You’re writing about the memories that weigh on you to lift the burden that keeps you down. They are like stepping stones in a creek that is the story of your life. As a writer, it is your responsibility to keep the story flowing. To stay safe on your journey, you have to lift your eyes to see where you’re going.

During your first draft, you follow your impulses and venture into tributaries. Nothing is stopping you as you follow your instinct, your calling. Only when you reach the end of your journey, you lift your gaze off the page and you look at your story with a birds-eye view. You discover patterns and undercurrents you haven’t noticed before. Now is the time to evaluate everything you’ve written. Where did you get stuck? Where did you rush? It takes courage to acknowledge where you’ve skipped painful parts. It’s not easy to determine what’s superfluous. Take heart. Reach out for guidance. You don’t have to brave this part of your discovery without help. Build a support team around you. Find those who already are where you want to go. Listen to the wisdom they share, so you don’t overwhelm yourself or—worse—give up prematurely. You write by yourself, but then you share the marvelous experience of telling your story with your readers. Like a river flows into the ocean, your story is heading for its audience. Your job as a writer is to make sure that your readers don’t get stuck but safely reach the end of their journey.