The novelist Jonathan Safran Foer said something about writing/the impetus to create which I really love:
"Writing is the vehicle, and it's the most efficient vehicle, and I can't foresee a better vehicle--for me. But it is not the destination. The destination is this disclosure, this transferring things from the inside to the outside. "
I am reminded of this quote when I read the words of Melanie Jones. Melanie's "vehicle" is making theater--I first discovered her when my good friend Jessica Ammirati (of Going to Tahiti Productions) raved about Melanie's theatrical endeavor, "Endurance." (Inadequate synopsis: A one woman play "about" running, which took place outdoors and required all of the audience to wear headsets, "running" along!)
Personally, I frequently struggle with the call to disclosure in that JSF quote, to make the work that is inside of me and get it out into the world--a world which to a great extent is oblivious and indifferent to it. It can be very difficult.
Because of this, I feel deep admiration for Melanie's determination to do her work. Not only does she create with courage, but she blogs about it with brutally vulnerable honesty. She tells the truth about how simultaneously crazy-making and life-giving it is. In spite of the fact that my work is almost entirely solitary (after all, it's not like I'm "Miss Lynn and the Lynnettes" or something), I have read Melanie's blog on numerous occasions and been reminded of the value in what we do. I have felt less alone.
Melanie's most recent work, "Canadians are Mean," is happening right now in Brooklyn! If you are in that area, I would strongly encourage you to go see it. Sadly, I will be in Nashville--but I will be keeping up with Melanie's blog and continue to be inspired by her tenacity and bravery. She is my she-ro.
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
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