NO LIFE BUT THIS: A Novel of Emily Warren Roebling is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.


It is biographical fiction based on the life of Emily Warren Roebling considered to be the first female field engineer and highly instrumental in the building of the Brooklyn Bridge.


http://atbosh.com/authors/diane-vogel-ferri/

Friday, June 20, 2008

Writing from Abundance

I once wrote a book and a whole lot of poems out of pain, heartache, and for the purpose of catharsis and healing. I have written a new novel with characters that have experiences that I have never had, but I love them and believe them to be realistic and honest. Then I started this blog - and writing took on a new meaning. At first I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Why is it so stimulating? Why, in the first few months, did it seem almost an obsession?
While in New York my daughter took me to a place she knew I'd love - a giant bookstore called Strand. It's motto is "18 miles of books". New, used and old books. Somewhere in the 18 miles I found the second volume of Anais Nin's diaries. I bought it, and today while reading I found the explanation why I write now - out of abundance. Here is what Anais says:
"The diary was once a disease. I do not take it up now for the same reasons. Before it was because I was lonely, or because I did not know how to communicate with others. I needed the communion. Now it is to write, not for solace, but for the pleasure of describing others, out of abundance."
Ironically, I named one of the characters in my new book - Anais (ahna-eese).
I reserve the right to still write out of solace occasionally.

8 comments:

Lena said...

Wow, I just love that post!

Thank you!!

Tash said...

Intense post. I really enjoyed the journey through your blog. Wonderful writings, observations and photos.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

Lovely thoughts, Diane.

I love coincidences like the one of your character's name. I think our subconsciences know so much.

Moohaa said...

What a lovely quote! And so very true.

Dina said...

I so appreciate that you discovered this about yourself and articulated it for us. Now I can understand the changes in me in the last months, with the advent of blogging and my sharing now "out of abundance."

No wonder that you found just the right book in the 18 miles. In Jewish thought 18 is an auspicious number. The Hebrew letter chet = 8 and yod = 10. So 18 in letters is chai, which means LIFE.
To life!

Anonymous said...

Anais Nin rocks.

I want her cape.

Jamie said...

What a beautifully written post. You certainly have the gift. And I have to agree with her...

Plus, I am inclined to agree with fireflies, I TOO want her cape.

Happy weekend! :)

Kathie Brown said...

Diane, what a great post! Once I strated blogging I experienced the same obsession. I have always kept a journal but writing a blog gives me that immediate feedback. It gives me joy to know someone read what I wrote and liked it. I am also amazed at this whole online community and all the new friends I have made. It is a wonderful medium. And thank you for your kind comment on Kathie's Poet Tree blog.