Writing is my air, it is my heart, it is my very soul. I've been a storyteller before I could hold a pen or spell. I would cease to exist without my writing & stories....
Beautifully said, Maryellen! I couldn't agree more. It's something I didn't even realize about myself until there came a time in my life where I stopped writing due to pain and struggles.
That was when I realized that I have to get the spark back. I don't have a choice. Then, I found this place, and this community, and friends like you.
If I don't write, I just feel wrong. I notice myself getting upset more often, I have less patience for people (which I didn't think possible 😅), and I just don't enjoy life as much.
But when a story claws it's way into my mind, it must be written.
It's so true, you put it perfectly, Mina. It's like life losing its color, and your patience leaves with it. Everything becomes heavier. I think writing is our way of taking some of that weight off our shoulders.
And yes, once a story gets into my head, it won't leave me alone until it finds life on the page. Wonderful input here, my friend! 👏👏
I loved what you wrote on the need to write. Back when I was able to write short stories, I had to write or the story drove me insane. The stories has dried up but the poetry hasn't. I need to create with words. A perfect word at the perfect time in the perfect context is superb and amazing. It is like shining gold in a desert climate. I love writing. Thanks for this write up.
I love this, Chad. You're absolutely right, if we try to ignore the stories and poems inside of us, it can turn into this itch that will drive you insane. The story needs to get out, as they say.
Poetry is so powerful for exactly the reasons you said. It allows us to concentrate emotion into a stanza. It provides the chance to choose the perfect word, the perfect rhythm, and the perfect flow to convey the deepest depths of our message.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing, my friend! I'm glad you enjoyed it. 🙏
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Hazel! Beautifully said, I actually have a framed picture in my home office that says "A writer is a world trapped in a person," and I've always believed that.
We are filled with stories that can and should exist, not only because we have been called to write them, but because they can connect us to others we've never met. Really appreciate you sharing! 😁
The quote reminds me of a thing that one of my physics professors said. It goes something like this: "The purpose of this class is to learn something. Everything else is of second order."
I implement a similar philosophy with my writing. The goal is that somebody sees my work (even if it is a long time after I've posted it) and either learns something from it or is entertained by it. If I have done that, then my writing is a success. Everything else (likes, comments, donations, etc.) are nice, but aren't required.
Now, going to your question that you posed: the goal of my writing is to provide a snapshot of what my brain is thinking about at some time. This can be difficult as I'm usually thinking about many different things at once at any given time.
i absolutely love this series, Bradley! as i'm starting to write a more larger, daunting project (more of a novel or novella) this coming month, i'm finding myself a bit out of my element. it's so big, what i'm tyring to do compared to what i've done before, and i care about it so much that i don't want to mess it up or get in my own way. long story short, this is an incredible series that i know will continue to inspire me and set me on the right track.
this post especially. i have always felt less like writing is my life and more like writing helps me to understand my life. in a literal way, i guess, writing has become my life, but not in the metaphorical way where the desire has refocused itself to be everything i do and think about. that does happen, but i dont think that's why i write.
writing for me is a way for me to understand my place in the world, and to explicate that often through fictional characters, which is a lot easier than trying to tackle it head on myself haha.
Thank you, Isabella! This is such a wonderful perspective. Writing can absolutely help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.
And, when it comes to big projects like the one you’re on, I always like to remind writers that the first draft is putting sand in the sandbox, so you can build sand castles later.
It doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to exist. So, when you feel that pressure, remind yourself that there will be time for reflection and revisions. It doesn’t have to be perfect on the first try, and in fact, it shouldn’t be.
So glad you’re enjoying this new series! It’s a great way to start the week. 😁
I know that if I do not write that I will get another divine intervention that kicks me out of whatever I was doing to get to it. Am I called to write? Absolutely. I feel it is my calling. Every time I feel I have to give it up there is a presence that reminds me that my hands are their medium. I call storytelling my magick for a good reason. I learned it was not for fame or fortune years ago. It is meant to put the intentions of my craft out into the hearts and minds of souls in need of the divine inspiration given to me.
That is my passion. That is why I write. I want to put good in the world, so that it inspires humanity to believe in things as stories once. did.
Amazing input, my friend. I love the concept of our hands being the medium by which our stories are delivered into the world. Storytelling is absolutely magick as well, you're absolutely right!
I love this perspective, and I really appreciate you sharing it! 🙏
The first thing I know for sure I ever wrote was a short story from the perspective of a dog who lost his "boy." I was seven years old, and the story actually led me to a convention for young writers. I remember talking with a woman there who wrote children's books, and she told me that nothing was ever more important to her than writing. I wish I could remember her name.
I don't think anyone ever told me to be a writer, I just was. I wrestled for a long time - decades - with what being a writer actually means, whether I'm doing it correctly or well, whether I'm spending my energy on the wrong outlets. I had more than one ill-advised relationship with fellow writers because the work we did together was like oxygen to me, despite the fact that everything else about us was suffocating. As the world changed, I started to believe that content creation was the only way I could ever succeed as a writer, and put a lot of pressure on myself to turn my writing into something more... accessible? Digital? Palpable? I parlayed my writing into YouTube and podcasts.
