Tuesday, May 10, 2011

When Was The Last Time You Went Wahoo?

Have you ever seen the movie, I.Q.?



There is a great line in it where Tim Robbins asks Meg Ryan, "When was the last time you went wahoo?"

It's a great question. Here's my answer:

Okay, guess what I did on Saturday! If you know me, you'll probably never ever guess, because I tend to be pretty aware of my mortality. If you don't know me, I tend to be pretty aware of my mortality.

I went longboarding!!!

What is longboarding? It's skateboarding on a longer skateboard on a downhill road. You should probably go back and read that sentence at least ten times. And then check out this video on Youtube: Longboarding Let Go

First off, doesn't that look awesome? Second off, I did not look like the person in the video. Far from it. I looked like a cross between a giraffe and a mom trying to board. AND we went down a MUCH MUCH more level road. We're talking gentle slope. And I've only been on a skate board once before in my life, and that was for about four minutes. Inside. On a very flat surface. With someone to hold my hand.

This was different. And guess what? It was sooooooo fun. Beyond fun. I went Wahoo! With a capital W. And even though I fell and roadrashed my palms, I still got back up and longboarded some more. I may be limping and sore, but I'm going again as soon as the swelling in my knee goes down. Why? Because I felt ALIVE! And feeling like that is worth losing some skin and taking stock out in icepack companies.

What does this have to do with writing? So very, very much. As a writer you must be able to put emotion on the page. You have to imagine what the character feels like. It doesn't matter what you're writing, you have to pretend to be that person.

Now, I've pretty much been in hibernation all winter, maybe even a little longer, as I polished up my last novel for submission. It took a lot of time, and I'm happy with it, but it also took something from me. I kind of stopped living there for a while. Yes, it was winter and cold and covered in snow, so most of us that don't ski disappeared inside for the duration, but the combination of a winter of intense writing and lack of living took it's toll. I became cautious in my actions--and in my writing. I didn't want to make mistakes. I didn't want to have to do huge revisions. I didn't want to get hurt.

And it showed. One of my critiquing friends emailed me and asked me why I wasn't loving this new book. I didn't know. Now I do. I wasn't loving life. I wasn't living it, and my emotional stores had empty shelves. How could I write exhilaration if I hadn't experienced it in so long that I couldn't remember the FEELING? How could I write adventure? Fear? Danger?

Boring? I had that one down pat.

Now, I'm not telling you all to go longboard down a mountain, but we do need to leave our houses and computers behind and live for at least part of everyday. We need to stock our emotional shelves so when we write people believe our words and can tell we've yelled Wahoo recently.

When was the last time you went Wahoo?

8 comments:

Jonene Ficklin said...

Ouch! Good question. I guess inwardly, I've been holding out until the sun comes out again. But this spring, that's not a good thing. Maybe I'll have to try that long board or yours. (You are a brave woman, by the way!)

The Stanley's said...

Thanks for inviting me to get out and live a little too. Great post Leisha! You are so cool with your bruised and scraped hands!

Clancy said...

That is a great movie and a great line! I can relate. Saturday I did something that made me yell something colorful, but it also made me feel alive, so I get it. And, it really is important to our writing to get outside our mental boxes sometimes. Thanks, Leisha

Hermana Maw said...

Jonene, don't hold out. Get out and live!

The Stanley's, bruises are cool? Sweet! I've been cool more in my life than I thought. He he.

Clancy, I've always loved I.Q. It's a fun one. :)

Cherie said...

"Now, I'm not telling you all to go longboard down a mountain"
Thank goodness!!!!! Not that I would listen. :-)

Hermana Maw said...

Cherie, but it would be fun. ;)

Donea Lee said...

That sounds so fun! Good for you ~ :) You're right - it's been awhile since I really lived out loud. I'm due. I'll have to think of something (cautiously) crazy to do! (that also benefits my writing, of course.) Hope that knee heals up soon - have fun!

Irene B. Gardner said...

Wow! You are like totally awesome, Leisha!!! You astound me with your creativity and daring in the face of insightful authordom! Way to go, chickee!

Irene

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