WAKE UP AND WRITE
Write the Story That Has To Be Told
There are people who will try to tell you your voice isn’t needed, but don’t give up
Wake Up and Write is a regular advice column from Moms Don’t Have Time to Write. Today, we have Michele Harper — an emergency room physician, memoirist, and author of The Beauty in Breaking— who shared her writing advice on the podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books, hosted by Zibby Owens.
“Write about what moves you. Write the story that has to be told. Write the story that is calling you. Then have bravery in doing it.”
“I’ve worked with tremendous editors. I love my editor. He’s wonderful. But maybe twenty percent of the time I pushed back on edits and said I couldn’t give up on a certain part of the story because it was a part I loved. It was true to me. Eighty percent of what editors say is completely correct, and I am a better writer for it. It’s a better book for it. But I know when certain parts have to stay. It always worked out well that way. I feel like we both won when we did that. As a writer, you have to know what is true for you, and stick by it. Just keep going. There are people who will try to tell you your voice isn’t needed, but don’t give up. I am here to tell you, especially women, people of color, other people who are traditionally silenced, we specifically need your voices. Please keep going.”
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