Yep, I did it – I got that tattoo I was considering (see recent post: Make Your Mark).
And I gotta say, I’m loving it! It’s a fountain pen nib “growing” out of the inside of my writing (right) hand wrist. Rich black ink flows boldly from it — writing from my vein, my heart, my essence. Etched leaf shapes signify my love of all things nature.
Important note: No alcohol was involved in the decision-making process. This was a totally sober and deliberate action!
And yes, that sucker hurt.. especially the ink line near my hand, smack dab in the middle of my tendons. Yeow!
But that’s fitting, isn’t it? Symbolic of allowing pain to feed my writing when it wants / needs to. Let’s admit…. endlessly sunshiny words can get monotonous. Throw in a bit of droll and ouch for contrast and you’ve got yourself the perfect word stew: something tasty, delectable, worthy of attention and sharing.
Just like that first “bzzzzt…bzzzt” sound of permanent ink being embedded in my wrist, a lifetime commitment to writing makes my lil’ heartbeat quicken. My gremlins (see Taming Your Gremlin by Rick Carson) gather to dance in sharp spiky heels on my confidence, laughing uproariously at my declaration.
And you know what I say to that??? I say No Gremlins Allowed… I AM a Writer. See? It says so right here on my wrist!
So, I’m curious… what reminders (tattoos or other!) do (or will) you keep near you to shoo away your internal naysayers??
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text by Starla J. King, photos by Sandra A. Manne
Check back next week for the next post in the Anatomy of Love series!
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