What would you like me to write? In his book Write to Learn, Donald Murray (2005, pg. 48) suggests that we should write with the readers' questions in mind. So, do you have any pressing questions or desires that I should write about? It would probably help if I at least have a topic first, and then write in order to answer your pressing questions (which I'm just supposed to hear in my head?).
I'll pick a random topic, stimulated by the beauty beyond my open window - sunshine. Would you like to know what sunshine means to me? Sunshine makes me smile. Any day when I wake up to the sun streaming through my window is bound to have a good start and potentially a grand finish - especially in light of a picturesque sunset. So you may ask: Why is this important? Interestingly, my dad has a nifty light that is supposed to imitate sunlight. Since some people get depressed due to the lack of sunlight, especially in winter, they use this imitation sunlight to brighten their mood. How does this relate to how you like sunshine? This makes me wonder: do sunbeams really affect my mood that much? Was my day destined to be a great day and then the sun only added to it? Or am I prone to being depressed at the lack of sunlight? I do delight in the sunshine and maybe it does enhance my mood, but I would hope that I embrace each day no matter the weather.
What does this have to do with anything? Donald Murray (2005, pg. 48) makes it seem easy and natural to hear the readers' questions. But I question whether it really is that simple. Did my above paragraph really answer your questions? I wonder if the questions I have about my writing are the same questions my reader would have. Do I naturally answer people's questions or do my readers' questions go unanswered? How can I write for their questions when I have no idea what their questions would be?
So many questions.
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Emily,
ReplyDeleteI have heard about these light-imitating machines. Often I have wondered if they truly work - I suppose they must or they would not appear in as many homes as they do. I have also heard rumours of similar machines the simulate the sunrise...I wonder if this would help those who find themselves living a life of the nocturnal due to night shifts...
Those little lights always work in the winter. I have seasonal affective disorder in the cold months and sometimes the doctor would actually tell me to go to tanning beds because of that same reason. There's something about UV Rays that seems to trigger happiness and motivation. Whenever it is sunny and blue skies outside I know I'm going to have a nice day.
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