"Memory is not the same as recalling information. A writer whose mind is a computer stuffed with random, meticulously recall details may have trouble selecting which ones to use. Seen this way, a bad memory can be an asset to a writer. If you have a mind like a sieve, be grateful. A sieve filters, strains and selects; though much falls through the meshwork, some remains. Memory is an act of meaning-making. It collects the disparate pieces of our lives and distills them. For writers, what we forget is as important as what we recall." ~ Rebecca McClanahan from the book Word Painting
This gets my vote as Most Inspirational Quote of the day!
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| happy flowers after monsoon rains this weekend |
Wonderful quote, Darla! I do indeed have a mind like a sieve. It's nice to think of it as an asset! :-) In my case, probably a little TOO much falls through the meshwork, so I've started writing down ideas as I think of them or writing down things I overhear.
ReplyDeleteI make lots of notes, but always have because my sieve has been life-long... ;-) Can you imagine how excited I was to read this quote?! LOL
DeleteInteresting thought! I used to fret over things I'd forget and struggle to remember. Now i just let it go. Other thoughts come in to fill the spaces.
ReplyDeleteI love it! My sieve has been life-long too! My best friend used to joke when we were teens that I'd have to keep her around my whole life, so that she could remind me what we did. My memory is bizarre sometimes. I'll remember in meticulous detail some random happening, yet have no recollection whatsoever of another event. And I have a great food memory! I can probably tell you what I ordered at that restaurant in Charleston 8 years ago. How nice to know that there's a benefit to having a sieve memory! :-)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing, Brenda? LOL Fortunately, those who have excellent recall are usually happy to share their memories... ;-)
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