5 Writing Truths for Real Life

I was 7 when Mount St. Helens erupted.  The house I grew up in was 9 miles (as the crow flies) from Mount St. Helens. I remember the tremors in the days and months preceding the eruption, the way my parents would frown and sigh at the new cracks in our walls from the shifting ground, and I remember the eruption. The earthquake was like nothing that had happened before, violent and everywhere. The massive ash cloud blocked the sun and turned a beautiful May morning into dense black night. People lost their lives, and homes were destroyed, but at 7 years old my world largely consisted of my family, friends, and a few neighbors. After the eruption I remember collecting the different layers of ash to keep in a jar (dense chunky stuff first then eventually the dusty powdery ash), wearing those masks sick people wear to keep the ash out of my lungs, and my father swearing because he had to change the damn air filter in his patrol car every day.

Today’s post isn’t about St. Helens, or the power of nature, but I wanted to take a moment and give a nod to The Powers That Be. (Check out this article about the eruption) If St. Helens had erupted more westerly, or if the winds hadn’t carried the massive ash cloud to the east (sorry Central Washington), I wouldn’t be here to write all these fabulously inspiring posts. So let’s get on with the inspiration, shall we?

Last weekend I attended the local writing conference – Write On The River. As I sat in class, I started musing about how some writing lessons are universal, and… presto! We have this week’s post.

Writing Truth #1: A good story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. In the middle is where you need to have obstacles for your main character to overcome – this allows them to change into what they’re supposed to be at the end. Our lives have a beginning, a middle, and an end. In the middle is where we face obstacles that allow us to learn and grow, changing us into what we’re supposed to be at the end.

Instead of facing each problem with a negative “why did this have to happen to me?” attitude, I’m trying to face each difficulty with a more positive, “what am I supposed to learn from this?” attitude.  Sometimes it works.

Writing Truth #2: Writing is best when it’s supported and encouraged by others. Our lives are best when we’re supported and encouraged by others.

Our lives are shaped by those around us. Surround yourself with people who inspire and uplift you.  I’m not saying you should never have problems (see Writing Truth #1), but surrounding yourself with people who love you and encourage you to grow is a great way to become the best you.

Writing Truth #3: Sometimes the bad people are the good people. Have you ever read a book and hated that one guy who was really just the worst person in the whole world, and then you find out that he’s been taking care of his cancer-ridden mother, raising his mentally ill brother, and working 2 jobs while battling the banks who are trying to foreclose on the house his father built?  Sometimes (often) things are not what they appear to be.
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We all have demons that chase and howl after us. You never know what a person has gone through, or what demons are currently clawing at their heels.  Before placing judgment, take a moment to find the real truth in a situation. And if that terrible person really is a terrible person – well, at least you did the right thing and can move on to find someone who’ll support you (see Writing Truth #2).

Writing Truth #4: There’s always a shortage of good writing in the world. There’s always a shortage of good people in the world.

There are a ba-jillion good books that have already been written, but there’s always room for more good writing and good books. Just like there have been a ba-jillion good people in the world, but there’s always room for more good people. And hey, wouldn’t you rather live in a world with more good writing and more good people?

Writing Truth #5: There’s only 1 rule to writing – “It’s got to work.” There’s only 1 rule to your life – “It’s got to work.” Your life is just that, your life. The choices you’ve made have brought you here, and what works for you may not work for others – and that’s ok.

Writing is my passion. I love it, I hate it, I need to do it.  I have a friend who loves numbers (she’s a Capricorn) and gets all giggly and hand-clappy when she and my husband (also a number lover) talk taxes, spreadsheets, or QuickBooks.  My love of writing and of people doesn’t make me lesser or better than my friend, just different.  We’re all different.  Discover what you’re passionate about, what works for you, and do that.  Oh, and remember that it’s OK for someone to like, dislike, or crave something you don’t.

There are universal truths everywhere (that’s why they’re universal…), and this week I was drawn to share some that I realized from my time at the writing conference.  My wish is that they resonate with you, inspire you to be kind, and seek out your passion. After all, your life is the story you’re writing.

My words are my thoughts, but my pictures are generally found on Pinterest (you can find anything there!). If you like what I write, please share with your friends or someone you think would like it! I’d love it if you follow me on Pinterest, Facebook (Melissa Gale), or Twitter (@write2unpack). Oh, hey, and if you sign up here to follow me you’ll never miss a post!