A Butterfly

“On paper, things can live forever. On paper, a butterfly never dies.” – Jacqueline Woodson

The blank page is yours to dominate. You don’t need permission to fill a blank page with your desires. Sometimes I do feel like I’m seeking out permission or hoping a magical little writing fairy will hover over my shoulder and nod in approval. The thing is, I’m the nodder. Well, that’s how it feels. At this point, before sharing it with my writing friends, I have to validate my own work. And even while taking feedback, I need to make sure I’m appreciating my own unique style. Writing has so many beautiful pieces to it and I’m truly learning to enjoy the ride.

Better Together

“True literature can exist only where it is created, not by diligent and trustworthy functionaries, but by madmen, hermits, heretics, dreamers, rebels, and skeptics.” – Yevgeny Zamyatin

Haha! Come, many come all! Let’s write together, something that makes us feel all the pings of life: Joy, Pain, Sorrow, Surprise, Rage, Love. We don’t have to travel this writing path alone. We can write side by side, sharing our thoughts and feelings, our big lessons and tiny joys together when time allows.

Ready

“There is no real ending. It’s just the place where you stop the story.” – Frank Herbert

There’s no real end, just where you stop. ::Insert frustrated grunt here:: I’m so close it hurts. I’m not too worried about what I’ll do next just yet. I’m sure I’ll figure something out. I just want to get to the point in this novel where I’m ready to stop.

Possibilities

“The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.” – Albert Camus

If there is even a small part of you that wants to share your story, do it. There are a million ways to add to the collective in a positive way, and writing is one of them. There are a ton of ways to write your story! There are just as many ways to share it with the world. On top of that, the evolving technology means even more ways to create. I know it sounds like I’m selling this hobby; I’m not. I just get excited when I am reminded of all the possibilities that await me as a writer.

Are trying anything new as a writer?

Kafka Quote

“I need solitude for my writing; not ‘like a hermit’ – that wouldn’t be enough – but like a dead man.” – Franz Kafka

This quote made me laugh! I have been so deep in my writing projects that I no longer feel like I’m thriving in life. But once I start feeling that way, I take myself out. I want to thrive! Sometimes I take a random trip to the beach or a bookstore. Sometimes it’s just what is most convenient.

The quote has its place. Getting into the creative flow takes intentional work. Limited conversations, plenty of rest, and the freedom to go write at any moment all keep you from committing to things that make people feel alive.

It is eerie to be compared to a dead man, though. I don’t really like that.

Bigger Than Me

“And then, sometimes, when I least expect it, there are the rare, exquisite, ecstatic experiences of writing, when the story bursts out, and I struggle to type as fast as I need to, afraid the sentences are going to fly out of my grasp.” – Nina LaCour

Imagine writing every day for years to experience this (the moment mentioned in the quote above) only once or twice a year. Ok, ok, maybe that’s a little dramatic, but that’s really how it feels sometimes. Writing adds to my life, yes, but that doesn’t take away from the hard work it takes to be a writer. But that quote, that description of the feverish, inspired sessions feels good. They really do. But there’s more to writing than that. It’s bigger than feverish productivity. And most days it feels bigger than me.

We Need Your Story

“After nourishment, shelter, and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.” – Philip Pullman

We need your story. Do not give up. Do not let those greedy little pigs blow your dreams out of sight. We can do things that are out of reach. We can write stories that outlast generations. These words may keep an entire generation alive someday. They also could be forgotten and never read again, but what if? What if there’s a chance that someone like you will save someone like me? Better yet, maybe your words will be exactly the words you need to save yourself. To see you safe in the palms of your own hardworking hands would truly light my fire.

Stay alive.

Enjoy

“Your intuition knows what to write, so get out of the way.” —Ray Bradbury

Let go and let loose! The words will come when you open the floodgates. One of my closest writing friends used to say, “if you have to push, it’s probably sh*t.” It will come; just try and enjoy the process in between. I can say that easily here in the blog post, but let me tell you, writing this novel hasn’t been a walk in the park. I have days and days when I feel like I’m waiting for the floodgates to open. They always do. That’s why I keep coming back.

Affirmation Check in

Affirmations are positive statements that help you work through negative feelings, thoughts, and situations. Yes, this sounds too simple; repeating the same sentences won’t change anything around you. The thing is, research shows that positive thinking can rewire your brain, changing the way you feel about things. The brain’s ability to adapt to new situations, or neuroplasticity, is why affirmations work.

Have you checked your thoughts lately?

https://www.odu.edu/equity/civility-month/affirmations

For the Writer

“Never write anything that does not give you great pleasure. Emotion is easily transferred from the writer to the reader.” –Joseph Joubert

I think this is completely accurate, so accurate that I had to google Joseph Joubert. He was an interesting essayist who wrote Pensées (Thoughts). It’s worth looking up if you haven’t heard of him. I didn’t dig too deep, just a quick skim.

Is what you’re writing bringing you joy?