We’re happy to welcome Sarah Aronson to the blog today! Sarah is a wonderful writer and generous mentor and teacher, who believes: “There is nothing more important to me, to my classes and workshops, to my creative life…than fostering a sense of trust.” Thanks for your post, Sarah!

“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”—William Shakespeare

“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life.
Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”—Golda Meir

Dear Writers,

Did you ever have to play “the trust game”–the ice breaker where you have to fall back, trusting that your partner catches you?

Yes it is fun when you feel someone’s arms stop you from falling. It’s a thrill when trust is rewarded. But in life and art, the stakes are high.

Last July, in my family, we welcomed a baby. The ultimate joy. The ultimate responsibility. (She is gorgeous!!)

I thought about what it feels like to trust someone else with the things that are most important. Friendship. Family. And of course, our hearts that we imprint on the page.

Trust is not a game. Offering your story to someone else to read is a risk. It’s a sacred pact.

It’s something we must do all the time as story tellers.

We must trust ourselves—especially in the beginning. When the words come slowly. When we might not yet know where the story is headed.

We must trust our first readers. Our peers and later, our editors.

We must trust that their advice, like our stories, comes from the heart. We must trust that they believe in us. That they understand the heart of the character.

When it comes to creativity–and our creative community–nothing is as important as trust. 

I write about trust a lot, because trust is at the core of what we do. It’s at the core of every retreat. Every manuscript read. Every critique offered.

When we trust, we open our hearts and minds to the tools of creativity: inspiration, intuition, and intellect.

When we feel trust, we thrive. We create. When trust is broken, we feel insecure. Our confidence wanes.  It is hard to take chances. We feel no FEAR. We can go into the cave bravely and honestly. How can we trust our readers?  Mostly, we blame ourselves. Creativity shuts down.

When we all give, we all win. We can all trust again. We can all move forward. We can create.

Are you ready to stretch? Are you ready to take this to the page?

Find the turn in your story–the scene that changes everything. Then journal about the immediate aftermath. Who still trusts? Who doesn’t? What does that feel like? What needs to happen for them to move forward?

With trust comes the ability to forgive. To grow. To change. When we support each other, we all benefit. We all win. We all feel safe. There is nothing more important to me, to my classes and workshops, to my creative life….than fostering a sense of trust. If you are still feeling shaky, please find someone to talk to. Regain your footing.

You are not alone.

We need your stories.

This week, let’s write together!

—Sarah