For Writers

Good stories come to those who are watching.

For writers, writing is what they do on any occasion. There’s always something to add to the story especially when life’s throwing lemons at you. Writers learn to see the world as something that can be observed and lived. That’s where the stories come from. That’s the nature of a writer’s life. They create art from people merely existing. There’s nothing more beautiful to me than the writer’s life, and I have to add the artist’s life as well. To see how they rise over and over again from the ashes lights my fire.

What do you love about the writer’s life? Or what would you change about your writer’s life?

Don’t Limit Yourself

There’s an entire world out there. There’s time. There are a billion people. There are resources. Break free from your old routine that’s not serving you anymore. You may find the same ol’ stuff, but at least you get the same ol’ stuff with a better view. I don’t wanna encourage anyone to walk off a cliff because you know what life is tough, but life being tough is no excuse to stay in the same old stuck situation you’ve been in for years. There’s no better time than now to go on a grand adventure!

Ok ok, what’s your dream trip?

Mine used to be Venice, but now it’s Scotland, Prince Edward Island, and my dream writing destination, is Alaska during their dark season.

Ergonomics Yay!

I’m so excited! I bought myself a few things to increase my ergonomics! If I’m writing for more than three hours a day, then I gotta make sure I’m investing in my health! My back and neck feel better already! I got a 4-port USB hub, wired keyboard, and mouse from 5 and Below. The last thing I had to grab was an HDMI adapter from Walmart for the DELL monitor my husband brought home for me. Let me tell you, I’m sitting up straight and my neck feels better already! 30 bucks closer to a better posture.

Have you had to make any changes to your writing setup lately?

Rest Day

Today was a rest day for me. A rest day I didn’t ask for.

I have a long to-do list that I’m excited to work through. It’s hard for me to slow down, but I have to take time to heal and recover. I just want to go a hundred miles an hour and make big moves. Buuuut if there’s anything I’ve learned from writing, it’s to pace myself. The energy is there! The drive is there! The excitement and ambition make my fingers wiggle. But my spirit animal, the Tortoise, is reminding me about the race between the Tortoise and Hare. Slow and steady wins the race.

Find What You Love

Are you staying focused on the things that you love? You know, those things that increase your wellbeing. Just a gentle reminder: maintaining a healthy mind, body, and spirit requires three different sets of joys. What helps to silence the chatter without damaging the body or spirit? What nourishes your body without taking away from your spirit or mind? We have a lot of responsibilities, but those three things should be our priority regardless of what the world wants from us. Go the extra mile to feed your mind, body, and soul so that you can pour, pour, pour into your family, friends, and even strangers in need.

What things bring you joy?

You know what fills my joy tank? Cooking myself a well-rounded homemade meal. It’s not the same when I’m cooking for everyone. Something about making chicken, potatoes, and veggies for myself to eat by myself is like my ultimate joy.

Why Aren’t You Writing?

There are so many good reasons to write. There are so many ways to execute it, and there are a million and one mental health benefits. Okay, I haven’t actually counted all the health benefits, but journaling has been known to lower stress and anxiety significantly. Also, working on your creative writing skills when you’re in a high-anxiety situation that you can’t control gives you the perfect foundation. Writing is a craft that helps with communication, thinking, developing abstract thoughts, and self-regulating emotions. There’s really nothing to lose when you write.

Trust me, writing is for you.

The Sun

“Joy comes in the morning.” Psalms 30

This is a quote from the Bible. It has been coming up a lot lately. It reminds us that the sun will rise again. We may just be blessed with one more day to do our best. I’m not much of a morning person, so I’m not a huge fan of seeing the sunrise. But to wake up with joy after a bout of sorrow, I know and love that feeling.

Are you a morning person or a night owl like me?

Life Feels Good

I have had a fantastic Tuesday. It was so good that I feel bad saying it. It feels kind of wrong. Should I be miserable while in the middle of all this change? I mean, my faith has been tested during much darker times, but at the end of the day, I’m just happy to be alive and thriving!

I believe in the fullness of life. I believe that some risk is required to forge your own path. And I believe that people who think in a similar way threaten the lies people live to stay stuck.

I used to be curious about those people who could (from what I saw) so easily unstick themselves. When I say “unstick,” I mean those people who leave toxic relationships, depart from toxic work environments, and shoot for the stars! Now, I’m proud to be someone who can finally choose healthy, safe, and welcoming environments where I thrive.

How was your Tuesday?

The Choice is Yours

Don’t forget that writing is your craft. You get to choose which part of it works best for you. You get to try out all the formats. You get to choose who you share your craft with and how you do it. It’s not about proving that your craft is good enough. It’s about thriving as a writer. Your craft and the environment in which it thrives are completely under your control. Here are some things to think about.

Ergonomics! Take care of your body while you write. This may seem like a waste, but investing in a healthy body is never a waste. Mind your writing pains and continue to make small changes over time. Or all at once if you must.

Find a writing circle you trust. This is everything! It matters the type of writers you take feedback from. While I absolutely love James Joyce and feel inspired by his work, others despise him. It matters who you share your drafts with. It matters how they treat you. Don’t trust them? Do not let them into your writing world.

Commitment. Stay committed to your craft.

These are just a few things that impact your environment. What is important to you when it comes to your writing environment?

Our Place

*Our Place*

On the edge with fish that nip and monsters that drag you so deep you can’t see the light of day.
Inside black books never banned because they’re only read by a select few.
Beneath the drums that lift and expose you all at once.
Teeth, it’s always between them
truth,
not hidden but not recognized either.
Our place is in all of these things,
and we’ve ventured through every single one of them together.

-Saschia