I've become a caregiver for my wife. Something I always said I would not be able to do. Funny how the man upsatairs uses your own words and thoughts to move you. One thing I know for sure, without His guidance and a few good books, I would be lost.
A book allows you to escape reality and dive into another place. I for one don't watch reality shows on TV. It seems that the participants are seldom anyone I would love to spend time with. But a book allows you to get to know characters you can pull for and those who you want to see get their just desserts.
That is exactly how I approach writing. I want to make my protagonists grow and my antagonists suffer. But I will keep my pledge to never include excessive violence or gore. After all, it's the story that's important, not how gruesome it can be.