When Did You Fall In Love with Writing?
Finding time to carve out some peace and quiet so that you can hear yourself think and pour yourself out in the written form can be challenging no doubt. However, it’s not impossible.
What would it take for you to establish a regular writing practice? What would it take for you to fall in love with writing again?
Think about all of the reasons you want to write. Think about all of the lives you can touch with your words. Think about the healing you can produce in this world with just the stroke of your pen.
Whether your genre is fiction, memoir, blogging, children’s literature or academia? It really doesn’t matter as long as you are taking time to honor this beautiful gift you’ve been given.
Do you remember the first time you fell in love with the writing?
We asked some our the attendees from last year’s UNSTUCK Writers’ Retreat this question, and not only did their answers inspire us, but they also gave us yet another reason to dust off our old journals, find our favorite pen and get to work.
Here are a few of the memories they shared:
” My relationship status with writing is “complicated”. It is stirred more out of jealousy of how others do it, than for my longing for the practice itself. I am a lazy, undisciplined writer, but when inspired by what my words could possibly become on the lips and ears of others, I begin to pen.
I write in an ungodly, unorganized, perfect mess, and edit in a clean, structured and surgical manner. Then, I involve others, listen to suggestions and critiques with discernment and rely on my “knower” to know when the piece is complete.”
— Michelle Gipson, Owner – Written Mag & Literary Agent
“I first fell in love with writing as a child witnessing my dad write down the lyrics to his favorite songs. He would talk about the power of well-crafted lyrics. Although he passed in 2017, I still have his handwritten copy of Donny Hathaway & Roberta Flack’s “The Closer I Get to You.’”
— Sabin P. Duncan – Educator, Author, Evolving Creative Spirit
“I fell in love with writing as a child. Sadly, somewhere along the way, I forgot that first love and let it fall away among the busy of everyday life.
I recently rediscovered it. My Mom even stumbled upon an old letter I wrote to her as a child, where I specifically asked her to write letters to me when we were “fighting” because I struggled to voice my emotions. I knew if I could take some time to write her back, I would be able to explain myself, feel understood and communicate better with her.
Oh, how I wish I hadn’t let life get in the way of my writing! What a different life I may have lived! How wonderful to welcome my first love back into my life now!
—Katy Blevins Calabrese – Writer, Author and Blogger & Chief Leadership & Training Officer for Business Among Moms
“Writing has always been my first love. I fell in love with her when I was in Mr. Curry’s 5th grade class. We had to write a play and I wrote a story about a family whose dog died in a car accident. As a writer, I guess I’ve always been moved by the tragic endings.
I loved how I was able to captivate my classmates’ attention, hold them hostage and evoke a deep emotional response from them with just the power that flowed from my pen.”
