Word Power

You always feel like a hack and a fraud when you're writing. It's just how it goes. —Mary H.K. Choi

Writing Destiny

I created Bookflow because I believe that the creative life is truly a life in which you are the crafting destinies. Not only the destinies of our characters but our own destiny. We all know that words are powerful. As children, we are told “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” But, of course, words can hurt—they can hurt deeply, leaving invisible scars that guide our decisions.

Word Pain

Every creative person can think of at least one person who has tried (and perhaps succeeded) to hurt them. Each one of us remembers someone who said that we could not, should not pursue creative work. That it was a selfish thing to do, or that it was for crazy people, or that creative work isn’t “real” work, or that we simply weren’t good enough, weren’t smart enough, weren’t talented enough, weren’t hard working enough. Some of us have heard all of these things. Some of us are still hearing them.

Word Power

But words can also heal and they can help. Certainly, we all remember the words of someone who has inspired or supported our creative work. I remember a high school teacher who described a personal essay that I wrote as “sparkling”. I still hold that word close to my heart. It has meant more in guiding my career than the words of a hundred critics.

Personal Power

We have the power to create worlds and shape minds. And this begins with the stories we tell ourselves.

When we accept and own ourselves as creative people, we are accepting incredible power. We have the power to create worlds and shape minds. And this begins with the stories we tell ourselves. When we tell ourselves that we aren’t good enough or that we are wasting our time, we are crafting that reality for ourselves. Conversely, when we tell ourselves that we are worthy of an investment of time, that our work matters, then this becomes our reality. If you experience a moment of hesitation about accepting yourself as a writer or artist, remember that you have the power to make it true one small moment at a time...and then do.