To those of us who struggle to find a topic each day for the March writing challenge, take hope. A good writer can make any topic interesting.
This week, I read a six-page article by Ann Patchett in The New Yorker about her cleaning out her house. I happen to hate that task, but I happily read the entire article. What magic did Patchett use to make that mundane subject engaging? She told stories. Most of the stories were about people, including herself, as she connected them to objects that she planned to toss out or give away. She was letting go of the items, but not the memories associated with them. I was impressed; the writer took a plain old chore and infused it with life, making it a rich topic to read about.
We have heard it before: art turns the ordinary into the extraordinary. The way I see it, I can’t read your mind, but I could read the unique thoughts you share in your posts. You have so much to offer!
Are we good enough writers to make any topic interesting? In all honesty, I am not there yet, but I feel that this writing challenge is helping me push myself closer toward that goal. Another day, another topic. We can do this!
The Writer's Workshop 
Yes! I love the line ‘art turns the ordinary into extraordinary’. What a great way to think about this writing process… time for me to dig out my journal!
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What always amazing me is the creativity humans have! Truly! Writing about the things you are throwing away to keep the memories alive? So creative! Of course, Ann Patchett is a born writer. I, like you, am not there yet. However, I’m very talented at stealing ideas. Thanks for sharing this one.
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I’ll need to look up that Ann Patchett article. I agree: We can turn anything into a topic for a slice. I wrote about how I do this a couple weeks before the challenge. I have lots of topics, but sometimes a topic feels uninspired because I missed the chance to write about it when it was fresh.
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I’ll have to find that article too. I recently read the Dutch House, and agree that Ann Patchett is a fine writer. I always tell my students, whether 8th graders or college students, that you don’t have to jet to Hawaii to have a good story. What’s right in front of you, depending on how you frame it, can be very writing-worthy. So how come I still struggle to find a good topic many days?
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Wow, you have given me a lot to think about! First, Ann Patchett’s article must be wonderful. I will look for it to read. I’ve loved many of her books and adored The Dutch House! Next, “art turns the ordinary into the extraordinary”. I ever thought to apply this thinking to writing. And finally, I look forward to turning the mundane into fascinating! Challenge taken!
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I appreciate your encouragement! Your post reminds us that our experiences are story worthy!
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Yes, turning the ordinary into something else. So powerful and it does give hope for future slices when inspiration is lacking!
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