What should writers do when they have a bad year?
Your words can be a light in the darkness, even during a bad year.
I have a confession to make. I feel pretty dumb right now.
I was hopeful about 2016 when the year began. I didn’t have any unrealistic expectations. I didn’t think, “This is going to be the best year ever!”
I just figured it would be a good year. I knew that there would probably be ups and downs, but that 2016 would be a good year in general.
Boy, was I wrong.
This was a bad year for me, and for a lot of other people.
My dad died, in April, from complications after having major surgery. Some of my family members coped with this loss better than others.
I coped with my dad’s death while dealing with the usual challenges that come with freelance writing: managing writing projects, handling increasing expenses, and sometimes dealing with unsteady sources of income.
So here at the end of a bad year, I feel emotionally bruised, as reflected in a lot of the photos from the popular social media meme “me at the beginning of 2016 vs. me at the end of 2016.” Here’s one version of the meme with TV actress Mindy Kaling.
Maybe you feel this way, too.
But, what about 2017?
I have another confession. I don’t know what’s going to happen in 2017.
I want to believe that 2017 will be a better year. That there will be more good events than bad ones.
But I can’t guarantee that. No one can.
The Promises of a New Year
I can make two promises for 2017, despite the uncertainty that looms in my personal life, across the United States and around the world.
1. A light in the darkness
I can encourage you to start writing and to continue writing. Writing is my way of shining a light, especially when things seem dark during a bad year.
This is also true for you, even if you haven’t published anything.
Writing helps us learn about ourselves and about the people and the world around us.
This education happens, whether our words are published or not.
But it’s great to be published, whether that means having your own blog, writing for someone else’s blog/website, writing a magazine article, or copy writing for a business. Which leads me to my next promise…
2. I can help you connect with an audience of readers who are waiting to read your words.
If one of your new year’s resolutions is to be a published writer, or to publish more of your writing, I promise to help you achieve this goal by providing great tips on how to get your work in front of more readers.
Lessons Learned
This year has taught me that words have power.
Writing empowers writers and readers.
For example, writing empowers us to express our true emotions — even so-called “negative” emotions like sadness, anger and fear.
Sharing these experiences empowers our readers by reassuring them that someone else is dealing with similar problems. That they are not alone.
Writing, specifically journal writing, helped me deal with my father’s illness and his death.
So, yes, 2016 sucked.
But starting this blog to help other writers has been a very bright spot in a dark year. And so, as crazy as it may sound, I’m thankful for this year because of the lessons I’ve learned about writing and about life in general.
And I look forward to sharing those lessons with you in 2017.
May the new year be kinder to all of us. And may all of us be kinder to each other.
Happy New Year!
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Did this post inspire and help you? How was your 2016? What are your new year’s resolutions? Share your thoughts and tips with other writers in the comments section.
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