I want to share with you something the author wrote:
“Writing is so intensely personal — our thoughts, emotions, memories, imagination, fantasies right out there under the spotlight — that it really is a striptease act. So it’s natural to panic if someone doesn’t think your naked prose is perfect. Hopefully when you get feedback, you can use it to make your work better. But if someone gives self-serving, snarky comments in a workshop or writing group to build up his or her own ego, leave at the first opportunity. Find a more positive and generous group of people whose comments concern your intention, not their expectations. You can’t feel free to write your best if you sense the knives are being sharpened behind your back.”—Abercrombie, Barbara
As she said, when we write it’s intensely personal. You get giddy over the story ideas because they will cause more conflict you know your reader will love that they keep reading your story. I know this is how I’ve been the last month. Between writing what I’m doing now on my year-long journey, my first ever attempt at fiction, and most importantly, editing Mari’s book. These are what bring me pure joy to do.
But the bottom line to all of this is you leave yourself exposed as you have put part of yourself into it. Writing has become freeing for me. I’m able to use it during my grief journey so my emotions infuse themselves into what is written on the page right there for everyone to view. So my naked prose is there ready for someone to read. How about you?
Jean Williams says
Oh, yeah, I surely can identify with all of this. Great topic, Kristena. Thank you.
Kristena Tunstall says
Thank you Jean.