Writing can be very cathartic. It’s a great way to get out your aggression, release some tension, and just feel better about things. People, jobs, situations, etc, can make us angry. We need a way to release all of that anger. Some people break plates. Others lock themselves inside their closets and scream until their throats are sore (I’d kinda like to try that). I write books.

Life can throw a lot at you at one time. My grandfather passed away in April and five months later my mother and I are still dealing with family drama concerning his estate. I have neighbors who I wish had disappeared during the Thanos snap. And now, the library where I work has shut down due to mold. MOLD!!!! They say life never throws any more at you than you can handle. Well, life must think I’m one tough bitch.

As it turns out, I am. I am a tough bitch.

Writing is how I deal with my anger and process my depression. I can’t kick or punch the people who have done shit and are doing shit to me without going to jail, so I have to do something else. So, I write. My uncle who blew up my and my mother’s life thirteen years ago? He’s in one of my books. My father who was absent most of my life? He’s in one of my books. That time I was homeless and moved into a motel? That’s in one of my books, too. Oh, there’s plenty of other stuff that made it into one of my books. I’ll never break someone’s window or flatten their tires, but I will put them in a book. I won’t go outside with a bullhorn and shout about things that have happened to me, but I will use those events as fuel for my writing.

You can go sit on a therapist’s couch and discuss all your woes, or you can let your characters experience them. Maybe you can even say the things you wish you’d said years ago. Maybe you can finally get that chip off of your shoulder and find some peace. So if you’re angry, don’t do anything violent or stupid—just put it in your writing instead. Believe me you’ll start to feel better.