Hannah M. Clipston

I am on the train back to London when I finish What Writers Read. The small book sits in my lap and I pick up my notebook immediately. Words are spilling out of me, flying across the page like they’ve danced themselves from the pen. Sometimes you just have to see where the music takes you.

Then, do I write only to make sense of myself? My most vivid memories all coincide with whatever I was writing at the time. Looking back over old diary entries, I remember exactly how I felt when I originally wrote the words, even if they are different from the way I feel now. I don’t think writing can be so serious all of the time. Art is something we make, not what we are. There is a space to create outside of our own limitations which is thrilling and tantalising and demanding of our attention. We cannot get through sleep without dreaming. We cannot get through our wakefulness without dreams.

Really writing has helped me understand more about life than I would have anticipated. When I think about it, the way you must approach writing is a recipe to help you approach life. Firstly you must take the opportunity in every moment: Whether it is good or bad, the moment you are in is not going to last forever. Be present. Hold onto every sense you can and when the moment is over let it go without regret. Secondly, don’t be afraid of your feelings. Tell people you love them while they are there in front of you. Remember the most difficult relationship you will have is with yourself. You’ll fall out sometimes and feel sad. But, it’s natural. You’ll carry each other through.

Lastly, you must practise as often as you want to get better. Kindness, love, perspective, healthy routines, writing: they all take practise. Only you can judge what is your best effort.

These offerings from Pandora Sykes will help you remember when you forget why you love writing. What Writers Read filled me with so much love and adoration for this craft. Hearing stories of how connected people become to books is a real treasure. Lately I have been focussing a lot more on writing, and reading a lot has made it easier to stay motivated and inspired. I feel most myself when I am writing and somehow, it has begun to feel like now or never when it comes to being a writer. I can’t tell whether this post has been sensical, helpful, entertaining or gibberish, but thank you for sticking with it. Thank you to those who have unwavering support of my writing. You have carried me through this rekindling; I am the fire but you are the fuel. I don’t take it for granted.