Words in the Wilderness: Strategies for Writing When You Have Nothing to Say

GASP!

“I’m speechless.”

“I’m lost for words.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“I’m sorry.”

"What?!"

People say these things when faced with news or circumstances that evoke uncomfortable silences that demand to be filled lest we are left to deal with unease.

The inadequacy we feel in moments where our humanity wants to hold space for the hurting, the broken, and the vexed but lack the words or wisdom to make it all go away is a common experience and highlights the limitations of language and our abilities in comforting others.

The Challenge of Expressing Emotions Through Writing

Social media platforms, like LinkedIn, are not exempt from our grasping at words. From responses to a scandalous memoir and panic about emerging technologies to reactions to the thousands and thousands of layoffs across the globe, these platforms serve as a microcosm of our society and its struggle to find the right words to express emotions, thoughts, and experiences.

• What do we do when followers or connections share their heartbreaking realities?
• Do we DM, comment, like, share, or repost?
• Who gets to participate in conversations on social issues, trends, and all that jazz?
• What can and can't you say in the wake of global or personal disaster?

Whether it's expressing support for a colleague who has lost their job or discussing the impact of new technologies on the workforce, our gasping for words can lead to us filling the discomfort with sweet, well-intentioned nothingness.

Why?

Because we feel the need to say something when in truth we are lost for words.

Writing to Make Sense of the Senseless

Our instinct to say something, anything, in the wake of shocking, tragic, or salacious events is baked into our humanity, absolute. We express our thoughts, voice our dismay, and question the powers that be in an attempt to make sense of a seemingly random universe where catastrophe and jubilee coexist and often collide like two oceans.?

In the preface of her book Mouth Full of Blood, Toni Morrison explores how the mere act of writing helps us “construct meaning of chaos.”

She states:

“Writers can translate trauma and turn sorrow into meaning, sharpening the moral imagination.”

Through writing (in private or public), we process emotions, thoughts, ideas, and experiences and make sense of the senseless. This process can be cathartic and give us a sense of agency in a world where very little is truly ours to control. At the very least, writing - particularly on a public platform like LinkedIn - makes us feel heard and a little less helpless or inept.

Toni Morrison’s Words of Wisdom

The opening chapter in Mouth Full of Blood is an essay entitled “To the Dead of September 11”. The late Toni Morrison wrote the essay in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks in 2001. In this essay, Morrison reflects on the loss of life and humanity that resulted from the attacks, highlighting the dehumanising effects of violence.

She also stresses the importance of remembering and honouring the dead, rather than just mourning their loss, and emphasises the need for compassion and empathy in times of tragedy. Throughout the essay, Morrison encourages readers to connect and understand each other's pain, reminding them that it is through this connection that we can begin to heal and move forward.

As a writer and content creator, my heart was moved by Morrison’s thoughts on commenting on events, trends, tragedies, and catastrophes in the public square. What follows are the three key lessons I learned and strategies for how you can implement them in your writing as an individual or brand, making sense of existence.?

Start with Empathy

Throughout "To the Dead of September 11", Morrison highlights the importance of empathy and compassion in times of tragedy and encourages writers to approach the topic with sensitivity, recognising the recession's impact on real people.?

Remain Honest and Real

Secondly, she stresses the need for honesty and authenticity in writing, reminding writers that it is better to acknowledge the limitations of their understanding rather than try to sound authoritative on a topic they are unfamiliar with. Empty words and meaningless gestures may make you feel better, but they’re seldom more than performative platitudes. They will not create a deeper connection with your audience or provide genuine comfort. Moreover, it will not make any difference to the world.

You create an environment of trust and authenticity by acknowledging your ineptness and being honest about what you do and do not know. This encourages your audience to open up and share their experiences, leading to a more meaningful exchange of ideas and emotions.

Furthermore, you also provide a model for others to follow, encouraging them to be authentic and genuine in their writing and communication while wrestling with an unnerving reality. By being true to yourself and your experiences, you can write in a way that is both meaningful and impactful. Or be courageous enough to say nothing and to find solace in the stillness and quietness, as sometimes, that too can be the most profound form of expression. Ultimately, the goal of writing in the wake of senseless events should be to find meaning and comfort and to create a sense of community, and this can only be achieved by remaining honest and genuine in your words and thoughts.

Honour and Remember those Impacted by Events

Finally, Morrison also underlines the importance of honouring and remembering those affected by events through our writing. Whether it's a tragedy, a scandal, or a significant shift in society, paying homage to those impacted and ensuring that their voices are heard is essential.?

Writing can preserve their stories, experiences, and memories, ensuring that they are not forgotten or marginalized in the aftermath of events. We can create a space for healing, empathy, and understanding by documenting and sharing their stories. Through this process, we can also reflect on our own experiences and perspectives, leading to a deeper appreciation of our shared humanity and the importance of treating one another with kindness, respect, and dignity.

Above all, Toni Morrison’s classic words remind us that, as writers and content creators, we are responsible for approaching trending topics in a respectful, thoughtful way and mindful of the human experience.

This means considering our words' impact on those directly impacted by the events and avoiding spreading misinformation or insensitive comments. We should aim to shed light on important issues, provide comfort and support to those in need, and ultimately contribute to the larger conversation in a positive and meaningful way. Toni Morrison’s wisdom and insights inspire us to strive for excellence in our writing and to use our platform to make a difference in the world.

Writing with a Mouth Full of Blood

Writing with a “mouth full of blood" is a metaphor that captures the discomfort of grasping for the right words in moments of trauma, loss, or tragedy. While the act of writing can provide solace and comfort in moments of chaos and uncertainty, "To the Dead of September 11" reminds us as writers and creators to speak from a place of honesty, integrity, and empathy. Instead of relying on performative platitudes, we can take a cue from Toni Morrison's advice and write to construct meaning from chaos, acknowledging our limitations and honouring those affected by events. Above all though, recognise humanity amid disaster.

Join me this February as I read Toni Morrison’s Mouth Full of Blood, a collection of essays and speeches.