Participate in Writing

You can interpret this title in several equally applicable ways. One was demonstrated on Oct. 15 with the Blog Action Day post. Another is way is simply to participate in writing, by writing. The act of writing can be therapeutic to the self and/or beneficial to others. The type of participatory writing I have in mind, however, happens when the writer takes part in the subject/event/topic being written about. This could get a little dicey for murder and horror writers, so don't get carried away like the Mexican Arrested in Dismemberment Case.

When I was writing a novel with occult elements, in addition to research, I performed some of the tamer rituals with benign intent. Summoning up feelings a character might experience enabled me to write more effectively. Similarly for articles I've gone to sea with treasure divers and on a mercy mission with the Coast Guard, meditated walking on a path Franciscan friars traveled before the this country existed, eaten rattlesnake and wild foods, watched a recovery of drowning victims' bodies, and had many other experiences most people don't ordinarily take part in.

The saddest example was writing the obituary for a friend. I like to think that event is balanced by my documentation of the joyful natural birth of my first child. Women can totally participate! As long as it injures no one or you understand any risks you might be taking, I encourage you to get out and experience in person, in reality. Your writing will take on more vivid hues and a depth not possible otherwise.