Have you ever sat alone in the depths of night, watching your dreams flicker across a screen while doubt whispers in your ear? I’ve been there – we all have. That space between inspiration and creation where our deepest stories wait to be born.
ember + verse
tonight my bare feet curl against
the hardwood floor & the fire
spits embers like tiny stars being born
while my iPad screen glows blue-white
harsh against the honey-warmth
do you know what it means
to create a universe? to birth
characters from nothing but
synapses & caffeine & the quiet violence
of willing the stories to come alive
my hot cocoa has gone cold again / fourth cup
forgotten between metaphors & plot twists
& somewhere in chapter three my protagonist
is learning how to be brave, just like me
at 2am with demons of doubt hovering overhead
the fire doesn't judge my delete key
doesn't mind when i read dialogue aloud
testing the weight of words on my tongue
like morning blessings over fresh eggs
or prayers of grace spoken soft at night
outside the window, winter presses
her cold face against the glass,
watches me type type, type, type my heart
into bits of binary code & beautiful lies
that might just save someone
my neck aches & my fingers shake
but the fire keeps burning / keeps
teaching me how to turn darkness
into light / into story / into truth /
into whatever comes after survival
& maybe that's what all this is:
a girl & her ghosts & her half-written novel
learning how to speak in tongues of flame /
transforming midnight loneliness
into constellations of words
~ Mary Kaye Chambers
12/4/24
When I first wrote this poem, I was wrestling with more than just words. I was learning to transform my creative struggles into stepping stones, discovering that our greatest challenges often hold the seeds of our most powerful breakthroughs. Today, I want to share what I’ve learned about turning those late-night battles into beacons of personal growth.
The Power of Creative Solitude
There’s something transformative about creating in those quiet hours when the world sleeps. It’s not just about avoiding distractions – it’s about finding the courage to face your authentic voice. Those moments when your feet curl against the floor and your coffee goes cold aren’t just about writing; they’re about building resilience one word at a time.
I’ve discovered that our creative journey mirrors our personal growth in profound ways. Every deleted line, every rewritten scene, every moment of doubt followed by breakthrough – these are more than just steps in the creative process. They’re lessons in persistence, self-trust, and the art of transformation.
Turning Darkness into Light: Practical Steps for Creative Warriors
- Embrace Your Sacred Space
Create an environment that nurtures your creativity. Whether it’s the warm glow of a fire or the soft hum of midnight, find your space where magic happens. Your environment shapes your mindset more than you might realize. - Transform Doubt into Fuel
Those “demons of doubt hovering overhead” aren’t your enemies – they’re challenging you to dig deeper. Use their presence as a signal that you’re pushing boundaries and growing stronger. - Build Rituals That Resonate
Notice how the poem mentions hot cocoa and reading dialogue aloud? Personal rituals ground us in our practice. They’re not just habits; they’re anchors that keep us steady when inspiration feels distant. - Honor Your Process
Some nights will flow like fire, others will feel like typing through tar. Both are valid, both are necessary. The key is showing up consistently, letting your process evolve naturally.
The Revolutionary Act of Creation
What I’ve come to understand is that creating isn’t just about producing work – it’s about becoming. Every time we sit down to create, we’re participating in a kind of alchemy. We’re learning to “speak in tongues of flame,” transforming our experiences into something that might light the way for others.
Your creative journey isn’t just about what you’re making – it’s about who you’re becoming in the process. Those late-night sessions, those moments of doubt, those breakthroughs and setbacks – they’re all shaping you into someone stronger, braver, more resilient.
Moving Forward: Your Creative Evolution
As you continue on your creative path, remember:
- Your struggles aren’t obstacles – they’re the raw material of your growth
- Your unique perspective is invaluable – no one else can tell your stories
- Your creative practice is a valid form of self-discovery and healing
- Your work matters, even (especially) when it feels like it doesn’t
The Dawn After Darkness
Just as embers can spark new flames, your creative practice can illuminate paths you never knew existed. Whether you’re writing a novel, building a business, or reimagining your life, remember that transformation happens in those quiet moments when you choose to keep going.
The fire keeps burning, teaching us how to turn darkness into light, into story, into truth, into whatever comes after survival. And maybe that’s the most beautiful part – discovering that “whatever comes after survival” is exactly where our greatest strength lies.
To every creative soul reading this: Your midnight battles matter. Your persistence matters. Your voice matters. Keep typing, keep creating, keep transforming your loneliness into constellations of possibility.
Because in the end, we’re all learning to speak in tongues of flame, turning our ghosts into gifts for the world.
What story will you light up next?
YOUR TURN:
Do you have your own quiet moments of creation? Those times when the world sleeps and something inside you needs to come alive on the page? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below.
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