Recently a long-time fan wrote me, saying she kept some of my words for ready reference. She came across a particular essay that really resonated with her, and she asked that I repeat it, because what applied years ago, still applies today. It’s pretty evergreen, I think.
“The world is hurting, and it doesn’t know how to stop hurting.
That’s why you ensconce yourself in your writing space and find your happy place. Not only because you need it for your peace of mind, but because others still need good stories for escape, for enjoyment, for self-help, for stimulation.
Create your happy place. Make yourself want to go there. Then disappear in your stories. Show the world that negativity is not going to win.”
Sure, it’s easy to say chin up and all that, but we have bad days. Sometimes it’s politics. Sometimes it’s family. Sometimes it’s the fact life didn’t turn out quite as we’d hoped.
Writing is what I use to level the day.
Writing is what I use to disappear from the horrors.
Writing is what I use to feel better about myself.
Develop the habit. Writing is worth way more to you than simple publication. It taps a part of you nobody can lay claim to. It’s all yours.
I too keep some of your words for “ready reference”. My running document is called, “The Wisdom of Hope (Clark)”. I often scroll through it before I sit down to write, looking for the message that resonates most for that day. I always find one. Thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement. You make the writing world a better place.
You are too sweet.