Here’s a fascinating story: a friend of mine was told by a psychic medium that they should write a book. I couldn’t agree more. For me, writing has been the most catharsis I’ve experienced in my entire life. This friend was told to write something resembling a memoir, but they are also apprehensive about writing their entire life, as they’d feel exposed, and maybe get some backlash from people involved in their life. I can understand that, I’ve been there. If there is any advice I can give, it’s to just write. Put words to paper until you feel there is nothing else left to say. You can always edit what you’ve written, format it any way you please, but there is no editing a blank page. After you’ve written your truth, you can change anything you like—with the caveat that if the edits change the truth, the work then becomes fiction.
This friend asks if any events, or aspects, of my life have made appearances in my work. Of course they have. That’s what makes writing worth writing for me. Storytelling is an escape, words are a vehicle, and the process is redeeming.
For this week’s blog, I wanted to share which parts of myself have shown up in my work, and where.
| Character | Represents |
| Buddy Newton, Days of the Phoenix | I had really bad anxiety before I knew what anxiety was. I always thought of myself as a chronic worrier, or that I was always in the wrong for not preparing for situations better. Buddy’s struggle with anxiety is a very close depiction of mine. Writing Buddy was so therapeutic for me, I can’t describe how writing that book has improved my quality of life. |
| Derek Foster, A Law of Constants | Derek’s isolation was a lot more extreme than mine, but that’s the hallmark of a storyteller: taking something worth saying and turning it into something worth listening to. After my father passed away, I was a very isolated child, and while it may not have been the most ideal way to develop the craft, needing to fill the silence of the void is what taught me how to be a storyteller. Part of Derek’s personality was a little bit of a wish-list too; I wanted to be that cool under pressure at my worst. |
| Danny Goss, Broken Promise Records & Broken Promise Records: Remastered | When I was writing Broken Promise Records, Danny was the embodiment of one of the most redneck things I’ve ever heard said: “It’s better to be pissed off than pissed on.” It’s a much less eloquent way to say “anger is more useful than despair.” Danny was the way to channel some rage I’d carried, but also a cautionary tale about holding onto that anger. I wrote Danny’s conclusion the way I saw his anger and as a reminder of why I needed to let it go. |
| Dresden Hurt, A Law of Constants | Dresden is regret personified. There are a lot of things I’d do over again if I could go back. If you remember last week’s blog, you know that I relive memories like the first time they happened, so there really is no letting time fade wounds for me. Dresden was that part of myself that wishes could go back and prevent cannon moments from ever happening. |
| Hendrix Wilson, Broken Promise Records, Broken Promise Records: Remastered | Not everything I write is about a perceived negative aspect of myself. Hendrix is the avatar for when I see myself making positive changes, or taking charge in a positive way. Hendrix has been through some shit and came out victorious in the end. It took some time for me to realize that I have every right to work for a winning outcome and you should too. |
To my friend: I hope this is the encouragement you needed to start putting words to the page.
To everyone who reads my blog each week: thank you for joining me on this trip across the Millerverse! I’ll see you on the next one!
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Songs Listened to While Writing This Blog:
- “Hate Me” – Blue October
- “I am the Highway” – Audioslave
- “Soft” – Second Coming
- “Texas” – Lo-Pro
- “Lonely Day” – System of a Down
A.P. Miller 