With careful attention to mark where he left off, a reader of a novel's first chapter looked up. His mental withdrawal from that world was wistful, then he said, "Now I remember why I love to read!"
To the author of the beloved writing, that statement means everything! Details are not needed because the goal is achieved-a world successfully built inside the reader's head that gives joy. Or causes tears.
Or moves the reader to a new perception about a subject, as in non-fiction.
In poetry, the reader's reaction is a bit different. Poetry draws emotion quickly-like a cascading waterfall-to fill a void, or answer a question, or provide an analogy to the reader's personal experience.
It's every writer's dream to cause a thoughtful reaction.
Sometimes we write because we don't want to lose the memory of a special moment. Sometimes it's cathartic, a way to lessen pain. In any case, inspiration is the bridge that carries the thought to paper (or keyboard). We grasp quickly for that writing instrument while the creative thought is fresh.
Since 2012, WriteOn Joliet has offered a meeting place where people who love/want to write gather together to read their work and invite commentary. Picking up pointers is the valued result. All levels of writing capability are welcome.
WriteOn Joliet's eighth annual anthology offers a wide variety of writing genres to entice a pouring out of emotion. So, reader, hang on tight!