For as long as I can remember I have written. Words have wept out of me in times of sadness and exploded from my soul in celebration. I remember sitting on window sills, laying in parks, musing over coffee in cafes, observing from dark corners of bars and always, always my notebook has been with me…
I know I must write. I get sick when I don’t write, sick of heart, sick of body, and sick of mind. Writing is a form of self-expression but mostly, for me, a kind of meditation and therapy. It keeps me balanced and healthy and, usually, happy.
And so now, after a 15 year love affair, I hope to make my mistress my wife… I want to confidently scribble “Writer” in that little profession box on a thousand banal forms…
The problem is I have NO CLUE how to go about it. Writing was always a dream but I have never had the faith in myself to make it a reality. I have always been scared… I mean, what if i suck?! What if I fail at the one thing that matters most?
As an avid collector of quotes and inspiration I have, for years now, had the following as a kind of mantra (although I strangely cannot recall where I got it from):
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something else is more important than fear.
And so, with that in mind, I have decided to throw myself out there and begin the epic quest to fulfill my dream, to be who I always dreamed I may one day be – a writer. I have started this blog as the first step in the process, to put my words out there and see how it feels, to express myself publicly, and also, I hope, to receive encouragement and advice from fellow writers who are ahead of me on the path, and perhaps inspire a few who have the same secret dream.
This is an open invitation – let’s open a dialogue on writing and the writers life, provide advice and inspiration and outlet to the thousands (millions?) of aspiring writers out there; and, though we are afraid, let’s have the courage to believe that something else is more important than that fear, and that is the simple and perfect beauty of words on the page expressing something deep and true within us all.
Writing Is…
from Mr. Vanhille’s Writing Blog
Writing is everything. Through writing, I can express my feelings, emotion, ideas, viewpoints, and philosophies; through writing, I find a sanctuary that offers me solace from all of the elements of life. Inside this sanctuary, I can travel across vast continents, dive into deep oceans, and soar above colossal mountains. I can join in the legendary quests of the Fellowship, the Companions of the Hall, and the boy commanders of Battle School. I look into the complicated nature of human personalities and the reactions of man to nature. In reading and writing, we can find everything.
Although reading the writings of others allows me passage to new worlds and realms of thinking, writing my own stories and poems allows me to not only learn of these new worlds and realms of thinking, but the creation of these new worlds and realms of thinking. Through writing, I better understand the world, myself, and others.
Through writing, I have found my identity.
Writing is…
from Kalin’s Blog
Writing is a way of escaping reality. It’s something that lets me be me … As I write, everything around me seems to melt away. I’ve always loved writing … Writing is my way of releasing every emotion whether it be joy, sadness, or anger.
Why I write
from JackieInPrint
From my small window seat I see some amazing things. A myriad of the new and unexpected flood my vision, and I am caught up in a sea of the unknown. I think back on all of the small opportunities that became giant decisions, and the single moments that turned everything around. It is both exciting and terrifying to know how quickly our lives can change. It can be both beautiful and tragic. That is why I write. I write to understand, I write to heal, and I write to explore.
Why I Write and Don’t Write
from creative sanctum
I write because I am lonely and when I write I have a friend on the page who listens to everything I say, word for word. I write because the furry ball of thoughts clog my mind like fleece and writing spins them into a strand I can roll into a ball to use later to knit myself a warm jumper or a poncho (when I learn how to knit).
I write because it soothes my fears. I write when I’m scared. I always have …
I don’t write because I am small and scared inside, scared of the power and impact of words. I hate to admit this, but I am scared of more criticism and judgement …
I don’t write to preserve my privacy, my anonymity, and therefore my safety, the safety of silence …
http://creativesanctum.wordpress.com/2007/04/29/why-i-write-and-dont-write/
Why I Write.
from akatommy
Why I write? That’s like asking why I breathe. It’s just, something I have to do. If I think of a line, a phrase, a paragraph, I need to write it down, or it’ll pick at me until I do, like some sort of obsessive-compulsive thing. For me not to write is like for a bird to not fly, a fish to not swim, a heart to not beat. I guess in the most simplistic way, I write for me. Writing is the only way I have to escape …
Let not the fear of failure stop you in indulging in what you always wanted to do. Maybe for courage not to be bogged down by failure, check out the blog http://chapter18.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/celebrating-failures/
All the best!
Narayanan
Thanks Narayan, your post was interesting (and true).
Actually, I was just going through my journal and I found something I had scribbled, probably inspired by a book I was reading at the time:
If you’re not ok with being wrong you’ll never do anything original.
I think that is probably true. I’m taking the plunge.
Thanks for your words of encouragement.
– Courtney
Good for you! Way to follow your gut. I love connecting with people like you who have a love of writing and aren’t afraid of going for it.
Thanks Alexis! I’m finding your journey to be inspirational, looking forward to reading your book one day :-)
Thank you for your comment on my recent post about writing. I like what you’re doing here, and am so impressed and inspired that you are writing your manuscript!
“The problem is I have NO CLUE how to go about it. Writing was always a dream but I have never had the faith in myself to make it a reality.” — I’ve felt this, too! My entire life, I’ve entertained the idea that I will someday be a writer, yet I’m 31 and still feel lost as to how to achieve this dream. I love your blog concept–start a conversation with other writers, from those who are published to those still working on it. You ask valid and thought-provoking questions. Good luck, and I’ll be following you in your journey!
Thanks for your comment and encouragement. I am really enjoying the feedback and dialogue with others who are on the same and similar paths.
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