Like many people on the planet, I spent many weeks listening to Taylor Swift and attempting to digest The Tortured Poets Department. Even on my first listen, though, I was drawn to “I Hate It Here.” I know it is unlikely to be a blockbuster hit, but I love the exploration of escapism and the yearning to flee from the harshness of reality into a world of one’s own creation. Just check out these lyrics:

I hate it here so I will go to
secret gardens in my mind
People need a key to get to
The only one is mine
I read about it in a book when I was a precocious child
No mid-sized city hopes and small town fears
I’m there most of the year
Cause I hate it here

As a writer, I can only hope to create the kind of characters and world that would offer solace and an escape for readers.

For many of us, writing is not merely about constructing narratives; it’s about building entire universes where readers can immerse themselves. We have the remarkable power to transport audiences to different realms, eras, and experiences, providing a sanctuary through the pages of a book.

How many of us found such escapism in the enchanting worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth? And how many folks turn to today’s writers, from Sabaa Tahir to Brandon Sanderson to Sarah J. Maas? These authors offer more than a temporary break from reality—they provide hope, inspiration, and sometimes, a new perspective on the real world.

You might not be a Swiftie like me, but we can all relate to what she is talking about in the song. Hell, we were all readers before we were writers. We all know what it is like to find the perfect book at just the right time, and how it takes us to the place we needed to be.

If you’re like me, you face obstacles in writing. It might be the querying process. Or being on sub. Or old-fashioned writer’s block. Hell, it might be too many ideas at once.

For me, it helps to remember that I could be writing that book that will be someone’s escape. There might be someone out there looking for that “secret garden in their mind.” And if there is even a chance that I can give them what they need, then it helps me move forward.

So I encourage you to embrace the role of a storyteller who provides a safe escape. Your words could offer solace, hope, or comfort. Keep writing. After all, we need more doorways to more secret gardens, and I can’t wait to explore the world in your mind.