Books and Writing

• They are aware of the world around them—the sounds, faces, colors, and smells.
• They take joy in simplicity. A hot cup of tea, a sunny morning, or a smile from a stranger.
• They remember that when they feel “blocked” in life or writing that this really is an opportunity to pause and think.
• They know love is the point of it all. If you aren’t doing it for love, why are you doing it in the first place?
• They take baby steps toward speaking from their heart. They know nothing happens overnight.
• They are not afraid to make mistakes when trying to speak from the heart—they know nothing is ever permanent. Life constantly shifts. Writing can be revised and edited.
• They let themselves feel whatever they are feeling and capture it in writing.
• They don’t shy away from the truth, even if it seems black and ugly. They know that the truth can be liberating.
• They use memories as inspiration. They stumble through their past for moments that speak to them.
• They remember that speaking from their heart is brave, that writing is brave, and that they are brave.

by Miranda Jane