"Life and Work with Bethany Wish"
(Click the link below for the original article, featured on VoyageLA)
"Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Wish.
Bethany, can you briefly walk us through your story — how you started and how you got to where you are today?
My love affair with writing began in high school, where I used poetry and journaling as a way to cope through some difficult years. I quickly discovered that my pen is far better with words than my tongue! (If you’re a writer, I know you can relate.)
Eventually, my writing evolved into something bigger.
Characters, worlds, and visions for stories that just couldn’t stay quiet began filling my mind, and suddenly, I was writing novels. And honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever stop!
Life is messy and beautiful.
The longer I live, the more I realize there are really hard, ugly things that happen in the world. But if you look close enough, you can find beauty and kindness in the same snapshot; in the same moment.
It’s these beautiful moments clawing their way out of the muck and mire that I search for- because in these moments, there is Hope; and most importantly, there is always real, true, gritty and imperfect Love.
I strive to tell the Truth in my writing- the Truth of the struggle between good and evil, the Truth of the power of Love and Hope, the Truth of the difficulties we face as humans (internally and eternally) and what we do when faced with these difficulties.
Has it been a smooth road?
As a writer, I feel like it’s part of my calling, and I suppose my duty, to address difficult topics- topics people might not want to talk about, or don’t know how to talk about. To attempt to bring about understanding. To raise awareness and shed light on real issues, even if they might be hard to stomach.
My current work in progress (WIP as we say) is a fictional story that deals with foster care, homelessness, opioids and heroin, alcoholism, PTSD, belonging, finding your place in the world, and discovering the meaning of love and family.
I know. It’s heavy stuff. But it’s real, and people are actually dealing with some- or possibly even all- of these things on a daily basis.
I feel the weight of it. I’ve felt it since my characters started talking to me, begging me to tell their story. To ‘get it right’.
My responsibility in writing this story is doing my best to get it right. I’ve never lived through this situation, so I’ll never know exactly what it feels like.
And I absolutely don’t claim to.
But as a fellow human who cares about people going through these things, it’s my goal to empathize with what someone may be feeling in these situations, and write those feelings into the story- to paint a picture with my words that allows others to come as close to understanding as possible, and in the process and through research and speaking with those who have experienced these things, gain some understanding myself.
I hope my writing will encourage someone who has gone through difficult situations to find their voice and to write about their experiences so others can begin to understand better, too.
Here is my advice for new writers:
Words are power, and it is the responsibility of the writer to wield them carefully, with gentleness and concern for the truth, and consideration for those who will be most affected by them. But at the same time, don’t let your fire be extinguished by fear! (Fear of rejection, fear of critique, fear of opposition.) This is not always easy, and there will always be those who oppose you, no matter what you do. Keep your head down and keep doing what you know is true and right. Never forget, this is your ART as well as your CRAFT. There will always be critics. Write what’s in your heart. Write for YOU, and worry about the rest later.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Writing Wish – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I’m in the process of writing two separate novels. One is Fiction (the one I spoke about earlier, titled “Days of December”) and the other is Young Adult Fantasy, (working title is “Guardian of Fire”).
I’m currently in the revision stage of Days of December, and hope to be publishing it in the next year or so! So be on the lookout for that.
In between novel writing days, I write poetry, and I write for my Blog, “Writing Wish”. I’d like to publish a book of poetry eventually, too.
Who have you been inspired by?
The women who have most inspired me the most are definitely the women of my family. My Mom, my Aunts, my Grandmother. They’re all strong, determined, artistic and independent women who don’t give in when it comes to their values and don’t give up when it comes to their dreams.
My family is far from perfect (whose isn’t?), but my parents have always loved and encouraged me. They’ve always told me I can do whatever I put my mind to and can be whatever I want to be. This definitely has had an impact on my self-confidence.
I have a dream to have a career as a published author, and I won’t stop until I realize that dream. I have my parents (and teachers!) to thank for my belief that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. And now, I have my wonderful husband who supports me wholeheartedly.
I have to give a shoutout to the incredible community of writers and authors I’ve found on Instagram, too! Their support and encouragement in all stages of the writing process has been so lifegiving and inspiring to me!
To women starting out in their careers, young and old: I want to tell you- You have a unique voice. A unique perspective. Don’t allow yourself to be silenced- not by others, and absolutely not by yourself. Speak the truth, stand firm in what you believe in. Lead. But at the same time, be soft. Nurture. Encourage. Embrace all aspects of yourself. You are too wonderfully made to ignore, too intricate to disregard. Find your voice, and use it wisely, and use it with Love.
Contact Info:
Website: www.writingwish.com
Email: writerbethanywish@gmail.com
Instagram: @writingwish "