My goal as a writer is more to comfort than to disturb.
Joni MitchellRead
I can only speak for myself. But what I write and how I write is done in order to save my own life. And I mean that literally. For me literature is a way of knowing that I am not hallucinating, that whatever I feel/know is.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the personal necessity of writing as a means to validate one's existence and emotions.
Barbara Christian expresses that her writing is not just a form of artistic expression but a vital tool for affirming her reality and mental state. She suggests that through literature, she can confirm her thoughts and feelings are genuine, rather than mere hallucinations, indicating the profound connection between creativity and self-awareness.
Themes
WritingLiteratureSelf-AwarenessRealityIdentity
In practice
Example use cases
In a writing workshop about the importance of personal narratives.
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