But, at the end of the day, I'm still just writing, no matter how hard of a day it's been, no matter how loud the voice in my head that tells me nobody cares, there are a million of me out there, etc. etc. That voice has never been strong enough to discourage me. I write because I have to, because it's the only way I can really ever know what I'm feeling, because it's how I learn and grow (through reading the writings of others, as well, of course - like this post here). Even if I'm terrible at it, and even if no one ever reads anything else I write ever again, I'll still write. All the time. It's as much a part of me as my blood. I can't really think of a better way to put it than that.
This post has really helped ground me today, and I think I really needed it. Thank you.
I read a poem about this on Substack recently! One of the topics it covered was how writing can sometimes feel burdensome. For all the love I have for writing, it can feel weighty on the hard days, like you feel worse when you don't make the time for it or are struggling to get a story on the page. I think I've learned to love writing because I know it would kill me not to do it, and in that struggle, I figured out how to appreciate all the good in it.
I haven't always been compelled to write. I have, however, always been compelled to tell stories. I make the distinction only because when I'm writing is the only time those stories live beyond their moments spoken aloud or when they go grow in my mind.
There's a satisfaction and feeling of completion in seeing the ideas shared that is just so different from the years where I only told myself for my family and friends my stories.
Substack has been a motivator for me to share my work. I have written poetry from the age of 14 and never really wanted or needed to share my poems. They came into existence because I was and am a poet. Never needed the validation of the world to write. I simply did. This platform has been an opportunity to have fun and share my skills and talent. Writing for me is now how I dance and make music for the world of Substack.
Writing is my air, it is my heart, it is my very soul. I've been a storyteller before I could hold a pen or spell. I would cease to exist without my writing & stories....
Beautifully said, Maryellen! I couldn't agree more. It's something I didn't even realize about myself until there came a time in my life where I stopped writing due to pain and struggles.
That was when I realized that I have to get the spark back. I don't have a choice. Then, I found this place, and this community, and friends like you.
The rest, as they say, is history. 😁
And I'm so grateful you are here. You help make Substack a cozy home for so many of us.
If I don't write, I just feel wrong. I notice myself getting upset more often, I have less patience for people (which I didn't think possible 😅), and I just don't enjoy life as much.
But when a story claws it's way into my mind, it must be written.
It's so true, you put it perfectly, Mina. It's like life losing its color, and your patience leaves with it. Everything becomes heavier. I think writing is our way of taking some of that weight off our shoulders.
And yes, once a story gets into my head, it won't leave me alone until it finds life on the page. Wonderful input here, my friend! 👏👏
I loved what you wrote on the need to write. Back when I was able to write short stories, I had to write or the story drove me insane. The stories has dried up but the poetry hasn't. I need to create with words. A perfect word at the perfect time in the perfect context is superb and amazing. It is like shining gold in a desert climate. I love writing. Thanks for this write up.
I love this, Chad. You're absolutely right, if we try to ignore the stories and poems inside of us, it can turn into this itch that will drive you insane. The story needs to get out, as they say.
Poetry is so powerful for exactly the reasons you said. It allows us to concentrate emotion into a stanza. It provides the chance to choose the perfect word, the perfect rhythm, and the perfect flow to convey the deepest depths of our message.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing, my friend! I'm glad you enjoyed it. 🙏
Fantastic mindful Monday, thank you. I write to release the stories that have filled my heart…sometimes those stories find others hearts to inspire
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Hazel! Beautifully said, I actually have a framed picture in my home office that says "A writer is a world trapped in a person," and I've always believed that.
We are filled with stories that can and should exist, not only because we have been called to write them, but because they can connect us to others we've never met. Really appreciate you sharing! 😁
I love that so much, what a perfect image it is of being a writer.
Loving these Monday meditations thank you Bradley as always you are a gift to the writing community here!
Thank you, Javier! I truly appreciate the feedback and the kind words, my friend. 🙏
The quote reminds me of a thing that one of my physics professors said. It goes something like this: "The purpose of this class is to learn something. Everything else is of second order."
I implement a similar philosophy with my writing. The goal is that somebody sees my work (even if it is a long time after I've posted it) and either learns something from it or is entertained by it. If I have done that, then my writing is a success. Everything else (likes, comments, donations, etc.) are nice, but aren't required.
Now, going to your question that you posed: the goal of my writing is to provide a snapshot of what my brain is thinking about at some time. This can be difficult as I'm usually thinking about many different things at once at any given time.
I love that quote, and this perspective! I think that’s a really good approach to the purpose of writing something.
