We all have a story to tell. And writing our story can be therapeutic for us and our readers.
You may have faced some real difficulties or a tragedy in your life. That doesn't mean you have to write a tell all or self-help book. You may not want to openly discuss a specific situation. The pain from sorrow or loss can be told in many ways. It may be through the intricate details of a novel filled with suspense, the main character is like you, and your emotions find direction through the character's emotions. Or maybe poetry is the farthest thing from your mind, and yet out of nowhere, the flowing, soothing words are written with the ease of a conductor leading an orchestra.
Let your writing naturally flow from your soul and see where it takes you. You will discover comfort as your emotions are finding expression, and readers will benefit, too.
I have personally faced a tragedy in my life that helped me find a writing style that I didn't know was in me: allegory. I didn't have the desire to get down to the business of writing a book on the topic at hand. Instead, I found myself describing what I was feeling indirectly with shadows - not light. It helped me to write in an abstract way about the pain.
Of course, this is nothing new. Yet, the encouragement I hope to give you is not to confine yourself with always being predictable in your writing. The abrupt circumstances in our lives can abruptly change us and that's not always a bad thing.
Let the gift you have flow out of your soul and make new paths for you and your readers! Because even in life's storms, there is beauty.
~~~
Kathleen Moulton has a passion to bring hope
to hurting people of all ages who are facing disappointment, discouragement, and loss. You are
invited to read When It Hurts - http://kathleenmoulton.com
Article photo courtesy: PictureWendy / Foter / CC BY-NC
14 comments:
Kathleen, I have a children's book coming out in 2013 that came out of a tragic fire where a friend lost his wife and all four of his children. I wrote the first draft in a weekend, then spent the next year or two learning enough about writing fiction to make it into the story I needed to tell. I couldn't change the outcome in real life, but I could make things better in my book.
Margaret, I will be very interested in that book and I am sure you will share the title with us when it's out.
I also have a children's book idea I want to write regarding my own personal tragedy.
There's no doubt we are living in a day where we are more aware of tragedies because of the internet and 24/7 news channels. Children see and hear much more.
Thank-you for your thoughts!
Kathy
I admire your passion to bring hope from tragedy. Going through difficult times can build strength and character we never knew possible. We wish for good to come from the bad experience.
Kathleen, this is a wonderful post showing writers, and others, that their grief can be channeled into creative forces. And, you're so right, because of the 24/7 news stations tragedy is brought into our homes on a regular basis.
Margaret, what a very sad story. I'll be interested in the book once it comes out also.
Great post Kathleen. I've had a number of stories that started from seeds in life's difficulty.
I agree with you Kathleen. Anything is fodder for a writer.
It's sink or swim and I prefer to swim! Thanks for reading, JQ.
Kathy
Karen, thanks for reading. And thanks for the opportunity to share an article each month!
Kathy
It really helps to put it on paper, doesn't it?
Thank-you, Mary Jo!
Kathy
The possibilities are endless and sometimes I'm on overload. But that's a good thing!
Thanks for your comment Magdalena!
Kathy
Trying to swim myself. Thanks for the great post!
Keep swimming Debbie! Hope this new year brings you much success.
Kathy
A beautiful article Kathleen and an inspiration on so many levels. Thanks for it.
Thank-you, Annie!
Kathy
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