Some Writing from Nancy Tucker :: Literature Papers

Some Writing from Nancy TuckerThis page contains three pieces, Advice to fresh Poets and Writers, Driving,and The Big Five- O. Advice to Young Poets and WritersLife is not easy. Write. Because you can, you must. Remember your roots, your pain. Use them. But roots and pain are not enough--move on from your own past. Look outward--use your eyes to see both(prenominal) what other people do not see and what other people see but do not talk about. Write. Learn to listen to the crickets, the dogs, the close call of bicycles and to other peoples stories. Ask questions. Wait for answers. Write. Look inward--test truth on your own pulses. Writing is both art and craft Use your skill, your talent to tell the truth--thats the take down of being a writer. Write. Avoid self-righteousness--other people stick out truths, too. Laugh. And cry. In the same sentence, if you can do it well. Be afraid. Write anyway. Always, always, always do what your teachers say cannot be done. And when you tea ch, if you teach, remember you too are a learner respect your students truths even as you nudge them toward growth. Write. Begin now.Nancy Tucker April, 1997 Return to 313-2000 Return to 313 action Return to 840 work Return to Nancy Tuckers homepageDrivingIts 630 and I drag my briefcase to my car, pull out of the parking lot and join the snake of cars heading home. The fresh line becomes my guide as darkness slips down behind me. Im on the road again, Willie. Drivin my life away, Eddie. I eat flattened product n pastry bars from a side pocket in my purse and wish for pasta in alfredo sauce or a dim burger and a beer. But Im still driving, driving, driving, so theres no hope of that. nt ? March, 2000THE BIG FIVE-0H by Nancy TuckerI have a book on my nightstand called Aging Gracefully. Someone bought it for me, hoping it would give me hope and courage, I guess. Its next to another gift book, Women Turning 50. Oh yeah, you guessed it. In a hardly a(prenominal) days. The Big 5-0. Half-a-century. Yeah, it boggles my mind, too- Im gonna be 50. While Im pleased that people think of me and care enough to give me books, I really believe that 50 is something that happens to someone else.