"Writers live twice." — Natalie Goldberg

Writers Live Twice: The Dual Life of a Writer

Natalie Goldberg once said, “Writers live twice,” a profound statement that speaks to the unique experience of writers who live both in the real world and in the world of their stories. Writing offers an unparalleled opportunity to dive deeply into human experience, capturing life’s nuances and emotions in ways that allow a writer to live in multiple dimensions—first in reality, and then again on the page. This act of living twice is more than just a metaphor; it’s a reflection of the immersive and transformative nature of storytelling.

In this blog post, we will explore how writers live twice, the richness this brings to their craft, and the ways in which this dual existence allows for deeper understanding of the self and the world.

Living Twice: The Experience of the Present

The first way that writers live is, of course, in their daily lives—the ordinary world of experiences, relationships, and emotions. Whether it’s moments of joy, pain, love, or loss, writers absorb their surroundings with a heightened sense of awareness. For a writer, every encounter, observation, or thought becomes potential material. Life is not just lived but observed, analyzed, and internalized with the knowledge that it will one day inform a story.

Writers live with this unique lens, constantly paying attention to details that others might overlook. The sound of rain tapping on a window, the way light hits a certain object, or the subtle shifts in a loved one’s expression during a conversation—these small moments are magnified in the mind of a writer. This acute awareness makes their experience of life richer because they aren’t just participating in it, they are preparing to reflect on it later.

In this sense, writers live deeply in the present, constantly collecting moments, emotions, and experiences to draw upon in their work. They are, in a way, experiencing life in two layers: the immediate experience and the knowledge that it will be relived through writing.

Living Again: The World of the Story

The second life that writers live happens in their writing, where they revisit, reinterpret, and reshape their experiences. Writing is a way of re-living life with added depth and reflection. When a writer sits down to craft a story, they are often drawing from their own lived experiences, but with the creative freedom to mold those experiences into something new. In this second life, writers are not just passive participants in the world—they are creators of worlds.

This act of writing allows the writer to revisit emotions, relive memories, and explore alternate outcomes. If they didn’t say the perfect thing in a real-life conversation, they can write a character who does. If a personal experience was difficult or unresolved, they can give it closure in fiction. Writers have the power to reshape reality, giving them a sense of control and understanding that is not always possible in the real world.

In fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or any form of writing, writers live twice by drawing from the well of their lived experiences and transforming them into something lasting. The act of writing makes life’s moments immortal, preserving them in ways that transcend time.

The Impact of Living Twice

Living twice as a writer offers many rewards. The process of writing often leads to greater self-awareness, as it forces the writer to reflect on their experiences and make sense of them. It allows them to explore emotions in ways they might not have otherwise, leading to a deeper understanding of themselves and others. This introspection can be healing, as writing provides a way to process and release emotions that may have been difficult to confront in the moment.

Writers also live twice through the lives of their characters. When crafting a story, they must step into the shoes of their characters, inhabiting their minds, emotions, and decisions. This requires immense empathy and imagination, as writers must fully understand their characters’ motivations, struggles, and desires. In doing so, they get to live multiple lives, not just their own, but the lives of everyone they write about.

This dual existence also makes writers keen observers of human nature. Because they are always looking at life through the lens of potential stories, they become more attuned to the subtle complexities of human behavior. They notice the contradictions, the vulnerabilities, and the unspoken truths that others might miss. This heightened sense of awareness enriches their writing and deepens their connection to the world around them.

The Challenges of Living Twice

While living twice brings many rewards, it can also come with challenges. The constant pull between the real world and the world of writing can be exhausting. Writers often find themselves torn between being fully present in their day-to-day lives and the desire to retreat into their creative worlds. It can be difficult to strike a balance between these two modes of living, especially when the demands of writing pull them away from social interactions or other responsibilities.

Additionally, the emotional intensity of reliving experiences through writing can be overwhelming. Writers often draw on personal pain or difficult memories to fuel their stories, and this can make the writing process emotionally taxing. In this second life, the act of revisiting painful moments can be both cathartic and challenging, requiring a delicate balance of vulnerability and resilience.

Conclusion: The Gift of Living Twice

Natalie Goldberg’s observation that “writers live twice” highlights the unique gift of the writing life. Writers don’t just experience the world once; they have the privilege of revisiting, reinterpreting, and immortalizing it through their words. This dual existence allows for greater understanding, empathy, and creative expression, as writers use their craft to make sense of life’s complexities.

Living twice gives writers the opportunity to not only capture the beauty and pain of the human experience but to transform it into something lasting and meaningful. Through their words, they offer readers the chance to live twice as well—once in their own lives, and again in the worlds the writer has created. In this way, the writer’s dual life becomes a shared experience, enriching both the creator and the reader alike.