I Call Myself a Writer

Daily writing prompt

What do you enjoy most about writing?

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What I enjoy most about writing is thinking I can’t and then doing it.

I like a blank page. I like pulling an idea out of the cotton candy that is often my brain. And I like how writing that one true sentence gives way to the most unpredictable things. It’s magical.

A few days ago at a Street Angels event, the organizers played the recording of my essay, Billy. I knew what was coming – the story of my son’s rescue from a fiery car crash by five homeless guys – and I right away choked up. I listened to myself reading my essay and, at first, it seemed other worldly. But then I recognized my voice – my speaking voice and my writing voice, heard each perfect sentence, and remembered how I’d sat at this very desk and put into words a bonfire of emotions about that day.

I picked those words. I thought I couldn’t write about my son’s accident and then I did.

So, there’s being proud of myself. Maybe that’s what I enjoy about writing. It’s an accomplishment, like making a quilt or playing a sonata. I don’t do those things. The only creative thing I do is this.

It’s a gift to have writing as part of my life. I’m lucky that way.