We’ve all heard it: the best thing to recover from a hectic lifestyle is taking some ‘me-time’ to reset. That can be many things, for different people: a bath with aromatherapy candles; listening to music; going for a run in the park; retail therapy, etc. I’m an introvert, so having alone time is not only welcome, it’s essential. But how does writing time factor into the mix?
I find writing time relaxing. I find it therapeutic. I write to entertain myself. Long before I even decided I wanted to be an author, I used to keep a diary. I started journaling in this diary when I was seven as a record of ‘special events’ in my life, such as my aunt’s wedding, at which I was a bridesmaid. I never intended for anyone else to read that diary, and it has long since disappeared, probably into a bin.
I still enjoy writing to entertain myself, however, I now write fiction for an audience rather than a diary for myself. Authors want readers. We want people to discover our work. That doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. Ultimately I write to satisfy an itch. I write the story that I feel most excited about.
I can understand authors who say that they don’t find writing relaxing. Some treat it as more of a business with deadlines, and contracts, and word counts, and so on. Even saying all of that gives me a shudder! I treat writing as a passion that I feel lucky enough to be able to articulate into words and share with the world. It’s my introverted head-space that I look forward to when life gets fast, and crazy. A little slice of calm in a chaotic world.
Ah, writing bliss!
Leilanie Stewart 