by Emma Graham
On January 16, 2025, Writers In Trees (WiT) hosted a virtual book launch for our first anthology, Forest Floor. I want to extend a huge thank you to each and every person who attended. The launch was a surreal and beautiful experience! There were readings from our wonderful WiT authors, beautiful words from our founder (and MC of our launch) Ann Y. K. Choi, as well as from our wonderful keynote speaker, Tali Voron-Leiderman! Ann, Tali, and my fellow WiT members, I cannot thank you enough!
During the Q&A session, we were asked who we write for. In a burst of slightly sweaty, nerve induced honesty I answered, “my notes app!” Readers, this was not a joke. My writing generally resides in my notes app, and in my notes app I thought it was largely meant to stay. When I feel the urge to write bubble up within me, for whatever reason (had a nightmare, waiting for a train, had thoughts and feelings I wanted to remember, saw something weird), I turn to my trusty old notes app. I blurt my thoughts out in written form. I re-read, I edit, and I… completely do nothing else with it. It sits there among my grocery lists, dates I need to remember, and the occasional note to self.
As you might have guessed, this is not generally what people might call a “winning strategy.” Why do I do this? Well, mostly because creative writing feels like such a private thing. I imagine it feels that way for most people, even those who go on to share their work. Writing, in the beginning, can be incredibly solitary. A way to get your thoughts and feelings out onto the (in my case digital) page. Writing creates a physical extension of your own imagination and inner world, so of course, it can feel incredibly private and personal. And you know what, my fellow notes app writers? In my humble opinion, there really isn’t anything wrong with that. If creative writing is truly just for yourself, the way a diary entry might be, that’s completely fine!
There may also be a smidgen of ego to the practice of hiding your writing from view as well. After all, if you never share what you’ve written, you never open yourself up to critique either. It can be a bit vulnerable to learn a skill in real time and writing is no exception. But that’s ok too. You’re definitely not alone, trust me. I won’t spill anybody else’s beans, but let’s just say that even non-notes app writers get nervous at readings.
So yes, sharing your words is a vulnerable thing. But it can also be validating, exciting, and a genuinely transformative experience creatively. All this to say, to my fellow notes app writers, I see you furtively tapping away out there in coffee shops and bus stops. I know all about your giant, half-used journal collection, and your deep and abiding fear of accidently copy and pasting one of your poems when texting somebody a link! I know you, I am you, and I am certainly not here to tell you what to do. I will only say this: If there’s a piece of writing you might want to put out there into the world, there are places for it to go. Writers groups for you to join, literary magazines to pitch to, creative writing classes to attend. So, if that interests you, grab your notes app, your least sweat-inducing pants and a little bit of courage. You may be surprised at what you find!
Emma Graham is a marketer and lover of writing. She helped with research and writing for a Sociology Textbook during her undergrad at the University of Toronto, and writes marketing focused copy. See Emma’s bio to learn more.
The views and opinions expressed in blog posts are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of all WiT members.
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