• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Anne Janzer

Author

  • About
    • About Anne Janzer
    • About Cuesta Park Consulting
    • Virtual Events
    • In the News
    • Privacy
  • Blog
    • All posts
    • Writing posts
    • Book reviews
    • Book marketing
    • Subscription Marketing
  • Books
    • Get the Word Out
    • Subscription Marketing, 3rd Edition
    • The Writer’s Process
    • Writing To Be Understood
    • The Workplace Writer’s Process
    • Books for Colleges and Universities
    • Bulk Book Purchase Offers
  • Courses & Events
    • Book Marketing Webinars
    • Revising Your Writing
    • Getting Started on Your Nonfiction Book
    • Mastering the Review Process
    • B2B Storytelling Workshop
    • Speaking and Workshops
  • Resources
  • Services
    • Business Writing Coaching
    • Nonfiction Book Proposal Services
    • Nonfiction Book Coaching or Editing
Don’t show this message again.

Become a Faster, Better Writer


You are here: Home / Writing / Three Reasons to Write, Especially Now

Three Reasons to Write, Especially Now

March 24, 2020 by Anne Janzer Leave a Comment

If you are practicing social distancing right now, life may have just gotten strange.

For a while, the “new normal” is anything but normal.

person using hazmat suit to water house plant

Writing may help you get through this time.

Perhaps you feel too anxious to write. The kids are underfoot. You’re worried about your parents, your neighbors, or your job.

These are legitimate concerns, but ruminating on them makes you feel worse. Writing might help.

Here are three reasons to write your way through the “shelter at home” period.

#1 – Write for your own sake

Writing can be a healthy way to deal with an uncertain time.

  • If you write fiction, you can escape into worlds that you build. That’s not a bad thing.
  • Nonfiction writers can work to make sense of the world, putting some order around the chaos or understanding it better.

Even if you’re writing about dark subjects, you control the narrative. You may not have a lot of control over outside events, but you control your writing.

As human beings, we constantly construct our own narratives. Write a positive narrative for this time, if you are able, by doing something meaningful.

Can you achieve a state of “flow” while writing? You know, that state where you lose track of time and get absorbed in the work?

When you’re in flow, you are without fear and anxiety, at least for that time. Find flow, if you can, and you’ll leave behind your worries for a while. (See my post Writing in the Zone.)

By writing, you are taking control and doing something positive.

#2 – Write for your readers

Writing is an act of connection and communication. You’re writing isn’t finished until your words land with a reader.

When you write works for others to read—whether or enjoyment or enlightenment—you are connecting with another person. And we need connection, now more than ever.

Write with others in mind. Write something people will find inspiring, informative, engrossing, reassuring, or funny.

Writing, revising, polishing, sharing, and publishing—these are generous acts.

hand holding bouquet of flowers, "Writing is a generous act"

#3 – Write for the future

This week is uncertain; so is the next. You’re not sure how long you’re at home, what your income will be, or when your kids go back to school.

But maybe you can focus on beyond: What happens after?

What would happen if you end this first period of isolation with a collection of poems, or a story? What if you record an audiobook, or create a book proposal?

Good things can come from the darkest of times. Let’s find and hold onto those good things.

Related Posts

During these uncertain, distanced times, I’m gathering inspiring posts, videos, images, and more here. Check back regularly to see what’s there—and let me know what you’d like to see.

 

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: pandemic, social distancing

Connect on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Nobody Owes Us Attention
  • Amazon Decoded by David Gaughran (2nd Edition)
  • Does Jargon Make You Look Insecure?
  • Hope and Process
  • The Story Advantage: A Book Review

Blog categories

  • Book marketing
  • Book reviews
  • Business writing
  • Content marketing
  • News
  • Subscription Marketing
  • Technology marketing
  • Writing

Footer

Get in touch

Contact

Connect on social media

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Login

Disclosure: This site includes affiliate links to recommended books on Amazon. Any proceeds I get from Amazon will probably go to buying more books to recommend and review. I know, I've got a book problem.

© 2021 Anne Janzer · Rainmaker Platform

Privacy Policy