The Writer’s
Perspective on Health, Happiness, and Prosperity by Debra H. Goldstein
January
begins a new year of dreams and hopes, but it is also a time for personal
reflection. When I think about my family and friends, I wish them only health,
happiness, and prosperity for 2020. Being honest, I’d like the same for me –
but these thoughts take on different interpretations when one is a writer.
Health – We
all wish to be healthy in the sense of no illnesses, injuries, or other
personal calamities. Consequently, we are told to eat healthy, avoid alcohol and
tobacco, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. Writers? They fill the
smoke-filled bars at conventions. Often, they eat on the fly because they are
immersed in a project. They work in a solitary environment where they rarely
leave their computers (which, by the way, is a good means of developing carpal
tunnel syndrome from typing/ eye strain from not blinking/ neck and shoulder
pain from poor keyboard posture). Finally, sleep and exercise go out the window
when a writer is on deadline.
Happiness –
Joy in the little things brings smiles to most people’s faces, but
writers? We are happy when people buy
our books or tell us they like something we wrote, but we cringe at bad
reviews, sales numbers that don’t meet our expectations, and when fans and
friends don’t show up at signings. One writer, on deadline, compares the days
she is immersed in writing to being in jail. I don’t find that a particularly
happy image, do you? Or how about those instances when an idea is impossible to
grasp or if it does invade one’s brain, it doesn’t work?
Prosperity –
If prosperity is counted by the dollars earned or a declaration of being a New
York Times Bestselling author, prosperity is the gold ring most writers can
only dream about.
So, why do
writers write? It certainly isn’t because it brings us pure health, happiness,
and prosperity. No, after much reflection, I think it is because we must. We
hope readers are happy with what we produce, but readership isn’t our primary
purpose in spending our time writing. Although it may not be obvious, writers
obtain health, happiness, and prosperity from the joy of sharing ideas through
the written word. … and every now and then from reader reactions. Tell me, what
about you? Why do you read and how does it impact your health, happiness, and
prosperity?
