The Therapy of Crisis Writing

Courtesy of A. B. Rutuelo
It's been hard to watch my hometown go through the ravages of Sandy this week. The subway tunnels I used to ride to high school are filled with water. Huge trees that shaded my neighborhood have toppled. And most of all, people have lost lives, livelihoods and homes. After the devastation of the Waldo Canyon fire here last summer, it was heart-wrenching to watch so many homes burn in the New York area.

My heart hurts also for writers affected by the storm. Likely thousands or tens of thousands of writers are trying to find some kind of normal instead of working on their WIP or NaNoWriMo novel.

It's hard to write despite the unexpected. But sometimes, as writers, that's what helps us work through tragedy. I've often found myself backed into a corner, and have been surprised when I was able to write myself out.

So here's to all the writers with basements full of water, no electricity or internet, and fridges full of thawing food. Though it might have to be with paper and pen, I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say.


Don't forget: today is the final day to link to last Friday's post. Write a post about your work in progress (or tell us about one you've finished) and leave a link. I'd love to read about what you're working on.

11 comments:

  1. A great post. I know that writing is what got me through the most trying times.

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  2. I can't imagine what they're going through. Like you, I'm interested to see the stories (real and fictional) that come out of this. But for now, I just want all those people rescued and out of harm's way!

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  3. Wow, Debbie, you have seen it from both sides. It's amazing how in crisis one can do their best work. I can't imagine being in either one. It sure makes you realize where your priorities are!

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  4. My crisis today was helping my daughter run a fundraising garage sale in the cold! I sure didn't get much writing done today. Time to clear my head and get typing!

    ~Debbie

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  5. Poignant and helpful post, Debbie. Thanks. Those of us who have not experienced such trauma cannot begin to imagine the difficulties, but our hearts and prayers go out to those who have been affected.

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  6. I'm out of town for a wedding. I'm writing down ideas. Taking notes, because I didn't want to overwhelm myself traveling & visiting family. Also good to just watch kiddo with grandparents. Very sad to read the tragic stories about Sandy.

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  7. I see so many heart-wrenching photos and posts on Facebook, but even more concerning are the people who usually post but don't--probably because they have no power or internet. I hope they're hanging in there!

    ~Debbie

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  8. Hi, Debbie:

    We were lucky to only lose power after the storm and not suffer any other damage. I know so many who were not so lucky. After our power (and therefore heat!) came back on, we opened up our home to friends who needed a warm, illuminated place to be, a hot meal and electrical outlets to charge their phones and other devices.

    It's inspiring to see our communities pull together at a time like this--neighbors helping each other with the clean-up, everybody offering each other food, and friends texting each other where to get gas now that gas is being rationed out our way. Amen to compassion and benevolence.

    Thank you for your post!

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  9. So glad you and your family are ok. It's wonderful that you're able to share with others. We saw so much of that during the fire evacuations this summer. It makes you glad to live where you do!

    ~Debbie

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  10. So sad to read about Sandy and how people are still suffering from the storm. And, yes, writing can be so therapeutic. After we had a fire years ago, writing was what saved my sanity. Took awhile to get there, though. In the immediate aftermath there's only shock.

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  11. Was the fire at your house, Charlotte? It's hard to imagine recovering from something like that. So glad you were able to write your way through.

    ~Debbie

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