What A Godsend To Be Able To Write
Posted: Saturday, July 05, 2008
by Susan Thom
Not everyone can write a coherent, interesting, thought provoking article or story, not even those of us who try with each new submission. However, most writers who can capture readers with their mind's thoughts and images, and keep them interested, and maybe even pass some knowledge along, are gifted in the same way Michael Jordan was gifted playing basketball. He may have had to endure much more physical stress, but we do so in a manner that is cute or funny, serious or dignified, honest or personal to ourselves and others who might be able to relate. I believe we are gifted.
My friends can do things I can't, but they admit to not being able to write well. Their situations, worries, fears, and emotions tend to drain into their souls, and add to negative baggage none of us needs. A writer doesn't have to go into specifics in order to rid themselves of the emotions they are feeling. They can write about how they feel when they are sad, or how it feels to have a loved one die, or describe a situation or feelings about someone without addressing anyone in particular.
Now that we have online magazines, we can share our ideas, whatever they may be, with a few exceptions, and people can then read our thoughts, our words, and about our lives and belief systems. Politics, religion, abortion, homosexuality, dating, losing weight, nagging wives, lazy husbands, nagging husbands, lazy wives, all can be typed out and submitted, if you so desire. What we think about, what makes you passionate about something, what you are interested in, what makes you happy, what makes us mad, where we are on our journey through life, are all pieces to our stories. We writers have the ability to take that and bring it to life through words, and I believe that is a great talent, just as playing the piano, or being an actor, or being a good mom.
I know there are some who can't write, but do, because there have been books I've gotten that I read the captions in the store, and they've sounded good, but when I started reading it, I ended reading it. Some books or stories or articles just don't keep your attention, and aren't interesting or well written. Being a writer, in my humblest opinion, is a gift, and should be used in the best possible way. People may be swayed by the information you put out there, so it should be intelligent and well founded. Your thoughts may be the same type of thoughts others have, and you can converse and become friends if you choose online magazines as one of your mediums.
Writing a book has been a dream of mine since I was probably eight, and I'm fifty two. I plan on beginning it soon. I'm hoping there are those out there who will understand and relate to what I have to say, and get comfort and support from the ideas that go through my head, and the situations I've been through, and how I've handled them, and then I will type them into a book for people I have never met, to read. The responses I do get online are elegant and satisfying and give me hope and pride and certainty in my very uncertain world right now.
I always leave a response when I read someone's article, and when I get a response, I feel like I must make them feel, special. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. So much has been lifted off of my soul as a result of me writing on this magazine. I was able to find out for sure that I can string words together in a way that sound nice and flow well and hopefully, make sense.
And I believe I can touch certain people in places they need to be touched, and have received comments that address that I have. What an unbelievable role to play, that of a writer of thoughts and ideas, concepts and beliefs. Others don't have to agree, they just have to think about what we're saying while reading, and hopefully, afterwards. How unique. It is so satisfying being an author/writer, and having a format in which to voice what basically comes down to what we are feeling, put to words. Much the same way words are put to a song. Others' comments sometimes give helpful tips or pray for me, or just e mail me to let me know they care. How altruistic is that?
I was given a machine that I had no clue about, and a keyboard, when I stunk at spelling, and learned as I went. My partner taught me a great deal and I know what I need to for now. Now, I email friends in other states, whom I otherwise wouldn't keep in touch with, I e mail pictures to family and friends, I write articles, read and comment on others' articles, although I refer to them in my head as stories. I keep the house clean and the towels almost up to date and the laundry almost done and the chores taken care of, have relationships with my partner, kids, and friends, and then I write some more.
I love the keyboard, I love my space, I love all the things I've surrounded my corner of the world with. I've had different knick knacks in other areas of the house, and just moved things around. It has a huge amount of positive energy. I love to talk, and my partner will last maybe four minutes. So, I come in and write it out. People read, and relate, and enjoy, and that's my life. I am honest, I share all, and I have been through Hell, the dark side of the soul, and Heaven.
I try to write about what I think someone else may want to hear. First, however, it has to be a thought that comes to me, and I write it down, and then I write a story on it. I have to know what I am writing about inside and out. I don't have to be right, I just have to be telling my truth. I don't know if it's right. It simply works for me, and I was coming from a place that nothing was working. The things I got involved in to help me return to the me I was born to be before the world bombarded me, and I bombarded it, may help others who are in the same place in their lives.
