One of the biggest reasons I’ve been a writer for over twenty years is because of my writing philosophy. It’s a philosophy I developed over time, but pieces of it has been with me from the very beginning.
To give you a full picture of this philosophy, I’m going to take you back to the beginning. Stick with me here! I promise there are nuggets of wisdom in my journey that you can take and adopt for yourself.
At the heart of it, this philosophy is not only why I write, but also why I blog.
Towards the end of my ninth grade year, in the spring of 2004, I decided I was going to write a book and get it published.
Not only that, I was going to write an entire series. I have always been a series girl. I love entering a world, really getting to know the characters, and then getting to live there for a while. Now I was going to write my own fantasy.
Why I Write and Why I’m Blogging
I had written a lot in the past, but it had always been for fun. I never planned anything I wrote all that much, but this was different. Also, I wasn’t just writing a story anymore, I was writing a book–the first in a series. Planning seemed like a good idea.
I got a whiteboard for my room and started brainstorming. I planned for a year. By spring of my sophomore year, it was starting to come together. I had characters. I had a plot. Also, I was close to being ready to write. I just had one more big plot arc to figure out. It was the plot that would run through the entire series. That year, I spent the first night of spring break in my room, brainstorming on my whiteboard.
I was at it for hours. I completely lost track of time. When I finished it was well after midnight. I remember looking at the board when I was finished and knowing this was it. This was my thing. This was my new way of life. It was exhilarating in a way that was addictive.
That feeling is why I write. If you found this blog, you know probably know what I’m talking about. That’s the feeling I’m always chasing. It’s what made me want to start writing, and it’s why I still write today.
This feeling–recognizing it, honoring it, and cultivating it–are at the root of my writing philosophy. I need to feel ignited by what I’m making (more often than not).
So, that’s why I write, but why am I blogging?
One thing I’ve noticed is how easy it is for writers to get caught up in the doubt and rejection and fear and all the other negative aspects of writing. And I get it. It can be absolutely gutting.
But honestly, it never really got to me all that much. I’m not saying I didn’t feel it; I did. It just never got me down too much. I’ve come to realize my philosophy and my outlook on writing is a big reason why.
I think when we put too much focus on the negative side, it makes it harder to celebrate and strive for the positives.
Now I realize I was given a gift. I found writing when I was too young to realize that I was supposed to care if I was good or if someone else would like it. All I knew was I liked how it made me feel. That’s all I really cared about–the story and how writing it made me feel.
I think that because I started in such a pure and positive place, it was a lot easier to stay focused and build a life around those positives. I’m not going to say that a rejection or judgment has never gotten to me, but those moments have been few and far between. And when they have popped up, they didn’t weigh me down.
I’ve realized that a major reason for this was that the entire time, what I cared most about was learning to tell my stories better.
Every new tool I could add to my writing toolbox excited me. I learned to take feedback, but also keep my circle limited to those who saw what I was trying to do and could help me make my stories stronger. Every new direction or idea I explored gave me that feeling–the same one that captivated me when I was in tenth grade.
And because of that, I realized halfway through my journey that I will always be writing, and I will always be trying to get better–whether I ever got published or not. It simply makes me a happier and more complete person. It’s how I want to live my life.
This realization changed everything. Ironically, it took understanding I didn’t need to be published for me to know with absolute certainty that I would be someday. Because I knew if I was going to keep writing and keep learning, I would keep getting better. And if I was going to keep getting better, then I might as well keep trying to get published because why not? And if I kept trying, I had to believe at some point it would happen. Even if I had to wait until I was sixty, it would happen.
Because of that mentality, rejection and negativity couldn’t touch me.
I never wrote for anyone else’s approval. I wrote first and foremost to be happy and fulfilled. No form of rejection could ever take that feeling away from me.
This is true even after a particularly taxing publishing experience. I’ve learned to set boundaries with the publishing industry to preserve what writing means to mean because at the end of the day, that’s really what’s most important.
I realize this won’t resonate with everyone, but if there’s a chance it can help another writer be more optimistic and undeterred then this is something I want to share.
This philosophy has meant everything to me. But it also put me a good mental space to navigate this lifestyle with as much joy as possible.
The writers who don’t reach their goals are the ones who give up. I’d like to help you keep from giving up–and have a ton of fun along the way.
Then in 2020, I found a new writing tool that changed everything for me.
Now this tool didn’t actually helped me get published, but I know it’ll be what helps me get published again after a long break away.
Actually, it’s more of a life tool, but the way it’s impacted my writing has been profound. It’s something that completely took me by surprise. I truly never saw it coming.
So, what is this tool? Tarot. (I know, I know, but hear me out!)
Growing up, I bought into the Tarot stereotypes. I thought it was something weird and “not real.” But in reality, I just didn’t understand what Tarot really was and how powerful it can be.
It turns out, Tarot isn’t here to tell you your future or dictate your fate. It’s here to help you get more in touch with yourself and your intuition.
When I learned how to use Tarot as a tool to connect with myself in my life, I quickly came to realize how it could open up my entire writing process. Tarot has helped me make more informed and aligned creative decisions, beat writers block, develop my characters, and so much more.
It helped me cement the perspectives and philosophies I talked about earlier in this post and deepen my confidence my writing path. It also helped me and my writing life evolve. And it helped me get out of my head and connect more deeply with my creativity.
I believe it can do the same for your–if you’re open to it. If you are, I’m going to be weaving it into most of the posts on this blog.
So now that I’ve come to understand how my writing philosophy has supported me, I’m offering these philosophies to you. I’m here to support you and your intuitive, empowered writing journey.
If you want more insights into my writing philosophies, lease take a look around! And if you want to stay in touch, follow me on Instagram and YouTube!
Happy Writing!
