January 10, 2022

 

 

 

Note From Rochelle

 

Dear Writers,

I am away again this week—taking time off to rest and renew my spirit!

 

If you’re looking for writing support this winter, consider joining my Writing Accountability Group. This is an amazing way to stay committed to your writing and learn more about you and your writing life and style:

 

I’m also participating in a cool summit. Whether you’re looking to turn an idea into a storyline, make the story flow or devise a subplot, Be A Bestseller 4.0: Write Your Novel With Confidence has something for you. The class runs from 16-27 January 2023 and it’s totally free. You can sign up here: https://masterclass.beabestseller.net/Rochelle

 

Today’s post considers the work of one of my favorite writers, Anne Frank.

 

Happy writing,

Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

 

What My Heroes Taught Me About Writing: Anne Frank

By Rochelle Melander

 

Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl living in Germany when the Nazis came into power. The family moved to Amsterdam to find safety, but the Nazis invaded the Netherlands. Shortly after her 13^th birthday, Anne and her family went into hiding. Anne Frank wrote a diary about what it was like to live in a cramped attic space with 7 other people.

 

The family was able to listen to the radio. One day, Anne heard a member of the government say that he hoped to collect eyewitness accounts of what it was like for Dutch people living under German rule. He specifically mentioned letters and diaries. Anne got inspired and decided that she would publish a book based on her diary. While she was in hiding, she began to revise and edit her diary for publication while also writing new material.

 

She wrote in her diary: Will I ever become a journalist or a writer? I hope so, oh, I hope so very much, for I can recapture everything when I write, my thoughts, my ideals, and my fantasies.

 

In addition to being her vocation, writing helped Anne cope with the challenges of living in hiding. She wrote:

So far you truly have been a great source of comfort to me. … This way of keeping a diary is much nicer, and now I can hardly wait for those moments when I am able to write in you.

            Oh, I am so glad I brought you along.

 

After the war, Anne’s father published her diary. It’s been translated into 70 languages and has sold more than 30 million copies.

 

Your turn

If you’re like most of my readers, you hope to publish your writing at some point. But in the meantime, consider how the daily act of writing helps you. How does your writing bring you comfort and peace?