Pen to Paper– Heartwarming Expression
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Tammy Cameron
Did you ever bring home an elementary report card that delivered comments like “very chatty” or “talks a lot”? Perhaps you received the opposite and saw comments like “very shy” or “needs to speak more in class”. I was a kid who received both reports, depending on the year, the teacher, and the class environment. I was sensitive to my surroundings (still am) and needed to feel very comfortable to share my stories. In both scenarios, my stories bloomed. When comfortable, my stories flowed in conversation, coursework, and outdoor play. When more reserved, imagined characters and events intertwined in my mind. On one occasion, so enamored with storytelling, a friend and I both failed a summer swimming class – not because we couldn’t swim or demonstrate the required skills, but because we swam to the farthest edge of the swimming quarry and remained there, sharing our life observations, dreams, and plans, ignoring the instructor’s calls to return. I don’t think that either of us have regrets about that summer.
I started writing as a kid, first at home in daily journals that had friendly bears and other characters on the front cover. These journals had special locks with keys and lined pages; I loved the journals, though I wasn’t good at the daily routine. In school, we wrote daily after lunch and drew our own accompanying artwork. I loved this exercise; my mother did not love some of the personal stories that seven-year-old me shared with the teacher! I authored a book that became part of a series teaching reading skills to elementary children in Canada. I authored countless case studies and learning activities in language teaching and higher education in Canada and in Mexico. I coauthored academic articles related to integrity. Following this, I saw a small advertisement one day posted by Adriana Luna Carlos of She Rises Studios seeking four additional coauthors for an anthology titled “She Stands Strong”. My heart leaped. The deadline to submit was the same day. I talked myself out of applying. The next morning, I saw another notice saying that the deadline had been extended for another 24 hours. I applied. I was accepted and warmly welcomed to the project.
As much as my heart leapt at the excitement of my acceptance, it also trembled a bit. I had been waiting for a moment to tell my most sacred story. It was a leap of huge vulnerability, and I am so happy that I dove into this project. The title spoke to me so strongly. I wanted my story to be on paper, in the light of empowerment and survival. I wanted my story to be a chapter and not a book, because it’s a part of my life, not the full definition. Finally, the perfect collaborative project appeared for my story, a story which was already written long before pen hit paper (or fingers hit keyboard). From here, I continued to coauthor two additional anthologies on topics also deserving of the spotlight.
Through my writing journey, I have learned that when you want something enough, the stars will align to make it happen; it will happen when you agree, when you take a chance, when you acknowledge that you have human flaws and will never be perfect. You will be exposed and vulnerable at times and this is okay; it’s how we connect with others through shared experience. For me, creativity is natural and happens without effort, but I have had students and clients express that it can be difficult for them at times. My advice is to spend time in nature: go for a walk, sit and listen to the sounds of animals, view a night sky, or dip your toes in a lake. Become quiet; it creates space for inspiration.
Another thing I have learned through writing is that while your story is huge, you can share small parts of it and still make a big impact. Extract the key details. Ask yourself, “What piece of this experience will help others the most”? This question will identify your core message and can reduce the sense of overwhelm that can come with any new project.
Writing has helped me to make peace with trauma and hardship on a deeper level, to reach a larger audience with meaningful insights, and to continue to lead and mentor others with integrity. It validates for me that my method of sharing is okay, whether I “need to speak more” or am “too chatty” in the views of others. If you are currently sitting on the fence about diving in and getting started, know that feeling apprehension is a shared experience. I will wait for you on the other side when you are ready. Your story deserves to be told.
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