Extreme emotions

Ed Sheeran had a wonderful note about writes music when he feels extreme emotion. On an ordinary day, the songs are fine, but they don’t carry the same depth. It’s when he’s exceptionally sad, or happy, or in love, or heartbroken that the good ones show up. I’m no Ed Sheeran of course. But over the years, I’ve come to realize the same is true of writing. When I write about something I feel indifferent about, the words don’t flow, even when the lesson underneath is a good one. They come out feeling… flat. When I’m feeling something strongly, a memory of a moment in a national park, or sitting with the disappointment of a failure, the writing just hits better. Embrace those extreme emotions, we must.