Writing can give you what having a baby can give you: it can get you to start paying attention, can help you soften, can wake you up. But publishing won't do any of those things; you'll never get in that way.
In her book "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life," Anne Lamott draws an intriguing parallel between writing and motherhood. She suggests that the act of writing, much like the experience of having a baby, demands a deep level of attention and engagement. It fosters emotional growth, introspection, and a heightened awareness of life around us, ultimately helping us to become more compassionate and awake to our experiences.
However, Lamott clarifies that while writing can transform us internally, the act of publishing does not provide the same personal benefits. She emphasizes that simply putting words out into the world does not guarantee the same depth of insight or emotional awakening that the writing process itself can bring. Thus, it's crucial to cherish the journey of writing for its own sake rather than focusing solely on the external validation of publication.
