Some Writing from Nancy Tucker :: Literature Papers

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.