The Filipina Falls hike requires a little scaling and use of ropes, but rewards hikers with several picturesque waterfalls that cascade down a mountain near Sora, Panama. As I write in these beautiful natural spaces, I enjoy the cool mist on my face, the roar of the water, and the unique rock formations.
On my last hike to Filipina, I noticed three things about the cascading water that relate to my writing.
Water finds the lowest point
Water finds crevices and holes as it meanders downward on a path to the lowest level. I once submitted a short story for feedback to science fiction writer, Robert Sawyer, when he was a writer-in-residence at a Toronto library. He told me to keep writing about grief, addiction, and mental health. To write the tough stuff.
I took his advice and years later I write flash fiction, personal essays and young adult novellas offering hope in the midst of people’s lowest moments. I don’t have to look hard and long for the low points in people’s lives including my own. Our challenges and vulnerabilities make us human and writing about them becomes therapeutic. Eventually, my thoughts run clearer like the rivers flowing down mountains bringing refreshment.
Water flows under, over, around, and through obstacles
When water encounters obstacles, it flows under, over, or around them. These obstacles determine whether the waterfall will be a narrow or wide stream, multiple streams, or layered streams, giving each waterfall its own unique beauty and sound.
If you’ve written for any length of time, you’ll have encountered obstacles—days when the words need to be chiseled out of stone, you receive rejections, or sales are low. These challenges as well as life circumstances can discourage you. Finding a way to overcome them ultimately determines your success.
Water carves a niche
As water finds its lowest point and works around obstacles, it carves out a niche through the soil, foliage and rocks. This is also true of writers. While we glean insights from other authors and their journeys, our path is unique to us, and thus so is our niche.
Authors approach writing in many ways. I find the lowest point in people’s lives, deal with obstacles when I encounter them and, like water, carve out my own niche. And just as Filipina Falls provides beautiful natural spaces for hikers and writers, I hope I reward readers too by writing compelling stories.
