Moonchae
September 5, 2010
This morning, I went looking for my voice. My friend, Sean, has been gently nagging me over summer coffees, to start a blog. “You want to be a writer”, he said. ” Every writer should have a blog”. The truth is that I’m scared. I’ve been writing in dark corners, hunched over my words so that they were visible only to my own heart. Perhaps that is where they should stay. Over the summer, though,I kept thinking of what kind of blog I would write and what it might be named.
This morning, Sean and I met for coffee. ” Get out your laptop”, he said, and pushed me one toe over the line of indecision. I wanted to play with the idea of “voice” in the name of the blog. The Korean word for voice, “Moksori” has always sounded beautiful to me, and translates roughly to “throat sounds.” However, it doesn’t hold the same weight as “voice” does in English. “Moksori” is a physical thing, stripped of the layers of heart, mind and point of view that I wanted the word to carry.
With Sean’s help, I found the right Korean word – “Moonchae” , which makes me think of having tea in outer space. Not so far from what starting a blog feels like. However, it comes closer to meaning a “voice” that you might find, an attitude with which to color your words.
In the end, I went with Shelley Scribbles. It looms less, and feels more welcoming to a beginning writer. I don’t have to “find my voice” with every post. I just have to scribble. Hopefully, my voice will be under there, somewhere.
Shelley Scribbles 
Shelley,
I’m really excited that you have started your blog. I’ll be subscribing and looking forward to your writing as well as our writing sessions on Sunday mornings.
I have been reading “Shelley scribbles” for a long time. I can now continue doing it online. Glad you finally started a Blog of your own. Dear Old Dad!
Shelley,
Going to be really cool to read your stuff. I look forward to it.
Your dad and Judith just went out on a photo safari. I’m home practicing music and nursing a cold. It’s another beautiful day here on cow head.
John
Thanks for your support, guys. The blog is officially launched now and I will be updating regularly.
Congrats, Shelley!!!
I know how you feel about finally exposing yourself with your voice. I, too, have a desire to do this. Not sure I will ever step over the ‘line of indecision’.
But sincerely wishing you all the best and you can bet, I will be one of your many followers.
Cherie,
Thanks for your support. You should write a blog as well. I remember reading your column in the Humber Log – and it was always great. 🙂
congratulations on the blog, can’t wait to read more, love the picture your dad took, he is talented for sure.
‘m adding you to my bookmarks; “blogs I love”
good for you . I wish I were more disciplined in writing my blog…
Thank so much Marilee and Anita.
Way to go, Shelley.
As Wordswoth said, ‘Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.’ Well, … your screen.
And remember:
Do not put statements in the negative form.
And don’t start sentences with a conjunction.
If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.
Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.
De-accession euphemisms.
If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
Last, but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.
~William Safire, “Great Rules of Writing”
Keep writing!
I’m so happy that you are doing this. I’ve always loved your little notes and writings on Faceabook and now we can enjoy even more.
Read and bookmarked. Remember when BLOG wasn’t a word?
Shelley,
Congrats on finding the courage to take the leap. I’m sure both your continued walking and blogging will put you closer to a sense of self that we all long for. Best of luck.
Thank you everyone for the encouragement and positive vibes. I really appreciate it.
Yay Yay Yay!
Shelley, this is wonderful.
xxoo t
shelley,
i love your latest…the end of innocence, the ramification of selfish, evil acts, the unfair hooror of it all.
poor, poor things…
wicked, wicked, wicked.
one of the nicest things about life in outport newfoundland is the relative absence of violence. a noted criminologist who studies violence in north america cites the civility and politeness of newfoundlanders as the greatest impediments to violent crime here.
but the gates to this garden aren’t closed shut. drugs and desire and, cruelty and damned selfishness can spring up before you know it.
it is truly terrible to feel not safe, to be surrounded by crime or to fear it.
really good and important essay.
thanks, shelley…
john in cow head
Hey Shelley, your “dear old dad” told me about your blog and it took me all of 45 seconds to open it and read with pleasure. You have a great deal of talent and I look forward to poking my nose in from time to time. Keep up the good work. PS I’m glad you haven’t forgotton little Corner Brook.
Kindest regards,
Bev
Beverley,
How nice to hear from you! Thank you so much for your support. It means a lot. 🙂
Hi Shelley, This is Linda’s friend Sandy. Just read your blog (with beautiful pics), and have one thing to say: There is definitely a book here. Your material captures the imagination and your writing style is immensely readable. It paints such a down-to-earth picture of your life in Korea. Keep writing – and think seriously about publishing that book. All the best. S.
Sandy,
Thank you so much for reading and leaving such an encouraging comment. It means a lot.
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