Okay, time to be brave. Time to stand up and be counted. I admit it...I have an addiction. I am addicted to writing. There, I said it. It's out in the open and I'm glad I said it. How about you? Has writing taken over your life in such a way that you go into withdrawals if you don't write every day?
It used to be something I would do only on the weekends. I would tell myself I could stop at any time. No big deal. Others around me were becoming a written word junkie, but not me. I started out with poems, but soon found myself expanding them into stories. Next thing I knew I was writing children's chapter books. I couldn't put the pen down. It quickly escalated into young adult novels and I had to admit I might have a problem.
Finally, I woke up one day to the realization that I was a BLOGGER, and I knew then that I was out of control. I even formed a local chapter of Addicted Writers of the Written Word or A.W.W.W. for short. Our goal was simple...we needed to prevent others from being drawn in by the sweet smell of new books as we had been. I did well in the beginning, and even managed to break my writing habit for a number of years. But the urge to write was always there...lurking beneath the surface...until I couldn't fight it any more. I relapsed.
I have come to the realization that there are some things in life which are much stronger than the human will can resist. Like chocolate. And writing. Oh, I'm still a card carrying member of Addicted Writers of the Written Word, but I now know that I will always be drawn to the writer side of life...even when I stand with my friends as we recite the name of our club...say it with me now...AWWW...
LOL I'm afraid my views are quite different. I have toyed with an autobiography for two years and it is largely complete but the task grew and became onerous.
ReplyDeleteI find myself now feeling obliged to finish my story having spent so much time on it but as I write about one thing it reminds me of other events and I constantly find myself flitting backwards and forwards between stories.
Some days I hate writing but as my picture suggests I just don't know when to quit. Conversely writing has often been a form of therapy as I finally come to terms with things I have never told anyone by putting pen to paper (metaphorically).
It is interesting you mention chocolate and writing as addictions because to me they are worlds apart yet very similar. It is nice to have a nibble but too much of either can make me sick.
Before I even began this blog in December of last year, I had decided that it's purpose would be to always encourage and inspire those who stopped by for a visit. To show the lighter side of life and support the efforts of writers everywhere.
DeleteI can certainly understand how writing your autobiography would be emotionally and spiritually draining for you, but I happy to know that the therapy side of writing has helped you come to terms with the darker side of life. I too ventured far from the light at times in my life (not of my own choosing nor design) but any stories regarding those times are better served by another venue than this one. After more than twenty years of having a spirit denied it's need to write, I am grateful of every second that I am able to so do now...
Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!
I suppose writing to me was always a chore (it was a punishment at school) and initially it was for selfish purposes. In my early years I was a very happy-go-lucky child then a series of events beyond my control turned me into a volatile cynicist. The damage of a few short years caused two decades of mental anguish.
DeleteSomething inside me wants to right the world of wrongs yet I feel powerless. It cuts me deep inside when I read of youngsters taking their lives through bullying which was unheard of when I was at school even though the bullying was perhaps more prevalent.
In spite of how things may appear I have always been a 'glass half full' person as opposed to a 'glass half empty' one. It is for that reason I find writing about my early years as you so rightly say 'draining'. When I began I recognised there were three quite separate stories and when the first part became too depressing I simply switched to the happier times until my mood settled. The upshot was I ended up with three partially complete stories and seemed to be getting no nearer the conclusion of any of them.
It can be quite stressful digging up old memories that I had blotted out for so long and often I find myself writing with tears in my eyes. Conversely it can be quite rewarding and some of the tears are bittersweet when I think how fortunate I have been compared to childhood friends who never had the chance to tell their stories. I feel privileged to have been a part of their lives and they of mine.
It is highly emotive and something of a roller coaster ride. The lighter side of life you speak of drives me on because I know when part one is complete old ghosts will be laid to rest and I will be writing part two with a smile and a chuckle.
Perhaps it would just be better to forget the first part completely but I feel I owe it to the memory of those friends to finish what I started. It is not just my autobiography but also theirs written by proxy. It is difficult to convey tangible emotion to those who have never on the wrong end of bad situations.
What I hope to achieve is to make mean people aware of the consequences of their actions and to show those who are going through bad times there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel.
Sorry to darken your blog with such gloomy observations and I won't be offended if you delete my comments after reading them.
I found nothing offensive in your comments, JP, that would lead me to want to delete them. Yours is a spirit in healing and what better way to honor those lives cut short than to speak up for them? To shine a light on an ugly truth does not diminish the ability for YOU to have a positive presence in this world. And you are right about one thing. Once your friends' stories are complete you will find a certain emotional and spiritual peace knowing you have stood up for them. They will know of your love and commitment to their memory. You did not fail them as a child when you were powerless to change the path you were on...what you do today as a man honors their memories forever and THAT makes you their hero...take care...
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!
mm... my first venture into writing was because of a need to get a dark side of life out of my system. It was a tremendous release. Now I am happily enjoying writing childrens books which is more free feeling for me. True I have to work on my novel and I am bit by bit, but when I feel in the mood for it and only then. Actually from what I have learnt and the writing community around me.... I actually view my novel from a positive, hopeful side.. which has given me the confidence to go back to it. Sooo all good!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Diane. I am glad you are happily enjoying writing your children's books. I am currently reading JP's blog which is actually his autobiography in "chapters"...very compelling reading and my heart goes out to him. I LOVE his style of writing and find myself drawn into his childhood world...
DeleteHope you are having a restful weekend and come back any time!
Thankyou, I just read JP's answer to you and may pop along also and read his autobiography. Interesting how we find writing a kind of healing a release!
DeleteDiane, it's definitely is a very compelling read but be sure and grab some tissue...I have a feeling you are going to need it...
DeleteI enjoyed reading your blog and also the comments it inspired.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephen, for your faithful support of my posts!
DeleteI'm glad you stopped by and come back any time!
I'm never gona say awww in the same way again :P
ReplyDeleteHahaha...who knows, Anna, maybe I have started a new trend? ;0)
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!