There are so many topics we would rather not discuss, and death is most certainly one of them but it's part of a necessary agenda that we all must face.  Can we block those uncomfortable discussions and feelings and replace them with thoughts that only bring joy?  Sure, but that doesn't change the inevitable doom lingering in the background.  Faced with despair, loss of direction on what to do next and the feeling that there is no hope, you find yourself stuck in a spiral of doubt that often times gets much worse before it gets better.  If we could erase thoughts like a bad dream it would be an easy task but unfortunately that's not reality.  

The one truism in life that I have learned to accept as I grow older is that we are all born into this world, and we will all surely die.  What that day is we will never know and quite honestly I don't think it would bring on an amazing sense of comfort if we did.  Take a movie for example.  Part of the excitement is trying to figure out what is going to happen and preparing yourself for the ending.  Would you still watch that movie if you knew the ending in advance?  The answer is likely no as it would take away the mystery and excitement and give you nothing to look forward to.  And for some the answer quite possibly might be yes, either way we have to learn to accept that everyone has their own way of dealing with the inevitable fate that is death.

What a pleasure it was to chat with Emily Collins who is a Creative Writer/Freelance Copywriter and Editor.  I appreciated the memories the interview brought back to life and the subtle reminder of why I continue with my passion.  See what I had to say below!

Welcome back to the Literary Copywriter spotlight where I feature professional writers with creative pursuits. Today I interviewed Alicia Jones, a creative writer/blogger and founder of AJ’s Diary.  I sat with Alicia to learn more about her journey. Let’s hear from Alicia!

Literary Copywriter: Tell me about your writing journey. When did you first realize that a.) you are a writer, and b.) you want to make a living off of your writing?

A.J.  I think I was around 12 or 13 years old when I got my first diary.  Back in the day there were mobile libraries where the bus would come up to the school and the students would have about an hour to buy whatever they wanted.  I recall begging my mom for money just to buy one book.  When you stepped inside this mystical bus, it was a book lovers dream.  Books upon books, beautiful bookmarks and little quirky boxes with locks and keys.  That is when I saw my first diary.  My eyes lit up, and I'm certain my heart skipped a few beats.  The smell of the new pages turn after turn is something that is hard to describe.  You either love it, or run towards the nearest exit.  I couldn't begin to tell you how much I wrote in my diary or what I actually had to say.  As much as I would love to see that old diary I would likely cringe at my thoughts back then.  At that age I am sure it made absolutely no sense or perhaps it would have gone down in history as the most profound writing from a pre-teen.  Either way, buying that diary on that day sparked something in me that would be everlasting. Self expression is an art and a gift, all in one.  Learning how to get into that special space in your mind and convey your feelings for others to enjoy is simply magnificent.  Would I love to make a living off of my writing?  Most definitely.  But even if I never make one single penny from my work I will always love it, forever cherish the process and appreciate the journey.
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For me I truly felt like that I could claim the title of author when I wrote my first short story, 'The Scent Of A Woman'.  I allowed myself to have fun creating the characters and just going with it.  My readers have requested a sequel, so we shall see what happens with part two of this story.  Stay tuned!

Self expression is an art and a gift, all in one.  Learning how to get into that special space in your mind and convey your feelings for others to enjoy is simply magnificent.  Would I love to make a living off of my writing?  Most definitely.  But even if I never make one single penny from my work I will always love it, forever cherish the process and appreciate the journey.
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You know how the lyrics go, "I gotta feeling, that tonight's gonna be a good good night feel, tonight's the night, let's live it up, I got my money , let's spend it up".  We all have a song that makes us feel this way, a moment where we forget everything, let go and just let the vibe completely take over.  There are so many different genres of music, Rock, Classic, Gospel, R&B, Country, Jazz, Folk, Rap, Funk Fusion, Neo-Soul, Hip Hop, Reggae, and the list goes on and on.   I typically listen to my music at deafening levels, but depending on the mood I sometimes keep it nice and mellow.  If you have never shouted "huh" over your headphones then you have absolutely no idea what I mean!  Music has a way of speaking for itself and it will let you know just how the song should be treated.  Finding that perfect balance of bass and treble will create an unforgettable combination and you have now entered into what I like to call musical euphoria.