Some Writing from Nancy Tucker

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Some Writing from Nancy Tucker

This page contains three pieces, Advice to Young Poets and Writers, Driving,and The Big Five- O.

Advice to Young Poets and Writers

Life 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 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 squeak of bicycles

and to other people's 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--that's the point of being a writer. Write.

Avoid self-righteousness--other people have 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 teach, 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 313work Return to 840 work Return to Nancy Tucker's homepage

Driving

It’s 6:30 and I drag my briefcase to my car, pull out of the parking lot

and join the snake of cars heading home. The white line becomes my guide as darkness slips down behind me. I’m on the road again, Willie. Drivin’ my life away, Eddie.

I eat flattened fruit ‘n’ pastry bars from a side pocket in my purse and wish for

pasta in alfredo sauce or a thick burger and a beer. But I’m still driving, driving, driving, so there’s no hope of that.

nt ? March, 2000

THE BIG FIVE-0H

by Nancy Tucker

I have a book on my nightstand called Aging Gracefully. Someone bought it for me, hoping it would give me hope and courage, I guess. It's next to another gift book, Women Turning 50. Oh yeah, you guessed it. In a few days. The Big 5-0. Half-a-century. Yeah, it boggles my mind, too- I'm gonna be 50. While I'm 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.

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