“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” – Anne Frank
Words really have the power to transform. I’ve seen it. I’ve seen timid people share, sad people smile and stressed people find relief.
The true power of writing first showed itself to me in a student who took my first CBAL writing program. She was reserved and shy and didn’t want to share what she’d written during the first few sessions. By the middle of our program, she was eagerly sharing and accepting feedback. By the end of the program, she had gained enough confidence to enter a poem in a local competition and won!
At CBAL, we offer many writing programs. We have adult writing programs like Writing Out Loud and Telling Your Life Stories, teen writing programs like Creative Journaling for Teens and children’s writing programs like Young Journalists.
Why do we offer so many writing programs? Because we know that no matter where you are in your life or how comfortable you are with writing, writing is an amazing experience that can have a lasting impact on how you see yourself and the world.
As a journalist, I’ve seen how well-written stories could inspire change, acknowledge a person for their talents, stop criminal activities and inform communities.
Words can also cause harm and stop good work from happening, so it is not to be taken lightly. The pen is truly mightier than the sword and should be wielded as such – at least when work is being published.
Private writing is another thing. It is only meant for the person who wrote it. It may never be read again, but it’s just as powerful. It can help people work through problems, stress and also reaffirm their lives.
You don’t need a writer’s desk to get started. The famous horror writer Stephen King wrote many of his earlier novels while tucked into a closet. You don’t need a Zoom class or even a special pen. You just need time. Start with five minutes and see where it takes you.
First, get a pen or pencil, paper, journal or notepad. Your brain thinks differently when you write something out physically instead of typing it. It forces your brain to think out what you’re writing completely before you write. When you use the keyboard writers often don’t think it all through because it can be moved around later.
Find a topic. It could be a simple reflection on what happened over the day, or something that is worrying you. Other ways to get inspired can be writing about something you are passionate about, or listen to a favourite song and write about what memories it brings up. Go into your herb and spice cupboard and pick one out. Smell it. Write about what memories you associate with that smell.
Set a timer for five minutes. At first it will feel like five minutes is forever, but soon you will find it is not enough time at all. Writing, however much or however little, can open up a whole new world for you.
For more ideas and inspiration on why writing is so great for your mind go to https://positivepsychology.com/writing-therapy/.
To find out more about CBAL’s writing programs go to cbal.org
Happy Writing!
Erin Perkins
Community Literacy Coordinator – Boundary
Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy
