Welcome Diamante Lavendar, author of the book Finding Hope in the Darkness of Grief! This post is all about her writing process and inspirations.
Writing is a form of catharsis for me. I have always written to express myself and to vent about things that have happened in my life. I also write to help others know that they’re not alone in pain and angst. While I was growing up I felt alone in my circumstances and it is my desire to help others realize that they aren’t alone. It is so much easier to heal from hardship when you know that others have gone through problems too.
I think people want to believe that life is good overall. But they also need to know that it won’t always be good. It’s great to have rose-colored glasses and an optimistic attitude but it’s also important to realize that things won’t always go smoothly or perfectly. I believe that is a very important concept to embrace so that life’s hardships don’t knock us down so far that we can’t recover. When we accept the good and the bad it is so much easier to survive and thrive. I believe a realistic attitude helps us succeed. When we know that things won’t always be perfect, we won’t drown in the murky waters of sorrow and pain.
I write when I feel inspired. Most of the time the words just flow out of me during those moments. God, or spirit, is a central part of my existence and when I write, not only am I venting but also discovering things that I believe spirit wants me to know or to understand. It’s like a give and take of my will. I kind of set myself aside and let the emotion pour out through my keyboard. Sometimes I write on paper. It depends on where I am when the mood strikes. Almost always I write in silence when I feel the impressions fall upon my heart. I feel that I’m being led down a path when the words come out on my computer or paper. It’s a beautiful thing-a feeling that writing is part of my destiny.
I believe everyone has a destiny and a purpose. That’s why it’s so important for me to write what is impressed upon me. I feel that my writing is helping others to find their destinies as well. Each of us has something important to give to society. I have learned so much through the destinies of others that I want to contribute to the collective whole. Writing and art is the way I feel I can best contribute.
Night is a magical time for me. All is quiet. I open the windows in the summer and listen to nature. In the winter I hear the snow and wind blowing against the windows. It’s almost like I’m transported to another place as I wait for the words to come. I have lost several children amidst the years I’ve been here. When all is quiet I can hear them speaking in my heart and I can feel their presence. I believe strongly in our loved ones guiding us through our lives here while we finish our journeys before we join them back at home. The quiet gifts me with these moments. Some of the most precious moments that I believe this life can offer besides the quiet moments during the night are the moments we share with our loved ones who are still here with us.
I believe love is the answer to all pain. In whatever form it takes when we need it. When I write and create art I feel loved and I want to share that love with my readers. It is my hope that the love I feel is translated into the words I write and the art I create. Then my time will have been well spent.
Author Bio:
Diamante Lavendar has been in love with reading since she was a child. Diamante believes that everyone should try to leave their own positive mark on the world, and to make it a better place for all. Writing is her way of leaving her mark—one story at a time. She began writing in college and has published poetry in anthologies over the years. Most of her writing is very personal and stems from her own experiences, and those of her family and friends. She writes to encourage hope and possibility to those who read her stories. To learn more about Diamante Lavendar and her books, please visit her website.
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Thanks so much for sharing this guest post for the blog tour.
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