The Miracle of the Written Word

/ Gwen M. Plano

Hello S.E. friend, Gwen with you today, and I’m going to begin with a question. Why do you write?

This question became front and center for me when I learned of Western writer C.J. Petit. Do you know of him? He’s published over ninety books, has thousands of very positive reviews, and all but one of his kindle books sell at 99 cents.

In his own words, Petit explains that he began writing in 2016, “just before Christmas … I had no intention of letting anyone read it. The reason for even starting the book was just to keep my brain from turning into mush.”

Petit had retired from the Air Force, then worked as a computer tech for seventeen years, when he was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer of his throat and lymph glands. The treatment that ensued left him unable to eat, drink, or talk. That’s when he began writing – at the age of sixty-six. He explains, “Despite those limitations and some other odd ones, I still consider myself a very lucky person.”

On Goodreads, there are 242,078 ratings for Petit with an average star rate of 4.49, and there are 7,101 reviews.

Dumbfounding, don’t you think? He never planned to publish, and I don’t think he markets his books. He simply decided to write to keep his mind alive and unexpectedly, he fell in love with the characters – and readers did as well.

Stage IV cancer turned Petit’s world upside down and led him to the written word. He found his voice again, and it emanates from his heart.

I marvel at Petit’s success, but I’m humbled by the miracle that occurred when he began writing. It transformed his world. And this fact makes me ask, doesn’t writing do the same for each of us?

There’s something sacred about the process of writing. How can there not be? Bits and pieces of us crisscross the pages of our books.

This leads me to believe that the miracle of the written word is that writers become more aware of themselves and others, more alert to their surroundings, and more in awe of life itself. We morph as we write, sometimes stretched by the challenge, other times brought to our knees, but we always end up at our hearts.

What do you think about the writing process? Do you find it transformative? When I look back to 2014 when I first began publishing my stories, I marvel at the person I was and the person I am now. Putting pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard expanded my world by giving life to dreams and insight to perplexing mysteries. I suspect it has done the same for you. Won’t you share if this is the case?

Petit’s challenges may not be ours, but all of us face hurdles. Writing is one of the ways we surmount those difficulties. A miracle? I think so, don’t you agree?

‘Till next month, be well and write often.

81 thoughts on “The Miracle of the Written Word”

  1. Pingback: The Miracle of the Written Word – Yess Online

      • It’s offers way more ways to get and hold their attention, too. Plus, stories can ease the meaning into there more palatably, or through the steps it takes to achieve understanding. How else to throw a dragon or two in there, too?

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  4. Writing is a way to heal. The way you let go of unintentional burden one has , it just sheds. I don’t know how it happens but the feeling is ethereal after I write something. The magic of words has power to bring comfort even in darkest times. 🙂

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  5. I feel like a charlatan now as I went into writing simply because I enjoyed reading and thought, I can do that. I suspect that many writers were just readers that thought the same. I doubt that when I started, I really had anything important to say, lol I still doubt. However, with time and perseverance I found my niche. It is still humbling to such as I to hear Mr. Petit explain his reasons for writing.

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    • Thank you, Ray, I think you’re right. Many writers fell in love with the written word and decided to create their own masterpieces. BTW, I think you have plenty to say. 😊

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  8. Reading Petit’s journey to the writing field has answered my question why I write. It is transformational Gwen and I write to transform the mindset of men when it comes to style and fashion, I write with this goal “To help men dress better”

    Great post 🔥🔥🙏

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  10. I loved hearing that story, Gwen. I agree that writing is transformative. I have always wanted to write. When I was working, I sought opportunities to write. Even writing something as boring as our company’s Annual Report was enjoyable. I thought blogging was enough, but when I retired, I wanted more, and I had more time. My blog posts always had/have a purpose. Writing novels is somehow just for me. I enjoy the process, and I enjoy telling stories. Thanks for helping me realize I am not alone.

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  11. This is a wonderful post, Gwen. I think it touches on so much of what makes us writers tick. I first published over ten years ago. I am nowhere near as prolific as C. J. Petit, though that’s by choice. When I’m in the process of writing, the story is just for me. I haven’t shared it with anybody at that point. There is zero outside input. The story pulls me in and makes me watch as it unfolds. This allows me to take my time with it. I am not in a hurry to reach the end. I’ll get there when I am meant to. Writing gives me a place to relax, to chill out, to lock out the real world.

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    • What a powerful process, Beem. Thank you for sharing it. I’m often surprised where my writing takes me, and like you, I watch as it unfolds — not just on paper, but in me. 😊

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  12. Here’s another writer and gardener who finds them a source of peace and good for the soul! Like Mae, I started writing for my own pleasure when I was six, and I’d still write even if I had no intention to publish. It’s both a compusion and a challenge, and the friends I’ve made through blogs like this one are worth all of that wrangling with a plot hole or a wayward character! I loved your comment about it making you more alert to your surroundings and ‘in awe of life itself.’ ♥♥

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    • Thank you so much, Trish. I’m with you. I’d write even if the poem/manuscript was never published. It’s so sweet to realize how many of us think similarly. ❤️

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  13. What an amazing story about CJ Petit. I immediately hopped over to Amazon to check out his work. He has quite the catalog! What an amazing story and an amazing man. Thank you for sharing that, Gwen.

    Writing has been ingrained in my blood since I was. child. I penned my first story in grade school and not a year has gone by since that I haven’t spent most of it creating stories. Writing is a natural part of who I am. Even if I never published another word, I would continue to craft books for my own enjoyment. I simply wouldn’t know how NOT to.

