Why Now?

(originally posted 7 Dec 2021)

In September this year, I attended a writer's conference (virtually of course). It was hosted by the awesome folks at the PNWA (https://www.pnwa.org/default.aspx).

One of the workshops was given by William "Bill" Kenower (https://www.williamkenower.com/ ) and was called "Failure to Launch". I had already been in one of his other workshops and knew him to be something of a luminary, a bright energetic light in the midst of a dark bewildering world. I think he is the kind of person that lights a fire under you, to make you go.

At the beginning of the Failure to Launch workshop, Bill asked us to complete the sentence "I can't finish because...", and write our answer down. I wrote down: "I haven't had the time." Technically true, because I just finished grad school while also working full time.

Bill went around to each of us and asked what our response was and then worked through it. For my response, he asked another question: "Do you think your writing is a waste of time?"

I didn't think so, I had been doing it off and on for several decades. Then Bill asked if I enjoyed the work, the actual writing process. I said I enjoy falling down the rabbit hole that is writing, getting into the flow. Being in the flow is what keeps pulling me back.

Bill said, "You have to trust that the rabbit hole is good enough. The muse will not tell you where you're going, but you will go somewhere, and that is the best part." I see that now. I've kind of known it too. I just needed a reminder.

Bill ended the workshop with a reminder to all of us. "You will not be satisfied until you share your work," He said. "Do it, go deep, finish it, and then share it."

So here I am, sharing.

~Liriel

PS: If you have any doubts about your own abilities to write, I recommend Bill's books, especially Fearless Writing (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/628121/fearless-writing-by-william-kenower/9781440349836/).