The Benefits of Writing

As I reflect upon this past year, I have realized that I have learned a lot about writing in the recent past. The more I write, the more confidence I gain as a writer.

I enjoy writing fiction because it allows me to explore the unfamiliar. I write characters unlike myself and I have them participate in activities I would not normally engage in. I also discover skills in my writing that I didn’t know were in me.

It has taken me a while to learn how to write strong characters that are compelling. I used to think that it was enough to write about someone who was broken, who was struggling with self-love or self-worth or have a sense of victimhood. While they may have aspects of these qualities, this isn’t all they can be.

What I have had to learn, is that the characters still need to be active and passionate about something. They definitely need to be faulted in some way, but not broken, and if they are broken, they need to figure out a way to stand up, grow and develop. No one likes wimpy characters.

Fiction also allows me to explore the familiar. I write about traits within me or people I know, I give my characters my hobbies and interests, and I place them in settings I have visited. I give a voice to the experiences in my life under the cover of made-up scenes. I also write poetry, which offers a deeper exploration of my personal experiences and views.

Writing about our experiences also forces us to look within. This can lead us to recall the positive and joyful moments, but anytime we peer into the recesses of our past, we also run the risk of finding buried hurts, shunned memories, or dulled pain. It exposes that which we never intended to see the light. It exposes what we have lived through and what we have survived.

There is a benefit in that. It allows us to accept what happened to us–good and bad. We can’t change our history. But we don’t have to hold on to it. Accepting the past helps us heal. It helps us release. It allows us to let go of the experience, let go of the what it holds within us, and let go of the emotions that we attached to it. In bringing it to light, it ceases to fester, diminishing its significance.

I often feel exposed when I share my writing with others. It doesn’t matter how much experience I gain, that is still something I face every time I publish something. It’s natural to feel vulnerable. When we share our stories, we open ourselves to criticism.

It shouldn’t matter what other people think. After all, writing is something we do for ourselves. Still, we need to get over the fear of judgment and that takes courage. In turn, that can be freeing and empowering.

It is not about exposing ourselves. It is about unburdening. It is about the catharsis. And that has another consequence. Sharing is authentic. Sharing brings a voice to our experiences and it makes our writing unique. It makes us relatable. It also allows us feel lighter. At least it has done for me. When I share my stories and poems, I feel oddly liberated. It opens up something for me–a sense of ease unlike any other, motivating me to do more.

The end of the year is a prime time for reflection, and I encourage everyone to be open to writing and share their stories and experiences. It may result in a pleasant surprise.