Why I Started Writing and What Happened Next

Every journey is different

Photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash

Publisher’s note: Writing is hard. But often, it’s a road to hope and sanity. Some of the Internet’s best writers have guested for us, and Craig A. Williamson is firmly among those. He has weathered some bitter storms, and his writing is solidly hopeful, transcendent, and forward looking. This piece is a heartfelt exploration of a writer’s success at recentering.

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I didn’t want to write. I had to.

First, my father died prematurely, which should never have happened, and left a big hole. Then my mother died and the hole got bigger. Then my only son passed away at age 29, adding to the empty space.

But here is the crazy part: I remained joyous at heart. Oddly, my joy and delight over the gift of life amplified after the pain faded.

The losses crystalized my understanding of things that matter most. Insights washed over me - demanding to be released in the form of writing down words.

I was taken over by a force unseen. Words and ideas gushed unpredictably and uncontrollably at random times. I was the guy you saw standing next to the road with a bike propped against a tree while pecking at my phone, capturing words and thoughts before they got away.

I wrote. Clumsy, tentative, and afraid at first. Something magical happened. The process of distilling thoughts and ideas into simple words forced me to grow. To stake out with clarity ideas I have come to believe true. Writing pulled me through a threshold, from a smaller existence to a seemingly unbounded new world. I am experiencing a personal renaissance of sorts. Following and expressing threads of insight which can be a blessing to others.

Once through the threshold, other forces took over. Forces having nothing to do with me. I have become a conduit through which a higher power pushes ideas and insights released to help others move towards their full potential. My job is to stay out of the way while packaging and channeling for the greater good.

My personal interest pivots around universal truths and insights relating to the human condition. My son’s story and death were colored by addiction. I learned a lot walking with him and currently feel a calling to write for the benefit of those touched by substance abuse or addictions. Individuals struggling and loved ones in the fight with them.

But here is another crazy part: it is all the same stuff. Universal life wisdoms overlap with insights, mentality, and behaviors necessary for success in recovery. The path to our best selves is uniquely personal and lined with mile markers shared by all. I write about those mile markers.

I feel kidnapped at times. I don’t write as much as I simply release. It is common for fully written pieces to appear in my mind while I'm sleeping or cycling. My job is just to do the mechanics of writing. Sometimes at 4am, which is the case now. It's like I’m along for the ride.

Things are starting to go faster now. My writing is impacting people. They want me to write more. The more I write, the harder it is to stop. It just keeps coming. When the flow is running I go with it. For me, writing in the flow is like holding a fire hose and looking for a safe place to point. When it's not flowing, I don’t try to force it. I don’t try to manage my writing.

Certainly one day it will stop. Maybe I’ll get my regular life back. In the meantime, I’m grateful for so much. Happy to be used by unseen forces I understand to be divine.

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First book, Regarding Things That Matter, unpacked wisdoms, values, and healthy living insights we all can benefit from. Special emphasis was placed on being joyous.

Second book, Regarding Substance Abuse and Addiction, focused on insights and best practices in the fight against substance abuse and addiction. It is for everyone, but especially loved ones caught up in the struggle

Substack: Craig A Williamson / Lessons From Addiction

Craig A. Williamson is a brilliant thinker with a powerful yet simple voice.

His story is diverse, like the topics he writes about. Born 1959 in Detroit, Craig was first in his family to be educated. His professional career included roles as CEO and business owner. Craig has experienced many blessings and a sting of tragedy—losing his only son at age 29. A San Juan Islands, WA / Scottsdale, AZ snowbird, Craig is an avid cyclist. After publishing Regarding Things That Matter, and Regarding Substance Abuse and Addiction, Craig’s profile is rapidly rising on Substack.

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Maryan Pelland is building a private, invitation-only writers group on Discord. If you want support and encouragement in your writing journey, email pen2profit.help@gmail.com for your exclusive invitation to the group. There is no admission fee.