A deep breath. Ready? Pick up the quill, grasp the ink stained instrument tightly. See that piece of paper? That bottle of ink? That my friend is a whole glorious, effulgent, inexpressible world. Jump.

I think that the book is better than the movie. I think that there is more to provide pleasure than a cell phone. I think that words are magic. I think that stories matter.

Its here! The post about writing. I have been looking forward to this one quite a lot! As I sit down to write this blog post I sneak a piece of chocolate into my mouth, ready my hands and… and… WRITER’S BLOCK! How is a person supposed to write about writing? What is a writer? Who are authors? What can a mere, flawed human like me add to the whole universe of story out there? Sometimes I feel like my ideas and words are very insignificant, and granted, most of the time they are. But still, I go back to the computer, I get out a new piece of paper and I write.

Why? Because I believe that stories matter. Also, I am helplessly in love with words, with creating and with my characters.

What do you suppose makes a good writer? Is it their affluency with words, their brilliance to come up with a thrilling plot? Or maybe, it’s their ability to love. Maybe writers have to love deeper, just like artists have to see deeper. So many quotes from authors out there tell you to write what hurts and what terrifies you. I think it’s probably a good idea to listen to them, they are authors of classics after all. I think what they are trying to say is: write the truth. The best stories all seem to be heart wrenching and sad. Yes, all the best characters have to die. Because it’s the truth. But they are also the very best books. Funny how that works, isn’t it? The sad ones are always so good. I haven’t quite grasped why, like I said I am far from having all the answers. But it is something to ponder…

So, what is writing? If you are an aspiring author think about it. If you are a discouraged aspiring author, this is for you: writing isn’t about doing it perfectly. Writing is about love, it’s about writing what you have to write, taking what is unique and sacred to you and giving it to the needy world. So maybe, I don’t have all the right words, maybe I can’t come up with a rhyme to orange, maybe my plots are flawed and my ideas are wrong and my words are misspelled, but maybe it doesn’t matter.

I think that writing is important. Our view on the world, the special unique way that only you can see a certain flower or sunset or galloping horse, it matters. Also, writing is amazing and magical even if you never show it to anyone. Don’t think that you have to write a best selling novel or publish a memoir to be a writer! Some of the most important things I’ve ever written will never be seen by others. Prayers journaled for the Lord’s eyes only, diary entries and even letters to a friend.

I want to encourage you to pick up a pen during quarentine. If you are already a writer, don’t give up! I promise that it’s worth it! And if you are not, give it a try! Pick up a neglected diary and journal your thoughts about COVID-19, write a letter to a friend. Remember, when it isn’t certain where you’re pen will take you, anything is possible!

I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.”
–Anne Frank