I find it quite weird that I’m a quadriplegic and a writer. I mean, typically you’d think these are two complete opposites or at least things that could never go together. An ironic contradiction. An oxymoron. Arms and hands don’t work, bang, you’re out of the game. Makes sense right? Well, thankfully because of this magic head sensor thingy I’m still very much in the game. Even twenty years ago typing as fluently as I do today was almost impossible, so tech has absolutely come a long way.
Now, as far as my writing process goes, or writing practice in general I guess, I feel like I should say this first…
I’m pretty sure that I haven’t spoken a single word for over three years now, which this is due to a deterioration in a very specific area of my health. But the how isn’t so important, rather there’s something else I want to touch upon here, you see, even if I did magically start talking tomorrow I’d probably struggle to hold a conversation. This has only hit me recently.
It’s not so much because I’m used to typing key word instructions, instead I think I’d struggle with the nuances and flow of conversing. I’ve forgotten how. And why I say this, I think this highlights just how much words have become my voice. Hence, words are way more than just squiggly lines on a piece of paper for me, they really are a primary tool of communication and a lifeline.
Okay now to this writing process stuff…
Over the years now, I’ve had this rather strange relationship with writing. It started out that I had no bloody idea what I was doing, then quickly this developed into a genuine love of storytelling, then writing became the key way that I shared ideas… expression… bullshit artist… communication… my voice… as a way to heal… my confidante… the list goes on. Yet, there’s one pathway in particular that writing has taken me down, that, far out it amazes me. It’s this using writing as a healing tool thing.
No kidding, it’s like writing has been my psychologist… and for years and years now. Which, strangely this same thinking is at the core of all of my ramblings, my driving force, almost as if I only use writing to clarify my thoughts as well as get stuff off my chest. Yeah, I’m a weirdo I know.
But this is 100 per cent what I do. Call it autobiographical writing, call it journaling, heck you could even call my writing process one massive brain dump. And, you know what, I freaking love it.
No other writing styles (of which I have tried many) light me up anywhere near as much as my “writing for healing rants” do, and I’ve most often credited this to the fact that I’m curious about life, my life. Or, to put this another way, writing in the way that I do helps me to unpack and understand this somewhat brutal reality in which I find myself.
Now, there’s probably two final things I should cover here, so let’s give it a go…
Like I probably need to delve deeper into the theory behind writing for healing. Well… for such a massive topic I’ll stupidly try to sum this up in a few sentences. But it’s like you can plaster your whole inner-world out onto the page (or as little as you like), and in so many ways it’s extremely therapeutic and liberating.
It’s like your inner-world can morph into something else, and often into something that’s truly special.
Also, it’s so cool how you can choose your own adventure in the past, present or future; so you can always put your attention wherever your heart desires. There are no rules. Create, conspire, conform — but just do whatever makes you happy and brings you the most benefit. You don’t even need to share your works, as in writing truly can be this secret best friend.
Personally though, and this is absolutely a part of my personal process (which in no way would I recommend this to everybody), but I absolutely do share my rants publicly and as fast as I can. I almost never edit them either, which in all honesty is quite dumb. Only I get a real buzz from putting these streams of consciousness out into the world, in fact, it’s almost like I’m putting that little piece of myself out there too. I love this. Scary, fun. Now I dunno if this will make sense but it’s like, through writing down your thoughts and ideas, that the intangible becomes tangible. It’s beautiful.
Anyway, that’s about all I have to say about my writing process, at least for the time being. Still, to leave y’all with one final thought… we all have something important to say. It’s like that quote, which I’m so sorry I can’t remember for the life of me who said it but “no one is you and that is your power.” So, hence, the words you write are always important, they have power. And best of all they are that little part of you, an at times an amazing little part of yourself that you can share. Your ramblings can even serve as points of reference, as something to look back on and at times reflect upon, which are another couple of benefits in documenting life — as I do.
So, have fun with the words, enjoy exploring and finding out what works for you. Don’t take yourself too seriously either. Have a go. Your happy place and discovering your own magical writing process awaits.
FYI, that’s right, words can transform your life.
