Writing is a gift that most people have, but is something that many people chose not to reveal for fear of being judged or being “wrong." Putting your words out into the public is scary. Many published pieces are personal to the writer’s life -- thoughts, stories and emotions -- and they all seem to come gushing out when we get a hold of a keyboard or pen and paper. It’s difficult to explain, but I am going to do my best.

When a writer sits down to write, there is typically not one, singular, solitary idea in their head. While a piece may start from one idea, it can, and usually will end up being something different from where they originally started. (For example, this is not what I planned to write about when I sat down today.)

There are two extremes that writers may face: writer's block and word vomit. Writer's block is frustrating because you may have so many fantastic ideas in your head, but you just can’t seem to put them into words. This is usually when you have to close the computer, go get ice cream and watch your favorite movie to recharge your brain power. (This is my expert advice, by the way.) On the contrary: word vomit. This is a case of “I have so many ideas and words running through my brain that my fingers can’t type fast enough to put them on paper, but when I finally do, they don’t make nearly as much sense as I thought they would." *Finally takes a breath* It’s a little exhausting. Not to mention, when you go back and read the start of 1,264 (usually only six-ish) different pieces, there is a lot of editing to be done after word vomit strikes.

Let's not forget, if we are on a roll, there is no stopping us. We will stay up into the wee hours of the morning, and we will skip meals and completely forget about other plans/priorities, all for the love of that particular piece we are focused on.

Another feat that writers have to decipher is which pieces are appropriate to put out into the public, and which ones are better left in the “diary” folder. People who write on a regular basis will fully understand this. We are typically fairly emotional people, and writing is what we do to release some of these emotions. But that does not always mean that the public needs to hear the details of a hook-up, break-up or family feud. Am I right, public? No one wants to hear the drama.

Also, we may be in the middle of a conversation, family gathering, at a bar, etc. when an idea sparks. This is where the “notes” app really comes in handy: all of a writer's ideas in one place. As mentioned earlier, these ideas may either feel like pure gold (word vomit in full effect) or the writer may be questioning their sanity.

To those of you who think you “can’t” write, or you are lousy at it… I once felt that way too. And I know that I am still nowhere near the best writer, and I never will be, but I enjoy doing it. My only goal when publishing my writing is to hopefully relate to someone, make someone laugh or tell a story. Go ahead, join the crazy writers club. We’d be happy to have you.