Throw yourself into the larger conversation. Writing is such a solitary act, and it can get dark and poky up there in our heads all day. A petri dish for self doubt, self pity, and the rest. Quiet and solitude have their place, but don’t forget to let the light and air in. Remember your why. So much of our reason for writing is to connect with one another. Pursue honest means of human connection, whether that is mentoring a young writer, joining a journal’s masthead or volunteering at an agency, starting a reading series or attending live events regularly, belonging to an organization you care about or forging a committed writing group. Maybe you write a letter to an author whose work has touched you deeply. Maybe you get into book reviews and author interviews. Being a practicing writer is about more than just you and the page. How can you get out of your head and become a meaningful part of the community? Stay curious. Embrace the space around the work, whatever that looks like: running, glass blowing, cloud watching. Let it fill you with wonder. Allow yourself fallow periods. That’s life, too. We only get one. Live yours with integrity and generosity, and the world will surprise you. No matter how broken, there’s beauty there. Trust. All of it feeds your creative heart.
—Sara Lippmann, editor in chief, Epiphany
Photo credit: m. price