Comment by Writer in NY on 23 Jul 2009 at 10:22 pm

Hello Karen!

Seeking advice please. As a fellow writer I ask how you can answer each question in depth for each reader with enormous attention to detail. My gosh! You not only have wit, you have wisdom and can inspire! I write my own column, love it and know my work can exhaust me. Tell me, How do you deal with your exhaustion, assuming that you do become exhausted? Keep up the great work! Keep on writing and I’m confident you will be working for a newspaper like me. I see great possibilities for you.

Writer

N.Y.

Dear N.Y. Writer,

Thank you so much for all your compliments!  I appreciate hearing a critique from a fellow writer.  I would love to write for a newspaper or have my own column some day.  For now, I will think of myself as “in training” and hope for a better tomorrow…

Although answering questions here on my blog can be overwhelming at times, most of the time it is in a good way.  I believe my answering questions to be therapeutic.  How do I do it?  I rarely read the question sent unless I’m ready to answer.  As I read the question I focus on that question only.  I try to empathize with each reader who wrote to me and give my personal attention to that person.  I “listen” to the reader’s “voice.”

My answers come straight from my heart and I never hesitate or second-guess how to answer.  I just write the very first thoughts that comes to mind.  For me, that is the best I can do.  It’s free flowing and I usually don’t look back.  There is only one answer for every question and I am the only one who can answer it.  So I do.  I admit, some questions do take me back to a few dark moments, but these dark thought pass quickly once I realize that I no longer live in the past.

If I happen to become overwhelmed, Dr. Baer is always nearby to help me.  Dr. Baer looks over my answers before posting them.  It’s always best to have a second eye and Dr. Baer has been great about helping me.  As time passes, I become stronger and less in need of help when I feel overwhelmed. Truthfully, I never feel overwhelmed while answering these questions.  However, sometimes late at night I feel an after shock. Whenever that happens I distract myself by watching something uplifting like a comedy.

I admit, I do become exhausted at times, just from life, but my exhaustion is short lived, and I only need about fifteen minutes to re-group. Maybe I’ve trained myself to be this way.  I really feel fortunate to be able to answer people’s questions and then let go.

Thank you again for encouraging me to continue on writing.

Karen