My Open Love Letter to Writing

With Valentine’s Day coming up, most sane people would write a heartfelt letter to their spouse or significant other before writing one to their favorite hobby or activity. But as an author of dark fiction, I reject both sanity and Valentine’s Day purely on principle. Besides, I’ve already proven my tremendous devotion to my wife by agreeing to watch The Bachelor with her every week.      

I guess you could say she and I have a sort of open relationship—she’s allowed to be in love with young, buff, reality TV stars, and I’m allowed to be in love with my own written words. So me spending Valentine’s week thus far doing nothing but working on this blog post really hasn’t bothered her at all.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find out what my wife's yelling about and why she’s packing a suitcase. But before I do, allow me to share with you—in the (sort of) spirit of Valentine’s Day—this, “My Open Love Letter to Writing.”

Dear Writing,

I love you more than words can describe, which, I realize, is more than just a little ironic.

I’ve loved you ever since I gave you a try and got a gold star from my kindergarten teacher and a “Good job!” from my parents. 

I love you because you’re always there for me—even when I yell and scream at you about writer’s block like it’s your fault.

I love you because you’re always there for others, too. For anyone willing to give you a shot. Anyone dedicated enough to stick with you even when the words aren’t flowing. Anyone stupid enough to ignore their angry spouse just to spend a few extra sentences with you.     

I love you because you allow me to get away with murder. I love you because the murders you allow me to get away with keep society safe from me.  

I love you because I didn’t really know who I was until I met you—and because I continue to learn who I am because of you.

I love you because you connect me to the world and to others in a way surpassed only by the ingestion of very special mushrooms.

I love you because you’ve given me a voice my teenage daughter hears much more clearly than when I speak.

I love you because you are my escape hatch—one that drops me straight into a world where imagination trumps reality … and even has the potential to redefine it.  

I love you because you allow me to explore the darkest parts of humanity and myself yet emerge full of light.

I love you because you’ve given me the power to endure the toughest of times: heartbreak; loneliness; depression; the deaths of friends and loved ones—particularly my oldest brother. I love you because you’ve taught me how to turn pain into art. Grief and anger into laughter and acceptance. Suffering into something so brutally beautiful, it almost ceases to hurt. 

And I love you because you’ve given me the power to help others endure their own toughest times.

I guess what I’m saying is, Writing, my dear, I love you. You had me at hello.

Forever Yours,

Greg

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO EVERY WORD AND EVERYONE.