Using
Pain as Fuel
Hi,
writers. This month’s writing tip will be a bit somber, in light of the recent
tragedy that has unfolded in Boston. It is difficult to detach oneself from the
event, be it physically or emotionally, and I think I would be doing everyone a
disservice if I chose to ignore it. I would instead like to take this article
to emphasize the importance of using one’s emotions as fuel for writing. In the
wake of pain and horror such as this, I believe the most comforting action we
can take is to write. We may feel helpless, but it provides us with a sort of
silver lining if we can write powerfully with intense emotions as our
foundation; it helps us to crush the hate meant to be inspired by such acts if
we can offer a greater display of power and compassion with our voices. For
many of us here at Emerson, our voice comes in the form of our writing.
1.
My first piece of advice is to let your feelings be your feelings for a while.
Writing can be relieving, of course, and I do recommend that you use your
writing as a small form of catharsis as often as you can. That said, I suggest
that you try to allow yourself to feel freely at first. Take the time to gain
perspectives from a distance; writing in the flux of extreme emotion can
disrupt the clarity with which we are best able to reach others. Time certainly
helps to funnel the emotion effectively into a strong written perspective that
will help you to strengthen your voice, your purpose, and allow yourself to be
heard.
2.
When you do write, keep hold of you.
It can be hard to keep a tight grip on your inner voice when it is wavering
under the weight of what you’re feeling, but it is crucial to try. Our writing
is an expression of our voice, which is what we need to use to connect our
feelings to those of others. Compassion and empathy stems directly from this
ability to connect emotionally to others, and we can’t do this if we aren’t
allowing ourselves to come through as clearly as possible. Only you can convey
what you are feeling and going through, so write from your perspective, with
your voice at the heart.
3.
Use your skill with the written word not only to express your own feelings,
reactions, or fears, but also to comfort others. Writing can be one of the most
effective ways of bringing people together; a simple well-placed word can be a
strong display of kindness and empathy. Times of difficulty and tension call
for us to express our own feelings in the clearest possible way and also reach
out to others who may not have the strength to do the same. We have a job as
writers, a very extensive and complicated one. Thankfully, though, our passion
for writing gives us the ability to extend a hug of comfort and understanding
to those who may need it just as much as we do.
4.
My last piece of advice stems a bit outside the writing world, but still has
deep connections to it. I don’t believe our writing, our emotional expression,
should stop with a period at the close of a sentence. Write what you can and
feel what you must, of course. But connecting with others outside the writing
world can be incredibly helpful as well. It shows as much strength to be able
to express your feelings and connect with others through writing as it does to
connect with them through conversation, a comforting smile, or a squeeze of the
hand. Your words can only limit you to the page if you let them. Instead, allow
them to help you release your feelings and then lead you out.
By Kim Lester
