Happy Writing!

 Happy Writing Month!

It’s November and every year this month is celebrated as National Novel Writing Month. You can check out more details here. On this occasion let’s talk about writing as this month is celebrated to promote and encourage creative writing.

Why am I telling you this?

Well, what better time is there to talk about writing and its benefits other than writing month? You can inculcate writing in your life in various forms. You can choose any form whichever you like.

Why should you try writing? Or maybe writing a book!

·       “That’s what you’re looking for as a writer when you’re working.
You’re looking for your own freedom.” – Philip Roth

Writing allows you to feel a sense of freedom. The moment you hold a pen and start writing on paper you feel like you own the world. Yes, you might face a lot of doubts along the way but in the end when you finish a piece of writing, all you do is marvel at its beauty.

 

·       “I write only because there is a voice within me that will not be stilled." – Sylvia Plath 

Writing is a form of self-expression. Try writing your emotions and you will feel at ease as it helps you to identify what you are feeling and calm your storms.

 

·       “There are significant moments in everyone’s day that can make literature. That’s what you ought to write about.” – Raymond Carver

You might think that writing or even writing a book is a huge deal but what if I tell you that most stories, novels, scripts of movies are inspired by real life events and incidents. The inspiration to write a piece isn’t some out worldly phenomenon, rather is often a cause of everything that happens in our day to day lives.

If you don’t believe why not try writing and find out for yourself? What if you write the next bestseller? Pick up your pen and let it flow on a blank piece of paper, do not hold yourself back and just keep writing. Who knows you might find your own self?

How to start?

Starting to write, especially with a book, can be an overwhelming experience, this is why you can start with small steps i.e., journaling.

I started journaling after one of my friends suggested it & being influenced by ‘Diary of a young girl’ I gave it shot. Earlier, I used to write behind my copies and register but I was always afraid of someone reading it.

When I journaled, I felt as if I had someone to listen to without being judged. It helped me process my days and tough emotions without feeling that I am burdening someone with my stupid dramas.

When I start to write usually, I am a confused mess, unable to write even coherent sentences and a lot goes on my mind at once but as I keep writing those broken and discontinuous sentences, I gain clarity and can understand my problem properly. By the end of the explanation of the problem I see a solution making its way in my mind.

Writing my thoughts and venting make me feel relieved as if a heavy baggage got off my chest and I could breathe easily again. It makes me feel belonged and acknowledged even though it’s mostly me talking to myself.

At first, I started writing how my day was, sometimes it was just a small paragraph or maximum a page. With time it got deeper and became an important part of my day. Now, journaling marks the end of my day where I talk about incidents that made me feel strong emotions, things I liked, emotions that were suppressed or troubled me surface during the time I spend journaling.

So, if you want to try writing but it feels overwhelming then starting with personal writing is the best way to test the waters before jumping headfirst into it.

Start slow, start small.