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Matthew Farrington
I never know what to write to someone by way of introduction. Which is odd because I'm so introverted I generally feel like handing out a bio when I go to a party so that way I could sit in a corne...view moreI never know what to write to someone by way of introduction. Which is odd because I'm so introverted I generally feel like handing out a bio when I go to a party so that way I could sit in a corner and not have to talk to anyone who didn't find me interesting on paper. I'm good on paper.
In general I am a mild-mannered, would-be writer living in Cleveland, Ohio. Where it's cold. I guess I shouldn't say 'would-be' writer. I write. Sometimes in complete sentences.
I write every day. Probably like a lot of you. I am at work now on a novel. That sounds so ominous. Or pompous. "What do you do?" "Oh, I'm working on a novel." It doesn't explain anything I guess because when I say it out loud to actual people they sometimes say, "Well, yeah, but what do you DO?" I have no idea.
My process is simple. I could explain it this way: I wake early, turn the flame on under the kettle on my way to the keyboard. And I write. And write. And write. Or, if I'm honest, I stare, and then stare some more wondering why I can't channel Dostoyevsky or Edith Wharton. But I try to crank out 250 words between the time the tea goes cold and I have to go to work. Yes, like most writers I have a job that keeps me in tea and comfortable sweaters.
My life is simple. I can't claim to be a minimalist but I believe whole-heartedly in simplicity and in intentional living. I make decisions based on real need and luckily I don't understand anything at all about technology so I never really want anything new. The result being that I own a MacBook Air and a second hand couch. I stopped looking for bigger places to spread out and opted for a small place to encourage interiority. It worked. I don't have a television. I sometimes watch movies or old sitcoms on Netflix but I'd rather read a book. I like silence. And I like solitude. I have friends but I'm happier alone. My mother thinks that's weird.
I have a blog, where I sometimes write things. I think the blogosphere is a good idea in theory but requires a great deal of discipline in practice. Shameless self-promotion again: http://theheartofthematter.me/
Check me out if you want. Leave a comment. I like to chat.
I think the most important thing a person who wants to write can do is read. A lot. And I do. I broke down this year and bought a Kindle. Yes, I like it. But no, I have not stopped going to the library or to the bookstore. I usually have two or three books going at any one time. I like dogs. I'm kind. What else do you want to know?view less