In this section of eWriteLife.com, I’d like to share essays submitted or shared to me by different writers. Sometimes, I may offer my point of view about the writing life. But, I’ll try to highlight other’s stories first, as it’s always interesting to read about what writers go through. (Besides, you’ll hear enough from me in this blog/site. ;))

So, in the first part of this collection, I like to post a collection of anecdotes and snippets from various writers about writing through difficult moments. It’s something that my best friends (in writing and in life) started out and shared a few years ago. I’ll begin with her short essay and continue with other writers’ contributions:

You ever had one of those days?

Your hard drive crashes. Your files disappear forever. Your server eats up your mail. And your ISP suddenly disconnects you because they thought you were someone else.

… To top it all off, you haven’t even had lunch yet, your baby’s bawling her lungs out, and you’ve got a deadline in an hour.

How do you churn out a masterpiece against those odds?

In short: How do you manage to give your best, when your life is a mess?

– from Aileen Suquila-Santos

Here are more thoughts from other writers…

“I get the extra rich chocolate chip cookies out, light the candles on my new old Forbes piano, that I recently saved from being torn apart and thrown into the garbage, grab paper and pencil and start composing sad, sad melodies. I can only write under pressuring circumstances, being in the weirdest mood and feeling down all the way. Then words come easily…”

– from Christine

“I run from the house screaming “Calgon take me away!” no, not really! I’ve had those days though. If the problems are not immediately pressing (such as my daughter screaming/bawling) I usually go for a long walk ALONE and empty my mind of everything. Even with a deadline looming, I find it helpful and healing to take a few minutes to just escape and not deal with solving the “mess” immediately. I usually return with a calmer attitude and can sort things out better. I also find yoga helpful to clear my mind and help me relax.”

– from debbi

“I can relate… except I have two little boys and a job and a husband and it feels like I have no time to write. Maybe writing about that would give us all new insight on how to deal with the everyday things.”

– from Shelly

“Maybe I’m wrong but I think you give your best when you’re life is a mess because other feelings come out and you give something original. i.e. maybe you are a better writer when you’re under an unusual situation.”

– from Peter Pan

“I keep “The Desiderata” on my desktop, along with selected pieces by some of my favorite writers. A lot of Emerson. When life gets crazy around me, as long as there is not a screaming emergency, I put on headphones, turn soft music on and read the Desiderata. It renews my faith in the magic of words.

“It reminds me of why I write. I’d like to share it with you…”

– from Linda Caroll (LindaCaroll.com)