Writing as Therapy or Advocacy
In uncertain times, are you prone to action to channel your anger or desire for change? Do you join causes, schedule a protest, or become vocal in online platforms? If you’ve experienced trauma by an individual, perhaps you’ve even prosecuted or confronted your perpetrator. All these actions are justified and often necessary.
But many people are more inclined to process their emotions internally, expressing them in ways that may seem abstract—but which can still deliver impact. And one of those methods is writing.
As an editor of “books that matter,” I regularly get to read stories of authors who have endured trauma and abuse, overcome addiction, or worked in advocacy. I’ve helped authors develop their harrowing stories of war—quite literally, as well as battles happening behind closed doors. A women’s war-crisis advocate helping a teenager giving birth in a scrapped-together hut after being raped by a family member. A successful tech leader processing childhood molestation by his grandfather. A physician unraveling cases of homeless patients dying on the streets.
These topics may sound depressing, but by the way, they all ended with hope. Solutions even—healing, and pathways to heal. If you’re moved or haunted by a story or cause—whether personal or societal—but you’re hesitant to write about it, let me be your advocate. Even if you don’t document it for others, penning it could help you process grief and trauma after a change or tragedy. But once you do write it, you may also hold an antidote to help your neighbor—and beyond.
As you write, something happens in your brain. Without going into the neuroscience, I’ll tell you my beliefs and experience. If you allow your thoughts and feelings to flow, you may spark mental connections you never expected. These realizations may bring new insight that allows you to put that troubling, loose puzzle piece into place. You may paint a big-picture idea or example that readers need. This may even launch a speaking platform, professional track, new cause, or passion project.
This happened to me recently. Years ago, I journal-wrote about a traumatic event. Last week, I gleaned new information that turned my perspective of the experience on its head, in a productive way. I revisited my writing and added a layer of complexity—and simplicity—that brought my story full circle. I haven’t shared it yet with anyone, but I intend to.
As a developmental editor, I’ve seen epiphanies occur with my author clients, often after I ask them questions to pull out additional context around scenes and details. Hiring a coach or editor can help you turn your journal entries or big ideas into a book that could help others.
Here are three scenarios that might be telling you it’s time to write:
1. You’re obsessed. Memories or thoughts of a tragedy or trauma are keeping you up at night. You keep holding imaginary conversations to try to work it out. You may even dream about the situation.
2. You’re inspired. You overcame a major obstacle. Maybe you learned to walk again after being partially paralyzed from an accident. (I’ve worked with three authors with this story.) Maybe you survived a narcissistic divorce. (I won’t tally this one, but if it happened to you, you aren’t alone.) You want to share your success with others to give them courage and tools.
3. You can’t not write. If words are running through your mind that you feel compelled to scribble onto the receipts in your car so you capture them, it’s time to truly write them. Carve out time, open a document, and let it out. Talk into your phone if you must, but don’t let your ideas slide into the atmosphere.
You may have heard that it’s dangerous to “just write” without a plan, because it will make your work of forming your book harder later. Yes, this can certainly hold truth. But if you’re in one of the situations above, consider this journaling as a “pre-writing” activity before you outline your book. You may need to purge these thoughts before you can see clearly enough to tackle the bigger topic—like seeding the fog so an airplane can fly. Even if you don’t end up with a book, perhaps you can publish your ideas in an article.
No matter what you do with your writing, the process can help you in life, business, and beyond. Writing does not need to be a passive activity. Before you know it, you just might end up changing (a piece of) the world.
Happy writing!
