My Story, Your Comments, The Future – What It All Means
I have to laugh when I think back to my college English days. It was my second year, and I had received my first negative comment/grade on something that I had written. All through high school and the first year of college English, I truly enjoyed the various projects and topics that I got the opportunity to write. But then second year English came along and changed that with my very first paper of the semester. I got ripped apart by my professor. And it was enough to make me put my pen away. Every now and then I would pull it out to send something off to a local newspaper if I felt like stirring something up, but that was all.
But then an opportunity came up. Though I have been involved with the program a couple of years, I am still learning the who’s, what’s and where’s of it. The hospital that I travel to has a program of creative writing which joins up the writer, usually a cancer patient or survivor, with a writing coach. And it is that simple, nothing more complicated. There are opportunities to go further, such as writing articles for its cancer support newsletters and an awesome book called an Anthology which is published annually. Each chapter published is also written by a patient or survivor of cancer. And if even luckier, some of those chapters are selected for a live performance by professional performers at special survivor’s event. I will have my second submission printed in that anthology this year.
I realized then how energized writing was making me again. And to have a coach assist me in many of my writings gave me a completely different direction. I made the decision that I wanted to write my own book. I am still tossing around idea about the topic or topics, fiction or non-fiction. But I had to do something with everything my brain was pushing out. A very dear friend to me made the suggestion to put my stories on a blog. There was some hesitation just because it was an entirely new concept to me, to be extremely public (beyond a local newspaper).
So I took her advice, created several topics which I have a personal interest or advocate for, and then I let my fingers do the walking. I will do my best to mix up the topics so that no one loses interest, but also, I do not want to overwhelm anyone with many of the serious subjects that I write about, so I will try to mix in some lighter writings. But it would end there would it not be for all the comments, compliments, recommendations, and constructive criticisms that you all have given me. I am thankful for the efforts that you support me with by sharing my blog stories and recommending me to your friends.
I have several projects currently under way and I have literally dozens of new posts begun. “Paul’s Heart” is more though than just some ramblings that escape the pocket between my ears. It has also provided me with some very much needed self-therapy. It has personally been amazing to look back on some of the things that I have been through, several which I had long forgot about. But I am also developing a strong appreciation for the things that I have gone through and where I am today.
Ultimately, I hope that no matter what my story, it provides you with the needed laugh, the welcomed comfort, inspiration and hope when all seems unreachable, and so much more. I have been so touched by many of the comments I have received as I honestly did not expect the deep sincerity and history of some of the comments. I thank you for helping me and encouraging me to write about “Paul’s Heart.”
Paul Edelman
Paul's Heart 