a stagnant world were it not that we had the ability to express ourselves through our words. Thank you for sharing.
DeleteSincerely,Charlene
Dear Jane,
DeleteI enjoyed reading your reflection on writing. We learn from each other. You are right about using our senses beyond sight to add another creative view of expressing our poetry. I enjoyed your final thoughts. Thank you being a part of our Whispers community.
Blessings,
Karen
Writing is a way to expres yourself. For me, it often helped me to deal with my feelings. Once I trusted my troubled mind to the paper and ink, I was somehow able to see things in the right perspective. That doesn't mean I'm gloomy by nature. I love to write about the colors of the flowers, their scent. About my little rabbits, jumping around when I let them run in my room on the old carpets I put on the floor for them. I also share my thoughts about environmental issues and other critical issues in this world. Are writers unique? For sure writers have a gift, with their words they can help others, make then laugh or muse. I treasure being a writer and share and connect in this way with others, writers and non writers.
ReplyDeleteThank you Caryl for sharing this, most interesting what the other members of the Whispers Community think about 'are writers unique'
Best wishes, Inge
Dear Inge,
DeleteThank you for being a vibrant Whispers' writer. In searching, our selves we find meaning and ways to express our thoughts in poetry. Word are indeed a gift, one that I'm so grateful for.
Thank you for taking time to be our Activity Editor this month. It is a joy to work with you.
Blessings,
Karen
I realy like to host the activity and the joy to get it started together with you is mutual.
DeleteBest wishes, Inge
The feeling is mutual, Inge. What a blessing you are to our writing community.
DeleteBest wishes always,
Karen
Thank you Caryl for your thoughts on what writing means to you. Yes, I believe writers are a unique breed, even as each individual in this world is unique, with gifts to share.
ReplyDeleteIt is a given that words have power. For me the written word has more power than the spoken word, although I know that it differs with each individual and even with me depending on the mode I am in at the moment. I love to read others thoughts as well as write because when I do, new avenues of thought open up and I come to know myself better and I can improve where need be with the help of God. Heaven knows I want to be the best I can be.
Poets are unique, in that they can have a special connection that some are not able to have, for the simple fact that words usually come from the heart and we see in reality we are all "kin", with like passions, pains, loves and temptations.
Sometimes what I would really like to say can not be spoken, because others do not want to hear. Having to weigh my words before getting them out, every time I speak, can be a terrible burden. But I can still get them out by putting the words on paper, allowing me to speak the truth in love; a talent I desire above all others. Then if others want to "hear" my words, they can and hopefully be lifted to love even as I have been.
Thank you again for this opportunity to express why I love to write.
Sincerly, Charlene
Dear Charlene,
DeleteIt is important to weigh what we share in our poetry. Sometimes we can put our hurts and pain into words. When others don't hear, we can't change that. Poetry can help us express our feelings in an artistic way that doesn't hurt the people in our lives.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Your friendship is a special gift.
Blessings,
Karen
Dear Caryl,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your insightful thoughts giving poets much to ponder about. Like you, I think writers are unique...pilgrims searching the corners in life as well as the depths of our souls. We hope to gather bits and pieces of our journeys to fit together to create a moment, something to chuckle about, presenting a problem, etc. Poetry, like any writing, is about communication. Details are important and editing is work. In the end, we hope that what we convey matters. Caryl, thank you for sharing that Whispers has helped you in your writing journey and our international community has helped me to become a better writer too.
Blessings to my Whispers family,
Karen
I think that everyone is unique, but only few are able to express themselves as artists'can do. It is not only imagination, but also the ability to express either in words or in other forms of arts. My special wishes to all of you within the Whispers family.
ReplyDeleteGert
Dear Gert,
DeleteThe uniqueness give our Whispers' community an opportunity to share verse on an international stage. Thank you for your encouragement and support.
Blessings always,
Karen
Writers are not unique...they are just more aware of their external environment,(milieu exterior) which reverberates with their milieu interior,(internal environment) and this results in works of art,writing and so on.
ReplyDeleteWordsworth was moved by daffodils,Frost by snow,Thoreau by just about everything at Walden.Were they unique?I don't think so.Anyway,this is not to discourage anybody and your post in the whispers blog is interesting,dear Caryl.
Best wishes,love and light,to the Whispers unique family,angelee
Dear Angelee,
DeleteWhat makes Whispers the community that it is, is that we can voice different views. I have read a lot of your poetry and challenge you to say you don't make a creative difference. Finding a purpose in our words, helps us to look to the corners of life in a season that we are blessed to partake of. You close with the Whispers' family being unique. Thank you for your thoughts, giving us thoughts to ponder about.
