Big Feelings

Big feelings are absolutely a hallmark of writers. 

Despair

Ecstasy

Joy

I’m sure even writers who mechanically pump out a new book every 6 months to a year (Kristen Hannah, Steven King, Colleen Hoover, Raymond Chandler, etc.) feel massively in their chests and limbs the loves and fears of their characters. 

The secret is being able to understand and work with them, I think. 

It’s shit tough — like working through therapy. Writing poetry and fiction needs the writer to confront and accept big feelings, portraying them in such a way that other people come along with you on the journey. 

A disturbing amount of my best work happens when I’m shaking with rage.

Painting is Judith Beheading Holofernes by Artemisia Gentileschi