As a writer, I empty my life to fill blank sheets of paper, or keep the cursor moving in my laptop's monitor. I replenish my inner resources by reading plenty of books, magazines, newspaper, and online articles.

I balance my time between writing and experiencing life, as I believe that what make men and women of arts and letters prolific are the mundane, peppered by the occasional celebrations, like Christmas and New Year, and milestones, like the birth of a newborn, a high school or college graduation, an engagement that leads to a wedding, or a job promotion.

And even escaping from a near-death experience or recovering from a divorce or a seemingly devastating illness can be turned into something constructive. Acknowledging the presence of feelings -- both positive and negative -- is healthy, and pouring your thoughts and hearts out on paper can be a form of catharsis or therapy.