Writers must also see themselves as readers...

Sometimes we need to look to the past in able to see ahead. At other times we need to face the darkness to see the light.

Perceptions, stereotypes and preconcieved notions can limit us while letting them go can propel us much farther ahead, sometimes gently, other times faster than the speed of sound.

Most everything we do is based on or rooted in past history, past experiences of someone or something.

There are probably not many original thoughts left on the planet. Sure enough there are plenty of opportunities for new thoughts for each of us as individuals, but not as a collective - and that is probably where and why it gets interesting.

If you combine the seven degress of separation that we all live within to the notion of there being only 6 basic stories in the world - you can see how challenging it can be to write something of interest to anybody else. I think that is part of the fun.

What each of us bring to every story is our own experience and our own perspective. Combine that with our own unique way of using words and you have a new twist to any story.

I also think as a writer we need to consider ourselves as readers.

Sometimes we don't want a new idea - we are looking for those feelings of comfort and relief knowing that someone feels the same. Sometimes we don't want the familiar and are looking for a distraction to break the pattern of monotony that has encapsulated us.

Sometimes we want to look at something thousands of years old and pretend we are the first to see it. They joy of that is it is partially true - the first time that we see it - counts as a first time to us. Being able to experience that joy, wonder, amazement and awe is an incredible gift and does not in any way get lessened by the fact that others have seen it before and many will see it after.

I think that is why writing works - because there is enough room for everything. Past, present and future - and for each of us, that is an individual journey. Our own unique gift we bring to whatever we write.

So don't despair when you start to think its all been done before... nobody has done your version of it!