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Darkhorse's avatar

Oh I love this! For me, your writing is like a walk in the woods leading to a wild beach (and I've been up the Bealach na Ba too): leaves, humus, birdsong, fox poo, sky, fungi, wind, flotsam, jetsam, the smell of rot and salt. A rich, fecund, soul-nourishing experience. Thank you. I'm off to dig a ditch and get muddy while I'm in this mood.

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Jack Horner's avatar

Congratulations on finishing!

'To add to the word-hoard and be part of the word-horde.' That particularly tickled me; surrounded as I am by hoard and horde.

My list:

• I generally don't

• When I absolutely must

• When it's to the communal good and I have the compulsion

Seems like I might be underusing this dark praxis...

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Caroline Ross's avatar

Join us on the dark side, Jack,

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Síochána Arandomhan's avatar

Love your list! As I read it I realized I have a unacknowledged belief that there is or should be only one reason for writing. But of course, it’s way more interesting than that! There are always many reasons, maybe even reasons on a collision course with each other. It was fun to read your list and see which of your points resonates today. What great journal prompts they are too!

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Margaret O'Brien's avatar

Both your lists had me chuckling, and I’m so glad to be in your company. To quote the late, great John Berger, ‘the world is doubled by play’. Thank you for enlarging the world here.

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Adam Wilson's avatar

This is ever-so joyful Caroline. Thank you, thank you for writing.

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Sarah C Swett's avatar

What a heart-opening brain-teasing delight. And thank you particularly for digressions within digressions, all leading to the lovely Ross Gay.

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Caroline Ross's avatar

I am also looking forward to reading Ross Gay when time allows me that pleasure.

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Ron M's avatar

This is lovely, thank you.

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Lucy Fraser's avatar

I’m going to read that list to my eldest, she loves to write and thinking about writing is just as fun x

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