the craft. writing for our lives.

While making up stories, and following our curiosity can make for a great career in fiction, journalism or freelancing. I’d also dare to say that within the work of it all, writing is also cathartic. And I will be the first to raise my hand to say that the gift of putting feelings, observations, and experiences into written words has likely saved my life on multiple occasions.

Even as a fiction writer, when I dig deep into the nuance of my stories of make believe, there is a connection between the art and the artist. I mean, a character in one of my works in progress is a deadbeat, depressed, drunk, and even still there are throughlines. I understand his sadness. I’ve also had to process loss. Even though it didn’t necessarily materialize in the same way as his. Another character of mine is dealing with crippling anxiety. Hello early 2022. And the list goes on. Subconsciously or consciously, there are explorations of our own experiences taking place when we put the pen to the pad.

One of the most important things I learned during my blogging era was that everything I wrote didn’t have to be for public consumption. Some may have called it an era of oversharing. I don’t feel that way at all. I think that especially, Black women sharing their experiences on the internet was an opportunity for connection and community. I don’t know where I’d be without the women I met during that time. But, with such a strenuous schedule of output, I started to venture off into journaling to separate what I wanted to share with strangers throughout the interwebs, and what I needed to work through for me.

Writing is a powerful tool. You probably will understand, but I am an … overthinker. Shocking, I know. Literally, at an outing last month with some writing colleagues I was reassured that it’s kind of our job as writers. But sometimes you need somewhere to store all the extra thoughts. Writing without a destination can clear the path for all the things that we want to share and write. I don’t know, my random musings help me sort out so much for myself, but also some great passages of prose sometimes form that I then can use in my actual projects as well.

We have to take care of ourselves in the writing process. There is so much excavation happening when we sit to formulate our words. It’s beautiful really, when you think about it. How much writing can be healing. How it helps us make sense of the world. How much discovery takes place.

If you don’t already, I’d recommend making some time to write for yourself in the midst of all of your professional writing endeavors. When it’s quiet. When there are no deadlines or pressure. When there are no commenters or opinions. But after a long day, when you’re feeling exhausted. When you’re afraid. When you’ve experienced a difficult season. Take some time to write what’s on your mind. To question. To prod. To challenge yourself. Not only can it be life saving for you, it will also continue to make you a better overall writer as well. For all you overachievers out there.

Writing/Job Opportunities

Elizabeth Lothian is the Books Editor at The Brooklyn Rail. They’re expanding the section to include more book reviews, author interviews, and quarterly feature essays. Pitch elizabeth@brooklynrail.org ($150).

Calling all Black writers!! We’re looking to bring on freelancers who are interested in style and culture. Email your bio and clips to r29.unbothered@vice.com. ($500).

Kevin Anderson & Associates is hiring an Executive Editor. ($90-140k).

Vera Institute of Justice is hiring a Managing Editor.

Spotlight PA is hiring a Newsletter Writer/Reporter.

People Mag is hiring a Books Assistant. (NY, $24.61 - $31.99.hr).

Daily Meal is hiring a Food & Beverage Writer. ($21/hr.)