writer's tip - writing as therapy by Beckie Weinheimer
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have someone made you mad, hurt your feelings, betrayed you? Put it in a story!
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chapter 1:
writing as therapy
writing as therapy
chapter 1
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updated Jun 10, 2008
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2530 characters
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1 person liked this writing
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Put it in a story! (6-1-08)
Are you really mad about something? The war in Iraq? The treatment of women, especially in third world countries? Our dependence on fossil fuel? Or simply the way the guy in the SUV honked and almost ran over you when you were crossing the street in the cross walk when the light was green for you?
Those are all things I get mad about, and when something bad or mean happens to me, instead of continuing to fume inside, I think, now how can I use this in a story. So many little hurtful incidents that I have felt are now camouflaged into my writing. It gives me a feeling of being heard, it allows to me complain about the injustice, feel a sense of empowerment and I don't have to sue the person, or country or go to court.
One of my biggest angers lately is street harassment. I know it can happen to anyone, but I feel gays, lesbians and straight women are the main targets, and who do I think are the main harassers? Straight males. I have been the victim of street harassment since I reached puberty, and am still getting harassed at least once a week now, as a fifty year old woman in NYC. One of the worst comments happened not long ago when I was walking on a busy street and Manhattan, and some man saw me and said, "Mama, I would love to take those titties of yours home and give them some loving." I was outraged. But I did nothing. Most of us never do. And so it continues. But I am writing a novel about a teenage girl who is also a runner, and she gets harassed more than most because she's out there every day on the streets, alone, running. Writing this new novel, I found, helps me cope with my own feeling of having no voice or ability to stop this type of abuse. And when you write about the emotions that you have actually felt, even though you may disguise them in fiction, I find that my writing is strong, and my best kind of writing. So if you are angry or hurt, and don't know what to do with it, think of a way to use it in your fiction. It's free therapy and well a sort of pay back for the jerks who try to ruin our lives and makes authentic writing!
I have found a great website on Street Harassment, and they are looking for people to share their stories. It's a great way to get started on venting. I shared my story and I feel better and more empowered already!
So take those lemons in your life and make them into lemon aid or stories where you can make the bad people lose and the good people win. You'll be amazed how great it can make you feel!
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Are you really mad about something? The war in Iraq? The treatment of women, especially in third world countries? Our dependence on fossil fuel? Or simply the way the guy in the SUV honked and almost ran over you when you were crossing the street in the cross walk when the light was green for you?
Those are all things I get mad about, and when something bad or mean happens to me, instead of continuing to fume inside, I think, now how can I use this in a story. So many little hurtful incidents that I have felt are now camouflaged into my writing. It gives me a feeling of being heard, it allows to me complain about the injustice, feel a sense of empowerment and I don't have to sue the person, or country or go to court.
One of my biggest angers lately is street harassment. I know it can happen to anyone, but I feel gays, lesbians and straight women are the main targets, and who do I think are the main harassers? Straight males. I have been the victim of street harassment since I reached puberty, and am still getting harassed at least once a week now, as a fifty year old woman in NYC. One of the worst comments happened not long ago when I was walking on a busy street and Manhattan, and some man saw me and said, "Mama, I would love to take those titties of yours home and give them some loving." I was outraged. But I did nothing. Most of us never do. And so it continues. But I am writing a novel about a teenage girl who is also a runner, and she gets harassed more than most because she's out there every day on the streets, alone, running. Writing this new novel, I found, helps me cope with my own feeling of having no voice or ability to stop this type of abuse. And when you write about the emotions that you have actually felt, even though you may disguise them in fiction, I find that my writing is strong, and my best kind of writing. So if you are angry or hurt, and don't know what to do with it, think of a way to use it in your fiction. It's free therapy and well a sort of pay back for the jerks who try to ruin our lives and makes authentic writing!
I have found a great website on Street Harassment, and they are looking for people to share their stories. It's a great way to get started on venting. I shared my story and I feel better and more empowered already!
So take those lemons in your life and make them into lemon aid or stories where you can make the bad people lose and the good people win. You'll be amazed how great it can make you feel!
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