I write in threes and repeats, choosing rhythm over rules.
I overuse fragments. Throw dashes where I pause.
Certain words weave their way in often: celebrate, honour, joy, quiet. These are the truths I want to capture.
I write like I am puddle jumping down a steep hill.
Leap. Leap. Step, step, step. Pause. Consider. Leap.
I write to hint at what I can’t always say. Not publicly. Not really. Not with full abandon.
I write to process the things that follow me around like an irritating pixie. Poking me. Waking me up. Nibbling at my toes saying, “Pay attention to me.”
I write to remember what I might try to forget.
I write to bring tears that will not come.
I write to be here.
I write in threes and repeats.
I write.
I am participating in the Slice of Life challenge to write and publish a post every day in March.
Slice of Life is hosted by Two Writing Teachers. I thank them for the community they provide. Read more slices here.
There's a Book for That 
We talk a lot about repetition in my classes, the way it gives ideas emphasis, the way it creates rhythm and musicality and contributes to tone, the way it functions to develop theme. It is possible to be too rule-bound, which I tend to be, as though strapped into a jump seat that will eject me if I break a rule. I appreciate writing that free and natural.
Welcome to #SOL. Have fun!
Thank you Glenda. I don’t think I struggle from being too rule bound. I have forgotten so many of the rules I used to know!
So many wonderful reasons to write…and stated in such a lovely flow of words. Thank you! I’m looking forward to joining in this writing challenge with you.
It’s going to be a big month!
This is why I love you. I want to “write like I am puddle jumping down a steep hill.” So glad you are here.
Many thanks Julieanne.
So many beautiful reasons to write, Carrie. I’m delighted you’re joining us for the month-long challenge!
It is such an amazing community!
Carrie, as I read your writing, each time it makes me truly believe that connection between reading and writing. You are such an avid reader (ahem…There’s a book for that!) and I can see that influence so much in your writing. Even the image of the pixie calls to mind, for me, the book Rump! Your writing is lyrical and poignant and always delights. Not every slice can be a masterpiece since we write each day for 31 days in the midst of fast paced, busy lives, so don’t feel the “pressure of the praise” but know that your writing touches my heart each and every time.
The pixies from Rump have inhabited my world – at least the idea of them! Thanks for the encouragement
You know how happy I am to see one of my favorite book lovers on here this month. I love reading your thinking. Your honesty helps me be honest in my writing as well.
That means a lot to me.
The puddle inside me
deepens as you look,
notice the world beyond
the reflection,
and dip your fingers into the liquid
of these stories,
and if you dare, step right into my world
in order to let the tension of the surface send
ripples out, here
and beyond ….
— Kevin, doing a little line lifting as comment …
I can’t believe how you can do this poetry response comments!
Pause, Consider, Leap… ahhh yes…perfectly said.
🙂
Love that “puddle jumping down a steep hill”, and all of this describing what you do, how it makes you feel. Welcome, Carrie, so great to see you join in.
Feeling brave Linda!
Welcome! You’re going to love it here! Let me say that I love, love love love the name of your blog. I feel like it should be made into t-shirts.
“I write to process the things that follow me around like an irritating pixie. Poking me. Waking me up. Nibbling at my toes saying, “Pay attention to me.”” This line is just so smart. So many of the things I write about just fester for a while. This reminds me of that.
I love the name of my blog too! glad you appreciate it! Thank you.
I’m so looking forward to what that irritating pixie pushes you to write. Love the artful fragments and dashes that appear in writing.
Thanks Elsie.
This is my first challenge as well. I love your “Pause. Consider. Leap” Write, write, write.
We have our work cut out for us don’t we?
Carrie, your energy and expectancy is alive in this poem. The line that jumps out at me is “I write like I am puddle jumping down a steep hill.” Honor the moments and keep on puddle jumping.
I intend to!
Leap. Leap. Step, step, step. Pause. Consider. Leap.
That, in a nutshell, is the writing process, too.
I thought so too!
Carrie, I’m so glad you’ve decided to leap in and write each day for this challenge. I’m looking forward to reading about what things are saying “Pay attention to me!”
It really is leaping in!
Ah, yes. And I’m reminded once again why I’m excited that you are joining in this month! Happy writing — enjoy the process and continue to leap!
Thank you Michelle! I am excited to do this – but a little nervous. Hence, the leaping!
This is fabulous! This line hits home: “I write to hint at what I can’t always say. Not publicly. Not really. Not with full abandon.” That is me, completely. I love this whole piece but that line is the heart of it all for me. I look forward to reading more this month…whatever the pixie pokes you about and whatever is nibbling at your toes.
This line meant something to me too so glad that it resonated.
I connected so much with the voice in this post. I often do my best writing in poetry form. I find myself listening to the rhythm of my writing to guide me. Your writing in threes and repeats resonated deeply with me!
Thanks for sharing that!
I chuckle to the image of thoughts as irritating pixies nibbling your toes. Love that you are joining the March challenge. Your writing speaks to my heart.
That means a lot Terje.
I am a huge lover of dashes and ellipses myself. I think you captured the true spirit of writing perfectly. I’m looking forward to reading more from you this month. You always have such a great way of putting things.
Thank you Jennifer!
“Certain words weave their way in often: celebrate, honour, joy, quiet.” I love these truths that you want to capture. I love that you’re joining us for SOL this year. You are my go-to friend for book recommendations. And I love that I got to say hello on Saturday at the Children’s Literature Conference. Your introduction to Melissa Sweet was delightful. It was a fabulous day!
Ramona, I was delighted to meet you too! What an honour to introduce and meet Melissa Sweet. She is one special artist. Thank you.
Yes to fragments. Yes to dashes. Yes to rhythm. This piece felt so deeply familiar to me, capturing the essentials of how and why I write. So glad to know you and be your long-distance friend. And so happy to know I have 30 more slices to read from you this month!
30 more. Well, wow. One word at a time right?
I love breaking rules, too! Looking forward to reading more of your writing this month. Welcome to the challenge!
Many thanks!
I keep forgetting that you have not participated in this challenge. I guess I read so much of what you write, slicing was just expected. So glad you are participating!
I am glad to be here Leigh Anne!
What a wonderful post! I love the repeats and the poetic form!
Thank you Darlene.
So glad you are joining the slice of life challenge this March. There are so many things that I love about your post…my favorite line – I write like I am a puddle jumping down a steep hill. I’m looking forward to reading more of your writing this month.
Thanks so much Julie.
I love your imagery and look forward to more of your slices this month too.
Much appreciated.
Love your post, Carrie. It’ll be a fun month reading writing instead of book recommendations. Love that you write in three’s. So does Cynthia Rylant! You’re in great company!
Well then! This is wonderful to know. Thanks for the welcome.
This is so lovely, Carrie. I, too, write in fragments — intentionally. There is something about an emphasis on meaning when we capitalize the beginning of a fragment, isn’t there? I’m thinking about this piece and knowing I need to maybe take some time to reflect on my own writing style and habits. Perhaps I am redundant and need to break out of a box. Thank you for making me think about this.
I think about the same thing. Can I stretch out ideas into longer,more complex sentences? Hmm . . .
By the way, I swayed over to your post today via Elisabeth Ellington – just saying. 🙂
I am always so honoured when one of my posts makes it into her Sunday round up!