WORDS ARE ALL I HAVE

There are no words to express the annoyance at myself for the difference between how often I intend to write a blog and how often I actually do!  I am, therefore, writing this time in a larger font than usual, to make the point that large or small, words are all I have to express the way I feel. Or, in fact, how anyone feels when it is transferred via a screen or a paper back. And this is why writers of all genres and persuasions often struggle when writing emotions and thoughts for a character who is so different to themselves. I know I certainly do struggle, well perhaps struggle is too strong a word. I do work very hard at it. I listen and look and learn about other people every day of my life. I do my best to understand and experience is certainly the best teacher,whether first or second hand. To step into the shoes of another person is the ultimate way to comprehend them. To go through what they do, to see how they survive in the world is a good lesson in how we all differ, even if fundamentally being similar, if not the same. Then, once understanding occurs, writing about it is that much easier. 
There has been much debate, often heated, about who can write about whom and whether there are some people's experiences and reactions to them, that cannot or should not be written about by someone. I disagree. A writer, whether a journalist or a writer of fiction, must have the freedom to write about anything and anyone. That is true freedom of speech. It does not matter whether it is about race, gender, a belief system, culture or specific behaviours. The pursuit of and exposure of a trait is a fundamental democratic right. 
Of course, it is HOW the writing is done that has its obligations and responsibilities. Of course, there must be honesty and integrity and a sensitivity to a belief system but there should not be any prescriptive no-go areas. If there are, we into the realms of 1984 and, indeed, Animal Farm. So, of course, excellent research is an absolute necessity in discovering what makes another person tick before the first word is written.  And I have run out of space for more words, although I have many other words to offer!😉