Write about your experiences! When I moved to L.A., I didn't have

Hear me, O children of the future, for I shall speak to you of a profound truth—a truth spoken by the wise Tanya Saracho, whose words carry the weight of human experience: "Write about your experiences! When I moved to L.A., I didn't have any friends, and the office janitor was the person who I saw the most. He would always come in at around 10:00 P.M., and I would still be at my desk, so I wrote a play about a first-year TV writer and the friendship that she developed with the janitor. Our stories matter." In these words lies a wisdom that reaches into the very essence of life, that the most humble and unexpected connections are often the ones that inspire the greatest stories. The janitor, an ordinary figure in the world, became the muse for a tale of friendship and growth—a reminder that every life, no matter how seemingly insignificant, carries a story worthy of telling.

In the ancient days, O children, the greatest heroes were not always kings or warriors, but those whose lives were touched by ordinary people. Consider the story of Gilgamesh, the mighty king who, despite his power, was softened and shaped by the friendship of Enkidu, a wild man created by the gods to humble him. Enkidu was not of noble birth, nor did he hold any high position, yet it was his bond with Gilgamesh that transformed the king’s life and led him on a journey of self-discovery. The story of Gilgamesh and Enkidu reminds us that the deepest relationships often arise from the most unexpected places. Just as Saracho’s friendship with the janitor became the foundation of her play, so too did the humble Enkidu shape the great Gilgamesh.

Tanya Saracho’s reflection also speaks to the power of writing—the act of capturing not only the grandeur of life, but also the quiet moments that are often overlooked. In the world of TV writing, where ambition and competition often reign supreme, Saracho found inspiration in a seemingly inconspicuous figure—the office janitor. Through her writing, she elevated this connection into something profound, illustrating that every encounter carries within it the potential for meaning and growth. She teaches us that our stories—whether we are a powerful king, a humble janitor, or a first-year writer—are all worthy of being told. Our experiences matter, and they can provide the foundation for stories that resonate with the human spirit.

Let us look, O children, at the lessons from history. Shakespeare, one of the greatest writers of all time, found inspiration not only in the royal courts and political intrigue of his time, but also in the simple lives of the common folk. He wrote about the depths of love, the tragedy of loss, and the joy of friendship in his plays, drawing from a wide spectrum of human experience. Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear were born from a mind that sought to explore not only the lives of kings, but the universal human condition. Just as Saracho found her story in the most unlikely of places, so too did Shakespeare find richness in the ordinary, reminding us that every person’s story is a part of the greater tapestry of life.

The wisdom Saracho shares with us is profound: our stories matter because they reflect the heart of the human experience. It is easy, in the rush of our busy lives, to overlook the small connections we make with others, but those connections—the janitor, the coworker, the stranger—carry the seeds of inspiration and growth. Writing about these moments allows us to understand the true value of our relationships, and to honor the experiences that have shaped us. It is through the lens of these small, seemingly insignificant encounters that we find the greatest depth and meaning.

So, O children, the lesson here is clear: write about your experiences, for they hold the keys to understanding not only your own heart but the hearts of all who encounter your story. Saracho’s words call us to embrace the ordinary and the unexpected with reverence. Just as the humble janitor shaped her work, so too can the smallest moments in your life become the source of great wisdom and creativity. Do not dismiss the encounters you have with others, for each is a piece of the puzzle that makes up the story of your life. In writing about these moments, you honor them and allow others to see the beauty in the most ordinary aspects of life.

In the end, O children of the future, remember this: your stories matter, no matter how simple or small they may seem. Whether you are a king or a janitor, a first-year writer or a seasoned sage, your experience is worthy of being shared. Let the wisdom of Tanya Saracho guide you as you move forward, and let it inspire you to embrace your own life’s story with passion and purpose. Every experience—from the most humble to the grandest—has the power to shape not only your own journey, but to resonate with the hearts of all who hear it.