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Last week I was forced to take a break from blogging. This week was almost a repeat but a very dear friend of mine told me, and I’ll paraphrase, “The human soul tends to find inspiration in pain rather than in happiness.” His words touched me. That’s when I remembered that last March I wrote an article titled, The BeautifulProcess of Writing from Pain, which talks about writing as a catharsis.
The second week of January proved to be a challenge for me professionally and personally. On top of that, we had a snow storm that lasted two days (And this is only our first one this winter!). The fluffy blanket outside only helped me find excuses for not writing.
My friend shared that he writes (poetry, blog posts, stories) even when there’s turmoil in his life. He’s right! I think of Virginia Woolf, Ernest Hemingway, Raymond Carver, and J.D. Salinger to name a few that found solace in their writing even when their lives needed to be re-written.
In the past I’ve found inspiration in the falling snow. So why not do it again?
Do you find solace in writing? Do you get inspired by challenges?
I'm in the opposite season here in Australia and I find it hard to write on sweltering hot days... like today.
ReplyDeleteAwww Claudia!! I hope you are ok and that your crises has passed now! I hope so!!
ReplyDeleteBeing so emotionally volatile, I tend to sulk first, get in a funk, wallow in self-misery before I snap out of it. It's when I snap out of it that I get to grips with anything creative. When I'm in the bit before the snapping out - I'm totally useless and brain dead! So I don't really know if writing creatively comforts me - it certainly helps me along the way to getting a more positive emotional equilibrium within myself eventually though!
Take care
x
Hi Claudia:
ReplyDeleteMy pain fuels my best writing and I am so grateful for that! Imagine being grateful for those challenges life presents! Yet I am...for it is living through difficult times and grieving the losses they represent, that bring us to the other side, where beauty and brilliance awaits. Thank you for your thought-provoking post!
Dear Claudia,
ReplyDeleteThe answer is yes. I do find solace in writing, especially when things tend to go awry! In my own case, challenges are motivational; but I'm not so fond of the idea that every single thing has to be a challenge. I think we all do need a bit of a smoother and less twisty path sometimes! I'd like, sometimes, to get a phone call saying "You made it!" while I'm sitting by the fireplace!!
About your friend, well, it all looks like you have a loyal one. Thank Lord, I'm fortunate enough to have one too!
I'm happy you're back!
I love your post!
I find solace in being creative, in general. Writing helps, but so does dancing, painting, cooking, sewing... I've found that when things "go wrong", it can be an interesting fuel for creativity. My first experience with this was after my first heartbreak when I was 17. I painted my way through it-- the pain, the struggle, the loneliness. And I showed the paintings in a gallery and they sold in seconds. Every single one of them. I think that fuel adds a depth to art or writing, something that everyone can relate to and may want a little piece of.
ReplyDeleteThe hardest is to write when you're bored. Then you have to let your mind freewheel - dabble in Facebook, blogs or just washing the dishes. Eventually the mind rights itself. Yes, I find solace in writing, but not all the time. My alcohol intake has its limits too.
ReplyDeleteAh, I would love just a teensy, weensy bit of your snow... it's unbelievably hot & humid in my little corner of the universe.
ReplyDeleteWriting prompts/challenges really inspire me! I love them! They make me feel like I'm part of a larger writing community...
I certainly do find solace in writing.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I am inspired by challenges. But writing and the thought processes involved in it certainly ease my troubles!
Hi Lynda,
ReplyDeleteYou're right. In the summer I rather be outside doing all sorts of activities. In the winter I tend to spend more time at home, therefore, more time to get my writing going. ;)
Hi Jennifer,
Yes, thank you for your wishes. The storm has passed. I think a lot of us go through the same process you mentioned. Others handle it better I guess. The important thing is to get the strength to continue writing. Say hello to Charlie!
Hi Kelly,
Aha! So you're one of those writers who find writing cathartic. At one point in our lives we write from pain. It's almost a must. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Hi Jay,
It seems you're part of the same "great minds think alike" group. Well, you're an artist so it doesn't surprise me at all that you find inspiration in challenges and solace in writing. Glad to hear you have one special friend that you can trust. ;)
Hi Raquel,
You're another creative soul so, yes, any activity that is artistic will help you deal with your pain. Painting, especially, I heard is very relaxing. Congratulations on your successful gallery exhibit. I hope you're working on another one. Let us know.
Hi Mike,
You're hilarious! But you're so right. Boredom doesn't help me produce good stories. Thank you for pointing that out.
Hi Mish,
Yes, just a teensy, weensy bit of snow. Too much of anything is not good. Another good example: writing prompts. They're challenging but very helpful. I use them when I get together with my writing group.
Hi Al,
Join the club! I think we've all come to a consensus that writing is liberating. I guess most writers would agree with this statement.
I write humor. People don't really laugh at much unless it makes them mad, embarrassed or even fear. I can't imagine. I can't imagine be able to keep anyone interested without a degree of those.
ReplyDeleteIt's been sixty degrees Fahrenheit here for the last couple days. On walks (were I think) I've been waxing romantic and poetic. (Not good for my style)
I had a crisis I couldn't get over, a death. I wrote to the person for several weeks. Best thing I could have done.
I love being "trapped" at home during a snowstorm. I sit in my office (upstairs) and write and daydream out the window.
ReplyDeleteWe had our first snow storm today. Luckily I was able to get out at 8:30 to go to the gym. It snowed so much that they closed the gym around 1.
Happy writing!
Hi Dan,
ReplyDeleteIt must be hard to write humor when other factors are at play. Writing to the person that passed away is also cathartic. Everyone deals with death in different ways, and writing, I imagine was healing for you.
Hi Sharon,
Snow has inspired me to write in several occasions, but unlike you, I don't think I want to be "trapped" at home during a snowstorm. I get cabin fever.
Glad to hear you're keeping up with your workout routine. Kudos to you! :D