This morning, after a delicious breakfast at a Greek diner, I suddenly thought about how writing has made me a better person. It was something that I felt I needed to tweet about immediately, but then I thought I would expand on it here.
Writing teaches patience. In my experience, in order to write, you have to let go of at least a certain amount of control. Characters pop in my head and demand to be part of a story. They go on stirke when they're not happy with a turn of event. I have to listen to them in order to move on. I may have to move like a turtle and hang out in the sun until I have that aha moment that seems to come when I surrender and relax.
Writing makes me hunble. I think I know what I'm doing, and then I'm thrown for a curve. I experience days of rotten sentences or moments where nothing inspires me, and I feel like I'm right back to being a rank novice once again. It's happened so often that I'm now adopting an attitude of curiosity about it. What else can I learn? What is my next step? How can I become a better writer?
Writing gives me confidence. I have written three books. Even when times feel rough, I now believe that I can navigate the waters. It may take me a while. I may have to circle the wagon more times than I'd like, but I have faith that I will figure it out.
Writing brings me joy. I've wanted to do this ever since I was a kid. It's been a lifelong dream, and the fact that I can spend a part of every day pursuing it makes me happy.
That's it for now. It's just about time for a dinner of coconut shrimp, and who would want to miss that? To be continued, hopefully, for the rest of my li