Signature Tag Lines

I was reading an email from a good friend of mine that I've never met last night and she stated that she was going to use my signature tag line quote on her next post on her blog.  I know I've always like that quote and I find it to be very true.  But, I never thought others would take the time to read it and think about it. 

To me, it's one of those mottos that if I was one to get tattoos (and, I have thought about it more than once), that would be the one I would use.  I suppose it wouldn't be your average tattoo verbiage...nothing like "Write or Die!" or something along those lines.  It's just a simple statement. 

When I first started writing, there were times when I was hesitant or shy about writing what I really felt.  For those of you that are movie goers, the scene in "Biloxi Blues" where Matthew Broderick's journal is snatched by a fellow soldier/misfit describes my sentiment perfectly.  In it, he writes of his experiences during boot camp, interesting characters he's met along the way and some rather brutally harsh, yet honest comments regarding a few of his fellow soldiers.  As the misfit reads these passages, his face reflected anger, humiliation, embarrassment and a plethora of other emotions of being so...well, exposed.  When he confronts Broaderick about his comments, Broaderick shouts that he will rip out the pages and throw them away in frustration.

The misfit soldier reaches beyond his humiliation and advises Broaderick that if he is to be a writer, he can't be afraid to write his true feelings.  At the same time, his words should have more substance than to simply be a commentary of unexplored observations.  In other words, if you're going to write it, dig deeper.  You may put yourself in a vulnerable position by doing so, but that is what art is all about .

"It takes talent to be a good writer, it takes courage to be a great one."


More Musings Later-