Photo by IIeana Skakun/Unsplash.com Have you ever had a story that demanded to be written? One that seeps into your dreams at night, or maybe just taps you on the shoulder when you're not expecting it and aks, "What about me?" I have. So why haven't I, or you, written it yet? There are numerous answers--not enough time, too busy with other projects, not sure it would sell, no one would read it, or even, my heart isn't ready. My heart isn't ready . . .that's my answer. My heart isn't ready.
The heart is an entity all on its own. Sure it keeps the blood flowing and it's vital to life, but to me it's a little more than that. It's love, knowledge, intelligence, wisdom, memory, and emotion all rolled into those 60 to 100 beats per minute. All you have to do is listen to the extraordinary rhythm and blues singer, Mavis Staples, belt out a tune and you know what I mean. Or, read one of Newberry Award winner, Madeleine L'Engle, wonderful children's books to feel the heart she put into every word. Sure, everything we--as writers--write bears a little bit of our heart. I know each of my books were written with a piece of my heart. Yet, to put your heart out there with all its raw emotions, memories, doubts, fears, and even anger is a totally different thing. It's even a little egotistical in some cases. So how do you make sure it's not? For me it's simply a matter of asking myself a question . . . .
"Will this book benefit anyone beside yourself?"
In discovering the answer to my question, I've journeyed through a minefield of whys, who saids, and how comes. It has been a visceral experience to say the least, but I think I know what to do and why. There is a reason to put my heart out there, and yes I do think this book will help someone going through the heartache that has been mine to endure for the last two years. Ms. L'Engle wrote, "Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light." So, here on my blog, I am sharing that "After Dawn: The Then, Now, and After of Suicide" has began to take shape. The outline is complete. Now to get my heart ready. Thank you for listening.
The heart is an entity all on its own. Sure it keeps the blood flowing and it's vital to life, but to me it's a little more than that. It's love, knowledge, intelligence, wisdom, memory, and emotion all rolled into those 60 to 100 beats per minute. All you have to do is listen to the extraordinary rhythm and blues singer, Mavis Staples, belt out a tune and you know what I mean. Or, read one of Newberry Award winner, Madeleine L'Engle, wonderful children's books to feel the heart she put into every word. Sure, everything we--as writers--write bears a little bit of our heart. I know each of my books were written with a piece of my heart. Yet, to put your heart out there with all its raw emotions, memories, doubts, fears, and even anger is a totally different thing. It's even a little egotistical in some cases. So how do you make sure it's not? For me it's simply a matter of asking myself a question . . . .
"Will this book benefit anyone beside yourself?"
In discovering the answer to my question, I've journeyed through a minefield of whys, who saids, and how comes. It has been a visceral experience to say the least, but I think I know what to do and why. There is a reason to put my heart out there, and yes I do think this book will help someone going through the heartache that has been mine to endure for the last two years. Ms. L'Engle wrote, "Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light." So, here on my blog, I am sharing that "After Dawn: The Then, Now, and After of Suicide" has began to take shape. The outline is complete. Now to get my heart ready. Thank you for listening.
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