I'm a writer, and people who are writers have a tendency to extrovert their inner world, expressing pain, joy, a cry for help, a commentary, a realization, a discovery, a thought, or an exaltation through the written word. Sometimes it's necessary not to just read the words, but to read underneath the words and in the spaces between the words. Writers have something to say and hope someone will read the spaces in between where perhaps an ink and tear-stained soul is leaning against the page. Writing makes the worst moments hurt less. Writing evokes. Isn't that a good thing - something that can't be expressed with an emoticon, text, or meme in this abbreviated and all too often shallow world? As the world hurtles toward instantaneity, I find the act of writing is a sanctuary of the purest form of expression. It's an affirmation of my truest feelings and the complexities of the human condition. I'd rather be tucked into a quiet corner with pen and paper engrossed in the thoughtful assemblage of words as the world rushes by. That's probably why I've kept a detailed journal for almost thirty years. I love to read but in this season of my life seem to lack the time. I've written poetry for many years - published none. Maybe I will some day; I wonder, does anyone read poetry anymore?
A couple of years ago I tried my hand at writing a whole book - 500 pages. It took me ten months and I learned a lot. I was told it was good, a nice thing to hear for a first-time author. Now I'm writing again, another book, the most important thing I will ever write; it's my purpose for now. It's hard, but it has made me slow down, to introspect and analyze. It is stretching my brain and taxing my soul - a lot. If I'm successful it will be a very important book, a healing book for me and some. It'll be an enlightening book for others - an education perhaps, one they never thought they would need. It's going to take a while but I hope it will be finished this year. My wild-haired dog, Cooper, sits on my desk ready with lots of wet kisses! Creating some colorful paintings and writing poetry, when inspired, will be therapy. I live at the beach and love walking barefoot in the wet sand; it's very grounding - literally and figuratively. If you know me, say a prayer - they keep me going. He knows what I need.
