Writing as Therapy
From the November, 2022, Newsletter:
Whenever I'm struggling to make ends meet--which is most of the time--I take a few moments to remind myself of the non-monetary benefits of my chosen profession. Thank God their are many, since ... well, like I just said ...
One of those non-monetary benefits is that writing can be very therapeutic. Got someone irritating in your life? Create a character for them and make them suffer--maybe even die a horrible death. Want a second chance at that romance you screwed up way back when? Write about it--like I did in The Cargo.
Problem is, when I do stuff like that, most of the time the person or situation I'm trying to work out for myself turns out even worse in the story than it does in real life. That's okay though, right? I mean--it's just a story. Right?
Well, okay. Maybe writing is not the greatest therapy after all. Which brings me to a segue into a secret I want to share. I'm going into therapy myself.
Oh, I don't need it, or anything. I'm a healthy, well-adjusted author who writes fantasies about werewolves in space--totally normal. But with the advent of my Dr. Eleanor Mabry character--who is counseling the werewolves Heather and Clifford in my Spaceship Huey Adventures series--I thought the therapy experience would be good research.
My first appointment is tomorrow. I'll let y'all know how it goes.
Note to current readers: I've had a couple of sessions now. It's been interesting. And--so far--I have neither been committed nor measured for a straight jacket. I'll call it a win.