The Saturday Creativity Quote — how making something helps us cope

An open box of colored pencils
Pencils (photo by the author)

How often have you written something and realized later that you were working out a personal problem on the page? Or sniffled through the day’s work, then discovered that the pain you felt that morning had eased? Our characters’ troubles may be very different from our own, but the process helps us and creates a deeper experience for the reader.

“Q: How does writing help an individual cope with life’s setbacks?
A. It’s been my experience that as writers we tend to process life events (positive and negative) through story. It’s often on a subconscious level, hovering below the surface of our thoughts and then woven into the fabric of our stories. And it helps. This is how our brains are wired to process life. By creating story we can deal with the unexpected curve balls life hurls our way.”

– Debbie Macomber, The Writer, June 2014

The Saturday Writing Quote — the power of story

“Q: How does writing help an individual cope with life’s setbacks?
A. I’s been my experience that as writers we tend to process life events (positive and negative) through story. It’s often on a subconscious level, hovering below the surface of our thoughts and then woven into the fabric of our stories. And it helps This is how our brains are wired to process life. By creating story we can deal with the unexpected curve balls life hurls our way.”
– Debbie Macomber, The Writer, June 2014