Did you know National Writing Day is a thing? It happens in June – the 24th to be precise – so a little late to the party here, but something I feel I must mention nonetheless. It’s a day to celebrate storytellers, creative writers, and those who’s work lies in other genres. It’s also a day to encourage more people to pick up a pen and let the words flow.
Writing, for me, is one of my most significant hobbies. Significant not only in the sense of it being my communication lifeline when speaking aloud feels impossible, but perhaps, most importantly, in the sense of it being the art form which redirected my heavy mind into a project I vowed to see through to the end. I began my first book back in 2019, the story heavily influenced by my own struggles with mental health – namely that of selective mutism, anxiety and depression. At a time I felt I had nothing, I reached for my laptop, put some words in a document, and the rest is history as they say…
Except, I don’t think I can say that just yet, because in the years since, those first three or so chapters have been stored away with only brief revisions as and when I felt I had strong enough emotions to carry it through. Years even went by without so much as an edit as other life commitments got in the way. I’d be lying, therefore, if I said this novel is anywhere near completion. The editing in particular is my most daunting task – being such a mammoth undertaking, tens of thousands of words to revisit can take some strong self-motivation! But I can at least say some work has been put into it this past year. Progress is slowly happening, chapters are fully planned (a couple I’m even considering finished – well, first-draft-level finish that is….)
But what’s come from this project, are the revelations and the understandings of my own ways and thoughts. I’ve delved into past experiences to make my fictional characters’ lives that bit more authentic, and as a result I’ve had to really think about their past, their reasonings, and the way their minds tick. It’s often felt like a form of therapy when I add more pages, and for me, that will always be the biggest motivator to see this through until the end. Many writers are asked who they write for, and truth be told, this particular novel is for myself. Even if it doesn’t get published, even if nobody else reads it, it will still be worth it – and I will still be proud of my own achievement.
Alongside this big project, are my slightly smaller ones. The short stories more fictional and whimsical in their tone. A fantasy world where animals speak, nature talks, and perspectives are challenged. These come as a welcomed relief when my more ‘serious’ and ‘personal’ book feels too daunting. I’ve loved the process of character development, set design, and storylines. The metaphors and analogies too.
What I’ve learnt most from my various forms of writings, blog posts included, is that this art has a way of shifting thoughts. I have come to understand even the most troubled part of my brain and realised, or in some cases, even deduced why I felt the way I did, or why I reacted in such a way. In any day I could be transported into a fictional land, analysing fictional characters, or breaking down the reasons for my emotions – my inquisitive mind really does love an analysis! Yet all of this helps to redirect my attention when needed, it provides a tangible goal to aim towards when life can feel directionless. Truth be told, I’m scared to think where I’d be if I didn’t pick up that pen and paper all those years ago. I really do owe a lot to the act of writing.
And so, we thank the writers who came before us, and all those that will come after. It’s because of them, storytelling is now so widely accessible. New perspectives can be learnt, new lands can be explored and new generations can be inspired to share their own stories too.
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