I hear from so many of you about your struggles around writing under the weight of the world in this moment of conflict, confusion, Covid, and false narratives. Life is challenging enough without this moment adding gravity to every decision, action, and intention. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to use this intensity, this heightened sensitivity, to illuminate our story telling.

    I remind myself that writing is a Practice. And that our best response to trouble, grief, and confusion is to create art. This is how we make sense of the world. Write a rant, a wish. Manipulate it into story, poetry. Remember: Creating art is a revolutionary act. And it is necessary. True voices inspire change. Share your opinions with the Editors of your local paper. Write essays that speak to the moment. Or right of a time when everything was different. Dream of a better world.

    Have faith in the story you are writing, the one only you can tell in your unique voice. Read books and poems that move you. Turn up your music and dance like you would if you could revisit your Jr. HS social and show your younger self how to love being you, how to let it all hang out. Take a long bath.

   Most importantly attend to beauty. Collect it with all of your senses. Take note. Jot down the random phrases, the scent of a savory dish, a memory of someone cooking. Describe flowers blooming around a park bench; put words to the crazy colors that render a smoky sky glorious in the dying light of day. Capture the cadence and hush of the sea shifting in and out, of little wet feet on a wooden floor, or a dog scratching. Take a walk. Stomp on some crisp fall leaves, describe their crunch, or collect handfuls of the richest ones and take them home to remind you that, no matter what is happening, beauty is always close to hand. 

    Be alive to all of it as you practice putting small things into your own words. Remember: Have fun. Do not be careful. Remind yourself why you do this crazy work of writing. Do it for ten minutes a day. Write anything. Just keep the pen moving and let it lead you into something surprising.

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I look forward to writing with you soon!

Keep the faith! And reserve your spot in upcoming workshops or First Friday Meetups. Let me know your news and what books are inspiring you now.

With love,
Teresa