Blessings,
Karen
I am not too sure about the word "unique". I simply see writers as people with a deep need to communicate with others : you could say the majority of people feel this but only a few manage to express this need in writing : this is how I see writers. But am still not sure about the word unique.
ReplyDeleteDear Isha,
DeleteThat you find purpose in the discussion of writing makes this subject one for us to ponder about. The ability to write is a gift--one we can share with others. Different views allow us to lift each other up and give us the courage to share our words.
Blessings,
Karen
Yes insightful jane and thought provoking
ReplyDeleteDear John,
DeleteI agree. In the insightful discussion Caryl has proposed, we look into our souls for the meaning of sharing the gift of words.
Blessings,
Karen
I agree with most of what you say, Caryl. In my case I started writing for self-release; sharing with others came after that. Poets are a special breed; we don't always travel in straight lines and we are able to feel/see things which many others don't. Wishing you all the very best in your writing journey...paul
ReplyDeleteDear Paul,
DeleteWhat an insightful view. Writing gives me a way to deal with life that sometimes throws us curve balls. Defining the person with the gifts we have been given allows us the freedom of expression with the responsibility to view the impact that it may have for others. That we are different allows our mosaic to extend--each person providing a space that cannot be filled by anyone else. Thank you for your thoughts, my friend.
Blessings,
Karen
I think being a writer connects like artists with the creative side of the brain. It is indeed an art form in itself. Are they unique I don't know - maybe each creative goes off on its own spoke of the wheel? There are so many different areas of each art form to be studied further, some more than others so making it unlikely that we can all learn all skills for each or at same rate or order... At the end of the day what they do share are rarer talents but then we are not all bit to do the same things... An interesting perspective Caryl, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDear Anna-Marie,
DeleteYes, Caryl, proposes thoughts to ponder. In my own world, writing has walked with me through a lot of tough times. The ability to express ourselves in poetry, like any other art form, gives us the chance to share what is uniquely ours.
Whispers has given me so much. I am in gratitude to walk on with the gift of words.
Blessings,
Karen
Hmmm, a fascinating topic & some very interesting thoughts there. I've found that writer friends often say 'Yes, I know exactly what you mean', whereas perhaps other friends who don't write wouldn't say that, so I guess we're all on the same wavelength...or on the same page!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Jack,
DeleteThat we may not always be on the same page, Caryl's thoughts do indeed allow us to share the gift of words. If we can touch even one person, life makes a difference.
We are all given different talents, making writing not everyone is able to share poetry.
Blessings,
Karen
Others have alluded to the power of words, and I think that is an important point. Along with power comes responsibility. Depending on how we use our power, our words can harm or heal. The wonderful thing about Whispers and the other poetry sites is that they are uplifting and healing. I thank all of you for your inspiring, healing words.
ReplyDeleteDear Molly,
DeleteI agree with you regarding writing comes with responsibility. Pointing out differences can lead to a healthy discussion like Caryl healthy thoughts that Caryl shares for us to ponder about.
Thank you so much Caryl and Molly for being gifts to the writing community.
Blessings,
Karen
A wonderful post Caryl. Yes, I think writer's are a very unique and talented. To take words and weave them into a story, a poem, or inspirational messages is truly a wondrous thing. I've always enjoyed Whisper's since my first submission was published. It's a special place with special writer's! I'm very pleased to see it online once again! Thank you to all for your devotion and perseverance....
ReplyDeleteDear Ken,
DeleteThank you for your kind words. It is people like Caryl that allow us the opportunity to "weave" a new voice for Whispers. Thank you for your kind words.
Blessings,
Karen
Dear Whisper friends,here is a quote you all would relate to,love and light,angelee https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/unique
ReplyDelete“If you celebrate your differentness, the world will, too. It believes exactly what you tell it—through the words you use to describe yourself, the actions you take to care for yourself, and the choices you make to express yourself. Tell the world you are one-of-a-kind creation who came here to experience wonder and spread joy. Expect to be accommodated.”
― Victoria Moran, Lit From Within: Tending Your Soul For Lifelong Beauty
Dear Angelee,
DeleteThank you for sharing this beautiful message. Each of us are one of a kind--sharing our beauty in poetry gifts.
Blessings,
Karen
Forgive me for being silent and for posting one reply to all. Cancer battles in my family meant I could not take a vacation for two year, until recently. When I returned I had computer problems. Thanks to each of you for your comments. I am so glad a dialogue was started and for every unique view posted. All may not see the uniqueness but I feel that that writers care, as you have shown in your replies. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteDear Caryl,
DeleteThank you for giving the reopening of Whispers a voice. Health issues are difficult to reach around when we are going through them. My thoughts and prayers go with you.
Blessings,
Karen