My Compulsion, My Joy

I write only because there is a voice within me that will not be stilled. – Sylvia Plath

I’ve been an author for nearly 50 years. This includes time as a reporter, a film reviewer, a feature writer, and a contributor to theological journals. I’ve also written and/or edited 20 books. Some self-published, some through Story Sanctum Publishing, and one with Westminster John Knox Press. It has been a grand journey, and it is far from over. In many ways, I feel like I’m gaining steam.

If you have a compulsion that is also your joy, you understand. It’s that thing you love to do that may require a lot of time and effort but gives you a deep sense of satisfaction. Whether it’s your vocation, your advocation, or a hobby, it never fails to bring meaning to your life.

Writing (and editing!) is this compulsion for me.

I rise between 4-4:30 every morning, grab a mug of coffee, then settle in at my laptop for the day’s challenges. I evaluate stories in my role as an editor for Story Sanctum. I work on fiction of my own. I polish blog posts before sending them off into the ocean of the Internet like a message in a bottle.

Now, with Second Shore Publishing, I will go further, helping both established and emerging writers make their dreams come true. I will do this free of charge, no matter how long it takes.

Why? Because it’s my compulsion and it brings me joy.

– Krin Van Tatenhove