Writing Tips That Have Also Helped Me Get Through Life
What other writers have taught me
Being a writer means frequently grappling with self-doubt, rejection, and if you’re lucky enough to get work, deadlines. It also means learning how to cope with those challenges. And in the process of coping, you can’t help but learn some transformative lessons.
For example, when you write about something that happens to you, it can make you feel insecure and vulnerable. But writing encourages you to look at the situation objectively, like a scientist looking under a microscope. As Elizabeth Gilbert put it: “My path as a writer became much more smooth when I learned, when things aren’t going well, to regard my struggles as curious, not tragic.”
Curiosity doesn’t just make your writing richer. It also creates distance from whatever struggle you face, making that struggle easier to process. It’s why writing is an effective tool to heal from trauma.
You don’t have to be a writer to appreciate this lesson. Looking at our challenges with curiosity, whether we’re writing about them or not, can go a long way toward healing from them. I’ve found that some of the most effective writing tips are often great life lessons. Below are a few I think about often.
