Dear Reader,
It was an annual assignment. On the first day of school the English teacher would announce, "The writing assignment for this week: due Friday, at least 500 words on 'How I spent my summer vacation.'"
How 'you' spent your summer vacation might be the perfect topic for this year's Write a DearReader Contest, the launch day is August 23rd.
If something unusual, heart-felt, hilarious or just plain weird happens to you this summer, write some notes down about it--immediately. That's one of my recipes for writing. If I don't write down the emotions I'm feeling right away when something happens, it's difficult to go back and really grasp what I was feeling.
Over the years, readers have sent in questions about roadblocks that get in their way of starting to write. Book club reader Debbie J. wrote...
"Suzanne, I used to write endlessly, instinctively, and worry-free back when I was in school. But now I find that though I still have that instinct and desire, and so many ideas in my head, and people are still telling me how great a writer I am (even my boss raves about my emails though he seems to think I'm lagging a bit elsewhere), I find that now whenever I actually attempt to put anything creative down onto paper, I hit a massive, insurmountable, proverbial wall. I have become intensely frustrated with myself for this. I want to write as easily as I used to. Any advice you could offer to this end would be incredibly appreciated." Sincere thanks and admiration -- Debbie J.
Dear Debbie, I'm smiling at this very moment because you sound like me. I too have a love/hate relationship with writing. I have to write, I want to write, deep down in my soul I need to write, but most days it doesn't come easy until I find a way for 'me' to get out of the way of my writing. I've read interviews with some writers who say they've never experienced the brick writing wall. Good for them, but secretly I hate them. Notice the line I just wrote? Of course I don't really hate writers who've never faced the brick wall, but if I'm afraid to write that thought down, if I edit myself as I'm writing a first draft, concerned about, "What will people think?" then I'm getting in the way of my writing. Instead of letting the words flow through me, I'm trying to take control. When I finally do let go and get out of the way, the words come easy and they blossom. They make me laugh, they make me cry and the writing feels oh...so very good.
When you find yourself stuck, ask yourself, "Okay, Debbie, what is it that you're really trying to say?" and then start typing as if you are talking to one single person.
When fear gets in the way of my writing, I remind myself that my strength in life comes from my insecurities. Eventually I do find my way. It might take me longer than the average Joe, but I've never regretted the journey. Take it easy, Debbie, slow down, don't be afraid, and simply say what's on your mind. I'll be thinking about you.
To help you get started writing, enter today's giveaway for a beautiful, lined writing journal, click here.
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Suzanne Beecher
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