Essence of a Writer

Originating in Greek mythology, the Muses were nine daughters of Zeus who ruled over the arts and sciences, credited with providing inspiration to an artist or creator.  In more modern interpretation, a muse is considered a source of inspiration for a creative work.   There are many examples of art, sculpture, music or writing that is beautiful to the ear or inspirational to the soul of its appreciator.   When I hear a piece of classical music, an operatic score, read a verse of romantic poetry, or view a piece of art or sculpture, I often wonder where the composer, artist or poet got such inspiration from. 

What inspired Shakespeare to write his unforgettable sonnets?  Byron or Keats to write such mellifluous odes?  Mozart to compose his exquisite final masterpiece Requiem Mass in D Minor? Puccini to compose his final operatic masterpiece Turandot (Puccini more than any other operatic composer could merge a multitude of soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto, tenor and baritone voices singing different melodies into one harmonious sound) which sends shivers down my spine, produces goosebumps on my arms and tears of joy down my face every time I see or hear it? Michelangelo to sculpt life-like forms Pieta` and David out of marble?

Words and language are a powerful vehicle.  With words, a writer, poet or lyricist can express ideas, provoke emotions, inspire, or open up the minds of an audience to a brand new understanding or experience.  The reader or listener is in turn transformed and a connection is forever forged between creator and audience. 

A writer has a great responsibility.  We are essentially a tour guide being entrusted by our tourists, the readers, to take them on a journey.  Readers place themselves in our hands and trust we will take them somewhere they want to go, and get them there safely.  A reader does not appreciate being taken down a dead end path, through a hallway to a false door, encountering red herrings, unsolved clues, unresolved plots, loose ends, or last minute, unnecessary characters.  In turn, writers don’t want to lose their readers’ interest or trust, for fear of being abandoned before the journey’s end. 

Writers are extremely vulnerable.  We often take journeys to places of unknown or fear, exploring right along with our readers how we think, see, and feel about something, whether it be positive or negative subject matter for us.   Writers reveal the facets of ourselves in layers, opening up our deepest and darkest inner core, not knowing what the audience reaction is while they are reading.  Unlike a comedian or live actor, there is no immediate feedback for a writer.  We have no idea if we should continue down the path we are on, or if we should veer sharply in a different direction.  Is the reader shocked, surprised, amused, disappointed, transformed, or worse lost? How much of ourselves do we divulge and how much do we keep private?

Writers are no different from any other human being.  We suffer from demons.  We have crosses to bear.  Fears we need to face.  Traumas we need to overcome.  We suffer from addiction, depression, abuse, insecurities, lack of support from our families or significant others, having been told at some point in our lives that we aren’t good enough or capable of succeeding. 

No matter what inspires us to write, writing is a bit of a calling.  It isn’t a choice, it’s a necessity.  As writers, we take our experiences, transform them into something meaningful, and in turn transform ourselves.  For me, writing is an extremely cathartic exercise, a constructive and healthy way of dealing with what is happening in and around me. I can go to a place in my head, work something out, and then move on.  It’s a hell of a lot less expensive and time consuming than lying on a couch, shelling out $200 an hour to someone who merely nods their head and says “Uh-huh, why do you think you feel this way, what was your childhood like?” 

Writing is also a much more effective way of dealing with things then allowing them to fester inside our heads; creating doubt, guilt, mental or physical blocks.  Writers work out their psychological baggage on paper, and readers become our analysts, our priests, our pastors and our support groups.  The reader becomes our captive audience.  There is a symbiotic relationship between writer and reader.  The writer has something to divulge and the audience has a need to be told a story.  In this way, we feed off each other.   And in the best case, the reader is transformed along with us.   It’s a mutually beneficial relationship.

I used to be an organized writer.  I would structure an outline, write multiple drafts, know exactly where my starting and ending points were and what I was trying to accomplish with a piece.  Due to lack of time, outlining went to the wayside long ago.  I have no compass or map in my backpack.  I use no GPS.  I simply put pen to paper (or if I am really pressed for time, straight to word processor), and more often than not, the words just pour out without a plan, logical guideline or filter.  In some cases it’s like a dam breaking, with water pouring in every direction.  As a writer, I am more of a tour guide who goes off-roading, taking my readers on a route that even I haven’t driven on before, and experience the journey right alongside the reader.  Right or wrong, for better or worse, it’s the best I can do for the moment.  Sometimes it’s more raw and honest when I don’t spend a lot of time self-editing.