Although I find it extremely difficult to keep up with all the daily blogs that my peers are rolling out, I have recently been thinking just how amazing all these women writers are. Actually that’s not true. I guess I really find it amazing that now, all of these amazing women have a way to be heard. Not until the past few years has it been so easy to find each other and share stories, advice, sorrow, excitement, love, dreams, ambition, recipes, fashion and desperately sought after information that helps us feel connected. Connected to other women going through the same things we are or went through years ago and can now offer guidance.

One of my girlfriends asked me why it is that I don’t talk that much about myself and my feelings one on one, but seem to have no trouble opening up when I write. I didn’t have any one solid answer then, but after mulling it over for a week or so, I think I have a better grasp on it. It’s much easier to purge my emotions to the keyboard because I don’t need to make eye contact with anyone or face judgement. It’s the coward’s way out I suppose, but still it’s true for me. Also, I write for myself as a therapy. When the day, week or whatever gets to be too much, I just mentally release it all to my computer and I don’t have to worry about it tuning me out because I’ve complained about the same thing over and over again. Which, let’s face it, we all do sometimes. Lastly, I get to edit what I write. Sadly, we can’t take back the words that we speak. They are just out there hanging in the air and have to deal with the consequences. Again, the cowards way out. It would be wonderful if I was courageous enough to speak my mind and emotions whenever I felt it, but not wanting to offend rules over that desire.

So, back to the original concept of this post. The internet has given us all a way to be closer to people we would have never known existed otherwise. A woman in London, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Alaska, New York, Boston, Germany, New Jersey… All connected by our need to be heard and more importantly, understood. Maybe we want some fresh feedback. Maybe we just want to feel like our feelings matter and that our likes and dislikes are shared by other women. Maybe we want to be the ones guiding our sisters through their tough times.

Whatever the reason that this global writing revolution started, I’m glad for it. I’m glad for all of the women that light up my computer screen, put knew meals on my table, teach me, inspire me and help me feel more connected everyday.

Related articles

• Jane Espenson on Getting More Women in the Writers’ Room (thinkprogress.org)
• Women Writers from the Present Who Inspire – Edith Pearlman (heidiwriting.wordpress.com)
• Are Women’s Magazines the Key to Creating More Women Writers? [Ladymags] (jezebel.com)