This year has certainly begun differently than I had expected, than I suppose most people had expected. Political turmoil, social upheaval, violence, all to a degree even greater than our usual level of awareness. Everyone is at each other’s throats, verbally and physically, and neither the left nor the right is innocent of this accusation. It’s as if the Lamb has opened the first of the seven seals and the Apocalypse has commenced. (Pardon the Christian reference; I am not Christian myself but I have studied the Bible as literature and the Book of Revelation is becoming more and more appropriate.)
Now, more than ever, people of all backgrounds and affiliations need an escape. No matter our political views, our religions, our gender identity, our sexuality, our race, or our nationality, we all need the written word. Whether we are trying to hide from the world with Lestat’s latest exploits or we’re diving head-first into the abyss with The New York Times, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, society needs them all at hand so that we may keep our sanity intact and the facts straight.
Writing in this tumultuous climate is not that easy. News distracts us and makes us quake, either with fear or with rage. Reporters must tread lightly, lest they incur the wrath and censorship of authority figures. Fiction writers cannot discuss politics on Twitter without their novels being called into question and, in some cases, having people threaten to burn them. It’s enough to make anyone want to bury their heads in the sand and ignore the world being engulfed by flames.
I can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to escape the world here. I don’t want you to use this blog as an excuse to put off writing. However, if you want to take a break and recharge with some constructive procrastination, dive right in.
I want all writers, experienced and novice, to relax and rejuvenate before returning to their deadlines. You can read my thoughts on writing, hot topics of the writing world, and the funny anecdotes or success stories behind famous authors and poets. You can even tell me what you want this blog to talk about (see the contact page).
Whether you need advice, support, or a little distraction from the task at hand, we welcome you with open arms. So come, explore this site and make yourself at home. Read more about this blog and who I am on the “about” page, and peruse the writing resources.
Keep an eye out for my next post, in which I will discuss the main theme driving this blog: writing for yourself first.
