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Read and Write to Connect with Others
Have you ever turned to a page of a book and read something that seemed to speak directly to you?
Sometimes we come across the words of another that articulate our own thoughts, feelings, passions and struggles. To see another person ― either an author or a fictional character ― going through familiar situations, thinking familiar thoughts or feeling familiar feelings, can help us become more comfortable in our own skin. It helps us feel connected to a world outside ourselves.
“That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald
One of the most exciting and inspiring things about writing is the opportunity to create these types of moments for your readers ― to write something that makes others feel as if they are not alone.
As a writer, you can be a source of comfort for readers you may never even meet. It’s an exciting, inspiring and unique privilege. To take full advantage of this, however, you must write with authenticity and specificity. Surprisingly, the more specific your writing, the more accessible it will be, and the greater the chance others will genuinely connect with you. By really zooming in on your life (or that of a character), you can get to the heart of the human experiences we all share and want to read about.
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“You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone.” #literature Tweet This
As a writer, you can be a source of comfort for readers you may never even meet. Tweet This
Surprisingly, the more specific your writing, the more accessible it will be. Tweet This
We’d love to hear from you. When was the last time a book helped you feel connected or understood?
There’s much to be said about the craft of writing. That’s why each week on the Abbott Press blog, we’ll take a look at what some of our favorite authors and thinkers have to say about this challenging, fulfilling and sometimes mystifying art. We hope these discussions will help you to further refine your own ideas about writing and to achieve new insights into your own creative process. Browse Weekly Writing Quotes »
Its true. The books (and movies) I continuously go back to are the ones that register and relate to me the most. Or the person I plan to be, or the ideals and values I hold dearest to me. Its about opening your characters up completely, so the reader literally feels like they’re walking around in their shoes. The most honest and open writers are the best ones