Inch by Inch

a page from my Linda & Harriet 2012 letterpress calendar...highly recommended

One Christmas when we were both in college, Gini gave me the most amazing gift. First, she copied 20 or so quotes from Bird by Bird (Anne Lamott's book on writing) in her gorgeous handwriting and slipped each one into a handmade envelope. Then she created a frame with a one-inch square opening from marbled turquoise, gold, and green paper. Finally, she wrote me a note. She addressed it not to me, Claire, but me, Writer. I remember feeling stunned and a little exposed, like my secret was out. I mean, I'd always wanted to be a writer, but for someone else to believe that about me and actually name me that, well...WOW. Her instructions were to open an envelope each time I sat down to write, a little inspiration from Anne before I picked up my pen. And the one-inch picture frame?

"I remember to pick up the one-inch picture frame and to figure out a one-inch piece of my story to tell, one small scene, one memory, one exchange." ~Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

I told you yesterday that December would be about the words. I'm challenging myself to tell a one-inch piece of my story every day this month. I'll be honest. This feels scary and a little bit on the crazy side. Even though I write nearly every day, committing to putting my writing out there for others to read every single day for 31 days in a row...well, I guess that's why it's called a challenge, right?