SHORT FORM

Strengths And Struggles

A writer’s life

My writing ebbs and flows like the ocean. Sometimes my words crash upon the shore, beat against rocks, and tantalize a wandering soul’s toes. Other times, my words get sucked into the underbelly of a mighty wave and crash into themselves, never to reach the shore. This is my writing life.

My greatest strength is the ability to use literary devices well. I had professors who drilled such things into my head. The whole ‘show, don’t tell’ is a powerful motivator. Another strength is I never run out of writing ideas. I have notebooks full of them.

My struggles are many. I will write incessantly for months and then get burned out. Depression will rob me of my muses’ voices. Anti-depressants will also keep their voices at bay. It can be a no-win situation. Add negative voices in my head, and poof, all writing stops.

Rinse and repeat.

©2022 Lori Carlson. All Rights Reserved.

This shortform essay is in response to Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她)’s shortform prompt — What are your writing strengths and struggles?

Want to know what I’ve been reading during the month of February? Check out these Heart Lights that I am gathering from work all over Medium:

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Lori Carlson writes poetry, fiction, personal essays, creative non-fiction, and articles. She focuses on Spirituality, Life Lessons, Self-Awareness, Relationships, Mental Health, and LGBTQ+. She is the Owner/Editor of Promptly Written and Not For Bedtime Stories. You can find her older stories on her Medium Blog, Ravyne’s Nest.