For writers in despair

Greetings from the WiR office!

This post goes out to the writer who is struggling right now. Maybe feeling that their story isn't coming together, makes no sense, or that they can't find the words to tell the story, strong and true.

Dearest Writer:

I'm sending love and light, hope and inspiration. I've also been in that floundering, "why on earth would anyone care about THIS story" place. And it can be so hard to keep from going under in that quicksand.

I'm sitting here and thinking of how I stay afloat in those times. Four things come to mind:

• Hot baths
• Walks
• Tea
• Floating in the river (or ocean)

But spending time with my characters is probably the true BALM and SALVE for the deep pain of these feelings. I go and sit or walk or float or drink tea with them. I ask them questions. Ask them to tell me stories. Sometimes I just ask them for help and I listen and I scribble their answers. Nothing to do with the BOOK and yet… everything to do with it. Everything to do with my life as a writer and how and WHY I go on.

And I go and listen to THIS beautiful blessing from the amazing John O’Donohue.
 
I don't know if this will help. I do know we all have to work out our own salvation. May you find comfort and reviving energy to create.

Go easy on yourself.

PS – Company always helps as well. Join us on Tuesday evenings from now until June in the Community Commons at Central Library or online to write alongside fellow scribes and feel the comfort of community.