    Wonderful post, Gwen!

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    • What a beautiful explanation for why you write, Mae. It’s part of who you are. ❤️ I was a shy child, and writing gave me a way to express myself. One day mom surprised me with a diary. I remember the little key, and in a household of 7 kids, that key meant a lot to me. Mom told me to write down what I held in my heart. I must have been around 7 years old. Sweet memory and a beginning.

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  14. Wonderful post Gwen, and so inspirational. I’ve recently found myself asking the same question – why do I write? I came to some of the same conclusions, learning things about myself that I hadn’t really known beforehand. I’ve never heard of C.J. Petit, but after learning of his story, it’s hard to ever think that it’s “too late” to pursue your passions in life, whatever they may be.

    Thanks again for sharing!

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    • Thank you very much, Gino. Similar to your comment, C.J. Petit’s life has prompted me to consider my life and my dreams. And you are right…”it’s hard to ever think that it’s ‘too late.'” All the best to you.

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    • So good to hear, Jacqui. To be as prolific as he is, the stories must flow. I am in awe of his journey and look forward to reading a few of his books. Thank you! 🤗

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  16. I’ve never heard of this author. Thanks for sharing his incredible story. It encourages me. I’ve always believed that God made me to be a storyteller. I write to share hope, healing, and redeeming stories with people to encourage them, and so they can know that nothing is impossible with God. I hope (and some have said) that my books and blog change people’s lives for the better. There are so many great authors out there that I find it humbling when someone chooses to read one of my books and finds it helpful.

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  17. I’m so in awe that C.J. Petit is so positive about his life and writing. I have to admire him. Writing does that for me. When life is difficult, I can escape into a story… and my life’s difficulties are nothing out of the ordinary like his. And for some miraculous reason, I’ve always had just enough success to make me happy, to keep me writing. I’d love more. Who wouldn’t? But when something’s dragging me down, writing often lifts me up.

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    • Beautiful, Judi. Thank you for sharing so personally. Writing often lifts me up as well. I think the process of writing helps me sort through the challenges and then find peace. Like you, I’m in awe of C.J. Petit. ❤️

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  18. This makes me want to immediately go explore his work, Gwen. What an uplifting story! Thank you so much for sharing. When I’m asked the question, “Why do you write?” my answer is always the same. As long as the story ideas keep coming, I feel it is my duty to do something with them. Thanks for sharing this today!

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  20. I started writing late in life. I had a story to tell. At first, I didn’t intend to publish, but then I reckoned, “why not? What’s to lose?” I self published at first, then found a publisher who, along with the books I submitted, wanted to take on my other books, too.
    I then wrote the first book that had its seeds decades ago. A historical novel. This was a move away from my fantasy books. But this story, and the subsequent ones, (one published, others still to come) had been so long waiting to be told.
    I have many stories all clamouring to be told, and characters demanding I tell their stories. I can’t not write them.It would disappoint all those people (and dragons, and dragonets, and a cat) in my head.

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  22. Petit’s story is amazing. I love his reason for writing: “So his brain wouldn’t turn to mush.” Clearly, he found his calling, and perhaps it was his openness to the pure adventure of this vocation that brought him such success. I write for the pure enjoyment of it, Gwen. Stories and the craft of telling them are like puzzles to me, and I love the feeling of getting all the pieces in the right place. A wonderful post full of positive energy! Happy Writing!

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  23. What a wonderful story about Petit. I’ll have to take a look at his books. I love your line ‘we always end up at our hearts’ … so beautiful and true. When I go too long without writing, something dims in my soul. Even if I write just a short verse of poetry, it saves me from the abyss somehow. Lovely post, Gwen. Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs 💕🙂

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  24. Thanks, Gwen! I just finished “Sidney Sheldon: The Other Side of Me,” and came away with the points you’ve made about how writing can transform your life. With Sheldon, writing saved his life, too. I appreciate your continued contributions to our craft. You’re making a difference.

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  27. Food for thought, Gwen. I’ve been for a long walk, discovered a river path I’ve been campaigning, alone, to have reopened IS open, and realised that is my answer. I used words – nagged the council and the park rangers by email – to achieve something for all of us in the area,
    It IS reflected in my writing – justice must be serviced whatever the cost to the character.

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    • Wonderful, Sarah. Your drive for justice is reflected powerfully in your writing. Congratulations in achieving the opening of a river path. This is cause for celebration! 😊

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  29. Like Staci, I would still write even if I won a mega million lottery. It’s in my blood, and I crave putting words on paper. I haven’t given much thought to whether it has transformed me, but in reading your post, I can see that it has to a degree.

    Great food for thought today, Gwen.

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  30. I can’t wait to share your post with my father, Gwen. He’s a huge Petit fan. When we learned his backstory, we were both impressed. My writing journey has been unique. It started as a hobby and a contest entry. I remember being obsessed with reading author websites and learning about their path to publication. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d receive a book contract. I’m thankful God had bigger plans for me. Great post!

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  31. My degrees are in this field. It’s all I know, all I’m trained to do, all I’ve ever done. I edit to help other writers, and I write to help myself. Even when I write lighter works, I’m expressing a message. Yesterday, my sister and I were talking about what we’d do if we won a massive lottery. I’d still be a writer.

    Thanks for sharing Petit’s story, Gwen. It’s incredible.

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  34. Pingback: The Miracle of the Written Word | Legends of Windemere

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