I have followed a road that twisted in every way possible, and if I can write about my experiences, and someone can identify, and feel better, or learn how to feel better from some tips of mine, then I have done more than I expected to do on Earth, but what i have always wanted to do, positively affect another human being. That's what an author, or a writer, can do. Change someone's mind about something, reinforce someone's ideas with similar ones of your own, add something that someone may say, to your journey, make someone laugh, make another cry. It is such a blessing. It's a challenge. It's correcting words, editing, trying to find the right way to put letters together to enthrall the reader. It's not so easy. However, what a Godsend it is to be able to write.
This Article has been viewed 445 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Dear Sue, I completely understand your point in this article. Sometimes I find that writing is the only thing that keeps me sane. It's my little escape, somewhere for my mind to go, when I just need to be by myself. Writing, for those who have a passion for it, is definitely a godsend....... Good luck with your book, too. I have recently published my first book and it really does make me feel good to know that I can be good at something. Many Blessings, amberPlease log in to respond to this comment.hi amber, excellent and congratulations on the publishing on your book. i think that's a great accomplishment. thank you for reading and responding. keep writing, and keep in touch, my best, suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Susan - I loved the article. There is not enough hours in the day for me to do what I love. However I do love my grand daughter Graciemae 2 years old who is the reason behind my not be able to write as much as I would like. I have her 5 days a week from 8 to 6pm. She also visits over the weekend. "Boy am I tired" Good luck with your book KacyPlease log in to respond to this comment.hi kacy, thank you for reading and commenting. you are doing a job i never wanted to have to do, and didn't, although asked, because i just didn't think i could anymore. my kids are 23, 20, and 17, but i have step grand daughters, that, at about 45, were 2 and 3. it was hard enough with my own. i'm drained. i commend you for your sacrifice, although, just as our own, they also give the most important pleasure one will ever know, your kids, and grandkids, both. best regards, suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Sue, Good article. You have come a long way. Writing is something for which I wish I had a gift. Though I don't write often, it is not because things don't come to mind. Usually, when I write it is because a certain idea won't leave my mind til I put it onto paper or enter it into Word. I admire those who can write with eloquence and clarity just because they want to. You keep writing and I'll keep reading.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi Lorrie, thanks for reading and commenting. i have come a long way, i just didn't know i'd have to pass Hell to get here:) i guess whatever it takes. i'll keep writing, don't worry, and i'm happy you'll keep reading, my best regards, sue thomPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Dear Sue: You have what every good writer needs. Your heart is in it like Excalibur in stone. Here is a poem I thought you might enjoy. Your pal, Marty RicKard HOUSE OF WORDS By Marty RicKard I am a poem I live in a house built of words It's painted many colors different every day The foundation is the stone of wit The roof a dream tempered in the coals of thought What is my neighborhood Any I desire for I am a poem and wherever I am on this Earth in the heavens or beneath the sea there also do I live There beside the Muse Yes I live in a house of words but don't we allPlease log in to respond to this comment.hi marty, so cool was your poem, thank you for sharing it with me. so much heart, that's why you see it in me, you possess it in yourself. imagery, something i am just recently able to participate in. before, there was too much else filling up my head. thanks for e mailing, best regards, suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Sue, What a treasure we have in writing. I never thought of myself as one, but after reading your article, I can see that I have these same passions and sometimes the need to put my thoughts on paper. I love your passion! Have a fabulous week! I have been busy packing. And I a missing my time writing. It has been 9 days since I have written! I am beginning to feel the withdrawls :-) I'm going to try to sneak something in between boxes today :-) Love ya! TPlease log in to respond to this comment.hi t, thank you for taking time out to read and respond. i appreciate it. good luck on whatever you are in the midst of. my best regards, suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Everything God did was good. There is one exception however but this isn't the place to go into it. When He made us He was very pleased. What we do with out gifts is up to us. You use your wisely and well, Sue. Thank you. (Also, sorry I missed your birthday. I just read the interview with Rob. I left comments.) Happy belated b-day! My very best to you, now and always. . . AvisPlease log in to respond to this comment.hi avis, thank you for reading and commenting. i love to write. i only ask that God guides what keys to tap. thanks for the happy birthday. be well, my best regards, suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Thank you for this article. It inspires me to write more and contend for better things in my writing. Thank you also for the idea to respond to articles. I seldom do that and now I realize there are lots of writers out there who have touched my life, and never known it. May you know... you have.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi jay, thank you for reading and responding. i appreciate it. everybody does :) i wonder about who is reading my articles, and why, all the time. i get a lot of feedback, but i'd like more. sometimes, writing has to change, and that's when most people probably don't respond, they don't want to hurt your feelings, but they didn't care for the article so they just don't comment. or it's repetitive, which i am guilty of, but i write a lot about feelings and philosophies and beliefs, to try and help others who may feel the same way. and the thanks for reading, keep writing, best regards, sue thomPlease log in to respond to this comment.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.