And yes, while it can be hard to nail down a specific state of mind, the best stories are indeed a snapshot of a single state of mind.
i absolutely love this series, Bradley! as i'm starting to write a more larger, daunting project (more of a novel or novella) this coming month, i'm finding myself a bit out of my element. it's so big, what i'm tyring to do compared to what i've done before, and i care about it so much that i don't want to mess it up or get in my own way. long story short, this is an incredible series that i know will continue to inspire me and set me on the right track.
this post especially. i have always felt less like writing is my life and more like writing helps me to understand my life. in a literal way, i guess, writing has become my life, but not in the metaphorical way where the desire has refocused itself to be everything i do and think about. that does happen, but i dont think that's why i write.
writing for me is a way for me to understand my place in the world, and to explicate that often through fictional characters, which is a lot easier than trying to tackle it head on myself haha.
i love this series, i cant wait for next monday!
Thank you, Isabella! This is such a wonderful perspective. Writing can absolutely help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.
And, when it comes to big projects like the one you’re on, I always like to remind writers that the first draft is putting sand in the sandbox, so you can build sand castles later.
It doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to exist. So, when you feel that pressure, remind yourself that there will be time for reflection and revisions. It doesn’t have to be perfect on the first try, and in fact, it shouldn’t be.
So glad you’re enjoying this new series! It’s a great way to start the week. 😁
I know that if I do not write that I will get another divine intervention that kicks me out of whatever I was doing to get to it. Am I called to write? Absolutely. I feel it is my calling. Every time I feel I have to give it up there is a presence that reminds me that my hands are their medium. I call storytelling my magick for a good reason. I learned it was not for fame or fortune years ago. It is meant to put the intentions of my craft out into the hearts and minds of souls in need of the divine inspiration given to me.
That is my passion. That is why I write. I want to put good in the world, so that it inspires humanity to believe in things as stories once. did.
Amazing input, my friend. I love the concept of our hands being the medium by which our stories are delivered into the world. Storytelling is absolutely magick as well, you're absolutely right!
I love this perspective, and I really appreciate you sharing it! 🙏
When you lose your spark, you feel your soul ache.
When you stop writing, it’s like you stopped breathing.
When you can’t be creative, you feel like an empty husk.
That above explains it so brilliantly. I discovered writing in my retirement year.
It has been a respite. A home where my thoughts rest and linger then dive onto the page.
A jumble of words which then span and become that awesome piece I present to my audience who “listen” and respond. It has changed my life.
In each word I see life, beauty, strife, heartbreak. Yet, it does what it is meant to do.
Fulfil me.
🍂🍁🍄
The first thing I know for sure I ever wrote was a short story from the perspective of a dog who lost his "boy." I was seven years old, and the story actually led me to a convention for young writers. I remember talking with a woman there who wrote children's books, and she told me that nothing was ever more important to her than writing. I wish I could remember her name.
I don't think anyone ever told me to be a writer, I just was. I wrestled for a long time - decades - with what being a writer actually means, whether I'm doing it correctly or well, whether I'm spending my energy on the wrong outlets. I had more than one ill-advised relationship with fellow writers because the work we did together was like oxygen to me, despite the fact that everything else about us was suffocating. As the world changed, I started to believe that content creation was the only way I could ever succeed as a writer, and put a lot of pressure on myself to turn my writing into something more... accessible? Digital? Palpable? I parlayed my writing into YouTube and podcasts.
But, at the end of the day, I'm still just writing, no matter how hard of a day it's been, no matter how loud the voice in my head that tells me nobody cares, there are a million of me out there, etc. etc. That voice has never been strong enough to discourage me. I write because I have to, because it's the only way I can really ever know what I'm feeling, because it's how I learn and grow (through reading the writings of others, as well, of course - like this post here). Even if I'm terrible at it, and even if no one ever reads anything else I write ever again, I'll still write. All the time. It's as much a part of me as my blood. I can't really think of a better way to put it than that.
This post has really helped ground me today, and I think I really needed it. Thank you.
I read a poem about this on Substack recently! One of the topics it covered was how writing can sometimes feel burdensome. For all the love I have for writing, it can feel weighty on the hard days, like you feel worse when you don't make the time for it or are struggling to get a story on the page. I think I've learned to love writing because I know it would kill me not to do it, and in that struggle, I figured out how to appreciate all the good in it.
These Mindful Mondays are a great idea!
I haven't always been compelled to write. I have, however, always been compelled to tell stories. I make the distinction only because when I'm writing is the only time those stories live beyond their moments spoken aloud or when they go grow in my mind.
There's a satisfaction and feeling of completion in seeing the ideas shared that is just so different from the years where I only told myself for my family and friends my stories.
Hi Bradley
Substack has been a motivator for me to share my work. I have written poetry from the age of 14 and never really wanted or needed to share my poems. They came into existence because I was and am a poet. Never needed the validation of the world to write. I simply did. This platform has been an opportunity to have fun and share my skills and talent. Writing for me is now how I dance and make music for the world of Substack.