Books for the Girls: Write for Your Life
Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash
Those who know me know I love books and I enjoy telling people about my favorites. I plan to occasionally share about books that are relevant for the Girls.
Write
for
Your Life
written by Anna Quindlen
2022
The title of this book is intriguing. We all understand the phrase “run for your life,” but what could “write for your life” mean? Who is the author addressing the command to? Spoiler: she’s talking to you!
Many of us feel that writing isn’t for mere mortals like ourselves. We think real writing is for best-selling authors. Last year as I was doubting if I should even start this blog I was hanging on to that mindset. I wasn’t taking into account what benefits I could derive from my writing practice, or the idea that my words might make a difference to just one person.
Some believe that having a book published is the pinnacle of writing success. Even if that is true, it doesn’t invalidate all the other forms of writing that occur. The author discusses a variety of ways that we write in everyday life, including journals, letters, and lists. These all have specific functions at the time they are written, but may take on different meaning with the passing of time.
Ms. Quindlan reminds us that writing can be hard. It encourages me to hear this coming from an award-winning successful author. I think I assume that words appear effortlessly on the page for someone like her, but that’s not true. She still has to do the work.
Confidence can build over time with practice, just as a toddling baby will eventually be told to stop running in the house! I can see my own progress in the following way: The first time I submitted a work to be published, instead of my name I used only my initials. The second time, in my bio, I described myself as a hesitant writer. For my most recent piece accepted for publication, I stated boldly that I am a writer!
This blog, while started out of the desire to share my story, is not just about me. Each of you, dear readers, has your own story. This year may be the year to write it down. I have two simple action steps for you:
Read this book.
Start writing.
Write for your life!
• • • • •
Look for this book at your local library or independent bookstore.
Blog For the Girls does not receive a commission or payment for reviewing this book.
If you have an encouraging book you want to tell us about, mention it in the comments below.