Quote that Resonates

The quote that resonated with me was from Nancy Sommer's "I Stand Here Writing." She said, "...to see themselves as places from which ideas originate, to see themselves as Emerson's transparent eyeball, all that they have read and experienced-the dictionaries of their lives-circulating through them." (p. 458). This resonated with me, because I think, especially because of how writing is taught in public high schools in America, that the importance of keeping writing personal is lost. I think so many kids are taught today to never write in the first person and that every writing assignment you will ever do will be factual based. So, for me, this was one of the first times I read advice that states my life is the most important influence or reference I will use for writing. Also, I think this quote resonated because it explains how important it is as a writer to develop ideas based on your experiences and write about how you perceive things. Basically, Sommer's is saying that you are your own greatest database or reference guide. That your life is the biggest inspiration you can draw from in your writing. Finally, I think what she's saying is true. The more you can incorporate personal experience or perceptions into your writing, the more interesting it is.